These required records document a commercial motor vehicle operator’s duty status, including driving time, on-duty but not driving time, and off-duty time. A typical entry includes date, time, location, odometer readings, and remarks regarding the driver’s activities. For example, a record might show a driver starting their day at 7:00 AM in Chicago, driving until noon, taking a mandatory break, then resuming driving until their legally allowed hours are reached.
Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of duty status is crucial for ensuring road safety and compliance with regulations. These regulations, often referred to as Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules, aim to prevent driver fatigue, a significant contributor to accidents. Historically, these records were paper-based, but electronic logging devices (ELDs) are increasingly prevalent, offering improved accuracy and simplified record-keeping. The information contained within these records is essential for regulatory compliance, accident investigations, and optimizing fleet management practices.