Can I use PC? Guide to Personal Use Driving
Personal Conveyance is the movement of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for personal use while Off Duty. A driver may record time driving a CMV as Personal Conveyance only when the driver is relieved from work and all responsibility for performing work by the motor carrier.
The FMCSA gives pretty good examples of allowed and not-allowed uses of personal conveyance for common events.
Allowed uses of PC:
- Traveling between home and the driver's terminal
- Finding a safe location to park for required rest periods (should be the nearest safe haven)
- Moving the CMV at the request of a safety official
- Transporting personal property while Off Duty
- Traveling from lodging to food or entertainment destinations
- Traveling home bob-tailed or empty
- Traveling home while loaded - as long as the load is not moving for the commercial benefit of the carrier at the time
NOT allowed uses of PC:
- Staging for operational readiness (getting closer to the next loading or unloading point)
- Traveling bob-tailed to pick up another load
- Moving the CMV to have maintenance done
- Traveling back to the driver's terminal after loading or unloading
- After being placed Out of Service for a violation, unless directed to a safe haven by a safety officer
When in doubt whether specific driving is allowed as personal use, ask these two questions:
Am I driving at the request of my carrier?
Is the load being moved toward its next destination?
If the answer to either of these questions is yes, then this driving does not qualify for personal use.