The distinction between personal conveyance and yard moves represents one of the most misunderstood areas of DOT regulations, with violations resulting in $2,750 average fines and potentially catastrophic CSA score impacts. In 2024, FMCSA issued over 47,000 violations for  improper use of these provisions, making it the third most common hours-of-service violation. This  comprehensive guide clarifies the critical differences between personal conveyance and yard moves, providing fleet managers and drivers with actionable strategies to ensure compliance while maximizing operational flexibility within regulatory boundaries.

Personal Conveyance & Yard Move: Critical Statistics

Understanding the compliance landscape helps prioritize proper usage:

47,000+

Annual violations

$2,750

Average fine

8.3

CSA points impact

73%

Driver confusion rate

Understanding Personal Conveyance: Rules & Applications

1. Personal Conveyance Definition & Criteria

Off-Duty Movement

Definition: Movement of CMV for personal use while off-duty, not advancing the load

Key Requirements: Driver must be relieved of all responsibility, no commercial purpose

Documentation: Clear annotation in ELD, reason for movement, start/end locations

Compliance Alert: Personal conveyance CANNOT be used to extend driving hours or circumvent HOS limits. Violations trigger immediate out-of-service orders plus $2,750 minimum fines.

2. Acceptable Personal Conveyance Uses

Permitted Scenarios

To/From Lodging: Travel between parking and hotel/motel when no adequate parking

Personal Errands: Grocery shopping, restaurants, entertainment while off-duty

Home Terminal: Commuting to/from home at beginning/end of work period

Safe Haven: Moving to nearest safe parking when directed by enforcement

Distance Guidelines: While FMCSA sets no specific mileage limit, movements over 50 miles draw scrutiny. Document legitimate reasons for any extended personal conveyance use.

3. Prohibited Personal Conveyance Uses

Violation Triggers

Load Advancement: Any movement that brings cargo closer to destination

Dispatch Orders: Following company routing or customer directions

Revenue Generation: Bobtailing to pickup location, repositioning for next load

Hours Extension: Using PC to gain additional driving time after 11/14 hours

Enforcement Focus: Inspectors scrutinize patterns - repeated PC use at shift end, consistent distances, or commercial benefit patterns trigger deep audits with severe penalties.

Yard Move Rules: Proper Usage & Limitations

1. Yard Move Definition & Parameters

On-Duty Status

Definition: Movement of CMV within private property not requiring CDL or on public roads

ELD Recording: Special driving category - counts as on-duty time, not driving time

Location Requirements: Private property, restricted access, or designated yard areas

Critical Distinction: Yard moves preserve available driving hours but consume on-duty time. Strategic use helps manage 11-hour driving limits while completing necessary movements.

2. Qualifying Yard Move Locations

Approved Areas

Private Property: Customer facilities, distribution centers, manufacturing plants

Terminal Yards: Company terminals, drop lots, maintenance facilities

Restricted Access: Port facilities, intermodal yards, secured industrial areas

Adjacent Properties: Connected private roads between facility buildings

Public Road Exception: Brief public road crossings (under 1/4 mile) between parts of same private property may qualify if documented properly.

3. Yard Move Compliance Requirements

Documentation

ELD Settings: Must select "Yard Move" before movement begins

Location Verification: GPS coordinates must confirm private property status

Time Limits: No specific limit, but excessive yard time triggers scrutiny

Safety Rules: All vehicle safety regulations still apply during yard moves

Audit Protection: Maintain facility maps, gate logs, and customer verification to defend yard move classifications during DOT audits.

Master PC & Yard Move Compliance

Eliminate confusion and violations with clear policies, automated compliance checking, and real-time driver guidance for personal conveyance and yard moves.

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Personal Conveyance vs Yard Move: Quick Reference Guide

Aspect Personal Conveyance Yard Move Key Compliance Point
Duty Status Off-Duty On-Duty (Not Driving) PC preserves both driving & on-duty time
Location Any safe location Private property only Yard moves invalid on public roads
Purpose Personal reasons only Any work-related movement PC cannot advance the load
Distance Limits No set limit (be reasonable) Within property boundaries Excessive distances trigger audits
Load Status Loaded or empty Loaded or empty PC with loaded trailer heavily scrutinized
Documentation Reason & destination required Location verification needed Both require clear ELD annotations
Violation Risk High - 73% confusion rate Medium - Location disputes $2,750 avg fine + CSA points
Pro Tip: When in doubt, use on-duty status. It's better to consume on-duty time than risk HOS violations that damage CSA scores and trigger intervention.

Implementation Strategy: Building Compliant PC & YM Programs

Phase 1: Policy Development

Foundation Building

  • Create clear PC/YM policies
  • Define acceptable scenarios
  • Establish distance guidelines
  • Document approval process

Phase 2: Driver Training

Education Focus

  • Scenario-based training
  • ELD proper usage
  • Documentation requirements
  • Violation consequences

Phase 3: Technology Setup

System Configuration

  • ELD parameter settings
  • Geofence yard areas
  • Automated alerts
  • Compliance reporting

Phase 4: Monitoring & Audit

Ongoing Compliance

  • Daily usage reviews
  • Pattern analysis
  • Corrective coaching
  • Audit preparation

Common Violations & Prevention Strategies

❌ PC After Delivery

Violation: Using PC to drive home after completing delivery

Solution: End tour at delivery location, use PC only from legitimate off-duty parking

❌ Yard Move on Streets

Violation: Claiming yard move on public roads between facilities

Solution: Use driving status for any public road movement, even short distances

❌ PC to Next Load

Violation: Personal conveyance to position for morning pickup

Solution: All revenue-related positioning must use driving status

❌ Excessive PC Distance

Violation: 150-mile "personal" movements raising red flags

Solution: Document legitimate reasons for any PC over 50 miles

❌ Pattern Abuse

Violation: Daily PC use at end of shifts

Solution: Vary parking locations, plan routes to end near amenities

❌ Missing Documentation

Violation: No explanation for PC/YM movements

Solution: Require detailed ELD annotations for every special movement

Real-World Scenarios: Correct Status Selection

Scenario 1: Hotel Run

  • Parked at truck stop
  • No vacancy, hotel 8 miles away
  • Returning in morning
  • ✓ Personal Conveyance

Legitimate PC use

Scenario 2: Terminal Shuffle

  • Moving trailers in yard
  • Organizing for morning
  • Never leaving property
  • ✓ Yard Move

Preserves drive time

Scenario 3: Customer to Truck Stop

  • Delivery complete
  • Moving to rest area
  • Will sleep there
  • ✗ Must use Driving

Advances from load

Scenario 4: Home Terminal

  • End of work week
  • Driving personal vehicle
  • CMV stays at terminal
  • ✓ Off-Duty (not PC)

No CMV movement

Ensure 100% PC & Yard Move Compliance

Protect your fleet from costly violations with automated compliance tools, real-time guidance, and comprehensive driver training programs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can legally use personal conveyance while loaded, but it's heavily scrutinized by enforcement. The key test: the movement cannot advance the load toward its destination. For example, PC to a restaurant 5 miles back from your route is acceptable, but PC 30 miles toward your delivery is a violation. Best practice: minimize loaded PC use, document thoroughly (reason, destination, route), and consider dropping the trailer when possible. Many carriers prohibit loaded PC entirely to avoid violation risks.

FMCSA sets no specific mileage limit for personal conveyance, focusing instead on the movement's purpose and legitimacy. However, enforcement typically scrutinizes PC movements over 50 miles, and anything exceeding 75 miles draws intense review. Factors considered include: reasonableness of distance for stated purpose, availability of closer alternatives, pattern of usage, and time of movement. Document any extended PC use thoroughly. Some carriers set internal limits (30-50 miles) to reduce violation risk. Remember: distance alone isn't determinative - a 100-mile PC home at week's end may be acceptable, while 10 miles to advance the load is a violation.

Yes, yard moves count as on-duty time and accumulate against your 60/70-hour clock, but they do NOT count against your 11-hour daily driving limit. This distinction is crucial for hours management. For example: after 10 hours of driving, you can't drive on public roads but can perform unlimited yard moves (while monitoring your 14-hour window and 70-hour totals). Strategic yard move use helps preserve driving hours for revenue miles while completing necessary terminal/customer movements. Track cumulative on-duty time carefully to avoid 70-hour violations.

No, dispatch cannot direct, suggest, or pressure personal conveyance use - this immediately invalidates PC status and creates violations. PC must be solely the driver's choice for personal reasons. Red flags include: dispatch "suggesting" PC to avoid HOS violations, routing instructions during PC, company benefit from the movement, or patterns of PC use after dispatch communication. If questioned, drivers must truthfully state PC was their personal choice. Companies should train dispatchers to never mention PC options and document that drivers understand PC is voluntary. Violations trigger both driver and carrier penalties.

Document yard move eligibility with: property maps showing boundaries, lease agreements or customer facility access letters, "Private Property" signage photos, gate/security checkpoint records, and geofence coordinates in your ELD system. During audits, inspectors verify: GPS coordinates match claimed private property, movement patterns stay within boundaries, and public road segments are properly logged as driving. Best practice: pre-qualify all regular yard move locations with supporting documentation in driver files. For new locations, drivers should photograph entrance signs and security gates. Maintain a company database of approved yard move locations with GPS boundaries to prevent violations.