Off duty vs sleeper berth

RE: Someone's warning above to log time in SB or else.

I'm OTR in a sleeper and never log any time SB. My logs have been inspected twice in this quarter alone. DOT doesn't give a rat's rectum about SB vs OD.

I know, daycabs... blah blah blah. Just making a general observation for folks with their panties in a twist about SB.

 

I was looking for something else when I came across this FMCSA guidance on supporting documents. Question #10.

This list seems to be long and quite exhaustive. Notice credit card receipts being one? I don't see any qualifiers in that. So if a driver is stopped and asked for these items based on everything on this list is legit. Something to think about. This list is why my company has told me many times to not keep records just send them in. It makes a lot of sense too. For the record, I doubt the definition of supporting documents from 395.8 is different in 395.11.

This crap is where I get my gotcha games comment. I have actually heard Diesel cops tell drivers will what you tell me jive with the information I can legally get from your company? I can not stress this enough. These guys are trained by both the CVSA and with state attorney General opinions on how to operate. It would almost take an attorney to debate with them roadside. So I have always recommended and still do today. Give these cops all that you are legally required to do NO MORE! Stay respectful and pleasant in the process.

 

One thing to add from the supporting documents faq.
Q4. What are the categories of supporting documents?

A4. Supporting documents required in the normal course of business are important to verify a driver’s records of duty status (RODS). They consist of five categories, described in 49 CFR 395.11(c):

• Bills of lading, itineraries, schedules, or equivalent documents that indicate the origin and destination of each trip;
• Dispatch records, trip records, or equivalent documents;

Expense receipts related to any on-duty not-driving time;

• Electronic mobile communication records, reflecting communications transmitted through a fleet management system; and
• Payroll records, settlement sheets, or equivalent documents that indicate what and how a driver was paid.

If a driver keeps paper RODS under 49 CFR 395.8(a)(1)(iii), the carrier must also retain toll receipts. For drivers using paper RODS, toll receipts do not count toward the eight-document cap.

I highlighted the important part in reguards to hotels. I.E. as it's off duty it's not required.

 

If pulling your own camper you aren't subject to hos rules. If pulling a camper for hire it's no different than any other load and all regs pertaining to commercial vehicles apply.

 

I think I am going to exit this thread and ones like it for now. All thiat is being down now is---




So I will sum up my feelings on this subject this way---