Check exemption eligibility for each trip. A qualifying agricultural trip does not make every vehicle or operation in the fleet exempt.
What this means for your fleet
Seasonal driver pools, changing pickup points, farm-to-market segments, livestock movements, and operation outside the covered radius require a dispatch workflow that identifies where an exemption starts and ends.
Example to try with your fleet
For a qualifying agricultural trip, a dispatcher records the commodity source and its 150-air-mile boundary. The route continues beyond that boundary, so the driver needs clear recordkeeping instructions for both exempt and non-exempt segments. Keep the commodity, source, route, dates, and applicable rule with the trip record.
What to check
Use these checks before buying or setting up an ELD. Record the results and resolve any problems before rollout.
| Check | How to verify |
|---|---|
| 1. Identify commodity and source | Retain the commodity description, agricultural-source record, pickup location, shipper document, destination, driver, vehicle, and reviewer classification. |
| 2. Measure the applicable air-mile radius | Save the source point used for the agricultural air-mile calculation, coordinates, route method, boundary distance, current provision, reviewer, and dated result. |
| 3. Separate exempt and non-exempt trip segments | Map the boundaries and crossing times. Tell drivers which recordkeeping method applies to each segment, then check that the trip records match those instructions. |
| 4. Retain dispatch and commodity evidence | Attach dispatch orders, commodity and source documents, pickup/delivery records, route timestamps, vehicle assignment, and the facts supporting each segment. |
| 5. Train drivers for exemption transitions | Practice a trip from the agricultural source across the exemption boundary. Check the driver’s status selection and records at the transition. Correct any errors and repeat the exercise. |
Limits and exceptions
Use this guide to plan your checks; it does not determine whether a legal exception applies, certify a record, or guarantee compliance, safety, savings, or audit results. Preserve original ELD records and edit history. Use the current rules to determine applicability and the manual for your installed device for operating instructions.
Sources and review date
Reviewed August 10, 2026. Check the latest rules and product information before changing your procedures or signing a contract.
- 49 CFR Part 395: hours of service and ELD requirements — Office of the Federal Register and U.S. Government Publishing Office.
- Official ELD exceptions and exemptions FAQ — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- FMCSA ELD resources for carriers and drivers — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- Factor ELD products, plans, and support — Factor ELD.
Try the ELD on a typical route
Tell us about your truck, phone, route, and a task you want to test. Request a Factor ELD demo to see how the product works. Your fleet remains responsible for deciding which rules apply.