Trucking: Max hours a driver can drive, motor carrier safety, federal motor carrier

Question
I read your response to a previously asked question where you mentioned the "70 hour rule" and restriction on working after being "on duty" 15 hours.  

What is the definition of "On Duty" and how does an OTR driver maximize his mileage and income within this frame work?  

How does "Team Driving" differ this?

Thank You

Bill T.


Answer
Hi Bill,
Definition of "On Duty" -" All time from the time a driver begins to work or is required to be in readiness to work until the driver is relieved from work and all responsibility for performing work." Part 395 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation.
In order to maximize his mileage and keep his "On Duty" time to a minimum, the OTR Driver may do several things:
1. Keep his "On Duty -Not Driving" time to a minimum,
  for example show only 15 minutes for a fuel stop.
2. Have his company to give him a "Relieved from Duty" letter that will allow him to log "Off Duty" for meal stops,
waiting for dispatch, etc.

For Team drivers, while one is driving, the other logs "Sleeper Berth" for 10 hours. Then he has 11 hours available to drive, and so on ..

For more info , Send me your e mail and I can discuss this more.  J P Long,   JLong2500@aol.com