Are North Carolina Truckers Required to Keep Logbooks and Records?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates trucking throughout the United States, including regulations to prevent driver fatigue. FMCSA recordkeeping requirements oblige truckers and trucking companies to maintain logbooks that record their time behind the wheel, required off-duty time, and rest periods. The state of North Carolina also requires truckers to follow federal regulations.
If you suffered injuries in a crash caused by a commercial truck driver, their logbook may play a critical role in your compensation claim. For example, a logbook could reveal that the truck driver had violated federal hours of service (HOS) rules and was too tired to drive safely, which led to a crash.
Federal Logbook and Record Requirements for NC Truckers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates trucking company recordkeeping. It requires commercial truck drivers to maintain a record of their duty status, commonly known as a log, logbook, or driver’s daily log.
This logbook must include:
- The month, day, and year
- Total miles driven per 24 hours
- The vehicle number or the license number and state
- The motor carrier’s name
- The carrier’s office address
- Name of any co-driver
- The time zone of the home terminal
- Remarks by the driver
- Total hours driving, off-duty, in the sleeper berth, and on-duty but not driving
- Shipping information
- The driver’s signature
When is a logbook required? Truck driver logbook rules require a logbook unless one of two exceptions applies:
- If the driver is driving within 100 air miles of their usual work location
- If the driver is driving a truck that does not require a commercial driver’s license and is within 150 air miles of their usual work location
Other requirements apply to both these exceptions. Commercial drivers with electronic logging devices (ELD) may not need to keep a handwritten log.
Additional North Carolina Regulations on Truck Logs
North Carolina law requires commercial truck drivers to follow federal logbook requirements and other applicable federal regulations governing the trucking industry.
The state requires all truck drivers to keep a daily log unless they qualify for an exception. The North Carolina Department of Revenue offers a Motor Carrier Seminar on complying with FMCSA recordkeeping requirements, including the requirement to use an electronic logging device.
Importance of Logbooks After a Truck Crash
The driver’s daily log tracks the driver’s activities to show that the driver follows federal HOS regulations concerning driving hours, sleep, and other practices. For instance, truckers can drive no more than 11 hours after taking 10 consecutive hours off-duty. The rule is meant to keep exhausted truckers off the road, preventing accidents. After a truck crash, the driver’s logbook is crucial to show whether the driver followed these regulations properly.
Talk to Our Experienced North Carolina Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you were hurt in a commercial motor vehicle accident in North Carolina, the truck driver’s logbook could be essential to your personal injury claim. Our experienced North Carolina truck accident lawyers can gain access to the logbook and manage every aspect of your claim.
Ward Black Law is an award-winning firm representing seriously injured people in North Carolina. Insurance companies know us as a firm that will not back down. Contact us today to get started with a free case review.
