Personal Conveyance on an ELD 2026: 9 Allowed and Banned Uses
Personal conveyance, or PC, is the ELD status that lets you drive a truck while off duty. It exists so drivers can get to food, rest or a safe place to park without burning hours. It is also one of the most misused statuses on any ELD, and FMCSA guidance from June 2018 is the reference officers use. The test is simple: was the movement for your own benefit, or did it move the load or the business forward?
How PC Works on an ELD
Your carrier has to enable PC for your login. You choose the status before the truck moves, and the ELD records the time as off duty. During PC the log only shows location to about a 10 mile radius, compared with about 1 mile when driving. When you stop and pick another status, PC ends. Many apps also ask you to confirm PC again after the engine restarts.
| Item | During driving | During PC |
|---|---|---|
| Duty status | Driving | Off duty |
| Counts toward 11 and 14 hours | Yes | No |
| Location precision in the log | About 1 mile | About 10 miles |
| Carrier must enable it | No | Yes |
5 Allowed Uses
1. From the receiver to the nearest safe rest spot
If you run out of hours at a shipper or receiver and they will not let you stay, you can drive to the nearest reasonable safe place to rest. This applies even if the truck is still loaded.
2. From lodging to a restaurant or store
Driving from a motel or truck stop to get a meal or supplies is classic PC.
3. Commuting between home and the terminal
Driving the truck between your home and your normal work location counts, as long as you are off duty for both ends of the trip.
4. Moving at an officer's request
If law enforcement asks you to move during off duty time, that movement is PC.
5. Bobtailing for personal use
Using the tractor without a trailer to run personal errands while off duty is allowed.
4 Banned Uses
6. Moving closer to your next load
Driving toward the next pickup to save time tomorrow is driving, not PC, even if you have unloaded.
7. Picking up or dropping a trailer
Any movement that is part of the job, such as taking an empty trailer back to the yard, is on duty.
8. Bypassing open rest areas to gain miles
The rule says the nearest reasonable safe location. Passing several open, safe spots to get further down the road is a red flag.
9. Going to get the truck serviced
Taking the truck to a shop for repairs or maintenance benefits the carrier, so it counts as on duty driving.
PC Mistakes Officers Look For
| Pattern in the log | Why it looks wrong |
|---|---|
| Long PC moves at highway speed in the direction of the next stop | Looks like hidden driving time |
| PC right after the 11 or 14 hour limit, ending near the next shipper | Suggests stretching hours |
| PC used with a loaded trailer far from a rest spot | Benefit to the load, not the driver |
| PC with no annotation | No reason given |
There is no federal distance limit for PC, but many carriers set their own, often a set number of miles a day. If your fleet has a policy, it applies on top of the federal guidance.
Annotate Every PC Move
A short note like "PC to Love's for 10 hour break, receiver closed" helps at roadside and in audits. If the ELD shows a long PC trip, the note is the only place your reason appears. Our guide to editing ELD logs explains how annotations and edits are kept.
PC vs Yard Moves
PC is off duty and personal. A yard move is on duty work inside a facility, such as moving a trailer to a door. Do not use one for the other. Both are carrier enabled special categories, and most good apps, including Motive, Samsara and HOS247, make them easy to switch on and off. If yours does not, see our best ELD guide for alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use personal conveyance with a loaded trailer?
Yes, if the movement is for your own benefit, such as getting to a safe rest spot after running out of hours. The load status alone does not decide it.
Is there a mileage limit for personal conveyance?
There is no federal limit, but your carrier may set one.
Can I use personal conveyance to drive to the shop?
No. Taking the truck for repairs benefits the carrier, so it is on duty time.
Sources
- FMCSA Hours of Service guidance on personal conveyance, 83 FR 26377, June 7, 2018, checked October 2026.
- 49 CFR Part 395 Subpart B, Appendix A, special driving categories and location precision, eCFR, checked October 2026.
- FMCSA ELD frequently asked questions, eld.fmcsa.dot.gov, checked October 2026.