Katerina Swanson
Truck drivers are legally required to log their fuel stops. As of 1 April 2023, all logs must show a minimum of 15 minutes for fueling if the total miles logged are greater than 750. This is to prevent log falsification. Fueling must be logged as on duty, not driving, and counts as part of a driver's 30-minute break. Some drivers have expressed frustration with this requirement, as it can be difficult to spend 15 minutes fueling and can result in lost time and miles. However, not complying with this regulation can result in a violation citation during a DOT inspection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality of logging line 3 driving while fueling | It is illegal to log line 3 driving while fueling. |
| Legality of logging fueling | It is mandatory to log fueling as on-duty time. |
| Minimum time to be logged for fueling | 15 minutes. |
| Penalty for non-compliance | $338 for a first-time tariff violation. |
| Penalty for log falsification | $13,072. |
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What You'll Learn
Legally, drivers must log their fueling time as 'on duty, not driving'
As of April 1, 2023, drivers are legally required to log a minimum of 15 minutes for fueling if their total mileage is over 750 miles or if no fueling was logged the previous workday. Failing to do so will result in a log violation. This measure has been implemented to prevent drivers from taking an off-duty "Rest Break" while performing on-duty tasks such as fueling.
According to federal regulations, on-duty time includes all time spent working for a motor carrier, whether paid or not, as well as any time spent doing paid work for anyone else. This includes activities such as fueling and servicing the vehicle. Therefore, drivers must log their fueling time as "on-duty, not driving".
It is important to note that falsifying logs by recording more than the actual time taken for fueling is also a violation. Drivers should log their fueling time accurately and ensure that it does not fall below the minimum required 15 minutes.
Additionally, drivers must be mindful of their 30-minute breaks. The 30-minute break can be taken while fueling, but it must be logged separately from the fueling time. The break can be spent doing any activity other than driving, such as yard work or personal tasks, as long as it is not in support of a business.
In summary, drivers must legally log their fueling time as "on-duty, not driving" and ensure that they comply with the minimum fueling time requirements to avoid any violations.
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Driving and fueling at the same time is not permitted
Fueling must be logged as 'on-duty, not driving' time. If a driver is inspected by a DOT officer and they are not showing as on-duty for fueling, they will be subject to a violation citation. This is a federal regulation. It is also important to note that as of April 1, 2023, all logs must show a minimum of 15 minutes for fueling if the total miles logged is greater than 750. This is to ensure compliance and avoid any potential fines or penalties for non-compliance.
When logging fueling, it is essential to be as accurate as possible to avoid any allegations of log falsification. For example, if a log shows 15 minutes of fueling, but the driver did not actually fuel for the full 15 minutes, this would be considered log falsification. Similarly, if a driver fuels for less than 15 minutes, it is considered a non-compliance violation. To avoid this, drivers can take their time with tasks such as hanging up hoses, putting on caps, or obtaining fuel receipts, even if they don't need to.
It is also worth noting that the 30-minute break that drivers are required to take can be taken while fueling and can be a combination of on-duty and off-duty time. However, the break cannot include any driving. This means that if a driver is taking their 30-minute break while fueling, they must ensure they are not exceeding a certain speed, as this could be considered driving and would interrupt their break.
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Drivers must log a minimum of 15 minutes for fueling
As of 1 April 2023, drivers must log a minimum of 15 minutes for fuelling if the total miles logged are greater than 750 miles or if no fuelling was logged the previous workday. This measure has been taken by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to reduce the use of off-duty "Rest Breaks" while performing on-duty tasks such as fuelling.
Failing to log a minimum of 15 minutes for fuelling will result in a non-compliance violation. However, logging 15 minutes of fuelling when you did not fuel for the entire duration will be considered log falsification. To avoid this, drivers can take their time with hanging up the hoses, putting the caps on, or getting their fuel receipts, even if they don't need to.
Fueling must be logged as "on-duty, not driving" time. This can be done by selecting "on-duty, not driving" and then "fuel" on the pump. This counts as part of your 30-minute break. However, if you are performing other tasks during your break, such as cleaning your vehicle, this will be considered "on-duty" time, not a break.
It is important to note that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) excludes from the definition of on-duty time any time spent resting in a parked commercial motor vehicle, with the driver relieved of all responsibility for the vehicle. Additionally, up to two hours in the passenger seat of a moving commercial motor vehicle, immediately before or after eight consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, are also excluded from on-duty time.
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Failure to log fueling time can result in violation citations
Fueling must be logged as on-duty time. This is a federal regulation, and failure to do so can result in a violation citation. If you get a full inspection by a Department of Transportation (DOT) officer, and they notice that you are not showing on-duty time for fueling, you will be subject to a violation citation. This also applies if your carrier gets audited by the DOT.
On-duty time includes all time working for a motor carrier, whether paid or not, and all time doing paid work for anyone else. This includes fueling and servicing your truck. However, time spent resting in a parked commercial motor vehicle, with the driver relieved of all responsibility for the vehicle, is excluded from on-duty time. Up to two hours in the passenger seat of a moving commercial motor vehicle, immediately before or after eight consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, is also excluded from on-duty time.
There are different ways to log fueling time. One way is to log it as "on-duty not driving" or "on-duty fueling." This can be done while taking your 30-minute break, as long as you are not driving. Some drivers log 10 minutes on duty for fueling and then switch to off-duty to use the bathroom, combining their fueling and off-duty time to reset their eight-hour clock. Others log 30 minutes of "on-duty fueling" to reset their clock.
It is important to note that falsifying your log book is illegal and can result in serious penalties. This includes logging less than 15 minutes for fueling when it takes less time, as well as logging 15 minutes for fueling when it takes longer.
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Fines for log book violations can be expensive
It is important to note that the rules and regulations regarding log book violations can vary depending on location and specific circumstances. Generally, on-duty time includes all time spent working for a motor carrier, whether paid or not. This includes activities such as fueling and servicing the vehicle. As such, drivers are typically required to log their fueling activities as "on-duty not driving" or "on-duty fueling".
Failing to comply with these regulations can result in serious consequences and fines for log book violations can indeed be expensive. The fines for log book violations can vary depending on the specific jurisdiction and the severity of the violation. In some cases, the fines can range from $20 to $48,289. Additionally, it's important to note that these fines are separate from any fees associated with government registration, which can also be costly.
Log book violations can include a range of issues, such as not having a logbook, not using an Electronic Logging Device (ELD) when required, falsifying records, and failing to maintain proper duty records. These violations are considered serious as they can impact safety, compliance, and accountability in the transportation industry. For example, drivers are required to take specific amounts of rest to ensure they remain alert and safe on the road. Intentionally falsifying a log book to hide the fact that a driver has exceeded their allowed hours could put themselves and others at risk.
The consequences of log book violations can be severe and may include fines, license suspension, legal charges, higher insurance rates, loss of job opportunities, and damage to personal and business reputations. In some cases, log book violations can even result in criminal charges, with misdemeanor charges for first and second-time offenders and felonies for habitual offenders. Given the potential for significant financial and personal repercussions, it is crucial for drivers and companies to maintain accurate and honest log books.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, fueling must be logged as on-duty time.
You are mandated to fuel for at least 15 minutes.
Yes, as long as you are not driving, your 30-minute break can be taken while fueling.
No, you must log fueling as on-duty, not driving.
