Split breaks legal?

Uhh what? If you do an 8/2 split or a 2/8 split you dont necessarily get 8 hours to drive. If you shut down for the 8 hour break with 3 hours on your 11 left than you can drive 3hours after your 8. Then when you take the 2 hr break you'll get your remaining 8 hours.

 

When in doubt, follow the examples directly from DOT. Here is the address
.Logbook Examples
.Download the pdf file to your computer and printout the split berth examples for reference when you fill out your logbook.
.Since we are no longer in high school, it is perfectly okay to look at the examples and use them as a template when filling out your logbook.
.Your welcome.

 

In over 30 yrs driving ,I've never used the split.
but ,you want links? here ya go.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/HOS_Logbook_Examples_2015MAY_508.PDF

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/HOS_Logbook_Examples_2015MAY_508.PDF

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/HOS_Logbook_Examples_2015MAY_508.PDF

 

Yeah, it took a bit to figure out why it does some of the things it does.

Try Canada where we have both daily limits and shift limits. Stop driving at 03:00, take your break and then wonder why it only shows 10 hour driving available when you know you should have 13.

 

The reason that the 8-2 split exists is to allow drivers held over when loading or unloading to make up a little time.

The first time I ever ran an 8-2 split, I ran it in reverse, after a shipper held me six hours. I did not get any time back after the 2 hour off duty time, but after completing 8 hours in sleeper, I got back enough drive time to barely get to my receiver on time.

 

The 2 hour portion of the break comes off that 3 hours of the 14 that is kinda considered the driver's time although we use it for pre/post trips and fuel and time checking into out of customers. Any time you absorb more than 3 hours of your 14 you will be taking away from the 11 hour drive clock, so doing an 8 hour sleeper won't necessarily get you back the full remainder of your 11 if you burned past your 3 hour cushion say you used 5 hours of it, and logged 5 hours of driving, coming off an 8 sleeper would show 4 hours available to drive then.

But then, if you were efficient and drove the full 4 hours and took a 2 hour break you would get back the 7 available again.

I will look in my green book later, pretty sure it specifies the 8 sleeper may be taken before or after the 2 hour break which will clear up the question.

 

I understand what you're saying. A lot of the explanations are ambiguous.
And the interpretation is up to the officer enforcing the rule.

The question you ask. There has been plenty of links and examples posted to clear up any confusion.

Good luck.

 

And you'll never find a conclusive source stating you can do the 8 first instead of the 2.

Without finding either why would it make sense to go on the assumption the 8 must be first, what if the 2 must be first?

 

When I ran on Qualcomm it allowed a split. Some companies may disable this capability.

 

Love the split, I do it to get gym time/shower for 2 before stopping in sleeper for 8 at a truck stop 45 min from gym. Then my trailer is ready, I have 10:15 hours to drive 545 miles back home.