Hours of Service: Is this illegal?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Don Key Hotey, Dec 31, 2021.

  1. Don Key Hotey

    Don Key Hotey Bobtail Member

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    Here's the scenario:
    In the next month, I'll be starting my first trucking job.
    During the first 6 months, I'll be simultaneously finishing up my other job teaching online. On a weekly basis, the teaching job demands an average of about an hour per day, max. I intend to do this hour of work during my down time, after the 14-hour work day is over.

    My question: Is this one hour of daily work during my down time a violation of the hours of service law(s), since technically, it is paid work beyond the 14 hours?

    Thanks for your thoughts and a happy new year to all!
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    The company probably fire you if you log it. You're supposed to be resting.
     
  4. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    In and of itself no it's not. You can work 168 hours a week and not be in violation. What is illegal is not listing other work as On Duty time, and not getting the required break.
    So to be legal all you would need to do is when you park for the night simply stay on duty until the teaching is done. Go Off duty then and take your 10 from the time you go off duty.
     
  5. Don Key Hotey

    Don Key Hotey Bobtail Member

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    Right, this was my concern. However, the company is aware of the situation and is not concerned. That said, they did not provide guidelines as to logging, etc. Thanks.
     
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  6. Don Key Hotey

    Don Key Hotey Bobtail Member

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    Thanks. This makes sense. Clearly, this is something that the employer and I would need to agree upon up front, as I would be using on-duty time from the carrier to do work for another job. The whole thing suddenly seems very messy! Maybe I should just postpone the trucking job until I finish the teaching job.
     
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  7. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    If the company is ok with it, then take @ZVar advice.
     
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  8. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    Nah. This is nothing. Very easy to do and keep complaint. If you are getting ran out of your 70 just take your 34 a few hours earlier is all that will happen. For a rookie driver you probably should not be burning your 70 anyway for the first few months until your body gets used to the schedule, or lack of one anyway.
     
  9. Don Key Hotey

    Don Key Hotey Bobtail Member

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    OK, if an experienced driver like you says so, I will definitely take your word for it. This makes me feel better about the whole arrangement. I will discuss the details with the carrier and see what they say. Thanks again!
     
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  10. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    Yes
     
  11. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    The FMCSA Regs are the guidelines as to logging. The company can choose to not enforce something and hope you and they get away with it, but they cannot change the regs. If you want to do it anyway, I would stay on-duty when you stop for the night, do your work, and then start your 10 like ZVar said.
     
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