electronic log programs

DDL gets my vote, hands down.

They allow a 30 day free trial, fully functional.

 

DDL definitely, but while some will say that they haven't had any issues... I had a DOT officer tell me specifically that they will not even look at a computer log and that it has to be in paper form. *shrug*

 

Does anyone know if it must be in paper form?

I haven't drove since 2001 and things seem to have drastically changed since then...

Automatic tractors, laptops on trucks, GPS's, cell phones, computer logs...

 

"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:
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 own 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 the enforcement officer

 

DDL (DriversDailyLog) is by far the best. I have tried the others, but found the GUI (Graphical User Interface) of DDL much simpler.
DDL does compile expenses, mpg, mph, and just about any other record you would want to keep.
They all cost about the same (last time I checked)

 

You DO have to have the previous 7 days printed out, but you only need to print out the "current" day if the officer requests you to do so.
In all honesty, in over 10 years of using DDL, I have had only ONE officer request I print out ANY log; most of the time they are satisfied just looking at the computer. But they will almost always ask me if I have the ability to print out my logs.

 

The company I work for allows drivers to use DDL, provided we can email logs when requested and print logs on demand. I haven't tried it yet, but am very intrigued.

 

You wouldn't ever go back to old-fashioned log books.