10 / SHORT-HAUL EXCEPTIONS AND CONDITIONS
Short-haul exceptions and conditions
Check the radius, return/release time and carrier time records before using the short-haul recordkeeping exception. Short-haul does not mean unlimited driving.
Check the radius, return/release time and carrier time records before using the short-haul recordkeeping exception. Short-haul does not mean unlimited driving.
Focuses on property-carrying operations under federal hours rules using the 150 air-mile exception in §395.1(e)(1). The non-CDL paragraph (e)(2), passenger and other special exceptions are distinct.
Start with these requirements
The 150 air miles measure a radius, not daily odometer mileage
- What the rule requires
- Operate within a 150 air-mile radius of the normal reporting location (about 172.6 statute miles). Generally return there and be released within 14 consecutive hours; property-carrying drivers need at least ten consecutive hours off between duty periods. The carrier must retain accurate time records for six months.
- Conditions and exceptions
- Check the original for driver-salesperson and other details. Record duty-start and release times, total on-duty time, and the required preceding seven-day information for first-time or intermittent drivers.
(e) (e) Short-haul operations—(1) 150 air-mile radius driver. A driver is exempt from the requirements of §§ 395.8 and 395.11 if:
(i) The driver operates within a 150 air-mile radius (172.6 statute miles) of the normal work reporting location;
(ii) The driver, except a driver-salesperson, returns to the work reporting location and is released from work within 14 consecutive hours;
(iii)(A) A property-carrying commercial motor vehicle driver has at least 10 consecutive hours off-duty separating each 14 hours on-duty;
(B) A passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle driver has at least 8 consecutive hours off-duty separating each 14 hours on-duty; and
(iv) The motor carrier that employs the driver maintains and retains for a period of 6 months accurate and true time records showing:
(A) The time the driver reports for duty each day;
(B) The total number of hours the driver is on-duty each day;
(C) The time the driver is released from duty each day; and
(D) The total time for the preceding 7 days in accordance with § 395.8(j)(2) for drivers used for the first time or intermittently.
Uses a fixed source edition; check the original and statutory history for operative dates and exceptions.
A log exception does not remove driving limits
- What the rule requires
- The short-haul recordkeeping exception does not generally remove the 11-hour driving limit or 60/70-hour limits. Section 395.3 separately exempts qualifying §395.1(e)(1) or (e)(2) drivers from its 30-minute driving-interruption requirement; that is not an exemption from all hours limits.
(a) (a) Except as otherwise provided in § 395.1, no motor carrier shall permit or require any driver used by it to drive a property-carrying commercial motor vehicle, nor shall any such driver drive a property-carrying commercial motor vehicle, regardless of the number of motor carriers using the driver's services, unless the driver complies with the following requirements:
(a)(1) (1) Start of work shift. A driver may not drive without first taking 10 consecutive hours off duty;
(a)(2) (2) 14-hour period. A driver may not drive after a period of 14 consecutive hours after coming on-duty following 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
(a)(3) (3) Driving time and interruptions of driving periods—(i) Driving time. A driver may drive a total of 11 hours during the period specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
(a)(3)(ii) (ii) Interruption of driving time. Except for drivers who qualify for either of the short-haul exceptions in § 395.1(e)(1) or (2), driving is not permitted if more than 8 hours of driving time have passed without at least a consecutive 30-minute interruption in driving status. A consecutive 30-minute interruption of driving status may be satisfied either by off-duty, sleeper berth or on-duty not driving time or by a combination of off-duty, sleeper berth and on-duty not driving time.
(b) (b) No motor carrier shall permit or require a driver of a property-carrying commercial motor vehicle to drive, nor shall any driver drive a property-carrying commercial motor vehicle, regardless of the number of motor carriers using the driver's services, for any period after—
(b)(1) (1) Having been on duty 60 hours in any period of 7 consecutive days if the employing motor carrier does not operate commercial motor vehicles every day of the week; or
(b)(2) (2) Having been on duty 70 hours in any period of 8 consecutive days if the employing motor carrier operates commercial motor vehicles every day of the week.
Uses a fixed source edition; check the original and statutory history for operative dates and exceptions.
WORKED EXAMPLE
A local delivery returns late after a queue
Illustrative scenario: a driver remains within the radius, but a loading queue prevents returning and being released by the 14th hour.
Reassess that day’s exception
Do not keep claiming paragraph (e)(1) merely because the route is local. Coordinate the required record and remaining lawful hours with the carrier.
Include waiting in the next schedule
Qualification depends on actual return and release times; allow for loading queues when scheduling or quoting.
Radius, return/release, rest and time-record conditions must all be met.
Common mistakes in day-to-day work
“Returning to the yard is enough”
Also check timely release, rest and records; an estimated arrival time is not the actual release time.
Full text and sources
REGULATION TEXT · ENGLISH
§ 395.1 Scope of rules in this part.
§ 395.1 Scope of rules in this part.
- Source edition date
- 2026-10-08
- Captured
Edition noteOfficial-source snapshot; current consolidated law and subsequent amendments have not been verified.
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REGULATION TEXT · ENGLISH
§ 395.3 Maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles.
§ 395.3 Maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles.
- Source edition date
- 2026-10-05
- Captured
Edition noteOfficial-source snapshot; current consolidated law and subsequent amendments have not been verified.
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Drafted from linked official texts and agency guidance. Both language interpretations are CTAC AI-assisted drafts pending human review; examples are illustrative, not member records. Capture dates are not legal effective dates.