When to Use Personal Conveyance
On May 31st, 2018 the FMCSA released new guidance language to clarify when and how Personal Conveyance should be used.
A driver may record time operating a CMV for personal conveyance (i.e., for personal use or reasons) as off-duty only when the driver is releived from work and all responsibility for performing work by the motor carrier. The CMV may be used for personal conveyance even if it is laden, since the load is not being transported for the commercial benefit of the carrier at that time. Personal conveyance does not reduce a driver’s or motor carrier’s responsibility to operate a CMV safely. Motor carriers can establish personal conveyance limitations either within the scope of, or more restrictive than, this guidance, such as banning use of a CMV for personal conveyance purposes, imposing a distance limitation on personal conveyance, or prohibiting personal conveyance while the CMV is laden.
The guideline goes on to provide examples of uses that qualify and those that do not qualify.
One example of the appropriate use of Personal Conveyance, is when a shipper or distributor won’t let your driver stay on their lot prior to or post loading. The example the FMCSA provides allows a driver (laden or unladed) to travel to the first, reasonably, safe location to park to obtain required rest.
Note: it is only providing use to the nearest, reasonable, or first location available. Not the location preferred by the driver.
Many motor carriers have established their own guidelines, including, Motor Carrier’s need to approval all personal conveyance trips prior to use. Some stand by the strict, no Personal Conveyance while under load. And still others are relying on the drivers to make the decisions.
