When it comes to driver’s logging their hours on the ELD, they need to keep in mind the difference between shift and Day. When we are talking about day, it means from midnight to midnight. A shift starts when driver starts his work. The shift can be started at any time of the day (morning, afternoon, night).The graph shown on ELD records logs from midnight to midnight. Driver’s have to make sure about these points in regards to this difference

• Driver’s have to take 10 hours off duty (including 8+2 block hours of split sleep) between their shifts.
• 14 hour period does not get extended by taking off duty. This means that each day drivers get 14 hour period and rest 10 hours of the day have to be logged as off duty/sleeper berth.
• During a shift (from the time driver first puts himself on ON-Duty) a 30 minute break has to be taken before 8 hours have passed. Taking the 30 minute break resets the next 8 hours for the driver.

More info: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations

Disclaimer- The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA/MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog.

Hours of service rules is something that drivers have to be very careful about while driving. These determine how much the drivers can drive, rest and the duration for which they can be on ON-Duty state.  Here are some pointers that driver’s have to keep in mind to avoid any violation.

30 Minutes break in 8 hours- A 30- minute break has to be taken by drivers in 8 hours duration from the time they come on duty initially. This has to be done to avoid any kind of violation. It has to be noted that the 8 hour clock is in real time and the break should be taken before the hours have past.

10 hour off duty/Sleeper berth- As per FMCSA, drivers have to take 10 consecutive hours off duty when they have driven 11 hours within their shift or if they have been On-duty for 14 hours. Taking off duty does not mean that the driving hours will be increased more than the provided limit. Sleeper berth can also be split between 8 and 2 hours. For further information on split sleep, please find the link provided below.

Cycle reset- The drivers are usually on a 7 or 8 day cycle. They cannot drive more than 60/70 hours respectively. The cycle can be restarted during the 7/8 day cycle if the drivers take 34 hours or more consecutive off duty.

In our ELD the drivers are very well shown their current state and how many hours are left for their next break/ Off Duty. Warnings are also given time to time in yellow before any violation occurs. Violations are shown in red. Our ELD is very user friendly and easily understood by officers. There is a separate option for officers called “officer view” where officers can view the driver’s log.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations

Disclaimer: The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA/MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog

Truck drivers are required to have certain documents with them apart from the paper log books that they can use in the event of ELD malfunctions.  As per FMCSA, drivers must use paper logs when their ELD malfunctions. Drivers must also notify in written to the motor carrier company about the ELD technical issue that they encountered. For their pre-trip or post trip inspection, drivers can use paper inspection book when they are not able to use ELD.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/international-programs/what-must-canadamexico-domiciled-motor-carriers-driver-do-if-eld-malfunction

In the event of an ELD malfunction and otherwise drivers should be equipped with these documents:

• Paper log book
• Previous log book of 8/14 days in USA/Canada respectively.
• ELD officer inspection manual
• Driver ELD operation manual
• Paper inspection book

We at AikSphere, provide truck driver manuals and training videos to help them understand how they can use our ELD. Special functionality “Send problem report” in our ELD allows drivers to send their technical issues on the spot to our support team who troubleshoot them accordingly. https://aiksphere.com/e-log/

Disclaimer: The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA/MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog

On May 2018, new guidelines for using ‘Personal Conveyance’ or personal use have been released by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

ELD’S may be set up to allow drivers to put themselves in a special driving category called ‘personal use’.When driver selects this option, ELD will record the time as off duty unless the driver selects another state.

Regardless, the driver should be off duty and relieved from any work responsibilities to use this option. The commercial vehicle can be used under personal conveyance even if the truck is laden as it is not being used for commercial benefit at that time.

EXAMPLES OF APPROPRIATE USE OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE ON PERSONAL USE:

• If the driver has to go to a restaurant from truck stop.
• To record the time spent between going from terminal to driver’s residence, between trailer drop lots and driver’s residence and between work sites and driver’s residence.
  The distance in this scenario, should allow the driver to get rest.
• If the driver has to go to a safe location to get rest while loading and unloading.
• For moving the vehicle at the request of a safety official ( authorized government official) during off duty time
• Time spent transporting personal property while off duty
• If the driver wants to travel home after working at an offsite location.

EXAMPLES OF INAPPROPRIATE USE OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE ON PERSONAL USE:

• The driver may not use this option if he wants to reach next loading or unloading point bypassing all the available resting locations.
• Operating with an empty trailer in order to pick up another load or repositioning the vehicle (tractor or trailer) at direction of the trucking company.
• Driver has to take vehicle to a facility where repair has to be performed.
• Time spent to go to terminal after loading or unloading from a shipper or receiver.

Here is a useful link for the above information: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/regulatory-guidance-concerning-use-commercial-motor

Disclaimer: The rules and regulations are subject to change any time. Readers must verify with the authority, FMCSA/MTO and must not rely on the contents of this blog