DRIVER’S DAILY LOG

HOS Compliance — Paper Logs

Printable
Driver's Daily Log

A Driver's Daily Log is the official paper record of a commercial driver's hours of service (HOS) — tracking driving time, on-duty periods, rest breaks, mileage, and total hours worked. It is a federally required document used for HOS compliance, roadside inspections, and carrier record-keeping.

Our printable template is formatted to meet DOT standards, ready to print, fill out, and present at any roadside inspection — instantly available after purchase.

Carriers must retain driver logs for at least 6 months — drivers for 7 days minimum
What Is a Driver's Daily Log?

The paper record of every hour on duty

A Driver's Daily Log records all duty statuses throughout the day and is required under FMCSA Hours of Service regulations. It captures:

Total driving hours and on-duty time per shift

Rest breaks and sleeper berth periods as required by HOS rules

Mileage, vehicle info, and starting/ending locations

Driver signature and supporting document references

Who Needs One?

Three categories of drivers

Interstate drivers: Must maintain Records of Duty Status (RODS) or use an approved ELD — paper logs required in certain exemptions or during ELD malfunction

Exempt drivers: Drivers operating under short-haul or other HOS exemptions may still be required to maintain paper logs

Intrastate operators: State regulations vary — always verify local requirements for intrastate operations

How to Fill a Paper Log

Six steps to a compliant daily log

01
Enter Date & Driver DetailsRecord the date, your full name, driver's license number, and carrier information at the top of the form
02
Mark Duty StatusUse the grid to indicate: Driving (D), On-Duty Not Driving (ON), Sleeper Berth (SB), or Off-Duty (OFF) for each hour
03
Record Total HoursTotal your driving and on-duty hours in the designated summary boxes — these must not exceed HOS limits
04
Log Mileage & Vehicle InfoRecord total miles driven and the vehicle or trailer identification numbers used during the shift
05
Sign the LogYour signature certifies that all information recorded is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge
06
Keep Supporting DocumentsRetain receipts, toll tickets, and any other documents that corroborate the entries in your log
Printing & Formatting Tips

Get the best results when printing

Paper size: Letter (8.5×11") or A4 — both are accepted

Margins: Set to 0.4"–0.6" to preserve all form fields

Scale: Print at 100% / actual size — never "fit to page"

Paper weight: 20–24 lb for durability during inspections

Warning

Consequences of falsifying logs

Altering, falsifying, or failing to maintain accurate driver logs is a serious federal violation. Consequences include:

Significant civil fines per violation — amounts can escalate quickly

Out-of-service orders that immediately ground the driver and vehicle

Negative impact on carrier CSA scores and safety ratings

Always record accurate data. The risk of falsification far outweighs any perceived benefit.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

If I use an ELD, do I still need a paper log?

Paper logs are required in certain exemptions (e.g., short-haul) or if the ELD malfunctions. Drivers must be able to reconstruct their logs on paper in those situations.

How long should I keep printed logs?

Drivers must retain logs for at least 7 days. Motor carriers are required to keep driver logs for a minimum of 6 months.

Can I reuse this template for multiple drivers?

Yes — once purchased, the template is yours to print as many times as needed for all drivers in your fleet.

Pricing

Get your printable log template

Driver's Daily Log Preview
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Instant Download Printable Driver's Daily Log Template $4.99
  • DOT-compliant format
  • Instant download after purchase
  • Print as many copies as you need
  • Works for your entire fleet
  • No hidden fees
Instant download after purchase.
Instant download
DOT compliant
Unlimited printing
No hidden fees