How do you take notes or record things while driving

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Leea, Aug 19, 2011.

  1. robngraves

    robngraves Light Load Member

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    well its mainly how many miles you driven in each state and also when and where you fueled up. We, at my local company, have to do the reports also. We might not drive across state lines but have to turn in fuelage use for this state. Its really not hard Basically its like your inspection book. You write down the starting miles in what state. When your driving you note when you cross state lines with your current miles and into what state your going into. Sounds harder then it is. But you get used to it and it becomes second nature like your inspection.
     
    Dave_AL Thanks this.
  2. RAGE 18

    RAGE 18 Road Train Member

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    Wow I dont have to keep track of miles in any state except Oregon and the computer does it by it self. Everytime I fuel i enter the odometer no matter where im at. I find it easy to punch in the odometer on the cell and dial then hang up real quick it records the time and date the DOT wont do crap unless you are holding the phone to your ear and pull a unsafe lane change or something. Punching the number in like that takes no more than 2 seconds and is safer than all the methods mentioned above.
     
  3. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    If I were you I'd go down to BestBuy and spend $20 for a little tape recorder. You hit the button and record and then at the end of the day you have all your notes you need to store. I would use that for everything so I would have a good program on my computer from truck issues to where to eat. All the neat little tricks will stay there forever and be at your desposal when needed. I still have notes on paper from 34 years ago.

    The recording of milage when crossing the state line is for tax purposes and I have not seen any requirement in the FMCSR that says it's required. Maybe I'm wrong but I'd have to have the reg to make sure.
     
  4. rjmcgee

    rjmcgee Light Load Member

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    I got a stack of Post It notes and some adhesive backed velcro. Put it right on the dash where it is easy to write a number while driving. Works great.
     
  5. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    I never had to do that as mileage is recorded when you fuel. But if I did, the voice recorder sounds the easiest or even one of them little notepads/clipboards you see in utility vehicles and salesman have with suction cups that stick on the windshield or other smooth surfaces?
    You can always use mile markers before you start or stop in many cases. Say you fuel at the 96, you know where the line is with simple math.
     
  6. harleymanjax

    harleymanjax Rookie Skateboarder

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    My GPS records milage driven in each state
     
  7. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    I used a small notebook, one step larger than 3 x 5. When I crossed state line just remember the last 3 digits of miles (ignore the tenths). Then when it was OK, I'd write in on my notebook and then add the first digits from odometer. I also wrote down the odometer when I stopped, in case I needed it for logging purposes later.

    Almost any small cheap MP3 player has a voice memo feature along will all phones. But I find those are sometimes more cumbersome than writing it down.
     
  8. kidsdad

    kidsdad Medium Load Member

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    My trip reports require mileage on each state i pass through. I write down my odometer at the beginning of my trip and reset the trip odometer to zero. Then I use a grease pencil to write down the mileage from the trip odometer at the state line and reset. I repeat for every state line, so i have the total for the trip plus every state's mileage as well.
    I write on the side window and use windex to wipe it off.
    b
     
  9. Leea

    Leea Bobtail Member

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    I asked the question because this was my first time across state lines in an apportioned truck. It is a Ryder rental. Ryder handles the apportionment for us. They require the odometer when I enter cross a state line and the highway I am on, the city of each stop, and each fuel purchase. It seems that many of you don't have that requirement.
     
  10. chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

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    That's the trick I was shown when learning, dry erase marker! Visible at night too as long as you don't use light colors. Just don't write it in your line of sight or on the window that rolls down! Once you stop you can copy it all down in your book. If you are just going through states and not making any detours then you can calculate by using mile markers if you forget to write it down.