Livestock haulers may operate under agricultural HOS and ELD provisions, but eligibility depends on the commodity, source, distance, trip segment, and current official guidance. Animal-welfare urgency does not justify an undocumented assumption.
What this means for your fleet
Before dispatch, record the livestock, source, destination, and route. Map the applicable radius and transition points, identify which trip segments qualify for an exemption, and give drivers clear instructions for keeping records when the exemption does not apply.
Example to try with your fleet
For a livestock trip, identify the source, destination, route, and the exact exemption being used. Map the applicable 150-air-mile boundaries for each exempt segment and explain how to keep records outside those segments. Animal-welfare concerns do not remove the need to verify eligibility.
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 livestock and source evidence | Keep the livestock type, bill or producer record, exact agricultural source, pickup time/location, destination, driver, vehicle, and reviewer classification. |
| 2. Measure the applicable radius | Use the documented point specified by the applicable agricultural exemption. Keep the coordinates, calculation method, boundary, rule citation, and dated review. |
| 3. Mark where the exemption starts and ends | Map the relevant boundary crossings and record their times and locations. Give the driver clear instructions for changing the recordkeeping method, then check the resulting ELD events. |
| 4. Plan hours for non-exempt segments | Account for prior duty hours, driving and duty limits, planned stops, and arrival time. Record the applicable rule and update dispatch when the plan changes. |
| 5. Retain dispatch and trip documents | Retain bills, dispatch messages, route and stop timeline, livestock/source evidence, driver/vehicle assignment, status records, exceptions, and final review. |
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.