Who this is for: CDL drivers, owner-operators, fleet managers, local delivery drivers
Short-Haul Exemption — ELD and HOS Rules for Local CDL Drivers
The short-haul exemption allows qualifying CDL drivers to skip full RODS (Records of Duty Status) and ELD requirements. To qualify, a driver must operate within 150 air miles of their reporting location, return to that location within 14 hours, and meet other conditions — every single day the exemption is claimed.
Important Notice
Short-haul exemption conditions must be met on each individual day. Verify current rule text in 49 CFR §395.1(e) at ecfr.gov. HOS rules have been revised; always check the current regulation.
The CDL short-haul exemption — full conditions
Under 49 CFR §395.1(e)(1), a CDL driver is exempt from RODS and ELD requirements on a given day if all of the following apply: (1) the driver operates within a 150 air-mile radius of the normal work reporting location; (2) the driver returns to the normal work reporting location and is released from work within 14 consecutive hours of coming on duty; (3) the driver has at least 10 consecutive hours off duty after each on-duty period; and (4) the driver does not drive more than 11 hours. All four conditions must be met on every day the exemption is used.
What records you must keep instead
Drivers using the short-haul exemption do not need to complete RODS graph grids or use an ELD, but they are not entirely record-free. The carrier must keep time records showing: the time the driver reports for duty each day; the time the driver is released from duty; and the total hours worked. These records must be kept for 6 months. If a driver fails to qualify for the exemption on a given day, RODS must be kept for that day.
Air-mile vs. statute mile
The 150 air-mile radius is measured in nautical miles (air miles), not statute (road) miles. One air mile equals approximately 1.15 statute miles. A 150 air-mile radius corresponds to roughly 172–173 statute miles measured in a straight line from the reporting location. The calculation is straight-line distance from the reporting location, not road miles driven.
The 14-hour window still applies
Even when using the short-haul exemption, the 14-hour on-duty window rule still applies — the driver must be released from work within 14 consecutive hours of coming on duty. The exemption eliminates the RODS and ELD requirement; it does not eliminate the HOS driving limits. The driver also may not drive more than 11 hours on any day, even under the exemption.
The 16-hour exception
A separate provision — the 16-hour short-haul exception under 49 CFR §395.1(o) — allows qualifying drivers to extend their on-duty window to 16 hours on 2 days per week (specifically, not more than twice in any 7-day period). This extends the window but does not increase driving time. To use this exception, the driver must still return to the same reporting location where they came on duty, have had 10 consecutive hours off duty before coming on duty, and not have used the 16-hour exception the prior 6 days in a row.
Non-CDL short-haul exemption
A separate short-haul exemption under 49 CFR §395.1(e)(2) applies to non-CDL drivers of smaller CMVs. It uses a 150 air-mile radius and similar conditions but has slightly different requirements (100 air-mile radius under the older rule was replaced). Non-CDL short-haul rules differ from the CDL version — verify the correct rule for your driver category.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I go beyond 150 air miles on one day?
If you exceed the 150 air-mile radius on a given day, the short-haul exemption does not apply that day. You must comply with full RODS and ELD requirements for that day. If you do not have an ELD, you must use paper RODS.
Can I use the short-haul exemption if I occasionally drive long-haul?
Yes — the exemption applies day by day. You can use it on days you qualify and must use an ELD (or paper RODS) on days you do not qualify. If you plan to alternate regularly, having an ELD is often simpler than tracking daily exemption status.
Does the exemption mean I can drive as many hours as I want locally?
No. The short-haul exemption eliminates the RODS and ELD requirement but does not remove HOS driving limits. The 11-hour driving limit and 14-hour on-duty window still apply. You still cannot drive more than 11 hours or remain on duty beyond 14 hours from when you came on duty.