Computer Log Programs

I have used Drivers Daily Log since 2006. Last year tried Eclipse because of the audit portion. Was a PITA to use compared to DDL (and DDL takes a little self training). But it looks like I will be able to use the Eclipse company audit feature with my DDL.

Paddletrucker, you do realize that Apple is the new evil empire?

 

Another thought for the office side of logbook compliance using these products. I am pretty sure I don't have to keep paper on file; however, it paid off in spades when I sat for my new entrant audit. Each month I print out hard copies for all logbook/DVIR pages, an audit report, and a driver form letter that gets signed and filed. All that takes about 5 minutes with Rapidlogs.

Much easier to hand them what they expect versus trying to teach a DOT officer the law.

 

This will be a form and function violation. I thought the same thing and when I go my warning ticket he produced the green book and went right to the section.

*Question 28: May a driver use a computer to generate his or her record of duty status (log book) and then manually sign the computer printouts in lieu of handwritten logs?

Guidance: A driver may use a computer to generate the graph grid and entries for the record of duty status or log books, provided the computer-generated output includes the minimum information required by §395.8 and is formatted in accordance with the rules. In addition, the driver must:

Be capable of printing the record of duty status for the current 24-hour period at the request of an enforcement officer.2.Print the record of duty status at the end of each 24-hour period, and sign it in his or her handwriting to certify that all entries required by this section are true and correct.3.Maintain a copy of printed and signed records of duty status for the previous 7 consecutive days and make it available for inspection at the request of an enforcement officer.
1. Be capable of printing the record of duty status for the current 24-hour period at the request of an enforcement officer.

2. Print the record of duty status at the end of each 24-hour period, and sign it in his or her handwriting to certify that all entries required by this section are true and correct.
3.Maintain a copy of printed and signed records of duty status for the previous 7 consecutive days and make it available for inspection at the request of an enforcement officer.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regu...xt.aspx?reg=395.8&guidence=y&keyword=computer

Also as FYI, digital signatures are no good. Must be signed.
Maintain a copy of printed and signed records of duty status for the previous 7 consecutive days and make it available for inspection at the request of an enforcement officer.

 

I see. Capable of printing the current day, but must file paper to cover the recap. A non-issue as we have been printing them anyway to avoid a technical hitch. We've been accidentally compliant.

I suppose that depends on what the individual officer accepts as "signed." The GA DPS officer that examined my reams of paper said nothing about the electronic signatures. She did go into a few pages of each one to insure correct form and methods, and look for any signs of scheduling pressure. The opportunity was there and the actual pages were examined for several days on all three of us. So it wasn't like she didn't see it. They have also not been an issue on at least two level 2 roadside inspections I can think of in the past months we've been on Eclipse. But I get your point. Well actually you got the points.

The guy that wrote yours clearly got a gold star from his boss and felt good the rest of the day for busting a trucker that was definitely unsafe and probably borderline criminal for using an electronic signature instead of a bic pen to sign his logbook pages.

 

Yeah, he got me on two items and didn't force the second one because I was told by another DOT officer that "warnings" did not count as points. WRONG

They finally issued guidance on "digital signature". Because it states "in own handwriting" regarding signature portion they state in the guidance the reproduced is not acceptable. Still a little unclear in my opinion but error on side of caution.

Regarding being able to store electronicly, attorney that goes after trucking companies lists this as one of his items to "get" trucking companies. Not sure why but we are printing and storing logs with electronic back-up.

 

That's because topics like this create billable hours for attorneys and keep otherwise incompetent DOT officials looking productive. It has zero to do with directing a safe operation.

 

we've been using DDL for 4 years and you are requried to have the last 7 days HARD COPY and signed IN INK at all times. you are required to have a printer in the truck so if DOT ask you must print todays log NOW.

i've had my log checked 3X, 2X when they saw the laptop just said your good and one time he asked to see the last 7 days and to print todays.

as to a laptop stand ram-mount is the best been using it for 6 years and love it

 

I've been asked one time to see my logs. that was in ohio. the others just don't even bother.

i tried the ddl software. i felt it too expensive for the bare basics that it offers. and too cumbersome to learn. while some of us aren't afraid to use a computer. there are still those that are and will have a hard time learning the software.

i use a program called trucklogger. it's very easy to learn. it's much cheaper. offers a longer free trial period. and has the ability to do expense and income accounting. it has enforcement view that shows the old fashioned log so no need for printing the current day,. and doesn't require any backup auditing.

everytime it closes, it does a backup. you can save that backup as a file on the computer. once a week, i send myself an email with the backup file. if the computer ever crashes. i can download the backup file from my email when computer gets fixed.

i can't see anything on the websight for system requirements though. so i can't vouch for macs

 

I am going to try this. Biggest issue with DDL is it does take a little time to learn. And support is less than ideal. If you just want to use it for logs, period, then all the advanced features geared towards O/O's can get in the way.

But TruckersLogger is MORE expensive. Regardless, if it is easier for new drivers to learn I will switch.

Wish I could find a decent one that runs on a tablet. The one being promoted by ITS is garbage. How can a program with so few features be so hard to work with?