A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A TRUCK DRIVER Or, How hard can it be?

A DAY IN THE LIFE OFA TRUCK DRIVER

Or,

How hard can it be?

A driver goes into his home terminal and gets a load.

Since 2005, in the United States, driveaway combinations can be up to 97 feet long on the National Highway System, and have up to 5 vehicles in total.

The driver gets his load, and must first check to make sure he has all his paperwork for the load:

•Manifest forms•Delivery Receipts•Inspection reports•Load instructions

If the truck is going to Canada, he needs a Customs Invoice, a PARS bar code, and he has to file it with the Customs Broker. He must make sure each PARS is cleared with Canada Customs when he enters.

If the truck originated in Mexico and is going to Canada, he needs an In-Bond form that he has to clear with US Customs before he leave the US.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

• Stay on the National Highway System

• What toll roads to avoid, if possible– I-80 in Indiana can cost $32 for 157 miles– $44 in Ohio for 239 miles– $185 in Pennsylvania for 356 miles

• Weather, especially during the winter months

A driveaway driver usually carries:

•4 Wisconsin transporter plates, one for each truck up to a 4-way combination•1 Minnesota transporter plate•1 Wyoming transporter plate•1 Arizona transporter plate•A Pair of IFTA Decals

Driveaway Restrictions and Variations

• AZ – Requires a transporter plate on each truck ($115 each), or an AZ plate on the lead truck and $15 permit for each trailing truck

• CO – Any rear-facing combination may not exceed 70’ in length

• ID – Requires a trip permit for any combination, $61.50

• LA – Requires mudflaps on every vehicle in the combination

• MN – Requires a MN transporter plate ($13.50) on the lead truck

• NV – Requires a trip permit for any combination ($79.50 average)

• NM – Requires a trip permit for any combination ($40 average)

• OR – Requires a trip permit for any combination ($9)

• PA – Combinations over 85’ on the PA Turnpike requires a special permit and high toll fees, and over 90’ requires an escort vehicle

• SD – Requires a trip permit for any combination ($15)

• VT – 4-way combinations are not allowed• WY – Requires a transporter plate on the lead

truck ($30)

Driveaway Variations and Restrictionscontinued

• AB – Requires an AB plate ($183.45) or a trip permit for any combination of more than one vehicle (2-$28, 3-$45, 4-$73). Requires service and parking brakes on all wheels in contact with the road, and grade 70 safety chains for each saddlemount. Length limit 75’5”

• BC – Requires a BC plate ($183) for a trip permit ($31 for each truck in combination). Requires service brakes and parking brakes on all wheels in contact with the road surface, and ½” grade 70 safety chains for each saddlemount. Length limit 75’5”

• MB – Permit required for any combination over 1 truck (2-$16.85, 3-$38.92, 4-$59.30). Permit required for any tri-drive truck ($97). Requires service brakes on all wheels in contact with the road, and safety chains for each saddlemount. Length limit 75’5”

• NB – Permit required for 4-way combinations ($50). No rear-facing combinations allowed. Length limit 75’5”

• NF – Trip permit required if delivering to the purchasing customer ($75) as opposed to a dealership. Length limit 75’5”

• NS – Length limit 75’5”• ON – Length limit 82 feet for a 3-way combination• QC – Trip permit required ($58.55). May operate up to 98’ in

length with an extended length permit ($240.40) which is transferable between loads.

• SK – Trip required for any combination more than 1 truck (2-$21.34, 3-$49.08, 4-$53.38). Requires service brakes on all wheels in contact with the road surface, and safety chains for each saddlemount. Tri-drive trucks may not exceed 268” wheelbase. Length limit 82 feet for a 3-way combination.

• CDL– With endorsements if needed

• DOT Physical Card• Trip Sheets– For driveaway, an electronic process is not yet a

practical solution

• Fuel Card• Log Book

• 11 Hour Rule• 14 Hour Rule• 70 Hour Rule• 34 Hour Restart• Sleeper Berth• 100 Mile Exception• Travel Time• Driver-Salesperson• Oilfield Operations• Adverse driving conditions• Previous 7 days required

COMPLIANCE – SAFETY – ACCOUNTABILITY

CSA

CSA re-engineers the former enforcement and compliance process to provide a better view into how well large commercial motor vehicle carriers and drivers are complying with safety rules.

A driver, his truck, and his load, can be examined at any time to make sure he is in compliance with all the safety regulations and operating requirements: Federal, State and Provincial

They will examine his:•Credentials– Medically qualified and certified to drive

•Log book– Current, in compliance with regulations, and the

driver is not fatigued •Tractor mechanical condition– Everything is working and sound

•Trailer mechanicals condition– Everything is working and sound

•Load securement– The load is secured according to regulations

•Note that the driver is operating his truck, or combination, safely

A violation found in any of these areas can be issued against the carrier, and the driver. A point value is assigned for each violation, and accumulated against the carrier’s record and the driver’s record.

It is for safety, and it is important, and it falls upon the driver to make sure everything is right, every day.

There are 7 categories, with over 600 potential violations, listed under the CSA program .