What is Personal Conveyance and Yard Move? Ultimate Guide
Two terms that often arise in discussions among truck drivers and fleet managers are Personal Conveyance and Yard Move. In the fast-paced world of transportation and logistics, understanding the nuances of regulations can make a significant difference in fleet management. But what exactly do these statuses entail, and how do they impact the operation of commercial vehicles? Let’s dive into the details.
Personal Conveyance Definition
Personal Conveyance, also known as “Off-Duty Driving” refers to the use of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for personal purposes while off-duty. It allows drivers to operate their vehicles for non-business-related activities, such as commuting to a nearby restaurant or hotel after completing their work duties. It does not count towards the Hours of Service (HOS) Driving Time and rest break limitations.
When Can Drivers Use Personal Conveyance?
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), drivers can use PC under certain circumstances. For instance, if a driver completes their assigned tasks and is off-duty, they may use the special duty status to travel to a nearby location for rest or personal errands.
What are the Benefits of Personal Conveyance
Utilizing Personal Conveyance can offer several advantages for both drivers and fleet managers.
1. Flexibility for Drivers
It provides drivers with the flexibility to attend to personal matters without the constraints of their driving and duty time limitations. This can contribute to improved work-life balance and job satisfaction among drivers.
2. Relaxation
By helping drivers to take personal breaks away from their routes, PC supports mental and physical rest, which is essential for driver morale and well-being on the road.
3. Enhanced Safety
Personal Conveyance helps to improve road safety by encouraging rest and relaxation for truck drivers, which lowers the likelihood of accidents caused by exhaustion.
4. Better Work-Life Balance
It helps drivers maintain a better work-life balance by allowing them to run personal errands or spend time off-duty. Getting a good meal can go a long way. This lowers stress levels and enhances general well-being.
Personal Conveyance and FMCSA Regulation
The FMCSA included personal conveyance and other off-duty periods when writing the regulations for ELDs. It states, “While selecting the Personal Conveyance status, the CMV’s location has a lower level of precision (i.e., an approximate 10-mile radius).” The agency adopted this geographic approximation in response to industry groups that raised privacy concerns while FMCSA drafted the ELD mandate.
The FMCSA says that “the driver must identify the driving time as a personal conveyance on the device” in response to the query on how to record Personal Conveyance using an ELD. Drivers and fleet managers can accomplish this by configuring an ELD such that when a driver chooses a category as “personal use,” it gets recorded as off-duty driving.
Personal Conveyance Rules and Guidelines
While it offers flexibility, drivers need to adhere to FMCSA personal conveyance rules to ensure compliance with regulations.
1. Distance Limitations: The FMCSA does not impose a specific distance limit for PC. However, drivers should use discretion and refrain from excessive use of PC, which may raise concerns about potential misuse.
2. Restrictions on Use: Drivers should only use Personal Conveyance when they are truly off-duty and not performing any work-related tasks. Using PC to circumvent hours-of-service regulations is not permitted and may result in penalties.
What is Yard Move?
In addition to Personal Conveyance, another term drivers encounter is Yard Move. It refers to the movement of a CMV within the confines of a facility, such as a warehouse or distribution center, for short distances.
How to use Yard Move?
Utilizing Yard Move duty status can offer several advantages for both drivers and fleet managers.
1. Moving Within a Facility
It is appropriate when drivers need to reposition their vehicles within a facility to facilitate the flow of operations. However, drivers should exercise caution and adhere to safety protocols to prevent accidents.
2. Driving through Distribution Centers
A yard move is when a commercial vehicle drives through a distribution center’s grounds to sort, arrange, or transport cargo.
3. Parking Lot Operations
Operating a truck or trailer within a specified parking lot area, such as the area next to a terminal or distribution center.
4. Bobtailing to a Dock
When a tractor moves to a loading dock without a trailer for pickup or drop-off.
5. Safety Considerations
While it may involve short distances, drivers should remain vigilant and be aware of their surroundings to avoid collisions with pedestrians, other vehicles, or stationary objects within the facility.
Regulations Regarding Yard Move
Similar to Personal Conveyance, Yard Move are subject to regulatory oversight to ensure safe and compliant operation.
- Compliance Requirements: Drivers should be familiar with Yard Move’s regulations and ensure proper documentation and reporting as per law.
- Documentation Needed: Fleet managers should maintain accurate records of Yard Move to demonstrate compliance with regulations and facilitate auditing processes if necessary.
Impact on Fleet Operations
The adoption of Personal Conveyance and Yard Move can have a significant impact on fleet operations.
- Flexibility in Scheduling: Drivers who employ Personal Conveyance can use commercial vehicles for personal purposes during off-duty hours. It improves work-life balance and gives them more scheduling flexibility.
- Driver Satisfaction: By giving drivers the chance to unwind and rest during breaks PC solutions help drivers feel less stressed and tired.
- Regulatory Compliance: Fleet managers must ensure drivers follow personal conveyance regulations to prevent infractions and penalties that could harm their company’s operations and reputation.
How to Record Personal Conveyance and Yard Move with TruckX ELD Pro
Drivers can record their hours of service (HOS) — including PC — quickly and easily with TruckX’s ELD Pro. TruckX All-in-One Fleet Management system, whether used in a single Commercial Motor Vehicle or a large fleet, provides Fleet Managers and Drivers with the tools to maintain regulatory compliance, enhance fuel efficiency, and maximize productivity and profit.
If the Fleet Administrator enables it, drivers can use these special driving statuses for driving events that should not be recorded as “DRIVING” on their record of duty status by FMCSA regulation.
To switch to Personal Conveyance or Yard Move status, once connected to a TruckX ELD device, tap the blue “Change” icon next to your current duty status on the TruckX Logbook Dashboard and select the duty status you want to switch to.
Conclusion
Personal conveyance and yard move play integral roles in the operations of commercial motor vehicles, By understanding the definitions, regulations, and benefits of these concepts, drivers and logistics professionals can effectively utilize them to enhance productivity and safety in the transportation industry. TruckX ELD Pro offers drivers easy and reliable ELD compliance.
FAQs
1. Can personal conveyance be used for commuting to and from work?
No, personal conveyance is strictly for off-duty personal use and cannot be used for commuting to or from a driver’s residence.
2. Are there restrictions on the distance traveled during yard move?
While there are no specific distance restrictions for yard move, drivers should ensure that movements are reasonable and directly related to operational tasks within the facility.
3. Do yard move count towards a driver's on-duty time?
Yes, it is considered on-duty time and should be accounted for in a driver’s hours of service records.
4. Can personal conveyance be used when the vehicle is laden?
No, personal conveyance is only permitted when the vehicle is unladen and not transporting any goods or passengers for compensation.
5. Are there penalties for misuse of personal conveyance or yard move?
Yes, misuse of personal conveyance or yard move can result in violations and penalties, including fines and potential disciplinary action by regulatory authorities.