Personal Conveyance (PC)

Ever since the ELD mandate was implemented, various queries have been raised regarding personal conveyance. “Personal conveyance” time was just a matter of writing it down before this ELD mandate. However, this method has been changed with the introduction of ELD. Moreover, there has been a recent update in FMCSA guidelines that even led to more confusion.

Here is everything you need to know about personal conveyance, its updated rules, and how to record it if you use an ELD

What is personal conveyance?

The final publishing of ELD rule involves the following provisions in 395.28:

• Personal Conveyance (PC) - This is the movement of commercial vehicles for personal use when a driver is in “off” duty status. This implies that PC (Personal Conveyance) is for personal use.
• Yard Moves- This is moving a truck but you are not really `driving”. User need to select the “Yard Move” option to stay “on duty” and not “driving” as when the driver exceeds the threshold speed of 5 mph then the system will automatically move into “driving” status.

Is PC Mandatory?

No, it’s not mandatory. It depends on the carrier to decide whether to allow a driver to log as a PC, but is actually not required to.

Are there any personal conveyance limitations?

In case PC is allowed by a carrier, there is no time or distance restriction. However, a carrier if required can impose a limit while setting some policies for drivers having adherence to FMCSA rules.

Latest guidelines given by FMCSA for PC

PC guidelines have been updated by FMCSA that adds more flexibility for drivers. The major change revealed under this guidance is that a CMV (Commercial Motor Vehicle) can be laden or unladen during PC. This guideline provided more flexibility to drivers particularly for straight truck drivers who are unable to unhook from their trailer. While clarifying the PC guideline, FMCSA emphasizes on “off-duty” time as mandatory.

Personal Conveyance and its impact on a driver’s on-duty time

“Off-duty” is a mandatory requirement and it does not have any impact on available HOS rules and “on-duty” status of the driver. As per FMCSA guidelines, there is no such impact on 11 or 14-hour limitation for CMV operator, 10 or 15-hour limitation for bus driver, 34-hour restart provisions, 60/70 hour limitation and any other “on-duty” status.

Personal Conveyance and the last on-duty location

Once a driver changes the status to “PC” movement, the driver cannot move back to the last on-duty location as defined by FMCSA.

Examples of an acceptable personal conveyance movement

Appropriate uses of “Personal Conveyance” movement defined by FMCSA are:

• Time spent by a driver while travelling from a truck stop or motel to entertainment facilities and restaurants.
• Time elapsed while going to work from a place of residence
• Moving a vehicle as when requested by safety officer when a driver is in “off-duty” status
• Time spent while commuting in a motor coach without passengers to a restaurant, motel, and entertainment facility and back when the driver is off duty.
• Time spent by a driver to transport personal property during “off-duty” status
• Authorize use of a commercial vehicle while travelling back home after completing work at an offsite location

Instances of some of the unacceptable “PC” movement

Below given are some of the common examples that are not qualified under “PC” movement:

• The driver is not allowed to move a commercial motor vehicle to improve the operational readiness of a motor carrier
• Time elapsed while driving a passenger carrying commercial vehicle when the passenger(s) are on board
• Time spent while moving a commercial motor vehicle to perform vehicle maintenance
• Time spent by a driver while driving to a location to take rest when placed out of service (unless otherwise directed by an enforcement officer at the scene)
• Trip to the terminal after loading or unloading from a shipper or receiver.

How to use “Personal Conveyance” with “ELD 2020” solution

• The motor carrier needs to enable “PC” from their web dashboard
• When enabled by a carrier company, the driver can use “Hutch ELD” application on their device to record the “PC” movement
• Select duty status as “Personal Conveyance” and then record the driving event as mentioned by FMCSA.

Personal Conveyance is a little bit confusing for some drivers and carriers. However, knowing this rule is important as it helps you to stay compliant.