Driver log book template (paper record of duty status)
Updated · Reviewed by Israel Margulies, founder and CEO of High Point GPS
A paper record of duty status (driver's daily log) with the items 49 CFR 395.8 lists: the date, total miles driven, truck and trailer numbers, the carrier and its main office, the 24-hour period's start time, each hour's duty status, total hours, shipping documents, remarks and the driver's signature.
Most drivers who must keep a record of duty status now have to use an electronic logging device (ELD). Paper logs are still allowed for listed exceptions: drivers who need a record on no more than 8 days in any 30-day period, certain driveaway-towaway operations, and trucks built before model year 2000 as shown by the VIN. Drivers also fall back to paper for a short time when an ELD breaks down.
On a paper log the driver marks the four duty statuses on the 24-hour grid (off duty, sleeper berth, driving, and on duty not driving), totals the hours for each, and records where they were (city and state) at each change in the remarks. The carrier keeps the records and supporting documents for at least 6 months; the driver carries the logs for the previous 7 days. This form follows the federal text; it isn't legal advice, and the hours-of-service limits themselves are in Part 395.
Driver's daily log (record of duty status)
Fields: Date · 24-hour period starting time · Total miles driving today · Truck / tractor no. · Trailer no(s). · Carrier name · Main office address · Co-driver name · Shipping document no(s). or shipper and commodity
Log columns: Duty status (OFF, SB, D, ON) · From (time) · To (time) · Hours · Location at the change (city, state) · Remarks
- Total hours. Off duty ___ h · Sleeper berth ___ h · Driving ___ h · On duty not driving ___ h · Total 24 h
- Driver certification. I certify that these entries are true and correct.
Fill it in the right way
- Fill in the date, the time your 24-hour period starts and the carrier's name and main office address.
- Write the truck and trailer numbers, the co-driver if any, and the shipping document numbers or the shipper and commodity.
- Each time your duty status changes, add a line with the status, the times, the hours and the city and state where it changed.
- At the end of the day, total the hours for each status (they should add up to 24) and the miles you drove.
- Sign to certify the log, keep the last 7 days with you, and send the original to the carrier.
Tips
- Write the log as you go, not at the end of the day; a log that doesn't match receipts or GPS records is the first thing an inspector notices.
- Keep fuel receipts, bills of lading and toll receipts with the logs; they're the supporting documents that back them up.
- If your ELD fails, note the malfunction and switch to paper right away, then tell the carrier.
- Use one page per 24-hour period, even on days off duty when a record is required.
Do it in FleetZap
- FleetZap doesn't replace an ELD or keep hours-of-service logs.
- Drivers scan the QR label on a truck to do the pre-trip check on their phone; a failed item opens a repair work order.
- An odometer entered on the check updates the truck's meter, which drives mileage-based PM.
- FleetZap Dispatch plans each day's loads with the truck, driver, route and ETA.
Sources
FleetZap Maintenance
Work orders, PM, parts, compliance, assets and KPIs. Explore FleetZap Maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
Can truck drivers still use paper logs?
Only in the exceptions in 49 CFR 395.8: for example drivers who need a record on no more than 8 days in any 30-day period, certain driveaway-towaway operations and trucks built before model year 2000. Everyone else who must keep a record of duty status uses an ELD.
What must a paper log include?
The date, total miles driven that day, truck or tractor and trailer numbers, carrier name and main office address, the 24-hour period's start time, the duty status grid, total hours, shipping document numbers, remarks, the co-driver's name and the driver's signature.
How long must driver logs be kept?
The motor carrier keeps records of duty status and supporting documents for at least 6 months. The driver keeps the previous 7 days with them while on duty.
What are the four duty statuses?
Off duty (OFF), sleeper berth (SB, only if a sleeper berth is used), driving (D) and on duty not driving (ON).