Drivers Daily Log
Posted on Sep 15, 2007 - 1:00pm by Wayne Weisser in Computer Tips, Hours of Service, Technology
Drivers Daily Log should be a required program for anyone with a computer in a truck. This is more than a computerized log book. It does so much more. I’ve been a user for a several years. When the new rules came out in 2004 and all the changes since then, while everyone else was confused, I always knew if I was legal or not. I mentioned Drivers Daily Log before in my Business Software post, but it’s worth mentioning again in more detail.
Hours of Service
Canada has gone through the same Hours of Service upheaval as we have. If you drive in the US and Canada you have to switch to the Canadian and back to the US rules (and soon Mexico) depending on what country you’re driving in. Canada recently had their Hours of Service rules change and without going into detail, they’re more than a little confusing. The guys at DDL keep all of these rules up to date including rules for intra-state drivers in Alaska, Florida and a few other states that have their own rules for in-state drivers.
Fuel Taxes
Commercial truck owners pay taxes on the fuel and mileage the trucks run in every state. We have to keep track of every mile in every state and every gallon of fuel purchased and in which state, it’s a major pain. While I’m driving, I write down or keep track of my odometer reading every time I cross a state border and write down the odometer every time I get fuel. At the end of the day I input that information into DDL, it’s quick and easy. As a side note I can keep track of my empty and my loaded miles and get reports on totals and percentages of each and totals in each state. The program will also fill out my IFTA Quarterly tax return after I download the current tax table from the IFTA site.
Tracking Expenses and Revenue
DDL will also keep track of expenses (reimbursable or not) and revenue. Broken down by date or by trip number. Not only do I get the mileage reports, miles per gallon I can also see how much money the trip made and how much per actual mile.
Fueling in Canada
A recent trip to Canada, I not only change the log to Canadian Hours of Service Rules DDL reports miles or kilometers, liters or gallons, Canadian or US dollars. When I got fuel in Canada, after inputting the exchange rate I was able to tell exactly how many gallons and how much money I spent on fuel.
Besides a log book and keeping track of mileage, fuel, expenses and revenue, it also keeps track of the number of days we’re away from home so we know how much per diem to file for on our taxes.
Great Support
Support is incredible on the site and with a user forum. There’s even a section where people tell of their experiences of showing DOT officers their logbook on the computer. There is a small learning curve if you want to utilize some of the more complex functions, but it’s worth it and there’s always plenty of help available.
Email Your Logs
The company we drive for uses the audit program from the same developer and encourages drivers with a computer to use DDL. Once a week or so, I email the logs back to the office. Quick and easy, one less thing in the mail or worry about mailing by a deadline. And even if they didn’t accept the emailed logs, I could print them and fax them in one step with efax.com, or print and mail them the boring old fashioned way.
Which Companies Accept DDL Logs?
Bottom line is that if you’re a driver or owner operator with a computer you need to get this program. Check on the website in the forum there’s a section that lists companies that officially approve of DDL for logbooks. Even if you’re company isn’t listed, call them and show them the benefits. A little explaining could save you tons of paperwork and having to write the same things over and over and over and over.
Free Trial
The program comes in a full version with all the features and Lite version with only the logbook feature. Both versions come with an incredible 60 day free trial. Here’s the link again – Click on it now – Drivers Daily Log dot com
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Good Program that can do more than i will ever need as a company driver but the best part is when i hand my printed logs to the D.O.T. and they get this funny look on thier face and just say never mind. if you audit your logs before you print them they are 100% legal and the fuzz knows this. even as a company driver you should at least use the odometer and fuel reports to track yourself, you have complete control over the logs. the registration process is way to far over the edge of sensible. and the 95$ ONLY GETS YOU 3 COMPUTERS IN A YEAR. Not long ago before i registerd DDL i went through 4 NEW laptops in 3 weeks from bestbuy Glad i didnt register the DDL untill after i got my computer situation figgured out or otherwise it would have cost me 190$ in 3 weeks.
The registration process is simple, it’s just a little restrictive. I’m sure in a case like that you could email Bruce and he would fix it. Bruce drives for Prime and is great about support.
The lite version is good for a company driver especially if you don’t need the extra print modules for special printing.
Funny looks from Law enforcement?? LOL now that is an understatement!
and with a desk setup it is at your elbow so no forgetting to keep your duty status current. just wish that the truck manufactures would design a specific tray for the printer…. I had to give up my TV.. but the TV was for entertainment while the laptop,DDL program and printer keep me out of the courthouse paying fines.