Pre Trip- What Is The DOT Requirement

Let's say every day you log a 10 min pre trip. One day at a weigh station it's your turn for a random check. DOT officer checks your logs and says show me your 10 minute pre trip as he takes his stop watch out. Now what do you do? At least one DVIR per day must be logged "on duty". However, if I'm on a 34 and the system tells me I missed one, I log it as off duty. Our DVIR form has an option to log it as off duty. I also believe it's best to log longer ones from time to time.

On our last weekly safety call, the safety officer said we should be doing half hour pretrips, because it takes 10 minutes to do the cab/brake check alone. I used to make sure I logged at least 20 minutes, but I've been extending them since the call.

The company I work for Schneider, requires we log a minimum of 15 minutes, but prefer we log 30 minutes. I usually log between 15-30 minutes, but I'm normally done before then but for obvious reasons it looks better if it isn't just the same time everyday.

The company I work for Schneider, requires we log a minimum of 15 minutes, but prefer we log 30 minutes. I usually log between 15-30 minutes, but I'm normally done before then but for obvious reasons it looks better if it isn't just the same time everyday.

Jamie, you might want to take a look at the reply from Rob Steeler. He too works for Schneider.

The company I work for Schneider, requires we log a minimum of 15 minutes, but prefer we log 30 minutes. I usually log between 15-30 minutes, but I'm normally done before then but for obvious reasons it looks better if it isn't just the same time everyday.

Jamie, you might want to take a look at the reply from Rob Steeler. He too works for Schneider.

I was told the same thing but 30 minutes isn't a requirement, it's only what they prefer. But as long as its 15 minutes or more, they have never mention it and I recently had my logs reviewed for my own reasoning to make sure I've been logging everything right and he informed me I had no log violations and haven't for months now.

Schneider is just looking for realistic inspection time, same as DOT.

The company I work for Schneider, requires we log a minimum of 15 minutes, but prefer we log 30 minutes. I usually log between 15-30 minutes, but I'm normally done before then but for obvious reasons it looks better if it isn't just the same time everyday.

Jamie, you might want to take a look at the reply from Rob Steeler. He too works for Schneider.

I'd also like to mention I've gotten different information from different people at Schneider about such things, so I guess it all depends on who you talk to and what OC you're out of. But my logs was reviewed by one of our OSR guys and I had no problems with the way I've been logging things.

If Jamie and Robsteeler keep doing their pre-trips like they are now, they will never attract any attention from the company, unless they get a commendation for being conscientious.

But what would keep a driver from doing a standard pre-trip before starting his clock, then going on duty, not driving for the recommended 15 to 30 minutes and taking care of other tasks while the clock is ticking? It could be done that way to save clock time, but my problem would be that I never have enough work to do to fill up 20 minutes of waiting time. I always have made sure my workflow stuff is completed before I go to sleep. If there was something I could do that would help preserve my driving time, I would do it, but what?

I guess I could Turtle Wax my tractor to reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency, but only during warm weather. It still wouldn't get me any farther down the road.

I usually do a 15 minute pre trip. And i.think that's probably industry standard.

This has been mentioned here before, but how many times in the morning at truck stops do you see hoods opened and drivers doing pre-trips? How many even get out of their trucks unless to get coffee and use the restroom? It'd be interesting to do an actual visual survey at a truck stop and see the results.

I think Eric G. is right that 15 minutes is pretty much the industry standard for those that actually do a pre-trip, but how many drivers just don't do one at all?

I’ve seen plenty of idiots never get out of the cab. Pull in the night before and park it. Snows a little overnight and covers the ground. They pull out the next morning and leave no footprints around the truck anywhere. Can’t fix stupid!