Personal conveyance refers to the movement of a commercial motor vehicle or CMV for personal use while the driver is off-duty and fully relieved from work responsibilities. Under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), drivers may record such time as "off-duty" on their records of duty status (RODS), regardless of the method used (e.g., paper logs, ELDs). A CMV may be used for personal conveyance even if it is carrying a load, as long as the movement is not for the commercial benefit of the motor carrier.
While this provision allows flexibility, it does not override a driver’s or motor carrier’s obligation to ensure safe vehicle operation. Motor carriers may adopt stricter policies on personal conveyance use. The FMCSA clarified in 2017 that the key factor is the driver’s purpose—such as travel to a safe resting place—not whether the vehicle is carrying a load.ÌýELDs must support this special driving category. Personal conveyance may include trips to restaurants, lodging, or home, provided they are unrelated to work duties. However, it cannot be used to reposition a CMV for the next dispatch or bypass hours-of-service limits. Drivers must annotate such use in their logs, and improper use may result in regulatory violations.
Industry groups like the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance have petitioned the FMCSA to clarify and limit the use of conveyance time, alleging that nearly 40% of drivers misuse it
So far, they've had little success.
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