Reset mystery

You don't say why so I'll just answer broadly.

Resets are required by the DOT when necessary. There is now way around it if you are out of hours.

If you want to take one prematurely because you want some off time, then yes you need permission by the company. After all it is off time.

There have been times I've sat over 30 hours and then depending how your hours look it makes sense to get a reset in. Then you communicate with your dispatcher. There might be a load to get and you're the only driver available. Then you work with the company and make things work. Not only are you out there to make money, you are to try and be a team player and a good employee. That's how you maintain a good healthy work relationship.

Now if you are burnt out and absolutely need a break, there are other ways to skin a cat. You can have the flu or you need to get home for a so called doctors appointment.

Something stupid like you want more time to spend at a casino and then you need to rethink your work ethics.

 

Where I work, if you can squeeze out a reset (at a location that works out well for you) and still make your delivery appointment, then by all means do so. I driver with a fresh reset (or at least is no where near bumping up against his 70 in the next 2-3 days) is an option for more loads that are long[er] and more pressed for time. Many of our loads need 3 consecutive days @ 10.5 hours with wheels turning to manage delivery at a reasonable delivery time to avoid sitting 21 hours, and 10, 8, and 9 upcoming hours available won't cut it.

 

condo's advice is spot on, try and anticapate different situations, if you can this will help you make your hos work out to your advantage

 

How about you get that freakin trailer off the same road as my wife and kids.

 

Resets are required by the DOT ??

New one on me........

 

If you run out your 70 and legally can't drive anywhere for 2 days, you have no choice but to take a 34.
If you pick up hours after midnight, depending how many hours you pick up, if it's something like 4, it would just make sense to take a 34 because 4 hours working isn't very productive when you could just take a reset and be more productive in a day and a half.
If you're picking up 10-14 hours after midnight...you're not getting a reset, pal.
If you're intentionally wanting to take a few days off because of the bad trailer you're pulling, that's a different story.