Warning: Laws are subject to change without notice. Submit your questions to www.askthelaw.org<\/a><\/p>\n WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT GATS IN DALLAS<\/strong><\/p>\n Please join our Ol\u2019 Blue, USA \u201cSafety Center\u201d\u00ae at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas, TX on August 24-26 in booth 17053 and 18053. We are pleased to announce that Lt. Monty Kea and his team of troopers from the Texas Highway Patrol will be joining us again this year.<\/p>\n RULES REGARDING PERSONAL USE OF A CMV<\/strong><\/p>\n Q:<\/strong> If a driver is just using a CMV at the beginning and the end of the day for personal conveyance and they do not use the CMV at any other time during the day, are they required to take a 30-minute break before they are able to use the vehicle to drive home? Thank you \u2013 Bob in Maryland.<\/p>\n A: Provided by Senior Trooper Monty Dial (Ret.)<\/a>, Texas Highway Patrol, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, Garland, TX:<\/strong> I would first question what type of work you are doing in between the beginning and ending of the day. The only time you would be required to take a 30-minute break is if you are required to complete a RODS (Record of Duty Status\/Logbook). Drivers using the exemption from completing a RODS are not required to take a 30-minute break. See Part 395.3(a)(3)(ii), which exempts drivers who comply with Part 395.1(e)(1).<\/p>\n ABS TRAILER LAMP NOT WORKING ON A CMV<\/strong><\/p>\n Q:<\/strong> Is a malfunctioning ABS indicator light on a trailer considered to be a \u201cmajor defect\u201d which means it must be fixed before going onto the highway, or is it considered to be a \u201cminor defect\u201d that can wait? Thank you for your help \u2013 Arthur in Canada<\/p>\n A: Provided by Jim Brokaw<\/a>, formerly a Staff Sergeant, Nebraska State Patrol, Carrier Enforcement Division, Lincoln, NE: <\/strong> The rules for the exterior ABS malfunction indicator lamp on a trailer are found in 49 CFR 393.55 \u2013 Antilock brake systems. Paragraph (e) states \u201cExterior ABS malfunction indicator lamps for trailers. Each trailer (including a trailer converter dolly) manufactured on or after March 1, 1998, and subject to the requirements of paragraph (c)(2) of this section, shall be equipped with an ABS malfunction indicator lamp which meets the requirements of FMVSS No. 121 (49 CFR 571.121, S5.2.3.3).\u201d Although this is not an \u201cOut-of- Service\u201d violation if discovered during a roadside inspection, operating the trailer when either the ABS malfunction lamp fails to turn on when power is applied to the ABS or when the lamp turns on and then stays on is a violation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and the defect must be repaired prior to operating on the highway.<\/p>\n TACHOMETER NOT WORKING ON A CMV<\/strong><\/p>\n Q:<\/strong> First off, I love your column in 10-4! Anyways, a friend of mine got pulled over by WSP (Washington State Patrol) and his tachometer didn\u2019t work during the inspection. The officer said that he could put my friend out-of-service for that, but would only write a fix-it ticket. Can they do this? Thank you \u2013 Hayden in Washington<\/p>\n
\nThese interpretations were made on July 14, 2017<\/span><\/p>\nBrought to you as a public service by Ol\u2019 Blue, USA and 10-4.<\/h4>\n