The driver's status over a 24-hour period is displayed on a grid with one box per hour of the day and four sections, each for a different driver status: off-duty, sleeper berth (in case a berth is used), driving, or on-duty. The logs must always be updated to the last change of duty status.

For commercial drivers in 2026, the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires the recording of four specific "Duty Status" categories on their daily log (usually via an Electronic Logging Device or ELD). These four categories are: 1. Off Duty, 2. Sleeper Berth, 3. Driving, and 4. On Duty (Not Driving). Off Duty is for time when the driver has no responsibilities. Sleeper Berth is specifically for time spent resting in the truck's bunk. Driving is automatically recorded by the ELD whenever the vehicle is in motion. On Duty (Not Driving) includes tasks like inspections, loading, unloading, and fueling. Accurate logging is a "safety essential" to comply with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, which are designed to prevent driver fatigue. In 2026, the ELD system has made this nearly foolproof, but drivers must still manually certify that their record is accurate at the end of each 24-hour period. Failing to properly categorize these four states can result in significant fines or a "shut down" order during a roadside inspection.