ELD, HOS, and IFTA for Dump Truck Operators (Short-Haul Rules)
Most dump truck operators qualify for the FMCSA short-haul exemption (150 air-mile radius, back to base within 14 hours) — no ELD required. IFTA is required only if you cross state lines with a truck over 26,000 lbs GVWR.
The ELD/HOS confusion costs more time than the actual rules. Ninety percent of dump truck work qualifies for the short-haul exemption — know it cold.
The short-haul exemption in one sentence
If you operate within a 150 air-mile radius of your base, return to that base within 14 hours, and keep a time-card record (not an RODS log), you are exempt from ELD requirements. Every intrastate dump truck operator I know uses this.
When you DO need an ELD
- You cross the 150 air-mile radius more than 8 days in a 30-day period
- You exceed the 14-hour on-duty window
- You do interstate for-hire work with MC Authority
IFTA the simple way
IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement) applies only if you operate a qualified motor vehicle (over 26k GVWR or 3+ axles) across state lines. Purely intrastate operators are exempt. If you qualify, file quarterly through your base state — most dump truck operators use their accountant.
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