Personal Time

Personal transportation is the movement of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for personal use while off-duty. A driver may record time operating a CMV for personal transportation as off-duty only when the driver is relieved from work and all responsibility for performing work by the motor carrier. The CMV may be used for personal transportation even if it is loaded, as long as the cargo is not being transported for the commercial benefit of the motor carrier at that time. Personal transportation does not reduce the driver’s or motor carrier’s responsibility to operate a CMV safely. Motor carriers may establish personal transportation limitations, either within or more restrictive than the guidance provided here.

A driver may record time operating a CMV for personal transportation (i.e., for personal use or reasons) as off-duty only when the driver is relieved from work and all responsibility for performing work by the motor carrier. The CMV may be used for personal transportation even if it is loaded, as long as the cargo is not being transported for the commercial benefit of the carrier at that time. Personal transportation does not reduce the driver’s or motor carrier’s responsibility to operate a CMV safely. Motor carriers may establish personal transportation limitations, either within or more restrictive than this guidance, such as prohibiting the use of a CMV for personal transportation purposes, imposing a distance limitation on personal transportation, or prohibiting personal transportation while the CMV is loaded.

The following are examples of appropriate uses of a CMV while off-duty for personal transportation purposes, including but not limited to:

1. Time spent traveling from a driver’s en route lodging (such as a motel or truck stop) to restaurants and entertainment facilities.
2. Commuting between the driver’s terminal and his or her residence, between trailer-drop lots and the driver’s residence, and between work sites and his or her residence. In these scenarios, the commuting distance combined with release from work and start to work times must allow the driver enough time to obtain the required restorative rest to ensure the driver is not fatigued.
3. Time spent traveling to a nearby, reasonable, safe location to obtain the required rest after loading or unloading. Driving time for personal transportation must allow the driver adequate time to obtain the required rest according to the minimum off-duty periods under 49 CFR 395.3(a)(1) (property-carrying vehicles) before returning to driving in service, and the rest location must be the first such reasonably available location.
4. Moving a CMV at the request of a safety official during the driver’s off-duty time
5. Time spent traveling in a passenger-carrying CMV with no passengers to an en route lodging (such as a motel or truck stop), or to restaurants and entertainment facilities and back to the lodging. In this scenario, the CMV driver may claim personal transportation as long as the driver is off-duty. Other off-duty drivers may be on board the vehicle and are not considered passengers.
6. Time spent transporting personal property while off-duty.
7. Authorized use of a CMV to travel home after working at an off-site location.