Duty status

Glossary / Fleet compliance / Duty status

Duty status refers to the classification of a commercial truck driver’s work status during a particular time period. This classification is essential in the trucking industry as it helps to regulate the number of hours a driver can operate a commercial vehicle. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) established rules that govern the maximum number of hours a commercial driver is allowed to drive within a given period. The duty status of a driver is therefore critical to ensure that the drivers maintain their safety and that of other road users while meeting their job demands.

There are four types of duty status: off-duty,
sleeper berth, driving, and on-duty not driving. Off-duty means that the driver is not working, driving, or performing any duty related to their employment. This status usually occurs during a driver’s rest period or time off. Sleeper berth refers to the time a driver spends in a sleeper berth behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle.

Driving status involves a driver operating a commercial vehicle on public roads, including anything related to driving, such as waiting for loading or unloading. The time spent driving is limited to 11 hours within a 14-hour duty period. On-duty not driving refers to the time a driver spends performing tasks related to their employment, such as loading or unloading cargo, and conducting vehicle inspections.

The duty status classification helps to regulate the number of hours a commercial driver works, ensuring their safety and that of other road users. It is crucial for commercial drivers to understand and adhere to the
regulations set by the FMCSA to avoid any penalties or accidents caused by fatigued driving.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A record of duty status is a document that truck drivers are required to maintain to track their work hours and rest periods. It provides a detailed account of the driver’s activities, including the time spent on driving, on-duty, off-duty, and sleeping. The record of duty status is an essential tool to ensure compliance with the hours-of-service regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The four different duty statuses a driver must keep track of are:
– On duty
– Off duty
– Sleeper berth
– Driving

These statuses help to accurately record and document a driver’s activities throughout their workday. It is important for drivers to properly
log and maintain their duty statuses in compliance with regulations set forth by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to ensure safe and legal operations.

The term “duty status not current” typically refers to a situation where a driver’s electronic logging device (ELD) or logbook is not accurately reflecting their current activity or duty status. This can occur when there is a delay in updating or syncing the ELD or when the driver fails to properly record their activities. It is important for drivers to ensure that their duty status is always current and reflects their actual on-duty and off-duty times to comply with regulatory requirements.

To change duty status on the Motive ELD, follow these steps:

1. Access the ELD interface on the Motive device.
2. Locate the duty status options, usually displayed as buttons or icons.
3. Select the appropriate duty status option based on your current activity, such as On Duty, Off Duty, Driving, or Sleeper Berth.
4. The ELD will update your duty status accordingly, and it will be reflected in your electronic logs and records.

Please refer to the
Motive Help Center for specific instructions and interface details.