Really need help here guys...

First I thought that is why you would be here to start with. I am a SUPER TRUCKER probably by your defination and I am very proud to be a trucker in this US of A. The tractor I drive has an open governor, 13 speed, 6oo hp, I do run 75+ where it is legal like 15 thru Utah, I have well over 3 million safe miles. So what. I have forgotten more than I can remember, had women in as many ports as I could get away with. All has nothing to do with anything.

Second, off I can think of no better place to ask. I have ask CHP DOT Cops questions over the years probably more times than I could lie about, and never not one time has one ever been anything but polite and answered to the best of there ability.

But what I can tell you for a fact it is totally legal for a company to put you on line 1, off duty while your waiting at a customer. Now if they do that and something goes awry, Its not your problem. Go off duty sleep as long as you need before you go available. My fellow swabbi brother already posted the section giving them authority to do this. I a couple of years you will be glad to have the hours available. Only you can decide when your safe to operate the truck, do not let anyone puch you into driving when your not safe to do so, but also dont spit into the wind.

 

Well thank god they dont think like you, have done this numerous times and never been shown anything but respect. I have done this at Tehachapi, Chow Chilla, Banning and the bug check SB 15, never had a problem.

 

No wrong totally legal 2 hours sleeper, 15 minutes moving truck, then 8 hours off duty/sleeper. But be very careful grasshopper, cause this is actually a split shift and you may not get all your hours back till you take a full 10. And he had to still have hours available to do the split driving wise. If you driv 10.5 hour the do 2 hours your only going to have .5 available, so be very careful wabbit.

 

But....you have 30 years experience. I understand the Fed's are constantly changing portions of the regulations....what seems so difficult for you to keep up with those changes?
Secondly; I know you are not one of those guys that can't/won't embrace technology...you are on the internet right now. What would be the harm in you researching the information on your own, rather than bothering a DOT Officer that PROBABLY has to look it up for you.
Sure, it is their job to know the regulations....but it is also YOURS. And the only time it is their job to TEACH you the regulations, is when you break them.

P.S.- You've had pretty good luck asking DOT questions in California...now come on over to Iowa, Nebraska, or Missouri and see how things go.

 

I am am sure powder joints does research and IS research savvy, but like he mentions I'd rather ask a DOT officer - in my experience DOT officers only want to help- it all comes down to attitude -

 

If I was to ask an officer about anything it would be over the phone.Asking them in person may give them a reason to do a level 1 or do some serious digging and find a log violation.

 

Cant speak about anything I have not experienced, First I do chase things with technology as far as possible to understand, however that being said when you need to know (from point of view) you can only gain that through said point of view.

Case in point a few years ago before it was added to I was driving for Valley Bulk , and was frequently going thru the southbound bug check, anyway the company was insisting that drivers take a 30 minute break claiming that under CA labor law it was required, when I believed drivers were actually exempted from it. I mean they were giving drivers days off for failure to comply. Stopped behind the truck he was inspecting, and when he walked back I ask about this. No problem he knew exactly what I was talking about showed me the section to look up which very clearly exempted CA Commercial drivers from this mandate. (do not be confused I am not talking about the current law). I thanked him and was on my way. Then the company made it a policy since I brought this up in the next safety meeting. But piont was he was polite, assisted me with the legal from his point of view (after all that is the point of view that can site you).

Us old farts are (or used to be) guilty of instilling fear of Das Bear into new drivers, while a great deal of respect is due to anything that can rip off your arm and beat you with it, asking something to a Trooper has always led me to understanding from his point of view.

 

exactly right. With the use of lumpers, basicly all carriers are relieving you from duty. However, if you don't trust what your dispatcher is telling you, then call your log department or safety department and ask them to explain it to you. No major carrier wants to get busted for having their drivers breaking the law. Logs Dept. Is there to help keep you legal.

 

If he is empty and NOT under another load then he does NOT have to go back on duty to move his truck.

 

If he is not under another load OR he heads to a truckstop in the opposite direction of his next pickup, then he can log "off duty driving"