Info on electronic logs?

Many companies. Including small ones and even single truck O/O's are going electronic. For many reasons. Less paperwork. Less hassle. More compliant and easier to keep those scores low. I wouldn't be too concerned with e-logs. You can run a 4,000 mile week easily, and work off that back 8 days with ease as well. I know most old hands are still not thrilled with the idea, but when they get them, they don't ever want to look back.

 

By the way, a small flatbed company in NJ has them. MRM. Might have heard of them. 11 trucks, 48 states, elogs. Works out well to stay compliant and trucks on time.

 

elogs aren't bad. I do run them currently but at end of year I will no longer run elogs. however once again this goes back to things like obamacare. why should the Feds be allowed to mandate it. I have no problems with it if somebody chooses to run it. unfortunately everybody is jumping on the band wagon. yes its a lot easier and less paperwork but it also restricts you. there are a lot of companies that require it even for o/o and even some that don't are now requiring you to run ecm motors in the event that it does get mandated. there are a few companies though left that don't care or you can just go get your own authority and be independent.

 

for flatbeds pgt, besl transfer, mercer, tryon, maybe daily(not sure on them). I know those 3 for sure don't. pgt requires it for their company trucks and anybody doing lease purchase but if you own truck outright they don't. its getting harder and harder to find companies that don't.

 

They're not required yet. Here's an article with some interesting comments too. http://www.overdriveonline.com/electronic-log-rule-on-the-horizon-says-fmcsa-admin/

 

The problem with e-logs is that a potential 750 mile day could turn into a 650 mile day real quickly. Traffic jam, and then the last truck stop for 40 miles, and you can't be quite sure that you're going to make it 40 miles before you run out of hours, so you have to stop 40 minutes early. With paper logs, you can stretch a good 10-15 minutes and be get away with it, and even log traffic jams as off duty, and get away with it all 99.9999999999% of the time. With e-logs, there is absolutely no flexibility.

 

My opinion and mine only, but I believe that good drivers, experienced drivers will flourish under electronic logs. BoyWander is right, it does take away the flexibility. But, those drivers who trip plan, and don't need to stop at every truck stop they see do exceptionally well on them. That's why I believe they seperate the drivers from the steering wheel holders.

 

nevermind.