PERSONAL CONVEYANCE DRIVERS

This new guidance by FMCSA will allow drivers significantly more flexibility in the use of safe and appropriate personal conveyance than they were previously able to use. The time driving under personal conveyance must allow the driver adequate time to obtain the required rest in accordance with minimum off-duty periods under 49 CFR 395.3(a)(1) (property-carrying vehicles) or 395.5(a) (passenger-carrying vehicles) before returning to on-duty driving, and the resting location must be the first such location reasonably available.Īll ELDs have the ability to currently log personal conveyance time. Time spent traveling to a nearby, reasonable, safe location to obtain required rest after loading or unloading. The following are examples of appropriate uses of a CMV while off-duty for personal conveyance that include, but are not limited to: Robinson submitted comments specifically asking FMCSA to address this question and they responded as follows:

Previously there was no clear answer to this as we outlined in this blog from December 2014.Ĭ.H. One of the biggest impacts this guidance will have is to finally provide clear guidance on what to do when a driver runs out of hours on private shipper property due to unexpectedly long loading or unloading delays. This final guidance makes clear that drivers can use personal conveyance for laden vehicles in certain circumstances. Previously, guidance had restricted the use of personal conveyance to “unladen” vehicles, which many interpreted as bobtail or power only moves. Once you have a policy, the policy MUST be enforced uniformly and consistently. In my opinion, this is a reasonable limit and allows you to point to other jurisdictions in support of your position should the need arise.

Vehicles can be used for personal conveyance whether they are laden or unladen. Canada limits personal conveyance to distances less than 75 km approximately 50 miles. On May 31, 2018, FMCSA issued updated guidance on use of personal conveyance by commercial truck drivers. Personal conveyance means the vehicle is being used for purposes that do not benefit the motor carrier.