What is a truck driver’s log book?

Transporting goods and materials across the country is a challenging job. Truck drivers spend many long, lonely hours on the road, and exhaustion frequently sets in. The U.S. Department of Transportation limits the amount of time truckers spend behind the wheel, and requires them to maintain log books to track driving hours.

Commercial truck operators are required by law to take off at least 10 consecutive hours between shifts. Truckers cannot be on duty for more than 14 consecutive hours, and they’re not permitted to spend over 11 of those hours actually driving.

Federal regulations also stipulate that truckers are limited to driving a total of 60 hours during a seven-day period, or 70 hours in an eight-day period. Truck drivers must then rest for a minimum of 34 consecutive hours prior to starting a new driving period.

Log Books

A truck driver keeps a paper record, known as a log book. It details duty hours, driving hours, and time spent in a sleeper berth.

Effective December 18, 2017, the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) rule became mandatory for most commercial vehicle drivers. This means that paper records are no longer sufficient, and ELDs must be installed in commercial trucks. These small electronic devices connect to the vehicle’s engine, and track how long the truck has been in motion. Drivers caught operating trucks without ELDs will be cited and fined, and safety inspectors may remove these vehicles from service.

Receiving Compensation

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, the driver’s logs may be a key piece of evidence in support of your claim. You need an experienced truck accident attorney to help you receive the compensation you deserve. To discuss your claim, contact the law offices of Steve M. Lee, P.C., by using the form on this page.