White Out - Log Book

You can use white-out on your logs. Some DOT people might not like it, but there is no where in the FMCSA that says you can't use it. I have had my logs checked in Oregon and Washington lately and they both passed muster with lots of white-out on them. Nobody said anything. I also loose leaf and have never had a problem with DOT officials with that. I do have OpenRoad and will challenge any violations in court.

 

I have to use white out if I make an error because Swift logs are all bar coded in the same book. If you turn in logs for the same month with different bar codes (i.e. from a different book) this would raise red flags.

I like the transflo though, I no longer use carbons since I keep the originals though it is a pain figuring out where and how to store them. I bought a loose leaf and a hole puncher and once scanned, punch em and keep em in the loose leaf until 60 days passes, then they get stored at the house.

 

If I did that i'd need white out in 5 gallon jugs!!!!

 

Yes, you can use white out. However, if you literally need to "paint" the page, I would suggest you do a new sheet instead of whiteout.

 

I've been using the same white-out pen for well over a year now.

 

Is the initial thing a DOT requirement, or just the policy of some companies?
Shortly after leasing with the company I am presently with, one of the dispatchers commented that he thought it was a legal requirement, but I've yet to find it.

They allow the use of white out, but also want initialing by all corrections.
What puzzles me is why is an initial required, when only one person can legally make entries in a log book? We're not required to initial our first entry, why initial the second (correction) entry?

 

It's not neccessarily in the DOT book asking you to initial is really to protect the company (log auditors etc) so the driver can't come back and say he/she did not make the changes someone else must of.

This actually happened with a team driver once. We violated him for not putting his initials on the log. Well the one driver came in and he is like I didn't make that change, I was like I didn't either. He said I didn't do it either! Well long story short it was his co-driver changing his log book while he was sleeping. Why? The co-driver thought he was right and the other driver was wrong so he didn't want to get into trouble, l.o.l. Well come to find out the co-driver was wrong and was very wrong for correcting someone else's logs at that!

So yeah watch your changes in that log book!

 

I'm not sure that you have to even initial a correction, since DOT doesn't specify this in the manual. I use white out all the time. Think about it: You signature on the logbook bears witness to whatever is entered is truthful and correct, regardless of how many times you fix it. The DOT officer can't take the original away. They have to make a photocopy of it. Same with your company. I fax copies to my company that look picture perfect, using the tape style white out to ensure that look.