Hotshot Training

🚛 ELD Requirement Quick-Guide (Hotshot & Commercial Trucking)
Driver / Operation Type Typical Vehicle Setup ELD Required? Notes / FMCSA Reference
CDL Hotshot (Interstate) 1-ton truck + 40' gooseneck, over 26,001 GVWR ✅ Yes Must log hours under FMCSA HOS rules; ELD required unless short-haul applies
Non-CDL Hotshot (Interstate) ¾- or 1-ton truck under 26,000 GVWR ✅ Usually Yes Required if exceeding 150 air-miles or using paper logs more than 8 days/month
Short-Haul CDL / Non-CDL Operates within 150 air-miles and returns daily ❌ No Must meet all short-haul conditions: same start/end location, 14-hour limit
Intrastate Only (State Rules) Operates only inside one state ⚠️ Maybe Some states adopt FMCSA ELD rules; check your state DOT
Drive-Away / Tow-Away Vehicle being driven is the shipment ❌ No Exempt under FMCSA 395.8(a)(2)
Pre-2000 Engine Older truck or engine (model year 1999 or older) ❌ No ECM not compatible; full ELD exemption
Owner-Operator with ELD-Compliant Truck Uses own authority (MC #) for hire ✅ Yes Must have registered ELD device listed on FMCSA website
Leased-On Driver to Carrier Uses carrier’s DOT/authority ✅ Yes Logs under carrier’s ELD account per HOS compliance
Local Delivery / Construction / Farm Vehicle Operates under specialized exemptions ⚠️ Maybe Some exempt under farm or utility operations (check FMCSA 395.1)
⚙️ Key FMCSA Rules

49 CFR 395.8(a)(1) → ELD required for drivers using RODS

395.1(e) → Short-haul exemption (150 air-miles)

395.8(a)(1)(iii) → Pre-2000 engine exemption

395.8(a)(2) → Drive-away/tow-away exemption

🧭 Quick Tip for Hotshot Drivers

If you:
✅ Stay within 150 air-miles, and
✅ Return to your home base within 14 hours, and
✅ Use paper logs ≤ 8 days/month → You’re ELD-exempt

Otherwise → You must use an FMCSA-approved ELD.