A Complete Guide to the FMCSA Short-Haul Exemption

Are you a commercial driver overwhelmed with all the rules about your service hours? You’ll benefit from applying for the FMCSA short-haul exemption. From helping you understand the USDOT number registration to navigating the confusing process of seeking exemptions, FMCA Filings makes the lives of commercial drivers easier. 

What Is the FMCSA Short-Haul Exemption?

The short-haul exemption from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration allows certain short-haul truck and bus drivers to ignore some rules governing the logging of hours. It grants certain other benefits, provided you qualify. It can save you significant time and effort on paperwork and other administrative duties.

The exemption includes the following rule changes:

• You can remain on duty for up to 14 hours but can’t drive more than 11.
• You don’t have to take a 30-minute break after 8 hours on duty.
• You don’t have to keep a record of duty status (RODS) or use an electronic logging device.

Instead of using the electronic log, you must keep a time card at your work-reporting location. The most obvious benefit of the exemption is it gives you more time to complete multiple trips within your duty day. You’ll benefit most from the exemption if you’re a local delivery person, bus driver, or short-haul trucker, but several other professions will enjoy the exemption.

Who Can Qualify for the Exemption?

Qualifying for the short-haul exemption is relatively straightforward, especially when you partner with FMCA Filings. When drivers operate consistently within a 150-air-mile radius (172.6 road miles) of their work-reporting location and end each workday there, they qualify for the exemptions. You must remain off duty for at least 10 hours between shifts.

To qualify for the FMCSA short-haul exemption, you must include the following information on your time card:

• The time the driver reports for duty and ends duty
• Total number of hours the diver drove while on duty
• The total driving time for the last seven workdays

Keep the card for at least six months. Authorities may request you produce it for inspection, for which you have two days to respond. 

Short-Haul Exemption Limitations

The short-haul exemptions have some limitations and restrictions, and FMCA Filings can help you better understand and keep track of them. Even if you meet all other requirements, you don’t qualify for the exemption if you transport hazardous materials. The rules may also vary slightly based on state regulations.

Exceeding Qualifications

If you exceed the 150-mile or 14-hour rule on any particular day, you must file a RODS for that day. If you exceed the limitations more than eight times within a 30-day period, you must switch to an ELD.

Adverse Conditions

If you encounter adverse driving conditions, you can extend your total on-duty and driving time by up to two hours (16 and 13 hours, respectively). You still must remain within the 150-mile radius.

The FMCSA defines adverse conditions as any unusual weather, road, or traffic event you didn’t and couldn’t have known of before starting your duty day of driving or after your break/sleeping period. Adverse general conditions include the following and more:

• Unforecasted rain, snow, ice, or sleet
• Heavy fog
• High winds and dust storms
• Unprecedented heavy traffic
• Road closures from accidents or other unpredictable events (police presence)

To qualify for the adverse road exemption, you must notify your carrier of the conditions (when applicable) and that you intend to extend the duration of your duty or driving time.

Sleeper Berth Flexibility

Under the short-haul exemption, you can split your required 10-hour off-day time into two separate periods, provided you have a sleeper berth. One portion of the off-duty period requires at least two hours spent anywhere and seven hours spent in the berth. Simply put, you can split it up as 8/2 or 7/3.

30-Minute Break

While the exemption states you no longer have to take your 30-minute break after you’ve spent eight hours on your shift (whether driving or not), interpreting the rule requires more nuance. You must still take your break if you’ve driven at least eight hours without a 30-minute interruption.

For example, imagine you drove for six hours, took a 15-minute break, and then drove another two hours. You must still take your 30-minute break. However, if you don’t start driving until an hour after your shift starts, you’re not required to break after driving only seven hours.

Don’t Apply for Your Exemptions Alone

Now that you understand the FMCSA short-haul exemption, you can optimize your drive time and spend less time filing electronic logs. If you still have questions, FMCA Filings has all the answers you need. Whether you’re looking for the DOT number for dispatchers or need help updating your USDOT information, our site makes it easy.

Contact us today and chat live with one of our agents.