California intrastate ELD. What applies, and how to set it up.

Does California require an ELD for intrastate drivers?

Yes. Since January 1, 2024, California requires an electronic logging device for intrastate drivers who must keep records of duty status. The federal ELD technical rules (49 CFR Part 395, Subpart B) apply. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has said there is no grace period or soft start. See the CHP’s intrastate ELD page and 13 CCR §1213.

Who is exempt?

Under §1213, an ELD is not required when:

• Records of duty status are needed on 8 days or fewer in any 30-day period.
• The operation is driveaway-towaway, where the vehicle is part of the shipment.
• The vehicle is older than model year 2000.
• The carrier, driver or vehicle is covered by an FMCSA guidance, waiver or exemption.

Drivers who are exempt from the ELD but still must keep records may use paper logs, an AOBRD or electronic software. Some drivers also fall under the 100 air-mile local exemption in §1212(e), or the federal 150 air-mile short-haul exemption. Those carry their own conditions, so confirm yours before relying on them.

California hours-of-service limits for trucks

The ELD rule did not change the California limits themselves. For property-carrying drivers under 13 CCR §1212.5:

• No more than 12 cumulative hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty (10 hours for tank vehicles hauling more than 500 gallons of flammable liquid).
• No driving after the 16th hour after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off.
• No driving after 80 hours on duty in any 8 consecutive days.
• 34 or more consecutive hours off duty resets the 8-day period for truck drivers.

The California text we reviewed has no 30-minute break requirement. Under §1212(b), adverse driving conditions can allow limited extra driving time. Interstate drivers follow the federal rules in 49 CFR Part 395: 11 hours of driving, a 14-hour window, a 30-minute break and a 60 or 70-hour cycle.

California rules or federal rules?

The CHP states that intrastate drivers following either the California rules or the federal hours-of-service rules are compliant when they use an ELD. Which one fits depends on your operation. A fleet that runs both intrastate and interstate often sets different rule sets for different drivers.

What drivers must carry

Under §1213, a driver keeps a copy of records for the current day and the previous 7 consecutive days, and presents them on request during an inspection. The CHP page does not list approved devices. Use an ELD that is on the FMCSA registered ELD list.

How Fleet Wolf sets it up in Geotab

Geotab Drive includes a California intrastate rule set. Fleet Wolf assigns the right rule set to each driver who needs it, checks that drivers know how to run the Drive app, and reviews your setup so interstate and intrastate drivers are not mixed up. Based in Glendora, California, we work with fleets nationwide. If you already use Geotab, we can review the rule sets you have today.