Logging Pre/Post Trip Insp.

That's known as changing the goal posts. If you mark it "not for hire" and use a class 8 vehicle for personal use it is no longer a CMV, and you did state CMV didn't you? Additionally even if you are off duty, you still have to log it!

Again its a goal post thing. Nowhere did I state that an employer cannot ask for or require more then the regs do, and in fact they can. djtrype's statement indicated a question concerning the regs not what any one of thousands of companies may want. A company can require a driver to draw happy faces on his log if they want

Best regards

 

You can do that but I suggest you should put what is required and not much if anything else. Even though a log may be considered a legal document, this does not mean its contents are necessarily true or accurate. In other words it's entries can be callenged just like your memory or notes can be. The more types of different supporting documents you have the better your chances of being believed.

Best regards

 

Well certainly you should enter the correct duty status changes, but if after logging the DS change and it's location and you put a VI that's fine, not required but fine. Now if you decided to put that you "stopped the truck and walked around it" that would be too much info. Neither are required, and you would not put the latter, so why put the former?

Best regards

 

Lots of good answers here and all I'd want to add is there is an exception to the walkaround/enroute inspection, in that if you have a *sealed* load, you are not required to inspect the cargo. Flatbedders obviously can't get around this one tho.

Also agree that the regs state you must perform the pre trip and must prepare a written report at end of day, but doesn't state any particular time requirement... that's why it never takes more than 15 minutes. The time requirement is dictated by the carrier, but the regs do say all on duty work performed (fueling, loading, paperwork, etc) must be logged as on duty.

 

If your company is running under the 100 air mile rule then they should just have you fill out an inspection form for your unit daily...that's what I am thinking...

 

Turns out that the following was not being done or was way behind;
(e)(1)(v) The motor carrier that employs the driver maintains and retains for a period of 6 months accurate and true time records showing:

(e)(1)(v)(A) The time the driver reports for duty each day;
(e)(1)(v)(B) The total number of hours the driver is on duty each day;
(e)(1)(v)(C) The time the driver is released from duty each day; and
(e)(1)(v)(D) The total time for the preceding 7 days in accordance with §395.8(j)(2) for drivers used for the first time or intermittently.

I was told by the dispatcher that we could not use the exempt logbook because there was no way to show a pre-trip on it....

 

Flag pre-trip, Log Post-trip (min 15 min)

any stops such as bathroom breaks, walk around truck and flag as inspection.

pre-trip

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regu...?rule_toc=765&section=396.13&section_toc=1954

post trip

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regu...?rule_toc=765&section=396.11&section_toc=1953

Thanks
Mark

 

You people go well outta route making this stuff legalistic,
60% of "What the Law Says" verses what "works" here in real time are two different worlds.

Your Job is as hard as "YOU" make it

Do a .25hr Pre-Trip and flag a "Safety Check" to close your day
Unless you work for a company that requires you to lie and burn another .25hr to kick the tires.

 

Yup... that's all ya need to do. Even on elogs...