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Clear strategies for handling personal conveyance

Personal conveyance (PC) is one of those trucking rules that seems simple, but it’s not. It allows drivers to legally move their commercial motor vehicles for personal reasons while off duty.

That sounds easy, right? But if you’ve ever been pulled over at a weigh station and asked about that 30-mile PC trip on your log, you know that misusing PC can land you a fine and an Out of Service (OOS) violation.

Why PC misuse is a big deal

PC misuse is more common than you think and the consequences can be severe.

• In 2024, there were 13,539 roadside violations for false records of duty status due to improper PC use. (FMCSA’s A&I online data)
• Many of these violations weren’t intentional, but PC is one of those gray areas where drivers and fleet managers think they’re following the rules but aren’t.

That’s what makes PC so risky. One mistake can cost you money, compliance, and even your ability to operate.

How insurance companies (like HDVI) view PC violations

At HDVI, we get it. Drivers need flexibility, and no one wants to be stuck without a place to park or forced to sit in a yard because of hours of service rules.

But as an insurance provider, we also see the downside of PC misuse:

• Legal Liability: If a driver logs PC but gets into a crash, and it turns out they were advancing a load, the fleet could face major lawsuits.
• Compliance Risks: If a fleet has multiple PC-related violations, it may suggest a lack of compliance oversight, increasing the risk of HOS violations and fatigued driving accidents.
• Higher Premiums: Fleets with frequent PC violations may face premium hikes or cancellation of coverage.

When personal conveyance is okay (and when it’s not)

Legal personal conveyance uses:

• Driving to a safe parking location after unloading

Example: The shipper won’t let you park overnight, so you PC to the nearest truck stop.

• Driving from a truck stop to a nearby restaurant or hotel for personal reasons

Example: You drive to a nearby Walmart while off duty to buy food, entertainment (go to the movies), laundry facilities, etc.

• Commuting between home and a normal work reporting location (ONLY when relieved of duty)

Example: You finish a trip, drop a trailer at the company yard, and PC home.

*This is one of the most misunderstood parts of PC—many drivers assume they can PC back to the terminal after being out on the road, but if they’re expected to start work from there the next day, that’s not PC—it’s repositioning for work.

Personal conveyance violations that can get you in trouble:

• Using PC to get closer to your next pickup or delivery

Example: You PC 20 miles to a shipper the night before your pickup

• Moving because you ran out of hours and want to keep driving
  

Example: You hit your HOS limit but PC 30 more miles to pick up the next load or get home.

• Bobtailing to pick up another load

Example: You drop one load and PC to the next shipper bobtail or with an empty trailer.

• Using PC to take your truck to the shop

Example: You need work done on your truck so you PC to the mechanic shop. If the repair is necessary to resume work, this is not PC–it’s a work move

Tips for staying compliant

• Pre-trip planning: Before leaving for the day, plan your trip to the best of your ability. This includes where you will stop for fuel, breaks, and rest.
• Think through it: Before utilizing PC, ask yourself “is this truly personal, or does it help my company?”
• Documentation: Always annotate your ELD when using PC. (Example: “PC to nearest safe parking after unloading, because shipper does not allow parking”)
• Question things: If a dispatcher tells you to PC somewhere, question it–if it’s company-directed, it’s not PC.
• Follow the rules: In addition to the regulations, trucking companies should set clear PC policies and consider restrictions on personal conveyance use.

Final Thoughts: Play it safe and stay in business

Personal conveyance is not a free pass to move your truck and misuse hours of service rules. While some may think they are getting ahead in the short term by bending the rules, it only takes one accident or violation to lead to costly fines, increased insurance premiums, downgraded FMCSA safety ratings, and even legal liabilities.

If you want to know how PC violations could impact your insurance, reach out to your HDVI Fleet Services Representative today.