Every motor carrier must require every driver to record his/her duty status for each 24-hour period using specific methods outlined by regulation (see exceptions below when timecards are applicable). Carriers must maintain RODs for 6 months. Drivers must record their time, in duplicate, on the specific grid (see example) or must have an automatic on-board recorder (AOBR) that meets the requirements of 395.15.

Duty status must be recorded by the categories listed below:

• "Off duty" or "off"
• "Sleeper Berth" (if sleeper berth is used)
• "Driving"
• "On-duty not driving" or "On"

For each change in duty status, the name of the city/town/village with the State abbreviations must be recorded. In addition to the status of the driver, specific information must be included as outlined in 395.8. For guidance on how to fill out the grid, see 395.8(h). During a Safety Audit, motor carriers may be asked to submit documents supporting the driver’s record of duty. Such documents can include any of the following: toll receipts/records, fuel receipts/records, bills of lading, trip reports or another type of document for verification.

Under both exceptions, the motor carrier must keep time records of the times the drivers report for and are released from work each day, and the total hours on duty each day. If a carrier meets an exception below, a timecard must be uploaded.

• 100 air-mile radius drivers if:
  • The driver operates within a 100 air-mile radius of the normal work reporting location AND
  • The driver returns to the work reporting location and is released from work within 12 consecutive hours
  • The driver operates a:
    • Property-carrying CMV and has at least 10 consecutive hours off duty separating each 12 hours on duty
    • Passenger-carrying CMV and has at least 8 consecutive hours off duty separating each 12 hours on duty
  • AND the motor carrier that employs the driver maintains, and retains for a period of 6 months, accurate and true time records
• Non-CDL Short Haul - 395.1(e)(2), which is defined as:
  • Drive a truck that does not require a CDL
  • Work within a 150 air-mile radius of your normal work reporting location and return there each day
  • Follow the 10-hour off duty and 11-hour driving requirements
  • Do not drive after the 14th hour after coming on duty on 5 days of any period of 7 consecutive days
  • Do not drive after the 16th hour after coming on duty on 2 days of any period of 7 consecutive days