Are Your Drivers Using Personal Conveyance Properly?

Personal conveyance (PC), or the use of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in an off-duty status for the personal transportation of the driver, continues to be one of the most misunderstood and misused hours-of-service exceptions in the industry.

What is personal conveyance?

The personal conveyance exception allows a driver to use a CMV for personal reasons while off duty, essentially using a CMV for errands or travel. This would be something they would typically do with their personal vehicle, if it were available. When considering whether PC is appropriate for the movement of the vehicle, a driver must consider these four requirements:

1. Is the use authorized under company policy?
2. Is the driver legitimately off duty during the move?
3. Is the destination purely personal?
4. Is there any benefit to the carrier? This includes ending up in a better position as far as the current or next assignment.

If the move does not meet all four requirements, it is not PC. A driver can only use PC for a move if and when they are confident the move meets all of the requirements.

How should drivers use PC?

Drivers who are permitted to use PC must be relieved from duty before they can use this exception. Each move should be assessed on a case-by-case basis. There are many examples of proper usage. A few common ones include:

• Traveling from a truck stop to and from a restaurant.
• Commuting between home and the driver’s terminal.
• Driving to the nearest safe place to rest after loading or unloading, if out of hours and asked to leave.

How should drivers not use PC?

If the movement is in any way benefiting the business or furthering a commercial trip, then it’s probably not personal conveyance. A few examples of movements that would not qualify as PC include:

• Bypassing an available rest location to get closer to a delivery or pick-up location.
• Time spent transporting a CMV to a maintenance facility.
• Time spent traveling to a carrier’s terminal after loading or unloading.

What happens if drivers are using PC incorrectly?

Improper PC use and log falsification can lead to fines, out-of-service orders, and even failing an audit.

To foster an environment of compliance, it's important to set company policies on personal conveyance, train your drivers and dispatchers on those policies, and be vigilant when it comes to:

• Monitoring PC usage, and
• Taking meaningful action with drivers who misuse the PC provision (through training, warnings, and/or discipline).

Personal conveyance is a useful tool for drivers who wish to complete personal tasks, but it is essential that care is taken to ensure the move is purely personal to avoid fines and penalties.