Do short-haul drivers need an ELD?

Drivers who are operating under short-haul exemptions in 395.1(e) are exempt for CDL and non-CDL vehicles and aren’t required to keep a record of duty status (RODS). Time cards can be used in place of ELDs.

How does the short-haul exemption work?

Drivers using the short-haul exemption are exempt from using an ELD. Specifically, drivers who use this exemption are exempt from the electronic Driver’s Record of Duty Status and Supporting Documents requirements found in Section 395.8 and 395.11 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).

Drivers using the short-haul exemption are also not required to take a 30-minute rest break during their work shifts. (See Section 395.3 of the FMCSRs).

How do you qualify for the short-haul exemption?

The qualifications of the short-haul exemption are:

• The driver operates within a 150 air-mile radius of their normal work reporting location.
• The driver doesn’t exceed, and is released from work within 14 consecutive hours. 
• The driver begins and ends the workday at the same location. 
• The driver has at least 10 consecutive hours off-duty between each work shift.
• The company keeps time records for all of its short-haul drivers for a minimum of six months that show start time, end time, and total work time for each work shift.