So how is the 30min breaking working out?

My response was supposed to be tongue in cheek, with a touch of sarcastic humor as we Brits like to dish it out but trust some drivers to take it as a serious
comment. But I'll tell you what, you try it then with your tush in the drivers seat and the engine running and I'll lay some serious odds that a DOT officer will
have an issue with that so called "off-duty" pose. Point is though as far as I'm concerned It's not an issue. Off duty is off duty, so why worry about the finer details.
So banal and nonsensical. Will it make me a safer driver driver by taking a 30 min break. I doubt it. I could still wrap my truck around the nearest lampost at anytime.
Taking 30 mins isn't gonna change anything.

 

Would you mind sharing with the rest of the class exactly how you manage this little trick?

AND please, back up your story WITH FACTS!!!!

Try looking up the DOT DEFINITION OF "OFF DUTY"

 

[TABLE="class: TableFMCSA1, align: center"]
[TR]
[TH="class: LeftTableHeadFMCSA, align: center"]PROVISION[/TH]
[TH="class: LeftTableHeadFMCSA, align: center"]PRIOR RULE[/TH]
[TH="class: LeftTableHeadFMCSA, width: 47%, align: center"]UPDATED RULE – COMPLIANCE DATE
FEBRUARY 27, 2012[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="class: MiddleTDFMCSA1"] On-duty time [/TH]
[TD="class: MiddleTDFMCSA1"] Includes any time in CMV except sleeper-berth. [/TD]
[TD="class: MiddleTDFMCSA1"] Does not include any time resting in a parked vehicle (also applies to passenger- carrying drivers). In a moving property-carrying CMV, does not include up to 2 hours in passenger seat immediately before or after 8 consecutive hours in sleeper-berth.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/hos/index.htm

Doesn't say anywhere you can't be in the driver's seat with the engine running.

 

On-duty time means all time from the time a driver begins to work or is required to be in readiness to work until the time the driver is relieved from work and all responsibility for performing work. On-duty time shall include:
(1) All time at a plant, terminal, facility, or other property of a motor carrier or shipper, or on any public property, waiting to be dispatched, unless the driver has been relieved from duty by the motor carrier;
(2) All time inspecting, servicing, or conditioning any commercial motor vehicle at any time;
(3) All driving time as defined in the term driving time;
(4) All time in or on a commercial motor vehicle, other than i) Time spent resting in or on a parked vehicle, except as otherwise provided in §397.5 of this subchapter;(ii) Time spent resting in a sleeper berth; or
(iii) Up to 2 hours riding in the passenger seat of a property-carrying vehicle moving on the highway immediately before or after a period of at least 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth;
(5) All time loading or unloading a commercial motor vehicle, supervising, or assisting in the loading or unloading, attending a commercial motor vehicle being loaded or unloaded, remaining in readiness to operate the commercial motor vehicle, or in giving or receiving receipts for shipments loaded or unloaded;
(6) All time repairing, obtaining assistance, or remaining in attendance upon a disabled commercial motor vehicle;
(7) All time spent providing a breath sample or urine specimen, including travel time to and from the collection site, to comply with the random, reasonable suspicion, post-crash, or follow-up testing required by part 382 of this subchapter when directed by a motor carrier;
(8.) Performing any other work in the capacity, employ, or service of, a motor carrier; and
(9) Performing any compensated work for a person who is not a motor carrier.


TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM 395.2
Try again!

 

Seems that this argument is pretty pointless anyway, along with all similar arguments. How many follow the rules to the letter? Maybe .01%. So aside from personal pride in knowing, and interpreting what the law says, who cares?

 

This is what happened in Brasil...

"Government Yields to Protests by Truckers"



They were protesting not only for change in their HOS but many other things too...



The strike - not a simple protest - counted with 80% of truckers in that country and lasted 4 days. The independent truck drivers closed the main roads, caused 92 road blocks in major highways all over the country, stalled factories, prevented deliveries of trade affected the supply of cities and caused a loss in the economy that can reach the billions.








Chances of something similar happening here nowadays?

 

And the outcome was?

 

Are you talking to me? If so, click on the title "Government Yields to Protests by Truckers" and you can read the whole article I posted there.

 

Dave... the latest round of HOS changes included a change to the definition of "On Duty Time." You can indeed, sit in the drivers seat with the engine running, and be off duty.