Question about bobtailing and e-logs

It really is going to be dependent on which ever company you eventually work for. Some won't allow it at all while others may have restrictions on distance or time spent driving off duty. Which I feel is fair enough as it's their equipment and fuel you are using for your own purpose.

The company I work for does allow it but even so I am mindful not to get near the set limits.

 

It's a different standard for company drivers and independent contractors. Company drivers have rules to obey, set by the company, and usually administered by their safety department. You can just call for answers, or ask during your hiring interviews. Some companies do not offer a line 5, personal conveyance, where you drive their truck around on their wear and tear expense, fuel, overhead and insurance, pretty generous in my thought.

I/C is different. We have rules from the company and all of us interpret DOT in our own understanding. I just log off when I'm at home and drive around anywhere I want to go with my truck. While I'm out, the company wants to know where I am, for several pretty justifiable reasons, so if I want a long bobtail, like going home, they want to dispatch me there. In my thinking, if I'm not dispatched, not pulling a loaded trailer, not dispatched to pick up or deliver cargo, I can log off. But I'm leased to them, under their insurances and admin costs, so I just go along with their protocols.

You can use line 5, personal conveyance, with an empty trailer, I'm told. (Conway/XPO Compliance)

 

It will depend on your system and your employer. You cannot be under dispatch and no trailer. Its a very slippery area, law enforcement seem to be quite confused. Check with your employer some do not allow it at all legal or not. Good luck in trucking.

 

I worked for a LTL outfit. We would bobtail to our motel or to get something to eat. It gave us 30 mins per 14 hour run. We were on PeopleNet.

 

Your employer may stipulate bobtail only but the law does not.

 

I am testing our new elog system and working to get the bugs out of it before we implement it. We have several customers where we stop at the office and get some paperwork then drive around back to get loaded. This stupid system will put you on line 3 just driving around back which takes all of 30 seconds but will not let you go back to line 4 until 1 minute has passed. Does not matter how fast or slow you move the truck. I even tried just idling to the back.

 

I am not sure this is correct. The guidance only says unladened. Nothing specific that says no trailer.
(((edited to add I made a mistake here I see the poster was not saying what I thought))))


Question: If a driver is permitted to use a CMV for personal reasons, how must the driving time be recorded?

Guidance: When a driver is relieved from work and all responsibility for performing work, time spent traveling from a driver's home to his/her terminal (normal work reporting location), or from a driver's terminal to his/her home, may be considered off-duty time. Similarly, time spent traveling short distances from a driver's en route lodgings (such as en route terminals or motels) to restaurants in the vicinity of such lodgings may be considered off-duty time. The type of conveyance used from the terminal to the driver's home, from the driver's home to the terminal, or to restaurants in the vicinity of en route lodgings would not alter the situation unless the vehicle is laden [i.e., loaded]. A driver may not operate a laden CMV as a personal conveyance. The driver who uses a motor carrier's CMV for transportation home, and is subsequently called by the employing carrier and is then dispatched from home, would be on-duty from the time the driver leaves home. A driver placed out of service for exceeding the requirements of the hours of service regulations may not drive a CMV to any location to obtain rest.

Only two situations are specifically covered in the interpretation:

• A driver’s commute to and from the terminal (normal work location)
• Short personal trips from a driver’s enroute lodging.

Using the information that is in the interpretation above and in the definition of “on duty” and corresponding interpretation found in Section §395.2, the conditions of personal conveyance can be extrapolated.

• The vehicle must be unladened.
• Movement is of a “short” distance solely for personal use.
• The driver is relieved from work and all responsibility for performing work.
• The driver is relieved of all duty and responsibility for the care and custody of the vehicle, its accessories, and any cargo or passengers it may be carrying.
• The driver must be at liberty to pursue activities of his/her own choosing.
• No work should be done until driver is ready to return to duty.

 

Ours are set up to change to line 3 if you exceed 25mph or travel more than 2 miles. Your customer scenario wiuld be well within those limits.

There should be way to change the parameters that automatically put you on line 3. Get with supplier of the system and find out. If it cannot be changed then find a new supplier/system.