Explain E-Logs to me please.

Good replies in here, AK. Companies differ on their setup. All are compliant with DOT log regulations. Some will give you an hour line #5 "off duty driving" per day. That is their truck and their fuel, their overhead, we're talking about, they're letting you use it for an hour, they're being nice. I use it a lot, groceries, mostly, but sometimes for a hot meal, whatever. Some companies aren't so nice and do not offer a line #5 option for their drivers. Once you arrive at a destination, you are allowed some freedom of movement that won't trigger your drive line, as mentioned several times. Companies differ on that alignment, but it's pretty much an industry standard.

I like e-logs. 3 times in the last year I was in a DOT inspection or CHP (California) inspection. The officers always ask "let me see your log book," and when I respond "electronic, do you want to come inside and look it over? Or, do you want a fax?" So far they've said, "no, that's fine," so the log issue went away. Paper logs are required to register every change of duty, and that's hard to do consistently. The time I don't spend working on my paper log is pretty strong, I like that part. It can be annoying, but this is the trucking industry, and there's a nice list of annoying things that can, and do, happen with some regularity.

Besides my personal opinion, and those shared by other drivers, elogs are the most sure thing in our industry. So, now or later, you'll be using an electronic logging device. There is logging software out there already designed for smart phones. I haven't used any of them, but I'm told by drivers who do that officials accept them.

 

I was on E- logs for a few years. Now I'm back on paper. Paper much better. There are times when the E-log is gonna make you're day difficult.

 

While drivers [who itemize and use standard meal allowance deduction] are not audited by IRS very often, it does happen. And if it does, you will want to have print-outs of your eLog activity provided monthly or quarterly by the carrier to justify your days out number. They don't like to use all this paper and printer consumables/time, and some carriers make this data available online for download. But the point is, don't wait until the following February and expect to get ALL of last years log data because it may no longer be available going that far back.

 

I have also used paper logs and E-logs and found that I was more productive with E-logs. Not only that what can the company do to a driver if they are truly out of hours NOTHING, the power is in the hands of the driver, not like years ago when dispatch would say make it happen and I'll owe you one, or dangle that carrot in front of a driver.

 

You are right about needing the logs for taxes. I go to people net website and download mine to my computer, and them store them on a flashdrive. My accountant says that is acceptable to the IRS as long as we can print them later if they ask us to during an audit. Saves a lot of paper. And I have to do it before the logs are 90 days old or they aren't available anymore.

 

Its interesting how some carriers are loose with the "line 5" and others have the leash good and tight. Is there any regulation or guidance as to what a national standard for this is? It might not be so bad if the company can set the guidelines very loosely ... Probably another reason the legislation will be pushed back again ...

 

I once ran out of hrs outside of San Antonio, pull over to side of road switch to off duty with 1 min to spare. Needed to go 5 mi to the truck stop and drove under 15 mph with hazard on which allowed me to stay off duty it was the longest 5 miles ever driven but I never heard any issues from my job. Tx goodness for a good trainer with good advice

 

enter remark: seeking safe haven and hammer down unless you have a super strict safety department

 

will show as a violation if an audit is done... as the gps location of the truck changed without any drive time logged.

both will show as a violation.

 

I am going to go out on a limb here. Anyone that says they are more productive with E logs, was not very good at managing paper logs. Glad I am old and near the end of my carer. We all know speed limiters are next.