Any one here self taught?

One important thing would happen. These carriers would have to limit how many new drivers they hired AND be forced to be much tougher on all drivers. Insurance carriers underwriter is the one that sets the rules and rates. Now this would not be a bad thing. However with the driver turnovers it would mean a lot of empty tractors not generating revenue.

 

What is required on the driving test varies from state to state. I subject watching a test being give. One of the best ways I know of to know what to expect.

 

Better be careful, I worked as a temp driver and we were allowed the same time as if we were logging, limited to 11 hours drive time. All the hours worked was counted a sign on duty working time.

 

All compensated time must be logged on line 4.

You cannot drive past the 14th consecutive hour since coming on duty.

So if your shift starts a 0700, and ends at 1600 (assuming you get 30 minutes for lunch and two 15 minute breaks), you would have 5 hours total to get whatever driving done and be back at the yard. If you used all 5 hours, then you are bumping up against the 70 pretty hard on the 5th day.

There is the local exception, but I'm not clear exactlty how that works and if it is applicable to your situation.

So it works, just be cognizant of your HOS.

 

Yep it adds up to 14, so yes you have those 6 you can drive however you can actually work beyond the 14, and say if you worked say from 9 to 12 (15 hours), you have to take off 10 before you can start the next day if you are going to be driving.

So you get off at 11 under that scenario, you can't start work until 10.

Does that make sense?

Most people don't think this is a problem but it is.

There is no real local exemption, the 16 hour extension can only be used once a week and when conditions are met and of course there is the adverse weather condition which allows you to extend it out but overall 14/11/10 is the rule.

 

I dont deal much with anyone trying to get their CDL other than watch them do the course next door to where I park...but, I do believe you are correct.

I dig that your co wants you to be a fill in driver and get some OT, just be careful not to violate the HOS and drive beyond duty limits. Even though your normal job isn't DOT related necessarily, you are being compensated for it, so, it does count as "on duty" time.

You dont want to get caught violating HOS rules, God forbid you have an accident, whether you're at fault or not. They find out you violated and your screwed.

 

Vinny...HOS rules confuse people. I dont know why. These guys do this for a living, youd think theyd know it forward and backwards.

There is NO limit to the number of hours you can be "on duty"...you just cant drive after the 14th consecutive hour without a 10 hr break, and, dont forget to show 15 min pre and post trip inspections. You also cant drive more than 11 hours in 14 consecutive on duty, or, depending on if using a 60 or 70 hour work week, after that many hours without A.) Taking a 10 hour rest period (off duty or sleeper birth). Of course, you can reset your 60/70 hr clock by taking 34 hours consecutive hrs off duty.

However, you can work as many days in a row without ever taking a 34 hr reset.

For every day past 7 or 8 that you work, the tital hrs on duty "falls off" your total beyond the 7 or 8 day "window". So, as long as you stay below 60/70, you can string as many consecutive days in a row of driving as you like, but, you'll be limited to around 8 or 9 hours on duty/driving per day, you still have to take your 10 hr break.

Yes, there are a few exceptions that let you drive past 14 hrs consecutively, like weather, again as long as you dont exceed 11 hrs total driving, but, it's up to the cop as to whether he or she thinks you could have avoided doing it. It's not an arbitrary thing you can just say "Hey, today I'm gonna drive past the 14th hr because I want to make more money".

Alternatively, if you are doing certain types of work (farmers and plow drivers) you can exceed.

If you stay in a 100 air-mile (about 115 map mile) radius, and return to the same terminal every day, you can run under short haul rules which does not require the use of an ELD no matter the age of your truck. You also dont need a log book but, you should keep a record of start and stop times, what towns you pick up and deliver in, the loads you hauled (assuming multiple loads) BOL numbers and miles in and out. However, you still have to follow the HOS rules and you are limited to a 12 hr shift.

I realize, that's a lot to remember. But, if you drive, your supposed to know it.

Just remember, generally speaking, the HOS rules only limits when and how long you can drive and how long you must rest in between, you cant drive more than 11 hrs in 14 hrs on duty and not past the 14th consecutive hr. All compensated work counts as "on duty".

Consult the FMCSA handbook, which ever CDL driver is supposed to keep the current annual copy of with them at all times in their truck.

Good luck.