QuallComm/Paperless Logs

No tricks, except for making the most use of your time.

The majority of paperless logs, go to "off duty" after remaining motionless for 15 or more minutes. So simply turning the key off won't work.

And most, if not all are triggered by a preset spins of the drive shaft.

When I worked for SRT, it took 7 full rotations for the sensor to log "motion". This wasn't a paperless log, but the Qualcomm as it shifted from "idle" to motion settings.

You'll need to plan more carefully, to utilize the most of your day.

You'll be in good company. Legislation is being walked through Congress, that will require paperless on EVERY truck in America within 4 years.

 

That's going to go over real well with the farmers hauling crops out of the fields.

 

It will depend on what system you your company uses. A friend at work was telling me the system he used at previous employer would actually allow you to drive up to 7 miles before it would automatically log on to driving or on duty so as long as he parked less than 7 miles from his morning delivery his clock would not start till he was already unloaded. But I think every system is different. I have no personal experience with them though. Is this something new for your company or already in use. If already in use ask some co-workers they will be able to fill you in on the ins and outs of the system they use.

 

Each company's software may be a bit different. In my other-halfs, if you drive over 25 mph then it logs you as moving however, this is as long as you stay in the same "grid". IN other words, you may be able to drive 5-10 miles as long as you stay under 25 without being logged as moving, however, if there is a grid line then you may be seen as moving. I know one driver who literally moved from a back row of a parking lot, never going over 10mph, moved approximately 250 feet, and was logged as moving. Yet know I know my other half can drive his truck from home to work, going under 25mph, go 5 miles, and not get logged as moving.

Also on their system, they have a "seven minute" system. If you are on a line less than 7 minutes, it stays on the previous line. If it goes over 7 minutes, then it automatically logs 15 minutes. The system "rounds" at seven minutes. For example, if on a 10 hour break, he leaves at 9 hours and 54 minutes, it still logs a 10 hour break and doesnt log him on duty until the end of that 15 minute block. If on a 10 hour break, he leaves at 9 hours and 53 minutes, it logs him as not taking a 10 hour break, and thus, a violation. This system doesn't always work......

My other halfs best piece of advice is to not try to "beat the system" but to make it a habit to do log reviews when you check your hours. If there is a mistake, then submit a correction.

And it's not so much about utilizing the QComm to "beat the system", its more about utilizing your time with pre-trip management and route-planning.

 

Each company can set the parameters of their system to activate at different times. Some of the parameters are: distance traveled before it kicks you onto drive time and if it takes you back to your start point, at what mph does it automatically put you on drive time, when you turn your truck off does it move you to off-duty or on-duty. These are some of the information you need to know to shorten the time on-duty or driving.

When you arrive at a terminal or pickup point you have a couple of different options. Show on-duty for at least 15 mins and then to off-duty. Drive on the yard off-duty and then show on-duty for trailer inspection.

Show off-duty as much as possible every day and you will extend your time on your 70 hours. Waste not want not.

 

We use qualcomm and it will log you to on duty when you are still. It does not matter if you try to log off duty, it is just like a paper log, you have to be off duty or sleeper berth for your full 10 hours.

If you log off duty and then log back on it will be counted towards your on duty time. towards your 14 hours allowed.

The are some tricks but if your company is on top of it you will be caught, best bet is to keep it legal.

 

This is why you do recaps to see if there are any errors. Yes the system is notorious for putting you on line 4 however, by monitoring your log, along with keeping track of exactly how many hours you have left, you can make log corrections. Takes all of five minutes at most. Doing a recap is something that you should do at the beginning of every day, and at the end of every day. Make it a habit as part of trip planning, and it will help prevent log violations. Because its much easier to get a correction before you have a log violation, than after you have one.

 

Now now, careful with that common sense you have there.