Logging Pre-Trip and Hooking

where does FMCSA state how much time? I see 15 minute blocks on a log

 

Which leads to this

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I also see 15 minute blocks....
So we both see 15 minute blocks on the grid.

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The FMCSA doesn't state how much time it has to take but they do state the things you have to check on the post trip. I guess if the DOT man wanted to give you crap and he thought your time logged for it was inadequate he could ask you to inspect everything and time you and see if you could do it that quick. As long as it was a reasonable time listed I don't see them questioning it.

An interesting note is that the post trip has to be more thorough and done by the driver. There is no real set standards for a pretrip or even that the driver personally has to do it. The law states something to effect that the driver just has to be satisfied that the vehicle is safe to operate where the post trip on the other hand lists things the driver has to inspect.

 

If you're pulled over by dot officers with a 15 pti and he tells you to pretrip for him you better be able to ran through it in 15 minutes air brakes and all.. regardless everyone logs 15 minutes..

 

I do not log a post trip period.

 

A thorough pre-trip could take longer than 15 minutes if you were approaching a truck and trailer for the first time and had no prior point of reference as to it's mechanical condition. If it was you driving it 10 hours ago when you came off the road and did a post trip inspection, it should take no longer than 15 minutes to become satisfied that the truck is safe to drive unless you just like wasting time. This is assuming everything checks out fine of course. Fluid levels are acceptable and need no adds. Tire pressures are acceptable need no adjustment, etc.

 

My company had us log 15 min pre and post trip inspections on paper logs. Now that I'm on elogs, I just log how long it takes me. Saves a few minutes here and there.

 

All I've seen in this thread so far is mostly NON-log pullin' drivers offerin' their $.02. How do I know, you might ask?

Because I've never heard of a logging outfit that gave a rat's ### whether or not you even did a pretrip/posttrip, let alone required it be flagged......

 

A pretrip should always be at least 15 min. As far as drop and hook it depends on what your company wants you to do.

If you are on elogs and it takes you 7 mins to drop and hook then why would You log 15 minutes? Well the reason is because companies want your logs to look "pretty" to keep the dot off you're tail. Also everybody shouldn't rush on their jobs. It can lead to mistakes and oversight.

I'm on elogs and I just do the pti and fuel stops. I will comment a drop and hook and remark the new trailer. Live loads and unloads? Lol I'm off duty the whole time! I'm very petty when it comes to my time. I may check in for a shipper from time to time. But I never bother to check out. It is not required of me to do that by my company so not by the dot as well.

To me, as long as they don't catch you driving 200 miles during your 10 hr break, you are golden!