Warning: Laws are subject to change without notice.<\/span> IT\u2019S TIME TO SAY \u201cTHANK YOU\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Throughout the year, the Great American Trucking Show, the Great West Truck Show, Truck Writer\u2019s of North America, 10-4 Magazine, California Highway Patrol, Nevada Highway Patrol, Texas Highway Patrol, and our team of retired law enforcement has supported Ol\u2019 Blue, USA\u2019s efforts to educate the CDL driver. Many thanks to all of these people and organizations for their help!<\/p>\n THE LEGALITY OF A LOGBOOK<\/strong><\/p>\n Q: My employer says a logbook is a legal document. They also say that when I am not required to fill one out, they have the option to make me fill one out. If this is true, then they have an arbitrary choice whether I am subject or not subject to the logbook laws. Is this correct? Please settle this question \u2013 Don in California<\/p>\n A:<\/strong> Provided by Jim Brokaw<\/a>, formerly a Staff Sergeant, Nebraska State Patrol, Carrier Enforcement Division, Lincoln, NE:<\/strong> It\u2019s safe to say any report, record, document or certificate specified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations will be considered a legal document.\u00a0 If you look in 49 CFR 390.35 you will find the regulations prohibit making any fraudulent or intentionally false statements on any documents required by the FMCSRs.\u00a0 To do so carries both civil and criminal penalties.\u00a0 A motor carrier does not have an \u201carbitrary choice\u201d with regards to logbooks.\u00a0 49 CFR Part 395 sets the requirements for the daily log.\u00a0 Per 49 CFR 395.8(f)(7), the driver\u2019s signature certifies all entries made in the daily log are true and correct.\u00a0 And, 49 CFR 395.8(e) will make the driver and motor carrier liable for criminal prosecution for any false reports in connection with the daily log.\u00a0 49 CFR 390.3 is the general applicability of the safety regulations with 49 CFR 390.3(d) addressing additional requirements.\u00a0 These rules state nothing in the regulations that shall prohibit an employer from requiring and enforcing more stringent requirements relating to safety of operation and employee safety and health; thus allowing motor carriers to establish company policies stricter than the safety regulations.\u00a0 In your case, this would be your employer\u2019s requirement that you need to fill out a log even when not mandated by federal regulation.<\/p>\n LOGGING TIME\/MILES FOR A MEETING<\/strong><\/p>\n Q:<\/strong> When driving your personal vehicle from Ft. Worth to Houston for a paid mandatory safety meeting, do you have to log your personal miles to and from and will it go against your 70-hour reset?\u00a0 Thanks \u2013 Randy in Texas<\/p>\n
\n These interpretations were made on October 12, 2011.<\/span><\/p>\nBrought to you as a public service by Ol\u2019 Blue, USA and 10-4.
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