One for the truckies - logbooks

[leadfoot]

I have just started my first truck driving job doing a run from Brisbane - Clybucca then doing a change over and returning.I am having problems getting my head around the logbooks & driving hours.This is an example of what I have entered into my book
1.5.15pm - 6.15pm driving Brisbane to Coomera
2.6.15 - 6.30pm rets
3.6.30 - 10.30 diving Brisbane to Coffs harbour
4.10.30 - 10.45 rest
5.10.45 - 11.45 driving Coffs Harbour to Clybucca then a half hour rest - then start return trip

Am I doing legal hours?The truck I change over to at Clybuucca is under 12t so I dont need the logbook (apparantley) for the return trip.Any suggestions?
I would have posted this in the truckies thread but I was hoping for a quick reply for tonights run!

[Feathers]

This is what I found doing a search on the current QLD & National rules:

"National Logbook
All drivers of commercial buses (with a seating capacity of more
than 12 adults, including the driver) and heavy vehicles (with a
vehicle mass of more than 12 tonnes) must record driving, working
and rest times in the National Logbook during any trip that takes
them further than 200 kilometres from their driver base. The driver
base is the place from which the driver normally works and
receives instructions."

The next page in the PDF went on to say that in any 5 and a half hour period, you cannot work (includes loading/unloading) for more than 5 hours, and must take a rest break of 30 minutes (two 15 minute breaks is fine).

In 24 hours you must not work more than 14 hours (maximum 12 hours driving), and must have a rest break of 10 hours, including one period of
6 consecutive hours.

Info taken from: here

[bcr2734]

you will still need to fill out your log book as it will state your working day. You did every thing right as in hours . Just make sure you put in new plate number when changing over truck. Your log book is like a run sheet. you need to show as you have what you have done. even if you jump out of a b double and into a car. if it is work you need to finish the day as you started.

it is always good to be on the safe side of life.

[leadfoot]

Originally Posted by Feathers

This is what I found doing a search on the current QLD & National rules:

"National Logbook
All drivers of commercial buses (with a seating capacity of more
than 12 adults, including the driver) and heavy vehicles (with a
vehicle mass of more than 12 tonnes) must record driving, working
and rest times in the National Logbook during any trip that takes
them further than 200 kilometres from their driver base. The driver
base is the place from which the driver normally works and
receives instructions."

The next page in the PDF went on to say that in any 5 and a half hour period, you cannot work (includes loading/unloading) for more than 5 hours, and must take a rest break of 30 minutes (two 15 minute breaks is fine).

In 24 hours you must not work more than 14 hours (maximum 12 hours driving), and must have a rest break of 10 hours, including one period of
6 consecutive hours.

Info taken from: here

Yeah...I have seen all that - but to me it looks like if you were to read from the start of the shift it seems ok , but if you read it backwards it does not (if that makes sense)

[EB_5.0_WAGON]

Originally Posted by leadfoot

I have just started my first truck driving job doing a run from Brisbane - Clybucca then doing a change over and returning.I am having problems getting my head around the logbooks & driving hours.This is an example of what I have entered into my book
1.5.15pm - 6.15pm driving Brisbane to Coomera
2.6.15 - 6.30pm rets
3.6.30 - 10.30 diving Brisbane to Coffs harbour
4.10.30 - 10.45 rest
5.10.45 - 11.45 driving Coffs Harbour to Clybucca then a half hour rest - then start return trip

Am I doing legal hours?The truck I change over to at Clybuucca is under 12t so I dont need the logbook (apparantley) for the return trip.Any suggestions?
I would have posted this in the truckies thread but I was hoping for a quick reply for tonights run!

Ok a couple of things i can see you are doing silghtly wrong.

number 3 on your list where you drive from 6.30 to 10.30 and then rest for 15mins is wrong as you should be having 30 mins rest.

The rules are you can drive for 5 hours then have a 30 mins break or 2.5 hours and have a 15min break.
You are driving 4hours and having a 15 min break which is too short due to being over 2.5 hours so you should be having 30 mins.
If you do get caught for log book offences and not having your breaks properly you could cop a $600 fine plus 3 points.
As for the return trip you still need to use the log book even if its under 12t as it will either have QLD or Federal Interstate plates and if you are running into NSW you still need to us it as you are running interstate.

Hope this helps

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by bcr2734

Your log book is like a run sheet. you need to show as you have what you have done. even if you jump out of a b double and into a car. if it is work you need to finish the day as you started.

But you only need the book when in the truck. We often have drivers come here in a company car (Vic to NSW) then jump into the truck. Not right perhaps, but quite legal.

Originally Posted by EB_5.0_WAGON

number 3 on your list where you drive from 6.30 to 10.30 and then rest for 15mins is wrong as you should be having 30 mins rest.

The rules are you can drive for 5 hours then have a 30 mins break or 2.5 hours and have a 15min break.
You are driving 4hours and having a 15 min break which is too short due to being over 2.5 hours so you should be having 30 mins.

Close...but no cigar.

The rules say that in any period of 5 1/2 hrs you must not drive (or work) more than 5 hrs and have a rest break of 30mins.

Either one 30 min break or two 15 min breaks AT ANY TIME during that 5 hr period

[The G6ET Spot]

Any particular reason as to why you only went from Brisbane to Coomera. Then had a 15 min break.

An easier way of doing it for you would be Brisbane to Grafton,have a half hour break then Grafton into Clybucca, have your break, the the same on the return.

[bcr2734]

But under NSW Oh&s laws. If they go over the required limit of i think 100kms. They need to fill out there log book and trip sheet. Because as i understand it to be. if you start work and you exceed your outer limit of kms you need to show it in your log book or run sheet.

We don't fill out trip sheets as they have got a loop hold and the company expoilt it. That is a area i am not really up with.

This is a very grey area to be playing with. i would consult the RTA at there botany branch as they are the tech branch for the state.

cheers

[bcr2734]

Originally Posted by RAPID XR8

Any particular reason as to why you only went from Brisbane to Coomera. Then had a 15 min break.

An easier way of doing it for you would be Brisbane to Grafton,have a half hour break then Grafton into Clybucca, have your break, the the same on the return.

any way would be ok. I go to reedy creek and have 30mins. Then straight to home .

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by bcr2734

But under NSW Oh&s laws. If they go over the required limit of i think 100kms. They need to fill out there log book and trip sheet. Because as i understand it to be. if you start work and you exceed your outer limit of kms you need to show it in your log book or run sheet.

Yep, but only in a heavy vehicle.

Legally you could drive your car from Syd to Bris. Then jump in a truck and drive back, not smart but quite legal

[bcr2734]

another example:

you work as a courier in a 1 ton ute for 8 hrs. then jump into a double and do a cutta change over. would it be legal. You and i and most others wouldn't do it in a pink fit tho a good example.

He has raisied a very good question and a serious one for others in a boss over working emlpoyee's.

[GasoLane]

Yep, quite legal. The RTA has some strange rules. Like it's also quite legal to drive a B-double with an empty front trailer and a loaded rear. Not really safe but not illegal.

[bcr2734]

as stating to others it isn't morally rite but legal.

as is single trailers with 600 hp. legal but not rite if in a train or double

[Agent86]

to a point, the more power the taller you can go on the diff gears, the slower the cruise, and to a point, better economy.
a mate had his little argosy with a c-16 towing a double up on weight, running 2 KpL cause the 3.7 diffs got the cruise revs right down.

[leadfoot]

Originally Posted by RAPID XR8

Any particular reason as to why you only went from Brisbane to Coomera. Then had a 15 min break.

An easier way of doing it for you would be Brisbane to Grafton,have a half hour break then Grafton into Clybucca, have your break, the the same on the return.

Thanks for the replies
I fuel up at Coomera, so I thought I would use it as a break.(Transport does consider it as work though) I also top it up again at Coffs so it can run straight through to Sydney.Unfortunately I am stuck with using a Mobil service station so that rules out stopping at Grafton

[Elks]

Originally Posted by AceofSpades

to a point, the more power the taller you can go on the diff gears, the slower the cruise, and to a point, better economy.
a mate had his little argosy with a c-16 towing a double up on weight, running 2 KpL cause the 3.7 diffs got the cruise revs right down.

We do a bit of this. It's not so much power as torque 1850+ lbft

I have a customer with B-doubles running C15's @ 550/1850 and 3.7's and sticks to the 100kph getting 2.2kmpl. They are down an extra gear or two on some hills but with fuel at $1.50+ you do the math. Saves him tens of thousands per year.

[Agent86]

power,torque, all interrelated.

thats why my measly 435 hp drags me about faster than a lot of 500's..
Tq is nice..

while he is down a gear or two, chances are his road speed vs rpm is similar regardles fo what position the shifter is in..