TRANSPORT SERVICE CO.
HOURS OF SERVICE QUESTION/ANSWER

Transport Service Co. has developed this page as a reference material to help our drivers understand the safety compliance requirements.  While this page does highlight important parts of regulations and company policy, drivers need refer to their Safety regulation handbook, driver, operations manual, and other pertinent company manuals to meet the compliance requirements.
 
QUESTION

What conditions must be met for a commercial motor vehicle driver to be off-duty for meals and other routine stops during a tour of duty?

ANSWER
  1. The driver must have been relieved of all duty and responsibility by the employer for the care and custody of all equipment, cargo, or passengers.
  2. The duration of the driver's relief from duty must be for a finite period of time, which is of sufficient duration which will ensure a reduction in driver fatigue.
  3. During the duration of off-duty time, the driver must be a liberty to pursue activities of his/her own choosing.
  4. If the driver is relieved from duty, the employers must have made the duration of the relief known to the driver (in written instructions) prior to the driver's departure.

If all of these conditions can be met, a driver may be off-duty during a tour of duty.
QUESTION
How must driving time be recorded when a driver uses a commercial motor vehicle for personal reaons?
ANSWER
When a driver is relieved from duty, the time spent traveling between from home and the normal work reporting location may be considered off-duty.  Similarly, time spent traveling short distances from an enroute lodging (terminal, motel, etc.) to restaurants may also be considered off-duty, provided the vehicle is not loaded.  A loaded CMV may not be used as a personal vehicle.  A driver using a CMV for transportation home, and who is later dispatched from home, would be on duty from the time he/she leaves home.  A driver placed out of service for exceeding the requirements of the hours of service regulations may not drive a CMV to any location to obtain rest.
QUESTION
Can book/pay miles be shown on the driver's daily log?
ANSWER
No - actual driving miles must be shown.
QUESTION
If a driver understates his/her total driving miles for the day to avoid a 11/70 Hour Violations is it considered a falsification?
ANSWER
The understanding to total driving miles is considered to be a log falsification.
QUESTION
Does a driver's log only have to conform with TSC's company speed limit?
ANSWER
The log must conform to each state's speed limit as well as the company speed limit.
QUESTION
Is fueling time considered on duty time?
ANSWER
Yes - all fueling time must be logged on duty, Line 4.
QUESTION
Is the average speed on a log the same as the actual speed?
ANSWER
No - when you show an average speed on your log you are actually driving at a speed of 5 MPH greater.  (Example - If you average 60 MPH on your log, you are actually operating at 65 MPH to attain that average).
QUESTION
The DOT regulations state that a driver may not drink any alcoholic beverages within four hours of going on duty.  Would I be correct in following that regulation?
ANSWER
No - not at TSC - Company Policy requires a driver not to drink any alcoholic beverages within 8 hours of going on duty.
QUESTION
Can the time spent at the customer for weighing, checking in/out, completing paperwork etc. be logged on Line 1 if the customer does the unloading?
ANSWER
No - all time spent weighing, checking in/out, completing paperwork must be logged on duty, Line 4.
QUESTION
If involved in an accident what must a driver show on his log?
ANSWER
A driver must log on line 4 on duty all time spent at an accident site (reporting to Safety, Police, Terminal etc.).
QUESTION
If a driver shows an average speed of 75 MPH on his log is it a speeding violation or a Log Falsification?
ANSWER
It is considered a Log Falsification when the operating speed shown exceeds the capability of our governed tractors.
QUESTION
If a driver makes errors on his/her log must a new log be completed?
ANSWER
No - the driver will draw a line through any mistakes or corrections and initial them.

 

RETURN TO NEWS MENU