Computer Logs Vs Log Books

Hey guys I been out of trucking for awhile. Be back in a couple more weeks. Can anyone tell me about the computer logging. Never used it before. Heres some questions I have.

Do we still have paper logs just in case computers go down? How does DOT check the computer log if they decide to? Do we get copies to keep for taxes? I think that got to be a yes. How sensitive are these things? If I sleep at my pu or del point and back into the dock will it start my day automatically?

Any other info you would like to throw in will be appreciated.

I'm Sober-j over

Hey guys I been out of trucking for awhile. Be back in a couple more weeks. Can anyone tell me about the computer logging. Never used it before. Heres some questions I have.

Do we still have paper logs just in case computers go down? How does DOT check the computer log if they decide to? Do we get copies to keep for taxes? I think that got to be a yes. How sensitive are these things? If I sleep at my pu or del point and back into the dock will it start my day automatically?

Any other info you would like to throw in will be appreciated.

I'm Sober-j over

It would be a good idea to keep a book just incase, but only use it if your elog goes down..

As for the status change, only if you start moving the truck will it change your status.. others wise, you set it before and after driving.

Most of the time DOT will ask if your on elogs , if yes they won't touch it. Although that may have changed and someone can correct me....

I think there's a way you can download them from your company website. But not positive..

I'll answer the little bit that I can. You do have to keep a spare logbook in case the computer is down.

We keep a card to give law enforcement. It shows them how to get to your logs. Although, the one inspection I had, once he found out we used elogs he didn't bother checking.

On our system, we have to travel 2 miles or go above 25 mph for it to kick us to the drive line.

Sober J., it's a great question!

First, let me tell you a story about law enforcement checking your logs. I was inspected seven or eight times this past year. Of those seven times only two officers wanted to see my logs after they found out I was on e-logs. One of them was in New Jersey, and he didn't have a clue as how to check it so I handed him a small card we have which has some very confusing directions on it, and after glancing at it he said "well I'm sure everything is fine, I know you can't cheat on those electronic logs anyway", and he didn't even bother after that. The other officer was in New Mexico, and he took my qualcomm in his hands and says "Hmmm,, I've never seen one like this, well just let me take a look here and see what I can find." I'm watching him pretty close because I had violated my hours the previous day just because I had to to get my delivery to it's destination on time. He didn't want to embarrass himself in front of me, but it was obvious he didn't know what he was doing. He ended up over in the area that records your fuel mileage and some performance measurements and he just sort of clicked around in there for a few minutes looking at data that was useless to him and then he hands it back to me with "well that all looks just fine."

Each company sets their qualcomm up with their own parameters for what you can get away with. You will be able to figure out how to sleep at your receiver and start your day without starting your fourteen hour clock, I do it all the time. You've got to figure out hoe to do this stuff if you want to make some money.

Oh, I almost forgot, yes you can get copies faxed to you, your company will show you how to do that. If they don't just ask and they will be able to help you.

For a driver like yourself who may have bee accustomed to running "swindle sheets" it will seem a bit restrictive, but I have found that if I manage things correctly I can still make a decent paycheck while running around on the edges of obeying all the new rules. There is still a little creativity to it, but not like the "good old days."

Sober J., it's a great question!

First, let me tell you a story about law enforcement checking your logs. I was inspected seven or eight times this past year. Of those seven times only two officers wanted to see my logs after they found out I was on e-logs. One of them was in New Jersey, and he didn't have a clue as how to check it so I handed him a small card we have which has some very confusing directions on it, and after glancing at it he said "well I'm sure everything is fine, I know you can't cheat on those electronic logs anyway", and he didn't even bother after that. The other officer was in New Mexico, and he took my qualcomm in his hands and says "Hmmm,, I've never seen one like this, well just let me take a look here and see what I can find." I'm watching him pretty close because I had violated my hours the previous day just because I had to to get my delivery to it's destination on time. He didn't want to embarrass himself in front of me, but it was obvious he didn't know what he was doing. He ended up over in the area that records your fuel mileage and some performance measurements and he just sort of clicked around in there for a few minutes looking at data that was useless to him and then he hands it back to me with "well that all looks just fine."

Each company sets their qualcomm up with their own parameters for what you can get away with. You will be able to figure out how to sleep at your receiver and start your day without starting your fourteen hour clock, I do it all the time. You've got to figure out hoe to do this stuff if you want to make some money.

Oh, I almost forgot, yes you can get copies faxed to you, your company will show you how to do that. If they don't just ask and they will be able to help you.

For a driver like yourself who may have bee accustomed to running "swindle sheets" it will seem a bit restrictive, but I have found that if I manage things correctly I can still make a decent paycheck while running around on the edges of obeying all the new rules. There is still a little creativity to it, but not like the "good old days."

Ha ha sounds like same ole stuff. Those DOT never could hardly read a log book anyway. Now they staying away from it even more. I not to much for this new technology but it might not be so bad. I not trying to run 4000 miles a week anyway but we out here to make money and I sure don't want to be getting down there to low. Well keep the wheels rolling.

Sober J over