E-logs and Reality

does any one know that if you dont make money (earn a revenue) you can drive your truck and trailer any where you desire and dont have to follow HOS rules or use EOBRS/log books? i learned this a while back in a conversation I had with a member of the ATA and then i called the FMCSA with the same question and got the same answer.. Not if you are not generating revenue..

 

I have found that if I sit on the truck for 34 hours, often it's closer to 50 hours by the time they start sending load offers, sitting begets sitting. So I have modified things a little, just set my projected time available out by 17 or so hours every 3 days after the first week out from hometime. This way I've picked up a midnight, and will be picking up another midnight soon, otherwise if in a bad freight area, halfway to that 34 anyway.

I think it has to do with weight too right? 26,001 pounds?

 

The words your looking for are unladen and not under dispatch. Yes once you cease to be a commercial vehicle by meeting those two standards you are free to drive because you are no longer subject to FMCSA regulations.

 

No, my truck and trailer together weigh almost 30.000, they just said because im not charging for a service/generating revenue.. I know i was grossing once at around 50.000 pounds..

 

Its true, I called and asked if I could use my Tractor Trailer to move my family across country and if I did am I subject to HOS Rules etc. I had already done this two times but with all of the hubbub about HOS and EOBRS I decided to call the FMCSA and ATA and ask why I can do this using the same Truck and Trailer. And the answer was because I am not generating a revenue/charging for a service... 2 pickups and a shed loaded with stuff on a stepdeck..

 

My company says to the OTR drivers only time they'll be doing a reset is at home.As long as you have hrs after midnight you can get some miles

 

Today I logged 709 miles in 11 hrs, all legal, logged it as I drove it, no dividing miles by speed, etc. Logged a 15 min fuel stop and 15 min lunch break. Avg speed of 64.5 mph. I use paper logs but kept track of my time with my GPS and I arrived 3 min after my ETA, which was exactly 11.5 hrs after I left.

 

Depends... when I'm pushing a tight schedule, yes - I'm right back on it after a 10-hour break. When I can take my time, yeah, I'll sleep-in for 12.

It really takes some getting used to... part of the adjustment from a 8-5 life to trucking.