If a change of duty status occurs at a location other than a city, the highway number and nearest milepost or the nearest two. While this is possibly the most widely used hoursofservice exemption, it may be the most commonly misused exemption, as well. Log book entries provide evidence of a drivers compliance with all federal and state commercial motor carrier rules and regulations. Further, state and federal authorities also need to make sure that the vehicle youre driving is roadworthy. As a truck or bus driver, youll be required to record and abide by all working and driving limitations which were created by the department of transportation dot. The federal motor carrier safety administration fmcsa regulates the rules and requirements for commercial drivers across the country. As previously noted in the agencys guidance relating to the transportation of horses. Besides the obvious reason of knowing when you can legally drive or not, having a solid understanding of the regulations will have a positive. Driver classifications you must have a valid drivers license for the particular type of vehicle you wish to drive.
Included in this pa dmv handbook is information on the following. Drivers that arent required to have a cdl for the vehicles they drive can take advantage of the 150 air mile radius exemption. The rules, tickets, and fines vary from state to state. To prepare for the cdl knowledge exam, you can take an online practice test in addition to studying the cdl dmv manual. Most drivers must follow the hos regulations if they drive a commercial motor vehicle, or cmv. Possibly, depending on the type of license the driver has.
The regulations state that you must complete a record of duty status aka a logbook every day, unless if you. A cdl applicant also has the duty to disclose prior driving history. Oct 24, 2014 unsubscribe from the truck driver guy. If you do that, your driver may record his time on a time card, time sheet, any thing that captures the time started, time finished. Time to go through your dot compliance checklist truckingoffice.
Pennsylvania commercial drivers license rules driving laws. In general, all drivers must follow the hoursofservice regulations if they drive a commercial motor vehicle, or cmv, in interstate commerce. How to fill out a truck driver log book new and updated. Commercial driver licensepermit requirements have changed read more pdf documentation for cdl drivers. Commercial drivers license cdl if you operate, or plan to operate any of the following commercial motor vehicles cmvs. Its important to make sure youre following this dot compliance checklist, as the dot has stepped up enforcement of its rules regarding drug and alcohol abuse, including roadside checks. Serious civil and criminal penalties may be applied to you or to any of your drivers who violate these rules. Department of transportations log book requirements are contained in part 395. The two restart provisions that are currently suspended are not included in this set. Getting ready for your cdl drivers license test is tough. Fmcsa rules require that a log book or eld must record for each change of duty status e.
It covers 11 elements, from who must carry a log book to what information it must contain to how the timekeeping grids should look. As previously noted in the agencys guidance relating to the transportation of horses, the commercial drivers license cdl regulations do not apply to transportation of personal property when the vehicle is used strictly for nonbusiness purposes unless a cdl is required by the drivers home state. Hazmat endorsement practice test for cdl pennsylvania free. Dec 10, 2015 the rule requires drivers currently required to keep paper logs to use elds, with a few exceptions. What the dot 16hour rule means for you blog gps trackit. The motor carrier keeps accurate and true time cards for 6 months with all the information required by the rules. Commercial drivers license frequently asked questions 1. Note local driver on the log for that day and flag prepost trips and fuel stops.
This online cdl handbook has all of the answers you need for your cdl test. Sometimes its hard to find the official source, among other things. Specifically, dot log book rules 2018 state that long distance truckers may work 14 hours at a stretch, but no more than 11 hours behind the wheel of their commercial motor vehicle. The department of transportation dot sets strict logbook rules. The motor carrier safety improvement act of 1999 states that drivers. Take this cdl practice test as many times as it takes for you to get a perfect score and feel free to come back as many times as you like to try our other practice exams. Does the power unit have a gvwrgvw of 26,001 lbs is the vehicle designed to transport 16 or more people including the driver.
The driver can drive as many miles as heshe wants to or needs to, as long as the driver stays within the 100 airmile radius circle and gets back to the work reporting location within the appropriate number of hours. These declarations trigger the temporary suspension of certain federal safety regulations, including hours of service. To provide vital supplies and transportation services to a disaster area in the united states, emergency declarations may be issued by the president, governors of states, or fmcsa. What are the classes of commercial driver licenses.
Although many commercial motor vehicle cmv drivers feel that they know when they are getting drowsy, various laboratory tests have shown that persons are not good at estimating their own drowsiness. Though each state has its own application process, all states must adhere to federal requirements set forth by the fmcsa. In one 24hour period, these drivers could hypothetically drive for 10 hours, take 8 hours off, and drive for another 6 hours. In order to earn your noncdl drivers license, you must demonstrate to the authorities in your state that you are physically and mentally capable of driving your vehicle. The motor carrier must retain this record for each driver for a minimum of six months, and drivers must keep in their possession a copy showing a minimum of the daily record for the previous seven consecutive days. Dot hours of service guidelines state that, on average, drivers should be able to travel about 10 miles per hour below the speed limit over a 10hour period. Under the 100 airmile radius exemption, the rule states that the driver must be out and back within a 12hour period. The driver cannot drive more than 100 miles for the day. The hoursofservice also require the remaining 10 hours to be offduty time, in which drivers are not doing any workrelated activities. Falsifying or failing to keep a logbook can result in federal penalties and is punishable by up to six months in jail. This exception includes the hoursofservice hos regulations and requirements for electronic logging devices elds.
As of september 30, 2002, if you hold a commercial drivers license cdl and are convicted of being under the influence of alcohol while operating any type of vehicle, including a personal vehicle, or if you refuse to be tested, you may be disqualified from operating a cmv. The rule requires drivers currently required to keep paper logs to use elds, with a few exceptions. Certain oral and spanish tests are available by appointment only. The changes will affect drivers looking to get a commercial license cdl for the first time or when upgrading. Can a truck driver still use paper logs truckers insider.
A dot log book contains records jotted down by truckers who detail their activities over the course of 24 hours. While you are not required to take a written exam over the hours of service hos regulations to obtain your cdl, the regulations are still very important to understand. Obtaining a commercial drivers license cdl in pennsylvania requires passage of a skills and knowledge test based upon the type of commercial motor vehicles cmv being driven. Each trucker must fill out these forms thoroughly and accurately or else they face harsh consequences. Each days dot log book page has a grid with the hours and hour increments listed horizontally across the paper. Weve done the hard part for you and put together a list of the most recent official cdl handbooks for every u. The fmcsas hours of service regulations are a complex set of rules aimed at ensuring drivers of large vehicles are not too tired or overworked to drive safely.
Using the 100 airmile radius exemption dot csa insights. According to the log book rules, truckers must keep track of their location and time spent on and off duty. Most commercial truck drivers will only be able to be onduty for 14 hours, with a limit of 11 hours driving time within that 14. For example, if the speed limit is 65 mph, drivers should be able to travel about 550 miles in a 10hour period, so a trip of 600 miles or more may open the driver to charges of speeding. When filling up the driver log sheet, draw a line across the hours in the proper section which represents your shift for that day.
The fmcsa hours of service hos rules are designed to eliminate the type of drowsiness that can lead to crashes. Driving time limits are 60 hours in any 7 consecutive day period, or 70. Small business trends contacted fred word, executive. What are the fines for log book violations, are they the same nationwide or do.
Emergency declarations, waivers, exemptions and permits. If a 100 airmile driver gets into a vehicle with an eld, the. Drivers are also not allowed to have more than one cdl. The requirements for vehicles and their drivers help to protect public safety and prevent damage to property. In general, a cmv is a vehicle that is used as part of a business and is involved in interstate commerce and fits any of these descriptions. Drivers of passengercarrying cmvs are limited to 10 hours of driving after having 8 consecutive hours off duty. The fmcsa has established rules, known as the hoursofservice hos regulations, regarding how many hours on duty and behind the wheel that interstate commercial drivers can spend each day and 7 or 8 consecutive day period most commercial truck drivers will only be able to be onduty for 14 hours, with a limit of 11 hours driving time within that 14. A drivers log book template also includes sections for the name of the driver, the employee number, tractor numbers, shipping numbers, and the number of hours the driver worked from the past week.
As the rules make no exceptions for onedriver companies, we advise owneroperators to maintain their dat files separately as well. The rules govern a commercial drivers working and resting hours and are referred to as hours of service hos regulations. The drivers manual is the book that provides the information you need to know in order to pass your tests and drive safely. The court can also keep your home state license, and will return licenses from all other states. After obtaining knowledge test authorizations and passing the required knowledge tests, you will also need to take a skills test in the class and type of vehicle you intend to drive.
Below is a list of hours of service and agricultural exemptions. Longhaul cdl drivers who travel outside of 100 air miles are required to take a 30minute rest every eight hours and to log all of their activity during a. If driving above 15 miles per hour over the speed limit, this can result in suspension of a license. Usdot announces final rule on administrative procedure. Federal law requires that cdl drivers crossing state lines must be 21 years of age. Moving within pennsylvania if you are a pennsylvania resident and move to a new address, you must notify the department of transportation, within 15 days, of your change in residence. That way, your nerves wont get the best of you when you take the exam. Below youll find the basic federal requirements needed to obtain a cdl license. A brief recap of hos rules according to dot hours of service rules, u. If you run over 12 hours 100 air miles that day then you can use the same log book. The remaining 10 hours of the 24hour day must be off duty. Cmv operators are subject to special rules and requirements.
Longhaul cdl drivers who travel outside of 100 air miles are required to take a 30minute rest every eight hours and to log all of their activity during a 24hour time frame. Paper log books that are completed manually with a pencil or pen set the standard for recording activities in compliance with the hours of service regulations. If you do that, your driver may record his time on a time card, time sheet, any thing that captures the time started, time. Use each page, in a row, in your log book as your work time continues. The dot has done a decent job of including exemptions to hos regulations that allow truckers the flexibility to act reasonably and safety in the normal course of job performance. Jun 19, 2017 the dot has done a decent job of including exemptions to hos regulations that allow truckers the flexibility to act reasonably and safety in the normal course of job performance. While the 16hour rule can only be applied once weekly, it acts as a great option for drivers that are on the same regular route and need to get home at the end of. The logbook hours of service rules for truck drivers. States may set different age limits for commercial drivers that operate solely. Click here for a recorded presentation on the agriculture exemption. As previously explained in fmcsas regulatory guidance for 383.
Does the vehicle transport placardable amounts of hazardous materials. I run one and if you stay within 100 miles log continuously on on duty not driving for up to 12 hours. In such nonbusiness related transportation of personal property, the fmcsrs do not apply, even if prize or scholarship money is offered. Exemptions to the federal motor carrier safety regulations.
What if a driver goes over that 12hour period for one day. An overview of dot recordkeeping requirements foley. Select your state in the dropdown above to find the latest official drivers manual 2020. Never rip a page of your log book out this will cause problems with the dot. Congratulations, you completed the hazmat endorsement practice test. The following records must be maintained for at least five years. Cdl drivers must have a logbook that is up to date and that reflects hours driven.
After you go through it the additional time, head over to the dot and take your test. Additionally, after licensure, a cdlholder must disclose all future traffic violations and suspensions to the state and their employer. Section hours of service regulations some quick notes about this section. Eld hours of service hos and agriculture exemptions fmcsa. This set of logbook examples help explain the various provisions of the hoursofservice rules. Louisiana commercial drivers license rules, requirements. Drivers who only drive in interstate commerce part of the time will have to follow federal hos rules only while they are operating interstate.
Drivers of propertycarrying commercial motor vehicles cmvs are limited to 11 hours of driving after having 10 consecutive hours off duty. Commercial drivers manual in pennsylvania in order to obtain your commercial drivers license cdl you must first pass a series of general knowledge and practicaldriving exams. Driver operates a vehicle that a cdl is not required. In order to earn your non cdl drivers license, you must demonstrate to the authorities in your state that you are physically and mentally capable of driving your vehicle. All drivers are required to make a record of duty status rods, or a log, or log sheet of their activity or status during each 24hour period. The federal hoursofservice rules do not specifically limit the distance that can be driven in one day, but they do limit the number of hours that can be spent driving, as follows. There are new rules coming into effect for entry level truck driver training eldt in february 2020 that small businesses need to know about. Simply said, they are basically designed for cdl drivers who normally would not travel outside of a 100 airmile radius and also for and noncdl drivers who would not normally travel outside of a 150 airmile radius from their home terminal.
805 597 1073 1260 1356 468 227 723 1335 908 322 88 1120 389 169 1402 1022 407 64 165 609 623 1388 1211 439 928 994 1417 281 1519 231 484 818 640 375 62 273 985 100 759 304