Personal conveyance lets commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers use their trucks for personal reasons while off-duty. This time does not count against Hours of Service (HOS) limits because the driver is officially off-duty.
Understanding personal conveyance rules helps drivers avoid HOS violations and stay compliant with HOS regulations. It also helps fleet managers maintain compliance. This guide covers what personal conveyance is, allowed and prohibited uses, logging requirements and how GPS tracking can facilitate more accurate reporting.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) defines personal conveyance as off-duty CMV movement for personal reasons – unrelated to transporting freight or furthering commercial operations.
To qualify, the driver must be relieved from work and all responsibility for performing work by the motor carrier. The CMV can even be laden with cargo, as long as the load is not being transported for the carrier’s commercial benefit during personal use.
Personal conveyance differs from on-duty driving in one critical way: It does not count toward HOS rules. Time spent on personal conveyance does not affect daily or weekly limits, and it does not start the 14-hour “on-duty” period.
Enforcement officers use two questions to determine appropriate use:
Any movement that enhances the carrier’s operational readiness – such as getting closer to the next load – does not qualify.
Getting personal conveyance wrong can have serious consequences. Misuse can lead to violations, audit fines and increased liability if an accident occurs. Frequent misuse can also negatively impact a fleet’s safety score and insurance rates.
Both drivers and fleet managers benefit from understanding this definition. Clear knowledge of what qualifies and what does not helps prevent unintentional violations and protects both parties from penalties.
Personal conveyance is allowed only after work duties are complete and the driver is officially off-duty. The FMCSA provides specific examples of appropriate uses:
These scenarios share one thing in common: The movement does not benefit the carrier’s commercial operations.
Certain uses are explicitly prohibited. The following activities do not qualify as personal conveyance:
The FMCSA does not specify federal mileage or time limits for personal conveyance. However, many carriers set internal limits on how far drivers can travel. Always verify your employer’s policy before assuming a certain distance is acceptable.
Cross-border drivers should also note that Canada has different regulations. Canadian rules limit personal conveyance to 75 kilometers per day and require that the trailer be unhitched.
Personal conveyance offers several advantages for CMV drivers:
Work-life balance can improve as well. Long-haul and overnight drivers often have limited personal time during trips. Personal conveyance lets drivers:
These small freedoms can make a meaningful difference during extended time away from home.
Finally, personal conveyance can help reduce fatigue. The ability to decompress during off-duty time can improve overall driver well-being. Rather than resting wherever the HOS clock expired, drivers can choose a preferred location – whether that means quieter parking, better amenities or simply a more comfortable environment.
These benefits extend beyond the individual driver. Fleets with clear personal conveyance policies may see improved driver satisfaction and retention. When drivers feel they have some control over their off-duty time, it can contribute to a more positive working environment overall.
FMCSA’s Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate requires electronic logging for most CMV drivers, and personal conveyance is no exception.
Drivers must select “personal use” or “personal conveyance” status before driving. This step is critical – if the driver does not pre-select this status, the ELD locks the event as driving time and the driver cannot change it. Drivers must also annotate each instance of personal conveyance to note the circumstances.
The ELD captures important information during personal conveyance. The device records time and distance traveled, and this data is available to enforcement during inspections or audits. The FMCSA can use ELD data alongside mapping software and supporting documents to verify appropriate use.
Carriers have compliance responsibilities as well. Fleet managers should take several steps to support proper personal conveyance use:
Remember that the penalties for misuse can be significant. This is why carriers should review personal conveyance logs regularly as part of their compliance process. Catching errors early gives drivers a chance to correct habits before small mistakes become larger problems. Regular reviews also help fleet managers identify training gaps across the team.
The bottom line is straightforward. Drivers who log personal conveyance correctly protect themselves and their employers. Carriers who provide clear policies and training reduce the risk of violations across their fleet.
GPS tracking can play an important role in personal conveyance compliance. When used correctly, it provides accurate logging while respecting driver privacy.
One key benefit is mileage verification. GPS tracking can verify distance traveled during personal conveyance, providing independent location data that supports ELD records. Track Your Truck offers a hardwired GPS tracker that provides continuous monitoring without requiring driver intervention. This creates a reliable record that can confirm the driver used personal conveyance appropriately.
Privacy is a common concern for drivers, but GPS tracking does not have to mean constant surveillance. GPS data can confirm general movement patterns without requiring street-level detail during off-duty periods. Carriers can verify compliance without tracking every personal destination. Clear policies on how off-duty data is used can help build trust between drivers and fleet managers.
Integration with ELD systems makes GPS data even more useful. Track Your Truck’s NetTrack platform integrates GPS data with ELD logs, giving carriers a complete picture of vehicle activity. Carriers using our advanced fleet management software can view vehicle location alongside duty status in a single dashboard. This consistency across both systems reduces discrepancies and simplifies recordkeeping.
GPS data also helps with dispute resolution. If questions arise about whether personal conveyance was appropriate, GPS records provide supporting information. This protects drivers in several ways:
Carriers benefit as well. Accurate GPS records can reduce liability exposure if regulators question logs during an audit or inspection. The data serves as objective evidence that drivers followed personal conveyance policies.
A clear personal conveyance policy helps drivers understand expectations and reduces the risk of unintentional violations. Carriers can be more restrictive than federal regulations, so internal policies should reflect the company’s specific requirements.
An effective policy should include the following elements:
Driver training is equally important. Training should cover the FMCSA definition and the business benefit test, helping drivers understand the distinction between personal use and work-related activity. Walk through allowed and prohibited scenarios with concrete examples. Demonstrate the ELD status switching and annotation process, so drivers know exactly how to log personal conveyance correctly. Training should also explain the consequences of misuse, including violations, fines and liability.
Communication and enforcement keep policies effective over time. Provide a written copy of the policy to all drivers and review personal conveyance rules during onboarding and refresher training. Address questions promptly, since gray areas can lead to unintentional violations. Consistent enforcement reduces misuse and reinforces that the policy applies to everyone.
Track Your Truck can help fleets build and maintain effective personal conveyance programs. The company’s U.S.-based support team is available to help develop policies tailored to your operations. Training resources for NetTrack features and ELD integration are also available, making it easier for drivers and managers to stay compliant.
Personal conveyance gives drivers flexibility to use commercial motor vehicles for personal reasons without affecting Hours of Service limits. Success depends on understanding FMCSA regulations, logging correctly and following carrier policy.
When paired with Electronic Logging Devices, GPS tracking can help maintain accurate reporting while respecting driver privacy. Clear policies and training protect both drivers and carriers from violations.
To learn how NetTrack can help meet your fleet’s compliance needs, schedule a free consultation with Track Your Truck today.
