Do you shutdown when the 14 hour clock is up no matter what?

Patty is one of those professional advice givers that I mentioned earlier. You make a good point IH, she admits that she will break the law if the money is right. Care to comment on that Patty?

 

After looking over my logs I can say I always shutdown within the 14 hour window in the US.

 

Let's get real people. Stuff happens. Let's say this guy is the best trip planner ever to plan a trip but he comes upon something that delays him for 30-60 min, accident, weather, whatever. Would you guys really shut down for 20 miles? I'll be the first to admit unless I feel like I'm a danger I'm going on and not going to be late. Most likely that 20 minutes will cost you 24 hours and 20 min if you shut down. I'm not a fan of working 14 hours a day anyway, I'm more a 10-12 hour guy but a little common sense needs to be applied every once in a while.

 

If you didn't take more than 10 hours on your rest break and took your 30 minute break after 7 hours of driving you probably wouldn't be in that situation.......but the only thing you could do now is just push on and get that load delivered.

 

A guy at our company (no longer works here) shut himself down 3 miles ON THE RAMP from the customer due to his 14 being out. Needless to say, the OTR dispatcher was completely devastated. Lmao.

 

In that case it could possibly be covered by adverse driving conditions. http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/part/395

 

but you would still get a violation/shut down if caught by the DOT.

 

Yes, you could use the adverse driving conditions but there will be an audit from the FMCSA if this is used and they will look at EVERYTHING to prove it was abused or not warranted.

 

If you were operating legally?

 

Yes.

That's why these rules and regulations are full of ####. I've met a few(KEYWORD FEW!!!) competent DOT troopers that understand then you have those self-absorbed ignorant DOT Troopers who will use everything and anything against you and throw the book at you. Now, I dare ya to run over your 14 and extend it due to adverse conditions and get stopped.... you'll see what happens. Or that silly ######## "safe haven" rule. Lol. It's all crock of ####.

Officer: Do you realize you're over your 14?
Trucker: Sir, due to weather conditions...
Officer: Doesnt matter. should of known the weather was going to be like this. BAM! SHUT DOWN, VIOLATIONS, ECT.

Officer: Do you realize you're over your 14?
Trucker: Sir, there's not another truck stop or safe place to park for the next 10 miles
Offier: Doesnt matter. should of preplanned and stopped before your 14. BAM! SHUT DOWN, VIOLATIONS, ECT.

It's a losing battle.