Paper logs

for me the question would be why do double the work? first writing the info in a spread sheet then transferring it to a log book? if your not going to keep the paper log current as you drive, why not just copy the info out of your e-log to paper? dunno, maybe i'm just lazy. (well i am lazy there is no maybe about it.)

also, won't having e-logs and keeping paper logs go against that whole dot rule of NOT keeping multiple logs?

 

When a truck is installed with an e-log device, the requirement is that there is to be a log book kept in the truck in case the system goes down for some reason (because you are required to log---one way or another).

So, your company should provide a paper log book to be kept with the truck. If they don't...you still need one. They are $1.19 (some times $0.99) at the truck stops.

Might as well buy 2 if your company wants you to run one....because you still need to keep a spare with e-logs, it is the law.

 

got that part, but didn't think your allowed to keep to "active" logs at the same time.

 

If you are keeping the paper logs for training. .. I know werner has students keep a paper during the first couple days of training so they know how to and get experience keeping paper logs... but, theyhave to write "For Training Only" on the cover in black marker..

If you are not doing it for training purposes. . Then I would just fill out the log book as you go... having separate excel sheet might look suspicious to DOT and give them reason to go over your logs closely...

 

Why do that?
The law says your log has to be updated to the last change of status.
( http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/395.8 )
IF you go draw up your log up at the end of the day, you can't meet that requirement.

So there is no upside to keeping a spreadsheet, which is actually more trouble than just using a ruler and pen to do a paper log as your day proceeds. Plus there is the added possibility that the friendly helpful officer might interpret your spreadsheet as a second (or third) log, which is a no-no. The elog will record your day as it plays out and so should your paper log.

Edit: And yes, if you're keeping a paper log in addition to the elog in your truck, you should write "Training Only" in the comments section. You can't keep two logs. Also, don't sign the pages of the paper training log and that keeps it from being legal.

 

Just use post-it notes until you have time to sit down and enter them into your log book.

 

and common sense wins again.

 

Oh ya, just hand the post-its to the DOT cop. They're cool with that!

 

You can keep as many log books as you want to as long as they all show you spending your time the same way. For example, if you drive for more than one carrier, EACH carrier must retain an ORIGINAL log documenting ALL of your time...NOT just your time driving for THEM. The only way to do that is to have one log book for each carrier...multiple log books. The carrier's information will be different on each one, but the time grid will need to match exactly. It IS, after all, documentation as to how you spent your time during the day. The only exception for that is if the carriers are based in different time zones, in which case one graph will be shifted an hour or two or three depending upon which time zones are being used, but once adjusted for time zone differences, it needs to be an exact match.

There is no regulation prohibiting you from using multiple log books. You ARE prohibited from falsifying your log book. As long as ALL of your log books say you spent your time in the same manner, and that lines up with any supporting documents you might have, then you haven't falsified anything. There is no need to write "training log" on anything, and it is still a legal log whether you have signed it or not (folks have tried the "it isn't signed yet" excuse to try to get out of a ticket when their log is obviously falsified and it doesn't work).