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Truck Driving Log Book Training: Learn How to Record Your Hours of Service



A written or electronic record of a driver's duty status which must be maintained at all times. The driver records the amount of time spent driving, on-duty not driving, in the sleeper berth, or off duty. The enforcement of the Hours Of Service Rules (HOS) are based upon the entries put in a driver's logbook.




Truck Driving Log Book Training



As a truck or bus driver, you'll be required to record and abide by all working and driving limitations which were created by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The rules govern a commercial driver's working and resting hours and are referred to as Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations. First, we will explain what HOS regulations are and how they work. Then you'll be able to review some logbook examples and finally, we will teach you some tips and tricks to maximize your available driving hours and thus, your paycheck.


As a truck or bus driver, you'll be required to record and abide by all working and driving limitations which were created by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The rules govern a commercial driver's working and resting hours and are referred to as Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations. In this section we will guide you through the HOS regulations and teach you the best methods of properly recording your hours.


As a truck or bus driver, you'll be required to record and abide by all working and driving limitations which were created by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The rules govern a commercial driver's working and resting hours and are referred to as Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations.


TruckingTruth was founded by Brett Aquila (that's me!), a 15 year truck driving veteran, in January 2007. After 15 years on the road I wanted to help people understand the trucking industry and everything that came with the career and lifestyle of an over the road trucker. We'll help you make the right choices and prepare for a great start to your trucking career.


You wake up and do your pre-trip inspection at 6:00 am. You do a mix of driving and on-duty work throughout the day. At 8:00 pm you're parked on the dock and finished driving for the day. The dock workers want you to come inside and count freight as they load your truck. According to the 14-hour rule, can you legally do this, and why?


Drivers must keep a current log showing all of their working and resting hours. You must keep these logs on an electronic logging device that meets DOT regulations as laid out in the FMCSA guidebook. You can find this information in the ELD rule section 395.22. The ELD rule applies to most motor carriers and drivers currently required to maintain Records Of Duty Status (RODS) per part 395, 49 CFR 395.8 (a). The rule applies to commercial buses, trucks, and Canada and Mexico domiciled drivers.


These log books are used to enforce federal regulations regarding driver behavior. For example, long-haul commercial truck drivers have sleep requirements within a 24-hour driving period. FMCSA log books ensure that commercial truck drivers are adhering to the laws.


These log books should be filled out daily and are often checked by a DOT agent. If logs are falsified, or a driver fails to fill them out, the driver and trucking company could be vulnerable to federal prosecution. As a result, drivers must have good logging habits to comply with fleet health and safety compliance best practices.


Many drivers feel pressure to arrive early at their destination to maximize the money they receive. This can create dangerous, pressure-fueled driving environments for truckers and other drivers who share the road.


The Driver Training Log Book 693-L A driver training form with a Driver's daily log on the front and a Student Evaluation Report on the back. This practical, training tool has space to record evaluation of attitude, general progress, punctuality, attention to safety, log preparation, and driving techniques.


Logbooks for truck drivers have been a source of controversy for decades. Originally meant to ensure that drivers were alert and well rested when behind the wheel, some people contend that they have just the opposite effect, encouraging truckers to falsify records and/or use illegal drugs to stay awake longer. How widespread such abuses are is a matter of debate. Due to the move towards electronic logging devices, however, such concerns may soon become a thing of the past.


Despite these efforts, it appeared that the old-fashioned paper logbook will go the way of the milkman and the Model T. Most major carriers are required to use ELDs logbooks, and Uncle Sam requires that carriers with a history of safety violations must install them on their trucks.


There was a time when we wondered if electronic logbooks for truck drivers lead to a new era of safe driving. Are they just another expensive government mandate that will do little good? The debate is far from over.


Every time drivers have their duty status change, they must make it a point to fill out their logbook based on your state DOT regulations. All duty status changes and the hours spent in every status such as driving and off-duty work should be marked on the logbook grid.


However, all truck drivers with a commercial vehicle must have an ELD to maintain compliance with the HOS regulations to improve the driving experience. Having a log helps employers to prevent driver fatigue and road safety.


A log book can be a key piece of information for any trucker. These driving logs could be used as evidence for insurance claims, especially if you were injured in an accident. This helps you to receive compensation from your parent company or insurance policy.


According to the bills passed in the US, the FMCSA requires that truck drivers can only drive 11 hours a day and have a total on-duty time of 14 hours. In addition, drivers must take a 30 minute break from driving if they have driven for 8 consecutive hours.


How To Fill Out the Truck Drivers Log Book Truckers may find it fairly easy to fill a drivers log book once they know the basics. The contents of a truck driver log book include the date, name of carrier, truck number, and the total number of miles driven within a 24-hour period.


CDL training is a four-week (160 hours) class where you will study and prepare for DOT regulations and log books, get training to obtain a CDL permit, and receive thorough instruction in map reading, trip planning, yard and road vehicle handling.


Currently, the majority of truck drivers rely on paper logs to track their driving hours. A typical log is comprised of a chart with four sections and 24 boxes. Each box represents an hour.


The Department of Transportation (DOT) sets strict logbook rules. Specifically, DOT log book rules 2018 state that long distance truckers may work 14 hours at a stretch, but no more than 11 hours behind the wheel of their commercial motor vehicle. The remaining 10 hours of the 24-hour day must be off duty. Moonlighting at another job is not a permissible way for truckers to spend their off-duty time, because truckers need rest like everyone else. Thirty minute breaks are required every eight hours. Truckers can work up to 60 hours over the course of seven days, or 70 hours spread over eight days.


Attempting to hide your HOS can get you in deep trouble. For instance, turning off your ELD or attempting other ways of beating the e-logging system can get you fired or fined. Weight inspectors may ask to see your HOS at highway stops. If something is amiss, you face stiff legal consequences. For instance, you could be fined up to $14,700 per violation, by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. State and local fines may be assessed, too. Or, you could be barred from driving for a certain amount of time. Companies that pressure or allow truckers to violate DOT regulations are subject to federal criminal prosecution.


Your HOS are part of your Record of Duty Status (RODS) that must be continually updated and readily accessible to inspectors upon request. Attention to detail is an important skill for truck drivers because it essential to jot down on-duty activities other than driving. Truck log books must account for each 24-hour period, including the time and place of any change in status such as sleeping in the berth or stopping to eat and refuel. Receipt or other types of available documentation must also be maintained in accordance with DOT logbook rules of 2018.


The Richland Community College truck driver program works with many trucking companies that will pre-hire students. The fact is, truck driving is one of the few occupations where students who complete training are almost certain to go to work immediately. Most students receive several job offers prior to completion of their training. Employment assistance is offered through Richland Community College's Truck Driver Training.


A logbook is a written account of the hours you work while driving a truck, bus, or ferry. In general, each logbook is set up with the same basic information, and they provide a record of your work activity. Include details such as your name, date, company address, hours on duty, hours sleeping, and hours driving. Once you know the basics, completing a log book is a snap, whether using a paper book or an electronic version.


Other requirements are that you only use one logbook at the time and that you keep the logbook with yourself, not a particular truck, at all times. Additionally, you have to keep your work records with you for 28 days after the record is made.


This site provides information about preventing occupational illness and injury in the trucking industry through links to summaries, training presentations, publications and other resources. It also offers a one-stop location to find applicable Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compliance requirements related to worker protection. 2ff7e9595c


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