Check the assignment, not only the mileage
A displayed driving balance is one input to dispatch. Also consider the applicable duty window, cycle limit, required interruption in driving, current record accuracy and the work the assignment involves. The federal property-carrier rule contains distinct limits; one remaining-hours figure does not replace all of them.
Build a tentative assignment from the driver’s actual starting point. Include loading, inspections, customer work, travel after the final delivery and the intended stopping location. Keep estimates clearly marked as estimates.
Use a dispatch decision sheet
| Decision input | What the dispatcher records |
|---|---|
| Record checked | Driver, vehicle, review time and unresolved events |
| Road portion | Estimated driving, route assumptions and stopping plan |
| Other work | Loading, inspection, unloading and closeout tasks |
| Other applicable limits | Duty window, cycle balance and break requirements |
| Uncertainty | Receiving delay, connection gap or missing information |
| Decision | Proceed, revise or obtain a review, with the responsible person named |
For example, a customer says that a pickup requires four hours of driving. That estimate does not account for an hour of loading and two hours of unloading. The dispatcher should assess the full assignment; this example intentionally does not declare a driver legal to proceed without the rest of the record.
Recheck when the plan changes
A delayed receiver, replacement tractor or extra stop changes the facts underlying the decision. Agree when the driver contacts dispatch and who reviews the revised assignment. Do not instruct a driver to use a false status to make a planned load fit.
This is a manual planning worksheet. It does not promise an automatic Factor ELD load optimizer or a guarantee that a suggested route satisfies every rule. Ask which driver and office information the proposed product displays and how current it is. HOS with ELD: A Daily Planning Guide. Dry Van.
Dispatch questions
Is available driving time the same as time available for the whole job?
No. Other duty, the duty window and cycle limits may constrain the assignment even when some driving time remains.
Should an unresolved log problem wait until after dispatch?
Have the responsible carrier person assess it before relying on that record. A missing or incorrectly assigned event can make the availability picture misleading.