Do We Get Days Off?

I'm not trying to sound like a punk, I love working hard. I have heard about 10 hour resets and stuff but I don't know if we get any other time off.

I'm not trying to sound like a punk, I love working hard. I have heard about 10 hour resets and stuff but I don't know if we get any other time off.

Hi Tacoma. The 10 hour break is generally referred to as a break. The 34 hour time period is what is called a reset. If you drive or work either a 14 hour shift or a 11 hour drive time, you have to take a 10 hour break. When you use up 70 hours of on duty/drive time, then you are required to take a break for at least 34 hours to “reset” your 70 hour clock.

Every driver gets other days off either for vacation time, paid days off, or regular home time. Every company has different policies about days off. Some drivers like lots of days off, some drivers want to work as much as possible for as long as possible.

Yes you will, it just depends on your line of work and company. For example Most linehaul and p&D drivers get 2 days off in a row every week. OTR drivers may only earn 1 day off for every 5 to 7 days they work.

Hi Tacoma, and welcome to our forum!

BK and Bob gave you some solid answers, but I'd just like to add a little to what they've said.

As you get into this further, you'll begin to

Learn The Logbook Rules. (HOS)

That will help you learn how all this works.

Once you've established yourself as a solid dependable driver, you'll find you have a lot of options for taking a little time off. Here's an example...

I have three daughters living in different parts of the country. Last week I was dispatched on a multi-stop load from Louisiana over into the Carolinas. My first stop was right near Greenville, SC. My youngest daughter, her husband, and three of my nine grandchildren live in Greenville.

I was dispatched on a Friday with my first stop being Monday morning. So, I got myself over there Saturday morning and spent the weekend with them. I left out early Monday morning and made a punctual first stop on my load.

That whole scenario did several things for me. I got to spend time with the people I love. I got some "time off." I also was off duty in excess of the 34 hours BK mentioned, so I reset my 70 hour clock. That all worked out great, and I had a great time doing it. None of it interfered with my productivity, and it was a welcome break.

In short, an OTR driver learns to get creative with their time off. It takes a while to get the hang of this career, but the truly successful drivers out here learn to manage the whole package so they don't suffer burn out.

I have daughters and grand children in Texas and Ohio too. I practice the same kind of tactics to see them when I can. This job has a lot of opportunities for adventure and enjoyment. You have to learn how to find that balance to be successful at it.

Don't expect much pay if you ever get and use vacation time. That's why I'm trying to switch to local routes working for US Foods. 4 weeks of vacation time at 4 years and you get at least $32/hr. At lot of trucking companies will try to pay out something ridiculous like $10/hr for your vacation time. That's why a lot of drivers work endlessly for years on end and then quit to take an extended vacation.