1. USDOT Hours of Service Regulations & Log books
Prepared by:
Troy Thurgood
Thurcorp Inc.

2. Electronic Log Device Rule (ELD)
Set to go into effect December 18, 2017
There is a legal challenge before the United States Supreme Court
We don’t believe the challenge will succeed so we believe you should seriously consider e-log implementation
E-logs required in trucks with engine years of 2000 or newer (engine years older than 2000 are exempt)
E-logs required (if truck required) IF the driver of the truck is normally required to do log books (agriculture drivers and local drivers are exempt if they meet the full exemption)
We recommend Keeptruckin. See more at our website:

3. Definitions Off duty is any time not driving or otherwise on-duty
On duty is any time not driving but otherwise working for pay
Driving is any time driving a commercial motor vehicle
Sleeper berth is any time spent in the sleeper berth
Resting in Parked Vehicle is any time spent in the vehicle where you aren’t doing anything (working, driving, sleeping in a berth). Basically, if you’re sitting there and the vehicle is not in gear, you’re RIPV.
Commercial Motor Vehicle is any vehicle used in the furtherance of a business which by itself or with a trailer/loaded exceeds 10,000 pounds

4. Hours of Service reference 49 CFR 395
Four rules
11 hour
14 hour
60/70 hour
30 minute
Resets

5. Guiding principles
At least 10 consecutive hours off-duty OR in the sleeper or a combination of the two:
Resets the 14 hours
Does not count against 14 hours
Does not count against 60/70 hours
At least 8 consecutive hours off-duty OR in the sleeper or a combination of the two:
BUT YOU MUST TAKE ANOTHER BREAK OF AT LEAST 2 CONSECUTIVE HOURS which does count against the 14 hours
Any time spent in the sleeper berth or off-duty does not count against the 60/70 hour clock (no matter how long or short, i.e. 15 minute intervals)

6. 11 hour rule
Following a 10 hour off-duty break, cannot drive more than 11 hours

7. 11 hour rule example
Came on duty at 6am and started driving at 6:30 am
Your driving time cannot be more than 11 hours (prior to 8pm, we’ll get to that next)

8. Log book example 11 hour rule
Total row hours 12 11 1 24
PT Inspection
Riggins ID
PT Inspection
Riggins ID
Note 11 hours lapsed even though did not hit 14 hours

9. 14 hour rule
Following a 10 hour off-duty break, cannot drive past the 14th on-duty hour regardless of how many hours you’ve actually driven

10. 14 hour rule example
You start your day at 6am and begin driving at 6:30 am
At 8pm you must stop driving regardless of whether or not you’ve hit your 11 hours of driving
The only thing that stops the 14 hour clock from ticking is at least 8 consecutive hours off-duty or in the sleeper berth or a combination of the two.

11. Log book example 14 hour rule
Total row hours 13 6 5 24
PT Inspection
Riggins ID
Engine trouble
Spokane WA
PT Inspection
Moses Lake WA
Lunch Spokane WA
Note 14 hours lapsed even though only drove 6

12. 60/70 hour rule
In 8 rolling days (current day plus the past 7), you cannot drive beyond the 70th on-duty hour
If your company doesn’t operate 7 days per week, you fall under the 60 hour rule which means in 7 rolling days, you can’t drive beyond the 60th on-duty hour
This is why you have to keep your current day’s log book plus your previous 7 days’ logs.

13. 60/70 hour rule example (using 70 hour limit)
Weekday
Total driving & on-duty not driving hours
Driving hours
Comments
Monday 12 4
No issues
Tuesday
Wednesday 3
Thursday 1
Friday 10
Saturday 2
Because you’ve had long 12 hour days, you cannot drive past the 10th on-duty/driving hour for the day (even if you only drove for 2 hours)
TOTALS 70 24
THIS EXAMPLE ASSUMES YOU HAD A RESET ON SUNDAY BEFORE YOU STARTED THE WEEK.

14. 30 minute rule
For every 8 hours you are on-duty OR driving, you must take at least one 30 minute break (recorded in off-duty)

15. 30 minute rule example Your day starts at 6am
By 2pm, if you haven’t had at least one 30 minute break, you must take a 30 minute break.
Under this condition, your 14 hours would end at 8pm (only 6 hours from when you take your break) so no additional break necessary
However, let’s say you start at 6am and take a break for whatever reason at 10am
At 6pm (2 hours before your 14 hours ends) you must take another 30 minute break

16. Log book example 1 of 30 minute break rule
Total row hours
12.5
10.5 1 24
PT Inspection
Riggins ID
PT Inspection
Riggins ID
30 minute break
Grangeville ID

17. Log book example 2 of 30 minute break rule
Total row hours 11 12 1 24
PT Inspection
Riggins ID
PT Inspection
Riggins ID
30 minute break
Spokane WA
30 minute break
McCall ID
WHO CAUGHT THE VIOLATION ON THIS ONE?

18. Resets
If you hit your 70 hours in rolling 8 days, you can reset to 0 by taking at least 34 hours consecutive off-duty or sleeper berth or combination
Any 34 hour periods count for a reset (a change from previous regulations)
Any number of resets can be taken in a week (a change from previous regulations)
Consecutive 34 hours in off-duty or sleeper resets the 60/70 hours for MOST operations
Construction and operations supporting oilfield operations are allowed a 24 hour reset

19. Reset Example Weekday On-Duty/Driving Hours Comments Monday 12
(assuming starting out Monday morning following 34 hours off-duty)
On-Duty/Driving Hours
Comments
Monday 12
No issues
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday 10
Stopped driving and went off-duty at 4pm (hit 70 hours at 4pm)
Sunday
Remained off-duty all day
Began working at 6am
Had 38 hours off duty (Saturday 4pm through Monday morning 6am). This counts as a reset.

20. Special Notes
If you are potential driver (considered a driver but just not driving) in the passenger seat in a CMV but not driving or doing anything else (no sleeper berth time), all the time counts as on-duty not driving.
The times you use on your log book is the time of your home terminal.
Home terminals (and time zones) can change the carrier’s discretion but make sure you are tracking those time changes.
Keep your log book current to your last change of duty status
Keep your previous 7 days’ log books
You must turn in your logs at least every 13 days to the carrier
Carrier must keep log books and supporting documents for 6 months
State/Federal emergencies that you support may suspend hours of service regulations

21. Review After having 10 consecutive hours off duty:
No driving past 11 hours
No driving past the 14th on-duty/driving hour combined
Only 8 consecutive hours + stops the 14 hour clock
After having been on-duty/driving for 8 consecutive hours, must take at least a 30 minute break
Reset 70 hours by taking 34 consecutive hours off-duty/sleeper berth