questions about central dispatch and my log book

OK - That's enuf !! Everyone go to your room and stay there until supper !!!! And NO video games tomorrow !!

 

Pleas review § 395.8: Driver's record of duty status. in your FMCSA handbook. You'll notice that in that section it states:

(k) Retention of driver's record of duty status. (1) Each motor carrier shall maintain records of duty status and all supporting documents for each driver it employs for a period of six months from the date of receipt.


(2) The driver shall retain a copy of each record of duty status for the previous 7 consecutive days which shall be in his/her possession and available for inspection while on duty.

Previous 7 plus today's = "the required last 8 pages". Not the 9 pages you said. Nowhere in that section does it mention the summary page.

As for the "And anything else they want to see" comment, they only get to see what I am required to show them: Last 8 pages of my logs,. ..... errrrr ..... sorry .... Today's log and the previous 7 days, my permit book, which has cab card and insurance in it, and anything that has to do with the safe operation of the vehicle. In other words, safety equipment, accident kit, fuses, extinguisher, etc.

I've got a pair hanging between my legs. I'm not afraid to say no to an officer when I know he's in the wrong. I'll make them show me where the book states that I have to produce whatever. They can find something wrong with the truck or with what I hand them if they want. But I'm not giving them any more than I have to.

 

That's exactly what I said. Todays log is still in the book. They will want to see it. And they can look at the summary.
When pulled over, you have every right to be belligerent. However that comes with a price. No ball breaking is free.

Get ballsy with a cop is not a good career move. Cuz they can break em back in triplicate.

 

No, it's not what you said. I quote: "you had better have that days log, the summary, and the last 8 days"

That reads: current day + last 8. And they can't look at the summary if you're not stupid enough to hand it to them. Unless you can pull some code out of the FMCSA handbook that states that it's required reading by a DOT officer, you have no leg to stand on. Period. I can't find it even mentioned. Let alone something that says it's part of your log. So, good luck with that one.

And growing a pair and using them is far better than letting some schmuck walk all over me just because he wears a badge. If the officer is cool and treats me with respect, I'll treat him with respect in the way I tell him he can't have the rest of my log book, or summary or whatever he doesn't have a legal right to see. I've done it before and I'll do it again, and again, and again. Heck, in 09 I had one call in reinforcements. Another officer and their supervisor. I wouldn't let the first one search my bunk. He didn't like it. Wasn't anything in there to find. But it didn't matter. He needs a warrant for that unless there is probable cause. And his supervisor told him so.

You can do the whole "Thank you, Mr. Officer. I like that, Mr, Officer. May I have another, Mr. Officer" all you want. I was born with a spine.

 

That's good you're a tough guy. Enjoy your road checks as they probably last longer than most.
In the grand picture it makes no difference to me what you tell law enforcement or anyone else. If they really want to see something you will wait there while they get a search warrant. Just keep one thing in mind, you are trying to get somewhere on the road and need to move on. They aren't going anywhere and don't care how long you sit there.

 

I'm sure he's excited about you hauling for 2.25 a mile as well. Because I believe the going rate for that is 2.40-2.60

 

The summary is not required to have, present, or to maintain....it is for convenience to aid the driver in knowing how many available hours are left.
A driver need only have the previous 7 days and the current day in possession. However, if the driver is also "the company"...i.e. authority. In your office location you (the company) must retain the previous 6 months of logs for the DOT audit and/or a company inspection. Since you are a "newbie", you should actually retain your entire year of logs, even if just for proof of per diem deduction to the IRS...and maintain your records and receipts for at least 7 years previous to the current year.

 

Better then that. But don't forget there is probably a middle man taking a cut.

 

when i had pick up truck and 4 car trailer - seemed ok from the beginning , everyone was suggesting 7 car hauler ... when i got one - everyone suggested 9-10 - this is where you make money . local loads pays well , but due to many stops , city driving you are killing your truck and trailer + load/unload time
now you have relatively fresh truck that may last for some time .... but after 4-5 years its not even considered car hauling equipment anymore ... unless you do very minimal miles .... this way i think this is not worth it . i usually averaging over $3per mile , with all the repairs , ifta , licensing , insurance , plates , salaries - can't complain , but its tough .... i don't have any single loan on any of 4 trucks and i work only with central dispatch .
when you have bigger truck you can survive in tougher time when market is down ... i would be happy to have 50 cents a mile per car every time.
another advice :
don't count some ones $ and how they make it .... even if the broker made 500 on that deal and you only 140 , it takes some brains to be a broker , invest some money in advertising , sell the product and so on ....
why you did not become a broker to make same money with ease - i guess its yr point