HOS Question

A little more context would be helpful. Is this going on 5?, 6?, 7? days a week?

Are you driving "local"? interstate? What type of equipment are you driving? Getting paid strictly hourly or hourly and mileage?

For drivers who are governed by federal HOS rules, they are pretty simple.

• Can't drive after 14 hours from the time you started your day

• Can't drive more then 11 hours in any one 14 hour work period

• Can't drive after 70 hours combined on-duty and driving time in any rolling 8 days (maybe 60 hours in 7 days depending on your work week)
• Can't drive after being on duty or driving more then 8 hours without a rest break (must take a 1/2 rest break before continuing to drive)

You can be "on-duty" any length of time (24/7 even), it's drive time that is monitored closely

 

To expound upon what STexan said, You can not drive after 14 hours from the time you start your day. However, you can still be "on-duty" doing things, as long as you are not driving. There's nothing in the regs that limit you to a 14 hours day, just the driving part. You must also realize the 70/8 and 60/7 rules apply to ALL on-duty time, regardless of whether it is driving or not. However, I advise you to look at the FMCSA site found here: https://cms.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations

 

It is your responsibility to log and work within the HOS rules. Not your companies. The HOS rules were put into effect to protect the drivers from being work so much that they become a safety risk to the General Public. You have to sign somewhere that the HOS records are true.

The first thing you should do is start looking for another company to work with. Accusing the company of violating HOS rules is a big deal. The company could be shut down and everyone could be out of a job. The good news is that you will be protected by whistlebower statues.

Are you doing anything that makes you feel you are unsafe. If so, mention that to your company. If the matter is not handled properly, call the DOT.

 

Yes it is normal. It happens all the time. No it will not get better. No you will not get paid for it. I can't believe you are surprised by this. Did you visit a message board like this one BEFORE you selected this career? I don't know what type of work you are talking about but I'm going to say that most drivers log like you described.

I'm sure you are free to log it as on duty, but they will either let you go or you will run out of hrs and therefore make less money.

 

And that is exactly the reason things will not change.

It is because too many drivers put up with this BS!


I don't have to worry about it, though.
I log my hours correctly without fear of termination.

I guess working for a bottom-feeder that abuses its drivers has some advantages after all.

Am I making less money? Maybe.
But I'd rather die old and poor than young and rich.
Can't take it with you.

And I'd rather enjoy my job and lifestyle than be stressed and miserable all the time.
That stress and unhappiness just leads to an early heart attack, or other problems.

I may not be the best paid driver, but I have always been treated with respect at my company.
And I control my own hours - without fear of reprisal.

 

Moosetek,You will never get rich enough to die young even if you violate the HOS every day,from age 20 by never stopping to eat,sleep,shower & shi...

 

another disillusioned rookie
I figure I get paid to drive from WI to CA and back
everything else is just pot holes in the way
I find most on here want HOS to protect them until it hinders them

 

Moosetek.. I agree with you.. I am with a "Bottom Feeder" mega carrier as well.. I am still in my first year of driving.. before getting on with a mega, I was with a small family owned and run outfit, ran loose leaf paper logs and around scalehouses.. they had me drive 13 to 14 hours to a delivery... then had to wait and wait for a return load.. there wasno one to complain to since everyone in the company with the exception of myself and a couple othe drivers were family.. cant tell the Boss his wife is a crappy dispatcher or his son a lousy mechanic..

So, I bailed and came to Werner.. however, as a rookie, I am happy here.. I am lucky I am on a good dedicated account and make decent money.. I have a good fleet manager.. and, of course, like all fleet managers he wants you to push the limits of your HOS.. but, all I have to do is stand my ground.. like the other day, I pulled off for the nigbt with a hour and 46 minutes left... next morning he messages me why I didnt continue on to the recievers. ? I explained that if I had I would not had enougb time to get to a truck stop and park for the night.. he said I cohld of stayed there.. I said, there were no restroom facilities or showers.. I do not pee I my truck, which is also company policy and I like to shower.. had I stayed I would of had to use time in the morning with my 14 hour clock ticking to shower.. that was al that was needed and now it is history and we are on to new loads..

With werner, if your dispatcher has you violate HOS, you can call logs 24/7,
If after calling logs they run you stupid or less miles, you call Driver Services..

So, there are checks and balances with the megas..

However, as a driver I do want to make as much money as I can.. so I run as much as I can.. which means being good at time management and all as well as some creative electronic coloring and such.. but, it is my choice and decision when I do so...

Trucking isnt to only industry where you have to do some work off the clock to be successful. ? When I was in management but still paid hourly, I would do a lot of stuff at home on my owntime.. like make the employee schedul and assignments, I would do my weekly reports at home, etc..

As a driver, I would rather be fixing a light or whatever on my 10 hour rather than during my 11 hours.. I want to roll as many miles as I can each week.. so I do what I can to make that happen..
But, again it is my choice..

 

Does werner really have a poilicy of no peeing in the truck ? you are joking right...