Review status: Official-source checked Source confidence: high Source-backed

Short-Haul Exemption Guide

A cautious guide to short-haul exemption concepts and official FMCSA/eCFR checks.

Quick Answer

The short-haul HOS exception exempts qualifying drivers from ELD requirements and the standard RODS rules if they operate within a 150-air-mile radius of their normal work reporting location, return there each day, and comply with maximum on-duty time conditions — verify all current radius, time, and duty-status conditions with FMCSA and eCFR Part 395.

ELD and HOS topics should be read with the related driver, carrier, and rule-specific pages. ELD Guide, Hours of Service, ELD Malfunction.

Who This Applies To

Commercial motor vehicle drivers and motor carriers subject to FMCSA Hours of Service regulations and the ELD mandate under eCFR Part 395.
Safety managers and dispatchers building driver log review procedures, HOS compliance policies, and ELD malfunction response plans.
Carriers verifying which drivers or operations may qualify for ELD exemptions, short-haul exceptions, or agricultural HOS waivers.

What To Verify

Whether the specific driver, vehicle, and operation are subject to ELD requirements or qualify for an exemption — verify current exemption criteria against FMCSA guidance and eCFR Part 395.
That any ELD device in use is listed on FMCSA's registered compliant device list at eld.fmcsa.dot.gov — using an unregistered device does not satisfy the ELD mandate.
Current driving and on-duty time limits for property-carrying versus passenger-carrying operations, and whether the operation uses the 60-hour/7-day or 70-hour/8-day schedule.
Carrier recordkeeping and retention requirements for ELD data and supporting documents, and the required paper log backup supply for malfunction situations.

Step-by-Step Overview

Confirm whether each driver and operation is subject to ELD requirements or qualifies for an exemption using FMCSA guidance and eCFR Part 395.
Verify that all ELD devices in use are listed on FMCSA's registered device list and that drivers are trained on daily log review and certification.
Establish a carrier policy for ELD malfunction response: paper log backup procedure, driver notification timeline, carrier notification to FMCSA if needed, and device repair or replacement timeline.
Implement a regular driver log review process to identify HOS violations, unassigned driving events, or data diagnostic flags before they appear in roadside inspections.
Retain ELD records and supporting documents for the required period and carry blank paper logs in every vehicle at all times.

Common Mistakes

Assuming a specific operation or driver is ELD-exempt without checking current FMCSA exemption criteria — exemptions have specific conditions that may not apply to all operations.
Using an ELD device not on FMCSA's registered device list — an unregistered device does not satisfy the federal ELD mandate regardless of how it functions.
Not stocking blank paper logs in every commercial vehicle — when an ELD malfunctions, the driver must switch to paper logs immediately and may be inspected before the ELD is repaired.
Failing to notify the motor carrier within 24 hours of an ELD malfunction as required — the carrier then has a limited window to repair or replace the device before enforcement action is possible.

Official Sources

Summary of Hours of Service Regulations Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration · federal-government · accessed 2026-05-06
Use for HOS educational summaries with eCFR cross-reference.
49 CFR Part 395 - Hours of Service of Drivers Electronic Code of Federal Regulations · regulation · accessed 2026-05-06
Use as the primary regulatory reference for HOS and ELD pages.

ELD Guide

A source-backed educational guide to ELD basics, official registered-device checks, and HOS recordkeeping cautions.

Hours of Service Guide

A source-backed educational overview of HOS rules for trucking businesses with official FMCSA/eCFR verification.

ELD Malfunction Guide

ELD malfunction response steps for drivers and carriers, including paper logs, notification timing, repair windows, and records.

FAQ

What happens if a short-haul driver occasionally exceeds the 150-air-mile radius?

If a driver exceeds the short-haul radius on a given day, the exemption does not apply for that day and the driver must use a full RODS (paper log or ELD). The exemption can still apply on other days that meet all conditions — but the carrier should have a process for identifying and handling out-of-radius days.

Can this page be used to plan dispatch decisions?

Use it to frame questions and identify records to check. Dispatch decisions should be made from the driver's current duty status, carrier policy, and the current FMCSA or eCFR rule text.

What records usually matter most during a log review?

Daily logs, ELD annotations, unassigned driving, supporting documents, malfunction notes, and any exception being claimed should line up before the log is certified.