Trucking: Log Books, express mail, dot inspection

Question
If you are an independent driver living in a state that is 600 miles away from the company you lease on to, can they legally threaten to hold your check if you do not turn in your log books weekly because you were not near the terminal?

Answer
Cindy, this is a contract question.  If you are an owner operator / contractor, you are not an employee.  Look at the contract you signed with the company you leased to.  They can set paper work requirements as a prerequisite to getting your settlement and if you signed it you agreed to the stipulation also.  Since the carrier is required to keep the logs for DOT inspection it makes sense that they require them to be submitted.

On the other hand your distance to the terminal should not be a problem since for a few bucks you can send the logs by overnight or express mail with a receipt as needed.

Jim