What is The 150-Air-Mile Exemption (Short-Haul Exception)?
The 150-air-mile exemption, also known as the short-haul exception, is a critical regulatory provision that allows certain drivers to bypass the standard requirement for Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) and full Records of Duty Status (RODS).
Core Requirements
To qualify for the exemption, a driver must meet all of the following conditions:
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Operating Radius: The driver must operate within a 150-air-mile radius of their normal work reporting location. An “air mile” is a straight-line “nautical” distance (approx. 6,076 feet), not road miles.
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Return to Reporting Location: The driver must return to the same work reporting location at the end of their shift.
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Time Limit: The driver must be released from duty within 14 consecutive hours of starting their workday.
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Rest: The driver must have at least 10 consecutive hours off-duty between each duty day.
Important Operational Rules
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Paperwork: While exempt from ELDs and grid-style logbooks (RODS), motor carriers must maintain accurate daily time records. These records must include the time the driver reported for work, the time they were released, and the total hours on duty each day.
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“Breaking” the Exemption: If a driver exceeds the 150-air-mile radius or the 14-hour duty window, they immediately lose the exemption for that day. They must then reconstruct their Record of Duty Status (RODS) for that day, typically using a paper log or by logging into an ELD.
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The “8-Day” Rule: If a driver exceeds these limits for more than 8 days within any 30-day period, they are no longer eligible for the ELD exemption and must be equipped with an ELD.
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No “Blanket” Status: This is not an automatic status; it is a qualification that must be met every single day. If a driver fails to meet even one of the criteria, they are subject to standard HOS and logging regulations for that shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 150-air-mile radius?
The 150-air-mile radius is a regulatory threshold used by the FMCSA to define the Short-Haul Exemption. It is a straight-line distance, not a road mile. One air mile equals approximately 1.15 statute miles, meaning a 150-air-mile radius covers a straight-line distance of roughly 172.6 road miles from your home terminal.
Are short-haul drivers exempt from the 30-minute break?
Yes. Drivers who qualify for the 150-air-mile short-haul exemption are also exempt from the 30-minute break requirement, which otherwise applies to drivers who drive 8 cumulative hours.
Why do some sources mention a 100-mile limit?
Prior to September 2020, there were two separate exemptions: a 100-air-mile radius for CDL drivers (with a 12-hour window) and a 150-air-mile radius for non-CDL drivers. The FMCSA updated the rule in 2020 to standardize both at 150 air miles and a 14-hour window for all qualifying drivers. Older sources often reflect these pre-2020 requirements.
Why does this matter?
This exemption is designed to reduce the administrative and financial burden on local and regional operations that do not involve long-haul or overnight work. By focusing on the 14-hour window and the 150-air-mile limit, the FMCSA maintains safety standards while allowing greater operational flexibility for businesses that return their drivers home daily.
