but when do you have to fill out a driver’s log book? The rules state that every driver must keep a task log (a log book) every day, unless he/she stays within a 100-mile radius of his/her office or returns to the office within 12 hours .
Filling out an hours of service log is not only a matter of federal law for truck drivers, but also of company policy. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) expects updated records up to the latest service change. therefore, to avoid the hefty fines that come with violating this law, it’s best to make sure you have up-to-date log books at all times.
You are reading: When are log books required
How often do you need to complete the driver log book?
If you haven’t already, you should get into the habit of filling out your logbooks daily. it’s easy to become forgetful or complacent about filling out your logs because the department of transportation (dot) doesn’t inspect them every day.
however, you can’t afford to neglect this task because it may come back to haunt you. if he’s lucky, the point officer may be a little lenient for not having all his records up to the minute, but then again, lady luck may not be on his side. Therefore, it’s best to stay safe by keeping your records up to date.
and don’t do it for the sake of doing it. Make sure you are using the correct procedure and take advantage of the best registration methods to make the process as painless as possible.
how to fill out a driver’s logbook
Today, most truckers rely on paper logs to keep track of their driving hours. A typical record consists of a graph with four sections and 24 boxes. each box represents an hour.
The four sections represent the following states of the driver:
- off duty
- sleeping
- driving
- on duty (not driving).
To complete the chart, draw a line in the boxes to represent what you are doing at that particular time. For example, if you drive from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 2 p.m. m., you must draw a line through those five hours in the driving section.
Other features of a daily log include the date, driver’s name, driver’s employee number if applicable, tractor numbers, shipment numbers, and hours for the previous seven days. however, you may come across some daily logs that contain numerous sections that do not always have to be completed.
in such a scenario, leaving the blanks may cause you problems with the point. some point officers may not know what information the driver is supposed to fill in or leave blank. for them, whenever records require the information, you must provide it.
For example, the summary section is not an fmcsa requirement, but if your form contains the section, the item may require responses. Therefore, it is best to purchase paper records with only the basic information. and if you have one with additional details, you can insert an em dash through those sections.
The long dash indicates that the information is unnecessary. so when you include it on your paperwork, you will save yourself a lot of unnecessary explanation in the event of a roadside inspection where the officer is not there. day with the registration requirements.
what should appear on your record
Here are some of the things that should appear on your paper record:
- origin terminal: refers to the address from which the dispatcher departs
- main office address: the corporate address
- breakdowns and accidents: must be documented at the appropriate time along with the city and state in which the incident occurred.
- the record must be legible and contain your signature
- the record must be returned to the motor carrier within 13 days in accordance with federal law.
- Spell city names: abbreviations are not allowed
- state names must be abbreviated
- every piece of equipment should be listed: for drivers driving multiple pieces of equipment in one day.
- initialize all changes made in the paper register.
expected changes in driver logbooks
With the advancement of technology, the fmcsa has deemed it prudent to move away from paper records and adopt a more technological process to make the process easier and more effective. According to the fmcsa, paper registrations will be obsolete on December 16, 2019.
In the future, all drivers are expected to record their records using electronic recording devices (fields). Fields are much more precise and simpler. The devices use GPS to track drivers, reducing most manual input and potential errors. But what does this change mean for drivers and businesses?
first things first, what is an electronic recording device?
If you’re used to using paper records, a field might sound like something that comes with a steep learning curve, especially if you’re not tech-savvy. but don’t let the “big words” scare you. In a nutshell, a field is a device that helps motor carriers and truck drivers easily track hours of service (hos) compliance.
all cdl drivers who are required to maintain an up-to-date record of duty status (rods) must use a field device to document their compliance with hos rules.
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The new field rules describe certain specifications and characteristics that all field devices must have. These include:
- the device must be able to connect to the truck’s engine to indicate if it is moving
- the driver must be able to log in and select on duty, off duty or on duty without driving. however, driving segments should be automatically selected based on vehicle movement.
- all fields should provide data in a standardized format that can be easily transmitted to law enforcement public in several prescriptions, such as usb, bluetooth or wireless web services.
- the product must be certified and meet all specifications.
how much do the courses cost?
Unsurprisingly, motor carriers will have to dig deeper into their pockets to use this new technology for their records. Granted, these devices are much more expensive compared to paper records. however, the fmcsa examined a plethora of options on the market to establish a benchmark by which fleets should pay annually. your findings?
“Electronic logging devices ranged from an annualized price of $165 to $832, with the most popular device used today priced at $495/truckload.
The FMCSA notes that while field prices have not come down dramatically in recent years, many vendors are introducing less expensive fleet management system models that have features designed specifically for the field mandate.”
source: field data
For a trucker who has relied on paper logs for a long time, this seems like a high price to pay just to keep track of their hours on the road. but the fmcsa believes the long-term benefits and financial savings far outweigh what drivers and carriers will spend.
Think about it, with paper reduction, not only does it mean less money spent on those resources, but it’s also a better approach to the environment. Not to mention that with the integration of smartphones and other devices, logging will be easy. As they say, you have to lose something to gain something. and in this case, the benefits are worth paying for!
what to expect after full implementation
In the coming weeks, all drivers are expected to have a field device for registration purposes. Failure to comply with this new rule can result in serious fines. As a result, the issue has become a major concern for truck drivers and fleets, especially smaller fleets and owners. -operators.
Most drivers are concerned about the cost of compliance, but there are some who are concerned about lost productivity and inefficient management, among other issues.
However, based on the success these devices have achieved in various businesses so far, you should not expect a loss in productivity. If anything, you should expect increased productivity as a driver, especially if I have been up to date with their records. With the new device in hand, there will be no surprises and you will be able to comply with hos regulations even more easily.
In addition, the fields will significantly reduce paperwork. fmcsa estimates that, on average, a driver spends up to 20 hours a year completing paper logs. with a field, you can save all this time and use it for other, more important things.
plus, eliminating paperwork will save a lot of money. fmcsa expects about a billion dollars in savings per year by taking this route.
You should also expect fewer violations and quicker roadside inspections. Since all information will be automatically recorded and presented in electronic format, it will be easier for point officers to inspect and understand the records. Not to mention that the fields are much more precise.
how to get the most out of electronic recording devices
With the deadline already passed, the fleets and their drivers have no choice but to comply with the fmcsa regulations. unfortunately, it won’t be easy for everyone. Drivers who are not tech-savvy can find it difficult to decide which technology to choose. It can also be difficult to determine which features benefit them the most.
but don’t worry. there are several tips that should help you not only choose the right technology, but also how to make the most of it for the benefit of your business.
1. Consider the Ultimate Field Checklist
Before considering any technology available on the market, it’s best to review the ultimate field checklist to make an informed decision.
In general, a reliable field device should:
- record engine hours
- record vehicle miles
- record vehicle geographic information, time and date
- provide driver identification or authenticated user data
- provide carrier identification number
2. Key Features and Functions to Look For: The Ultimate Checklist
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Once you know what a field is supposed to do for you, you’ll be in a better position to understand the features and functionality to look out for. Fortunately, the FMCSA has issued a checklist for fleets and their drivers to make the selection process easier.
An excellent course should:
- hold data for current 24 hour period
- automatically record driving time
- synchronize with engine control module
- provide separate data for manager and driver
- prevent device tampering
- require the driver to review any unidentified driver records
- support electronic transfer of data
- allow the driver to obtain records upon request
- display data for authorized officials upon request
- provide a user manual
- require driver annotations for edited records
For additional field features and functions, visit the fmcsa website.
3. other considerations
In addition to considering the fmcsa’s recommendations, it’s also a good idea to think about other ways to get the most out of your fields. although it is not a mandatory requirement, you should consider integrating your field with a telematics solution.
according to gps insight, doing so will help improve driver and public safety, increase driver productivity, eliminate common violations, improve maintenance management, reduce time spent auditing books, and improve reliability. dispatch efficiency.
electronic recording devices: the bad side of things
We have addressed the positive side of the fields and why they can be a true revolution in the transport industry. but like most things, fields aren’t perfect. there are certain disadvantages worth mentioning that you should be aware of before using one. These include:
You won’t be smiling on the way to the bank
one of the main disadvantages of these devices is the cost. compared to paper registration, the price is very high. These devices require a lot of money to install, especially for people who own a large fleet of trucks.
and although it is possible to negotiate a lower price, the price is still too much. Small-scale businesses can also find it difficult to calculate initial setup costs, especially if they have relied solely on paper records since launch. the transition can be a difficult task.
steep learning curve
Let’s face it, technology isn’t for everyone. there are those who are born knowing how to handle smartphones and there are others who do not know how to dominate technology even if their lives depended on it.
As with most electronic equipment, it will take some time for drivers to learn how to use this new technology. some may even have to undergo several training sessions to understand how the system works.
In addition to learning how to use this device, it is essential that drivers learn how to troubleshoot it and repair it if it breaks. As a result, it may take some time before the point begins to see tangible results with the new technology.
however, with the correct training and determination from all parties, implementation should be easier than anticipated.
privacy
While paper logs took hours to complete and a lot of manual work was involved, drivers enjoyed privacy on the job. As long as they kept up with their records and adhered to hos regulations, they were on the safe side of the law.
With the introduction of fields, you can kiss this benefit goodbye. since the devices are designed to track your every move using gps, you won’t have privacy. everything you do will be monitored by fleet operators and law enforcement.
However, if you look at it from the perspective of law enforcement and business owners, this is a great setup. When your driver knows he’s following his every move, he’s less likely to do anything that might get you in trouble.
It is important to choose a field that is affordable and capable of tracking everything you need to track. there are many courses you can choose from, but some of them are better than others. one thing to make sure is that your farm is fmcsa compliant.
The top five fields on the market right now are:
Are you still dragging your feet?
With field deployment already underway and the deadline, have you adhered to the new regulations or are you waiting until the last minute to equip your fleet with the latest technology? Although it may seem like waiting will give you more time, you shouldn’t. repercussions can be more expensive compared to getting the device.
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You may face legal action and may have to pay a fine. so stay on the safe side of the law and join the rest in this incredible revolution. It may not look like it, but its goal is to make your driving experience easier, safer and better. p>