 Log Book Strategies
I have heard many drivers complain on Trucking radio channel 147 (on sirius) about the possible reduction in the driving hours from 11 to 10. I have heard quotes of $6000.00 to $7000.00 less in potential earnings. I have attempted to call in and challenge these assumptions but always get a busy signal. So I will put my observations here;
The hours are very simple to understand. Under the current rules we have a 14 hour window to complete up to 11 (maybe 10 after sep 14th) hrs of driving. Then we have to take a 10 hr break.
If I understand the driving regulations correctly it does not state you must stretch out the duty and driving hrs to the 14 hr mark. With this knowledge a driver could in essence drive more than 11 hrs (or 10) in a 24 hour period. Allow me to give you an example of how this could work;
Joe trucker has just come back from vacation. He has a preloaded trailer at his home terminal. He hooks up his trailer at 00:15 showing his pretrip inspection from Midnight to 1215 am. He then drives 11 hrs stopping only for quick bathroom breaks (for which he did not have to change his duty status because it took less than 15 minutes for each stop). It is now 11:15 am. Joe takes his 10 hr break. It is now 9:15 pm. Joe has reset his 14 hr clock by having a 10 hr break and now has 11 more hours he can drive. Joe continues driving and actually tallies up a total of 13.75 hrs on the drive line for that 1st 24 hr period.
Under the old rules it was the same concept. So as long as you have an otr job with long trips you will not lose anything wether the 11 hours reverts back to 10 or not. It will require a little more flexibility on the drivers part to take advantage of this system but remember drivers that drive during off hours will usually be able to maintain a higher mph over the course of the trip (seeing they avoid the major congestion of rush hour).
Should we lose the 34 hr reset that simply means we have to revert back to the 70 hrs in 8 day rule. This was and is still workable. For drivers that get home on the weekends this could actually result in taking more time off at home so they do not continually bump the 70 hr limit. The idea is to maximize your driving hrs within the alooted time. Know the rules of the game and you can play (and win).
 | 
Linear Mode
