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Can you EXTEND driving time by going off duty?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Zephirus, Jun 6, 2009.

Page 1 of 5
  1. Jun 6, 2009 #1
    Zephirus

    Zephirus Light Load Member

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    I am confused with something about logging.


    Lets say I get started at 6 AM. I know that I have 11 hours of driving and 14 hours of work. I understand basic logging. So that would mean that I would have till 8 PM to get in my 11 hours of driving if I choose to.

    Lets say it takes me 5 hours to get loaded, strapped, and tarped (I am a flatbedder). This will eat into my driving time. So.... is there a way to "freeze" your hour count by going offduty for the loading time (at least some of it).

    Same scenario, I start at 6AM. I pull up to a place to get loaded and it takes 5 hours to get everything on the truck, strapped, and tarped. Can I go to "off duty" for some of that time to extend my driving time past 8PM? If I had an example of a logbook online to show you I would. Hopefully someone understands what I am talking about.

    Basicially if it takes me a long time to load, can I do anything to "freeze" the clock so I can still get in my 11 hours of driving no matter if it took me 1 hour or 6 hours to get loaded.

    I just didn't know if going to off duty froze the clock or not.
     
    Zephirus, Jun 6, 2009
    Zephirus, Jun 6, 2009
    #1
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  3. Jun 6, 2009 #2
    Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    If you understand the 14 hour rule, then you should be able to answer this question.
     
    Roadmedic, Jun 6, 2009
    Roadmedic, Jun 6, 2009
    #2
    stwik, panhandlepat and road dust Thank this.
  4. Jun 6, 2009 #3
    Zephirus

    Zephirus Light Load Member

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    Well I thought the answer would be NO but... some others have told me otherwise and I wanted to clear it up before I got in trouble.
     
    Zephirus, Jun 6, 2009
    Zephirus, Jun 6, 2009
    #3
  5. Jun 6, 2009 #4
    rich_t

    rich_t Road Train Member

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    My understanding as a newbie...

    If you are actively engaged in loading/unloading or strapping/tarping, you are on duty and must log that time as such.

    If you are not involved in the actual loading, you may be able to log that time as off
    duty.

    However: 14-Hour Limit
    May not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty. Off-duty time does not extend the 14-hour period.

    And: Sleeper Berth Provision
    Drivers using the sleeper berth provision must take at least 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, plus a separate 2 consecutive hours either in the sleeper berth, off duty, or any combination of the two.

    So my interpretation is that logging the time you are being loaded as off duty will not allow you to extend your legally allowed duty day.

    I'm sure some of the experienced professionals here will correct me if I am mistaken.
     
    rich_t, Jun 6, 2009
    rich_t, Jun 6, 2009
    #4
  7. Jun 6, 2009 #5
    RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    The opnly advantage to taking short off duty or sleeper breaks is they will not count towards your 70 in 8 days .
     
    RickG, Jun 6, 2009
    RickG, Jun 6, 2009
    #5
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  8. Jun 6, 2009 #6
    JohnnyC

    JohnnyC Light Load Member

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    To the best of my knowledge there is no way to do this legaly.
    Sorry.
    John
     
    JohnnyC, Jun 6, 2009
    JohnnyC, Jun 6, 2009
    #6
  9. Jun 6, 2009 #7
    bigcountry30

    bigcountry30 Light Load Member

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    Yes you can stop the 14chour clock by going off duty.................................................................as long as you go off duty for 10 or more hours.:biggrin_25525: Sorry you sounded like you already answered your own question anyway. No going off duty will not stop your 14 hr clock unless it is for 10 hours or more though seriously.
     
    bigcountry30, Jun 6, 2009
    bigcountry30, Jun 6, 2009
    #7
  10. Jun 6, 2009 #8
    lv gn

    lv gn Heavy Load Member

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    what about split logging and going in the sleeper? i never fully understood split logging and would like to know more myself.
     
    lv gn, Jun 6, 2009
    lv gn, Jun 6, 2009
    #8
  11. Jun 6, 2009 #9
    Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    It is simple. However, several companies I worked at REFUSED to allow it. Probably because of their lack of understanding.


    You can take an eight hour break and then drive into a dock say for an hour or so to beat traffic.

    Return to your sleeper for a full 2 hours and you have met the requirement.

    DDL provides the best tool for understanding it.
     
    Roadmedic, Jun 6, 2009
    Roadmedic, Jun 6, 2009
    #9
  12. Jun 6, 2009 #10
    lv gn

    lv gn Heavy Load Member

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    dont you think it would be better to help the new guys out instead of degrading them? maybe next time it would be better to just not reply!
     
    lv gn, Jun 6, 2009
    lv gn, Jun 6, 2009
    #10
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