Qualcomm DOT -12:40

Why would one go off duty instead of sleeper? If the truck isn't on, I'm on sleeper, unless I'm fueling up or doing pre/post trips.

Why would one go off duty instead of sleeper? If the truck isn't on, I'm on sleeper, unless I'm fueling up or doing pre/post trips.

I know this is an uncommon scenario, but just for the sake of argument:

let's say you get unloaded and go to a truck stop to wait for your next load assignment. You go off duty while you wait. 3 hours later you get a load assignment that picks up in 9 hours. You put yourself in sleeper for 7 hours to complete reset.

Why would one go off duty instead of sleeper?

Because you're supposed to log what you're actually doing.

Sleeper berth = rest

Off duty = everything else (eating, showers, going for a walk etc.)

Technically, you're only supposed to be in sleeper status if you're actually in the sleeper. A LEO can pick you apart if you never show any off-duty.

Again, technically.

Let's say you're hanging out in the parking lot talking to the other drivers. DOT pulls up and asks to see your logs. If you are in sleeper berth status, you're breaking the law.

Extreme, I know.

Building on what Turtle said.

If DoT inspects your logs and sees your logging sleeper for every moment your not fueling or on duty, they could easily pick you apart. "Driver do you not shower? Go to the bathroom? Go buy food? Ever set foot outside your truck for any not work related reason?" You are technically falsifying your logs by only logging sleeper time. And they can ticket you for that.

My logs auditor advises logging at the bare minimum 5-10 minutes of off duty time at the end of your day before you go into the sleeper. This time accounts for personal needs such as using the restroom or going inside a truck stop for any reason. The same goes for the beginning of your day. Your a human being, not a robot, and your logs should reflect that. A DoT officer can easily pick you apart if you pattern log or don't show any off duty time.

Without that off duty time, your telling DoT that you never leave your truck...ever.

And to simplify the 10 hour break you can just put the entire 10 hours or longer on sleeper without changing to off duty for part of it but have to have at least 8 out of ten uninterrupted hours in sleeper.

What? Totally not true. If taking a 10 hour break, i can have all 10 off duty, 3 off duty and 7 sleeper, 5 off duty and 5 sleeper or any combination adding to 10 hours. As long as the 10 hours is Off duty or sleeper, it is a 10 hour reset.

Did i not read what you said correctly?

Totally my bad then. I was told I had to have 8 uninterrupted in sleeper. However I stand by the entire 10 being able to be in sleeper or off duty...lol.

I have always put my entire 10 on sleeper, I've had level 1 and level 2 inspections and DOT had no issue with it. I suppose if one were to anger them they might scrutinize it but they cannot prove you ever left the truck.

8 hours of uninterrupted sleeper is used to pause your 14 hour clock. Most often it is used in combination with a prior or later 2 hour off duty break to complete an 8/2 split.

8 hours of sleeper has nothing to do with a straight 10 hour break.

Ok. That makes sense. For DOT purposes.

Being off duty counts towards your 10 rest?

Ok. That makes sense. For DOT purposes.

Being off duty counts towards your 10 rest?

Yes, as long as it is consecutive when doing your ten hour break. Off Duty and or Sleeper Berth.