30 Off Duty requirement question

Only for 8 hours after the 30 min break if the next 8 after the break are spent driving

 

So to get the full benefit, If you want to drive more than 10 hours, and not have to use two 30 minute breaks within your 14 hours, take your 30 min break 3 hours or more after you start driving.

 

just take it between 6-8 hours in then your fine for the day

 

If you take that 30-minute break too soon after starting your 14-hour clock then you will be required to take another 30-minute break if you are driving more than 8-hours in that 14-hour period. Like the above statements....most will advise you to take that 30-minute break when you have less than 4-hours remaining on that 8-hour session. Personally, I like to wait until that 8-hour window is down to 2-hours...meaning I am into my 14-hour clock for 6-hours leaving me 8-hours on my 14 if I am needing to utilize my entire 14-hour day. This way I only have to take one 30-minute break for the entire 14-hour period.

 

"The Reg" is currently in the US Senate right now, voting soon on whether or not to do away with it.

 

bottom line is 8 hours max.

and it's NOT being done away with. only the 34 restart as it stands today. everything else still stands. unless you haul livestock.

 

The amendment that was passed in committee only suspends the new 34-hour restart rules (1-5 AM and 168 hour), it does nothing with the 30 minute break requirement. After the crash involving Tracy Morgan this week, I doubt that it has that much of a chance to pass the full Senate.

As for the OP, I would think of the 30 minute break requirement much like I think of the 14. Once I start my clock at the beginning of the day, my 14 starts ticking and doesn't stop. Likewise, once you start your day or take a 30 minute break, an 8-hour clock starts ticking and doesn't stop.

 

The optimal time to take the 30 minute break is after 5 1/2 hours. That way I don't have to take TWO thirty minute breaks and maximize use of my 14 hour clock.

For example, if I go on duty and log a 15 minute pretrip inspection, then drive 5 1/4 hours and do a 30 minute break:

- I will have 5 3/4 hours drive time left
- I will have 8 hours of my 14 hour clock left

That means I have 2 1/4 hours of available time on my 14 above and beyond my drive time. I MAY want to use that time or I may not. The point is you maximize the available 14 hour clock by waiting to take your 30 minute break.