Question:
How many hours does a driver actually work everyday? I never thought about becoming a driver until I saw a Swift ad in the Sunday help wanted ads advertising free CDL training. I applied and a month later they contacted me and told me to report for training in December. I spent some time in the army, I know about long hours. We usually had first formation at 0600 and last formation at 4:30pm. So like if you're out for 20 day's by law what's the most hours they can make you work.

Answer:
the law says 70 hours in 8 days
what goes on is drivers only log the hours spent driving and not even all of those,nobody logs time spent at docks,doing paperwork,time spent in repair shops ect.
you could hold your dispatcher to the letter of the law and be one poor and unpopular driver with your dispatcher and you will be given the most undesirable job assignments untill you either starve out of surrender.
every major company has drop yards and if you decide you don't want to play the game with the log book,you will deliver loads that where left in the drop yard and take your loads to the drop yard and get no miles.
Wyle E. Coyote
Supergenius!

Answer:
Most of your questions can be answered doing an archives check here and at layover.com.
This is my simple explanation. If you, a driver, expect to be available 8 days a week, the most time you can log lines 3 and 4 combined is 8.75 hours per "day"/24 hour period. (70(hours) divided by 8(days) equals 8.75.
Keeps a driver in compliance with 10, 15, and 70 hour rules. BOL

Answer:
The training is not FREE you will have to sign a contract where you must stay with them for "x" amount of time and if you leave before you finish the contract they will charge you "X" amount of $$$.

Answer:
Originally posted by mockba:
How many hours does a driver actually work everyday? I never thought about becoming a driver until I saw a Swift ad in the Sunday help wanted ads advertising free CDL training. I applied and a month later they contacted me and told me to report for training in December. I spent some time in the army, I know about long hours. We usually had first formation at 0600 and last formation at 4:30pm. So like if you're out for 20 day's by law what's the most hours they can make you work.
Getting up at 04;00 and not going to bed until after midnight is common. If you are making a big paycheck hauling general freight, you aren't getting much more than 4 hours of sleep a night.
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@#*!%$^@!

Answer:
Truckers hours are looked at differently by different people. I consider my self working from the minute I pull out to the minute I park it and go home. It is a 24/7 job. Of course when I'm sleeping, showereing, eating or just kicking back I'm not really working.
The realities are different. Your allowed to work 70 hours in eight days. A combination of driving and on duty not driving. There are lots of things most drivers do not put in line 4, on duty not driving. Things like repairs, truck washes, loading and unloading and fueling times. Most drivers put 15 minutes for almost all activities. I'm not sure most drivers even put in truck washes as on duty. It takes almost 2 hours to complete, sometimes more if they're real busy. Repairs can be hours especially at a TA or other chain stores. Loading or unloading time can also be long. All of these duties from the minute you start to the minute it's complete should be on line 4. If you did log totally legal you would not be doing much driving. Not that all those things have to be done on each trip. More often things go well. When they do happen you have to do what is needed to deliver your load.
Although your allowed 70 hours a week, times will come when you will exceed them. I'm not sure if it is the same for other drivers but while I'm on the road I am constantly thinking about my load, destination, the time, road conditions, what comes next etc. etc.. So I am always on duty in some ways but legally off duty. How you view it is your decision. Some look it at as all bad. Others like me can take the good with the bad. The rewards, pay, benefits, perks and home time can make alot of difference in a drivers view of their job.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"
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RC Universe


Answer:
Ten hours a day driving, another five on-duty (not driving)
Fifteen hours a day.

Answer:
So like if you're out for 20 day's by law what's the most hours they can make you work.
==================================
about 180 hours
Wyle E. Coyote
Supergenius!

Answer:
Section 49 CFR of the congretional record. Part 395 in the FMCSR (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations).
There are many Regulations pertaining to this particular subject. All the information I have seen on this posting is spacific to OTR (Over the Road) Driving.
There are also provisions for:
60/7 ruling
70/8 ruling
10 hour
15 hour
Then getting into spacific feilds that vary,
Construction
Farming
Oilfeild
Exclusions:
100 mile radius
50 mile contitional claus
Hazmat hauls which require spacific criteria
A very good source to access these provisions is JJ Keller.com, this company prints the FMCSR and also offers many training aids that can break down these rules in a very user friendly way...
Hope this offers some distinction on how vast this industry is... Do your homework... I is an investment in your future... and may save you some agonizing hardships from enforcement...
Log books are the largest penalty areas in Commercial Driving... This is the one area that most drivers learn from the school of hard knocks.
Good Luck,, God's Speed... -->
Safety is No Accident

Answer:
Mockba,
The hours of service (HOS) requirements have been around since the 1930's. They are the source of many discussions both by truckers and regulators. You will learn all about them during training.
I really think what you are asking is how you will spend your time when you are on the road. In response to that, you are starting a new life-style. The time available to drive and do physical work (unloading, fueling, loading, etc) is limited by the HOS rules, but the life style is 24/7.
I always find time to sleep when I am tired and time to eat when I am hungry. I can usually find time to take a shower when I am dirty. There are times that I wish I was doing anything but driving --> , and there are times when I believe I have the best job in the world.
This whole life-style things is what you make of it. You can work as hard and as long as you want to, but you are usually only paid for the miles you drive.
Keep us posted on your progress and remember to enjoy the view as you see it.

Answer:
Long Haul OTR drivers are exempt from the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act).
Here's a thread which help explain this better:
The pro's and con's (mostly con) of exemption from the FLSA

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TruckNets Trucking Jobs Online Application


Answer:
You can work as many hours as you can getaway with at least thats what it seems like at times.But it is still the best job around.
aman
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Amann

Answer:
Originally posted by highwayman
Getting up at 04;00 and not going to bed until after midnight is common. If you are making a big paycheck hauling general freight, you aren't getting much more than 4 hours of sleep a night.
This is the truth. The best money I've made in trucking was doing 9-10 day rounds and would NEVER sleep more than 4 hours.
Problem was, its SOOO illegal! And takes years off your life.
Check out all the Posts in the Newbie archives and you'll start to see whats up.
If you really want to get into this business, I'd suggest checking into aVA loan or simular to go to a CDL mill. Then you can go to work for who you want. Its a bad deal owing the carrier you work for, your tuition costs. He77, its bad idea to owe a carrier anything !!
Good Luck, TC
Aman, YOU NEED help!!!!!!!!

Answer:
CovertShifter
Section 49 CFR of the congretional record. Part 395 in the FMCSR (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations).
There are many Regulations pertaining to this particular subject. All the information I have seen on this posting is spacific to OTR (Over the Road) Driving.
There are also provisions for:
60/7 ruling
70/8 ruling
10 hour
15 hour
Then getting into spacific feilds that vary,
Construction
Farming
Oilfeild
Exclusions:
100 mile radius
50 mile contitional claus
Hazmat hauls which require spacific criteria
While I’ll have to give you an "E" for effort, in this case a little knowledge can be dangerous. It is important to know what applies where and not (hate to say it) common sense doesn’t apply.
§395.3 Maximum driving time.
(a) Except as provided in §395.1(b)(1), 395.1(f), and 395.1(i), no motor carrier shall permit or require any driver used by it to drive nor shall any such driver drive:
(a)(1) More than 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty; or (a)(2) For any period after having been on duty 15 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty.
(b) No motor carrier shall permit or require a driver of a commercial motor vehicle to drive, nor shall any driver drive, regardless of the number of motor carriers using the driver's services, for any period after –
(b)(1) Having been on duty 60 hours in any 7 consecutive days if the employing motor carrier does not operate commercial motor vehicles every day of the week; or
(b)(2) Having been on duty 70 hours in any period of 8 consecutive days if the employing motor carrier operates commercial motor vehicles every day of the week.
Now the 100 mile exemption is for the log book. . . .NOT the hours of service.
§395.1 Scope of rules in this part.
(e) 100 air mile radius driver. A driver is exempt from the requirements of 395.8 if:
(e)(1) The driver operates within a 100 air mile radius of the normal work reporting location;
(e)(2) The driver, except a driver salesperson, returns to the work reporting location and is released from work within 12 consecutive hours;
(e)(3) At least 8 consecutive hours off duty separate each 12 hours on duty;
(e)(4) The driver does not exceed 10 hours maximum driving time following 8 consecutive hours off duty; and
(e)(5) The motor carrier that employs the driver maintains and retains for a period of 6 months accurate and true time records showing:
(e)(5)(i) The time the driver reports for duty each day;
(e)(5)(ii) The total number of hours the driver is on duty each day;
(e)(5)(iii) The time the driver is released from duty each day; and
(e)(5)(iv) The total time for the preceding 7 days in accordance with 395.8(j)(2) for drivers used for the first time or intermittently.
§395.8 Driver's record of duty status.
(a) Except for a private motor carrier of passengers (nonbusiness), every motor carrier shall require every driver used by the motor carrier to record his/her duty status for each 24 hour period using the methods prescribed in either paragraphs (a)(1) or (2) of this section.
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/3958.htm#395.8
The 50 mile radius exemption allows carriers that transport construction related supplies and equipment, ground water drilling, and utility companies that operate wholly with in a 50-air mile radius of their terminal to reset the 60 or 70 hour clock with each continuous 24 hours off-duty.
§395.1 Scope of rules in this part.
(l) Ground water well drilling operations. In the instance of a driver of a commercial motor vehicle who is used primarily in the transportation and operations of a ground water well drilling rig, any period of 7 or 8 consecutive days may end with the beginning of any off-duty period of 24 or more successive hours.
(m) Construction materials and equipment. In the instance of a driver of a commercial motor vehicle who is used primarily in the transportation of construction materials and equipment, any period of 7 or 8 consecutive days may end with the beginning of any off-duty period of 24 or more successive hours.
(n) Utility service vehicles. In the instance of a driver of a utility service vehicle, any period of 7 or 8 consecutive days may end with the beginning of any off-duty period of 24 or more successive hours.
§395.2 Definitions.
As used in this part, the following words and terms are construed to mean:
Ground water well drilling rig means any vehicle, machine, tractor, trailer, semi-trailer, or specialized mobile equipment propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used on highways to transport water well field operating equipment, including water well drilling and pump service rigs equipped to access ground water.
Transportation of construction materials and equipment means the transportation of construction and pavement materials, construction equipment, and construction maintenance vehicles, by a driver to or from an active construction site (a construction site between mobilization of equipment and materials to the site to the final completion of the construction project) within a 50 air mile radius of the normal work reporting location of the driver. This paragraph does not apply to the transportation of material found by the Secretary to be hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations issued to carry out such section.
Twenty four hour period means any 24 consecutive hour period beginning at the time designated by the motor carrier for the terminal from which the driver is normally dispatched.
Utility service vehicle means any commercial motor vehicle:
(1) Used in the furtherance of repairing, maintaining, or operating any structures or any other physical facilities necessary for the delivery of public utility services, including the furnishing of electric, gas, water, sanitary sewer, telephone, and television cable or community antenna service;
(2) While engaged in any activity necessarily related to the ultimate delivery of such public utility services to consumers, including travel or movement to, from, upon, or between activity sites (including occasional travel or movement outside the service area necessitated by any utility emergency as determined by the utility provider); and
(3) Except for any occasional emergency use, operated primarily within the service area of a utility's subscribers or consumers, without regard to whether the vehicle is owned, leased, or rented by the utility.
As you can see there are very specific sections and definitions and it is important to be able to connect the dots. While farming has some exemptions:
§390.5 Definitions.
Farm to market agricultural transportation means the operation of a commercial motor vehicle controlled and operated by a farmer who:
(a) Is a private motor carrier of property;
(b) Is using the commercial motor vehicle to transport agricultural products from a farm owned by the farmer, or to transport farm machinery or farm supplies to or from a farm owned by the farmer; and
(c) Is not using the commercial motor vehicle to transport hazardous materials of a type or quantity that require the commercial motor vehicle to be placarded in accordance with §177.823 of this subtitle.
Farm vehicle driver means a person who drives only a commercial motor vehicle that is --
(a) Controlled and operated by a farmer as a private motor carrier of property;
(b) Being used to transport either--
(1) Agricultural products, or
(2) Farm machinery, farm supplies, or both, to or from a farm;
(c) Not being used in the operation of a for hire motor carrier;
(d) Not carrying hazardous materials of a type or quantity that requires the commercial motor vehicle to be placarded in accordance with §177.823 of this subtitle; and
(e) Being used within 150 air miles of the farmer's farm.
Farmer means any person who operates a farm or is directly involved in the cultivation of land, crops, or livestock which --
(a) Are owned by that person; or
(b) Are under the direct control of that person.
I hope it becomes apparent that there are ifs, ands, or buts to all the rules and it is important to read the applicable parts to your specific operation.
Sorry for being so long winded but when people generalize it becomes dangerous for all who read post and I want to make sure people are aware of how the rules can help, but .. . . . You have to be careful how you apply the parts.
FYI. The regulations are 49 CFR (Code of Federal Regulation) is transportation which are drafted by the respective agency. 49 USC (United States Code) is Transportation and are the laws passed by Congress that set the powers, duties, and limitations.
Most states have adopted the FMCSR in their entirety and the rules apply to inter and intra state commerce. The rules under Parts §382 drugs and alcohol and §383 commercial driver’s license are regulated by the US DOT.
Again sorry for the spew, but hopefully it helps.
Keep the faith.
Mike
Disclaimer: The views posted are those of the author and in no way represent the US Department of Transportation or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The accuracy of the rules posted are subject to the status of rules and regulations posted by the GPO and other Government Agencies. The author accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies of any posted regulation or interpretation. Readers should seek legal counsel for all legal issues.

Answer:
hey Mike - I know it's in there somewhere but I can't find it. Is a driver required to log when his cmv is used for personal transportation???