Why a Logbook Is Needed for Drivers and How to Fill It

A logbook is mandatory for everyone operating commercial vehicles. It helps monitor compliance with the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations established by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

Often, novice truck operators wonder how to fill out a driver’s daily log book. To avoid mistakes, it is necessary to carefully record all status changes and, if needed, use a professional logbook service.

What Is a DOT Logbook and Why Is It Important?

It is an official document in which a truck operator records their working and non-working hours, rest periods, movements, and stops. The main purpose of entering data in a driver’s log is to prevent fatigue and related accidents. To correctly fill out a logbook for CDL drivers allows for accurate accounting and compliance with DOT requirements.

Paper vs Electronic Logbooks: What’s Relevant in 2025

Previously, to fill out driver daily log book had to be done directly on special paper forms. Since 2019, the United States has had a requirement to use Electronic Logging Devices (ELD).

The main advantages of such logbooks are:

automation of dot logs;
reduction in errors;
time savings during inspections.

However, knowledge of how to fill out a log book for truckers manually remains useful. Sometimes electronic systems fail, and the truck operator needs to record entries independently.

How To Fill Out a Truckers Log Book?

Below is a step-by-step instruction that will help avoid common mistakes.

Step 1: Prepare Your Daily Driving Logs

Start each day with a new sheet. Make sure you have a clean form to fill out a logbook for truck drivers and record all daily information.

Step 2: Record Basic Information

To correctly fill out a CDL driver log book, first enter the date, name, DOT number, and company name.

Step 3: Add Truck Number and Miles Completed

Enter the truck number and the number of miles driven during the day. This data confirms the route and the volume of work completed.

Step 4: Fill Out Duty Status Changes

For each status change (on duty driving, resting, waiting, off duty), make the corresponding mark. This is how you correctly fill out a DOT log book.

Step 5: Maintain a Continuous Line

All status changes are marked with straight lines on the chart, ensuring clarity and accuracy of records.

Step 6: Tally Up Total Hours

At the end of the day, calculate the total hours for each status. This allows you to ensure that HOS limits are not exceeded.

Step 7: Include Departure and Arrival Cities

Record the cities where the shift started and ended (to verify route data during inspections).

Step 8: Complete the Remarks Section

Add explanations (examples, reasons for delays, technical issues, loading and unloading times) to avoid misunderstandings during inspections.

Step 9: Sign Your Logbook

Each sheet must be signed by you to confirm the accuracy of all entered information.

Step 10: Submit Your Log Sheets

Submitting completed log sheets to the employer or the relevant control authority is a mandatory part of reporting.

Common Mistakes When Filling Out a DOT Logbook

Even experienced truck operators sometimes make mistakes when filling out a logbook for truck drivers. The most common of them are:

Missing status changes during short stops.
Mismatch of entries with GPS data or electronic hours.
Missing signature or date.
Errors when tallying total time.
Incomplete data about the route or the company.

When working with a logbook, one should always remember that the driver is responsible for the accuracy of the data.

How ELDs Track DOT Logs?

Modern electronic logbooks connect directly to the truck engine and record technical parameters in real time.

The system automatically records:

ignition on and start of movement;
time on duty driving and resting;
distance traveled during the shift;
coordinates when changing status.

Thanks to this, the truck operator does not need to manually fill out a truck log book. It is enough just to verify the data. During an inspection, the inspector sees accurate dot logs, which protects the carrier from fines.

Source: avnlogisticstm.com