Profile For not4hire

Thanks for pointing this out. For extra clarification, the legal limit for cdl holders is .03 whether in a cmv or personal vehicle.

No it is not. In fact, nowhere is .03 a limit for anything. The limit "when operating a CMV" is .04, otherwise it is whatever the jurisdictional limit is (.08) when operating a personal vehicle. Having a CDL has no bearing on the limits, it is ONLY while operating a CMV.

Be aware of your surroundings when geocaching...

Grizzly attack near Water Valley, Alta. leaves man in his 50s with serious injuries

Police said the man was geocaching alone in the Harold Creek area when the bear charged and attempted to drag him into the bush. He was able to get away from the animal and drive himself to where paramedics were called.

Or, they could just look north and review the Canadian information and adopt our rules. Split sleeper here is any two periods adding up to 10 hours so long as the least of which is not less than 2 hours. Simple, flexible and it works great.

Here is a map showing which states allow which exemption

Map of the State Recognition of the Auxiliary Power Weight Exemption

There are three methods of exemption: - None - Legislative - Enforcement policy

And two exemptions: - 400 lbs - 550 lbs

Because the exemption is merely suggested by the FHWA and not mandated, the exemption is up to each state. In order to be one hundred percent certain, you will need to read each state's legislation or policy. However, it is safe to assume the following: - Any such granted exemption will apply to gross, axle and bridge weights to the lesser of the exemption or the maximum weights allowed by installed components (i.e., axles, tires, etc.)

So... - Yes, the exemption applies to steer axles - Yes, the exemption applies to gross weight, so you could be 80,400-80,550 lbs legally - No, you are not overweight (theoretically or otherwise) if you have a qualifying APU in a jurisdiction that grants an exemption for such a device.

As for the OP...

Wisconsin Statutes 348.15  Weight limitations on class “A" highways.

(f) 1. In this paragraph: a. “Heavy-duty vehicle" has the meaning given in 42 USC 16104 (a) (4). b. “Idle reduction technology" has the meaning given in 42 USC 16104 (a) (5). 2. Notwithstanding pars. (a) to (c) and (g), sub. (4), and ss. 348.17 and 349.16, and subject to subd. 3., in the case of a heavy-duty vehicle equipped with idle reduction technology, the gross weight of the vehicle, and the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle or axle group of the vehicle, may exceed the applicable weight limitation specified in pars. (a) to (c) or (g) or posted as provided in s. 348.17 (1) by not more than 400 pounds or the weight of the idle reduction technology, whichever is less. 3. This paragraph applies only if the heavy-duty vehicle operator, upon request, proves, by written certification, the weight of the idle reduction technology and, by demonstration or certification, that the idle reduction technology is fully functional at all times.

http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/348/III/15

Let your conscience be your guide...

Title 49: Transportation PART 395—HOURS OF SERVICE OF DRIVERS

§395.2 Definitions.

On-duty time means...

(6) All time repairing, obtaining assistance, or remaining in attendance upon a disabled commercial motor vehicle;

§395.2 Definitions.

Maximum allowable weights are ALWAYS the lesser of: 1) The manufacturer's maximum for the axle as noted on the door-jamb tag, 2) The manufacturer's maximum for the tires as noted on the sidewall at maximum cold inflation, or 3) The maximum allowed by legislation (including any exemption) by either total weight or weight per inch of tire width.

The APU exemption (where accepted) allows you to increase your gross, with a corresponding increase on any/all axle(s), providing you do not exceed any component limits. Therefore, anyone telling you to exceed a weight for a tagged component is wrong. However, all states allow up to 20,000 on steers providing the axles and tires are appropriately rated.

From what I've read in high road, at every change of duty status you must show mileage and location. It seems that the QC will, by using gps, automatically show location, and possibly mileage . So by going into off duty during heavy traffic to save drive time, couldn't you be rolling the dice. In 30 min of bumper to bumper you could go 5 miles and change cities. So how could someone take a 30 min "break", travel 5 miles and change cities? Maybe I'm being nieve but to be able to earn a few more cents by fudging logs, you're takings a risk at a fine, suspension, being fired, or losing your CDL, it is extremely pennywise and pound foolish. I describe it as stepping over a dollar to grab the nickel.

I mentioned before, I'm kind of a nerd at following rules. Don't get me wrong what you do is what you do, and non of my concern, and I rather welcome the information, but I have my own morals I have to live by. I will not lower my standards based on someone else's actions. I've heard it countless times before. "Why do I have to do it that way, when Ralph gets away with cutting corners". I say do what you know to be right, and don't worry about what Ralph does. If you start cutting corners because ralph does, you have lowered your standards because of someone else's actions. That's never good imo.

A driver can't legally take their 30 minute break while in traffic. Regardless of how long the driver is stopped, it does not meet the definition of "off-duty". Do some drivers and some companies cheat? Yes. However, the new rules for electronic logging devices (ELDs) are far more comprehensive and strict in terms of programming parameters than the old ones for automatic on-board recorders (AOBRs) and I expect the FMCSA will really crack down on their carrier audits.

In your op you asked about sources of information. If it hasn't already been pointed out to you, the best source is from the horse's mouth--the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Their rules pertain to any interstate commerce. The definition of interstate commerce is very broad, and a specific truck can be deemed to be engaging in interstate commerce even if it does not leave its home state. If you are truly engaged in only intrastate transportation, then the rules of your home state would apply. They may, or may not be the same as the federal rules.

FMCSA regulations pertaining to road transportation homepage (49 CFR Parts 300-399) On the right you will see the menu box that has links to the regulation guidance. The guidance are lay-language explanations/clarifications of some of the regulations.

PART 395—HOURS OF SERVICE OF DRIVERS

Note that sometimes you will hear something different from a driver or your carrier than what you read in the regulations. If it comes from a driver I tend to ignore it--lots of myths and fallacies are in circulation. Even drivers that supposedly "have been doing it that way for 30+ years". Besides, what better way to learn that looking things up?

If your company tells you something different it may be fine so long as it doesn't conflict with the FMCSA regulations. Company policies can add elements that are not required (like noting your activity in "remarks", i.e., "fuelling"), or they may be stricter than regulations (such as no "personal conveyance"). Be aware that not all carriers are created equal, and regardless of who tells you to do what, if you violate the rules and get caught, you will pay the price.

Actually having a dog let's you idle in those Nazi no idle places. They will let us die but not the dog haha.

This is not correct; there is nothing overriding anti-idling laws for your pet's health or comfort.

Dogs are not required to be spayed or neutered, they are required to have a rabies vaccination (unless less than three months old).

Canadian Border Services Agency: Importing or Travelling with Domestic Dogs