Question regarding logging

Depends on the vehicle being used.

If it is a van, then a log book is not needed. If larger, then a log book is needed.

Personal use of a small amount is usually no problem, but company policy will dictate here.

 

here is what the rule say's

Question 26: 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. 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.

www.fmcsa.dot.gov
rules and regs
search 395.8
click (Interpretation)
?26

in route lodging would be the truck stop were you sleep,however I think Panter has a line 5 that they put you on. You call them up and tell them you are going to the store or what ever, and you have something like 1/2 hour to get back or they put you on line 4 and start your clock.
The trick to the rule is it is with in reason???? So walmart is 15 miles away and Kroger is 5 miles away could DOT nail you for going to walmart?? it's a gray area

 

His problem is that it is a straight truck. It could be classified as laden even when empty.

With a semi, you can drop the trailer and be classed unladen.

 

The rule does not say you to drop the trailer. and with my st. truck I log it off duty. I have not been stop or asked (that's my story and I am sticking to it)

 

Can you fit logs in those trucks ???

 

Some would call it fire wood

 

The rule applies to LADEN vehicles.

A bobtail is not a laden vehicle. When the trailer is attached, the bobtail is classified a laden vehicle. It is because it is now carrying a trailer. It does not matter whether it is empty or not.

As far as your situation with the straight truck, it creates unusual situations. I would venture they would really not even have an interest in one at most times when running personal errands. As long as no accident, it would not be a major deal. Accidents change everything.

Might be best not to give them any ideas as well.

 

what exactly is LADEN??/NON LADEN