BREAKING NEWS: Proposed HOS rule leaves open for comment 10- or 11-hour driving time,

Keep in mind they charge you for jail space so you're really screwed!

 

As the HOS are currently enforced...I have had discussions with other O/O's and DOT about these scenarios...

Washing your rig at home.....
Installing a CB.....
Polishing the chrome.....

Most DOT claimed any of those activities are "work" and should be logged on Line 4.....

Now my problem is that when I am home on a 34...that's when I wash the rig and polish the chrome....So that would negate my 34 according to the DOT I have talked to about HOS......

Of course where I park my rig is behind a locked gate and high fenced property....DOT doesn't have the key....

 

Not to mention, sitting somewhere using the computer looking for loads.

You are a criminal.

 

Well...They can't arrest all of us.....

 

One company I worked at, I would park the truck in the yard and go to the sleeper.

I see now, they intend to consider this as on duty time since I am the terminal property.

Guess I will just assess myself the fines and keep the money in the family.

 

If I might be so bold in my first post here, I might suggest some people who are griping about the proposed break are not reading the legalize of the rule correctly. In one of my previous lives I was a CDL Instructor right at the time we changed to the "new rules" (otherwise now known as the current rules). As with most things in the FMCSA it's about exactly what's written...

Drivers would be permitted to drive only if seven hours or less have passed since their last off-duty or sleeper-berth period of at least 30 minutes.

What this says is that you can't drive MORE than 7 hours without taking at least a 30 minute break. NOT that you HAVE to take a break after 7 hours. Assuming we don't get to keep the 11 hours of driving either, all this means is that at some point after driving for 3 or more hours, you need to eat yourself some lunch. (3+7=10). Even if you cook in your truck, I presume that at some point during the day you actually stop driving to cook (or at least EAT) yourself some lunch or take a shower, or a walk. This is a feel good rule. It makes the crazy anti-trucking special interest groups "win" by making us take a break. Meanwhile we're all (or most of us) are already taking this break during the day anyway. By the time you get off the road, find a parking spot, walk to the potty, and buy/cook your food and eat it, and get that 40 tons back up to highway speed you blew a half an hour easily.

And if you're managing to cook and eat your food without stopping, knock that off before you kill someone!

 

I only eat one meal a day. A snack in my truck does not take a half hour.

A walk to the restroom at the rest area does not take a half hour.

I see no reason to stop any more than needed and cannot see wasting time.

 

Their not interested in arresting anyone, jails cost money.

They just want the revenue from fines.

 

Technically, they're correct (not that it isn't BS). Those activities are seen as "work." Therefore, you're "on-duty." And if, during your 34 or vacation time, you do any compensated work for anyone other than your carrier, then you're "on-duty." So . . . you're taking a week off and you help a neighbor put on a new roof and he pays you, then you're "on-duty."
Mow a neighbor's lawn and he pays you, "on-duty." It's sick, isn't it? Have a look at 395.8 and 395.9. Of course, if you're not paid for the roofing work or mowing that lawn, then it's perfectly okay.

It's whack. And it simply means that there's stuff you don't ever log.

 

Commenting
The agency will accept comments until Feb. 28. Comments can be faxed, mailed or submitted electronically. They are also accepted by hand-delivery, but truck parking is scarce in DC.
Mail comments to:
Docket Management Facility (M-30)
U.S. Department of Transportation
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001
Fax: 202-493-2221
Online: Click here to be directed to the NPRM. Click the “submit a comment” button to fill out a form and submit your comments. You can submit comments anonymously.