Quick Answer
Personal conveyance (PC) is the off-duty use of a commercial vehicle for personal reasons not benefiting the carrier, shipper, or receiver. Because it's logged as off-duty, PC miles don't count against your 11-hour driving or 14-hour on-duty limits. But you can't use PC to get closer to a delivery for the carrier's benefit — that's a violation.
Key Takeaways
- PC is off-duty driving for personal reasons — it doesn't burn your HOS clock.
- It can't be used to extend driving or advance a load for the carrier.
- There's no federal mileage limit, but carriers may set their own.
- You must log it as Personal Conveyance on the ELD, or risk a violation.
What is personal conveyance?
Personal conveyance is when a driver operates the CMV for their own personal purposes while off duty — not for the motor carrier, shipper, or receiver's commercial benefit. Because the time is off-duty, it doesn't count against your daily or weekly driving limits.
What qualifies as personal conveyance?
Generally allowed examples include:
- Driving from a terminal or drop location to nearby lodging, a restaurant, or an ATM
- Commuting between home and your work-reporting location
- Moving the vehicle a short distance for personal safety at the officer's or a safe-haven's direction
- Traveling to a rest area or safe parking after being told a facility is full
What does NOT qualify?
- Moving closer to your next pickup or delivery to save drive time for the carrier
- Repositioning the truck for the carrier's operational readiness
- Any movement transporting cargo or performing work-assigned tasks
- Continuing to drive after hitting your HOS limit "just to get somewhere"
The test is simple: is the movement for you, or for the load/carrier? If it advances the job, it isn't PC.
Does personal conveyance have a mileage limit?
There's no federal mileage cap on PC. However, carriers can — and often do — set their own limits to prevent misuse, and inspectors will scrutinize long or suspicious PC segments. Because the burden is on the carrier to prove PC wasn't for commercial benefit, sensible internal limits protect everyone.
Can PC count toward my 10- or 34-hour break?
Yes. Since personal conveyance is off-duty time, it can be combined with other off-duty time to complete a 10-hour reset or a 34-hour restart — provided all the movement genuinely qualified as PC.
How to log personal conveyance
Switch your ELD to the Personal Conveyance special driving category before you start the movement. The device records the time and location as off-duty PC. If you drive personal miles without flagging PC — or flag PC for movement that doesn't qualify — an inspector can cite you.
Educational only. Personal conveyance guidance is nuanced — confirm against current FMCSA guidance and your carrier's policy.
FAQ
Q: Does personal conveyance extend my driving hours?
A: No. PC is off-duty and cannot be used to add driving time or push a load forward for the carrier. If you've hit your limit, mandatory off-duty time applies.
Q: Can my company ban personal conveyance?
A: Yes. Carriers may prohibit or restrict PC, and their policy can be stricter than FMCSA's — just not more permissive.
Q: What happens if I log PC incorrectly?
A: Misuse can bring fines, an out-of-service order, and a hit to the carrier's CSA score, since inspectors review PC segments during inspections and audits.
