Team driving questions

[chadman162]

ok me and a friend are going to team drive and was wondering what is the best way to do your driving time. can you drive 5.5 hours then the other guy drive 5.5 or is it better just to do ur 11 then switch? Also is it hard to get use to sleeping in a moving truck? thanks for the info.

[RedRollingRoadblock]

Have you have ANY training?

You ask a question that has been beat to death since the Hours of Service changed in January 2003 and then again in October 2005. The split sleeper berth went out the window then. And this is still one of the more controversial issues in the law.

Basically you must have 8 consecutive hours in the bunk plus another 2 hours in the bunk or off duty.

I suggest that you and your friend view Ol'Blue, USA - CDL & CMV Safety Info Center and do some serious reading. A good place to start is the section Ol'Blue, USA - Brochure. All the information that you need will be found on the website. There is also more safety information that should be reviewed.

Also you need to know that these rules MAY change again as the whole ball of wax is being reviewed by the House that King George lives in and will probably be finalized sometime in the near future.

Know the law and be safe. Good luck.

[gastonnc]

Yes, it is hard to sleep. Once you are dead tired, it will be easier. and hopefully, if you get to unload or do some dock work , you will be . otherwise, it gets hard to fall asleep, especially on bumpy roads with your co driver having the radio on loud and all that. be prepared.

[notahappycamper]

I know a couple who drives team. They take turns...10 hrs driving....10 hrs off. It's working well for them, and they are usually well rested. Just because you are allowed to drive for 11 hours, doesn't mean you HAVE to drive for 11 hrs. As far as I am aware, there is no more splitting your 11 hrs into 5.5. Driving 10 hrs isn't difficult....but you do have to be considerate of your co-driver so they can sleep while you are driving..

[necie67]

If you can keep it consistant, you can legally do this: 6 hrs driving, 8 hrs sleeper, 5 hrs driving, 2hrs sleeper, 6 driving 8 sleeper, 5 driving, 2 sleeper... see the pattern?
the 6 and 5 hrs driving = 11, the 8 and 2 hrs sleeper = 10... I think I have this right... If i am wrong, feel free to correct...

[RedRollingRoadblock]

Originally Posted by necie67

If you can keep it consistant, you can legally do this: 6 hrs driving, 8 hrs sleeper, 5 hrs driving, 2hrs sleeper, 6 driving 8 sleeper, 5 driving, 2 sleeper... see the pattern?
the 6 and 5 hrs driving = 11, the 8 and 2 hrs sleeper = 10... I think I have this right... If i am wrong, feel free to correct...

Nope. No split sleeper.

From Hours-of-Service Regulations - Effective October 1, 2005 - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

CMV drivers using the sleeper berth provision must take at least 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, plus 2 consecutive hours either in the sleeper berth, off duty, or any combination of the two.

From HOS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Important changes were made in three areas.

(1) Sleeper Berth: To use any of the HOS provisions regarding sleeper berths, a driver must now have one of the following:

Continuous Sleeper Berth Provision: At least 10 consecutive and uninterrupted hours in the sleeper berth.

Sleeper Berth Provision: The equivalent of at least 10 consecutive hours off-duty (equivalent means at least 8 hours but less than 10 consecutive hours in a sleeper berth and a separate period of at least 2 hours but less than 10 consecutive hours either in the sleeper berth or off duty, or any combination of both).

Continuous Off-Duty and Sleeper Berth Provision: At least 10 consecutive hours sleeper berth and off-duty time combined and uninterrupted. Further details are on the internet at Hours-of-Service Logbook Examples - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.