Staring at the status buttons on your logging screen and wondering which one fits? The core ELD duty status codes are OFF, SB, D and ON, with personal use and yard moves as special categories.
This guide sits under our explainer on what is an electronic logging device, and it focuses on the status choices themselves.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Off duty code | OFF |
| Sleeper berth code | SB (only if a sleeper berth is used) |
| Driving code | D |
| On-duty not driving code | ON |
| Automatic switch to driving | Five miles per hour |
| Deadline to submit a record to the carrier | Within 13 days of the 24-hour period it covers |
The codes come from 49 CFR 395.8 on eCFR, and the speed threshold from an ELD requirements FAQ mirror. Rules and figures can change, so check the source before you rely on them.
The four core ELD duty status codes
The regulation lists exactly four statuses for a driver’s record. Each has a short code that shows on the log grid.
- OFF (off duty): you are relieved of work and free to use your time as you wish.
- SB (sleeper berth): time resting in a sleeper berth, used only if the truck has one.
- D (driving): the vehicle is being driven on the road.
- ON (on-duty not driving): any work that is not driving, such as loading, inspections or paperwork.
The eCFR text puts it this way: “Off duty” or “OFF.” comes first, and “On-duty not driving” or “ON.” comes last. Whichever status you select, a change of status also needs a location, so the ELD stamps one each time you switch.
If you want to see how records are exported, read about the eld output file.
How the ELD switches to driving for you
On paper you choose every status yourself. An ELD takes one choice away from you: it switches to driving automatically once the truck moves up to a set speed.
The ELD requirements FAQ states that an ELD must switch to driving mode at a threshold of five miles per hour, and that the in-motion state must not be set higher. It also notes a vehicle counts as stopped once its speed has fallen to zero and stayed there for three consecutive seconds.
After the truck stops, check what your ELD shows and correct it if needed. A forgotten change after parking can leave your log showing a status you did not mean.
Location is recorded alongside these events. The same FAQ says location data must be captured at 60-minute intervals while the vehicle is in motion, and when you power up, shut down, change status or indicate personal use or yard moves.
Sleeper berth versus off duty
Both statuses are rest, but they are not interchangeable. Sleeper berth exists because a driver can split required rest between the berth and other off-duty time.
A J.J. Keller FAQ confirms that drivers may split their required off-duty time by using a sleeper-berth. The same page says waiting time at a terminal, plant or port may be recorded as off duty, sleeper berth, or on duty not driving, depending on the circumstances.
In practice, the right choice for a wait depends on the circumstances. It may be OFF, SB or ON, so check the facts of the wait before you pick one.
That last point matters. If you can use a valid sleeper berth without being disturbed for a specific wait, the time may be logged as sleeper berth. Otherwise, the J.J. Keller FAQ says waiting time may be recorded as off duty, sleeper berth, or on duty not driving, depending on the circumstances.
Personal conveyance and yard moves
Two special driving categories sit on top of the core four. Neither is a fifth status code, and a carrier decides whether to enable them for your account.
Personal conveyance
Motive’s explainer defines personal conveyance as a driver using a commercial vehicle while off-duty, and says that time spent under personal conveyance is off-duty time under hours-of-service rules. It adds that you can only use it when off-duty.
The same page warns that you cannot use it to advance the carrier’s operational readiness.
Yard moves
A yard move is the other special category. The ELD requirements FAQ says drivers can use annotations to indicate the start and end of yard moves, and that location data is recorded when you indicate one.
The same FAQ says annotations can also mark other special driving categories. If you are unsure how to log a move, ask your safety department rather than guessing.
How special categories show up on the log
The ELD requirements FAQ explains that, while not required, a carrier can configure your account to authorize a special driving category. The graph-grid then overlays those periods with a different style of line, such as dashed, dotted or shading.
If the carrier has not configured it, you must annotate the beginning and end of the period yourself. Annotations also explain edits: the FAQ says all edits, whether made by a driver or the motor carrier, must be annotated to document the reason for the change.
- Select the special category, if your account allows it.
- If it is not available, annotate the beginning and end of the period yourself.
- When the movement ends, switch back and note the end time.
- Review the day’s entries before you certify the record.
Our eld vs paper logbook comparison shows how this differs from handwriting every line.
Common mistakes with status choices
Most log problems come from a handful of habits. Knowing them helps you pick the right status the first time, rather than editing later and explaining the change.
Think of each status as an answer to one question: were you free of work, resting in a berth, driving, or working without driving? If you can answer that honestly at the moment you switch, the code usually follows.
- Leaving ON when you are actually off: this wastes available hours.
- Using personal conveyance for work: repositioning for the next load is not personal use.
- Skipping annotations: an unexplained edit invites questions at inspection.
- Logging all waiting time one way: the circumstances decide, as the J.J. Keller FAQ notes.
- Submitting late: records go to the carrier within 13 days of the 24-hour period they cover, per 49 CFR 395.8.
When a situation does not fit neatly, annotate it and ask your carrier. This site is independent and educational, and it cannot advise on a specific log.
Frequently asked questions
What are the four ELD duty status codes?
Show answer
They are OFF for off duty, SB for sleeper berth, D for driving and ON for on-duty not driving, as listed in 49 CFR 395.8.
Does the ELD change to driving by itself?
Show answer
Yes. According to the ELD requirements FAQ, it must switch to driving mode once the vehicle is moving up to five miles per hour.
Is personal conveyance on duty or off duty?
Show answer
It is off-duty time, and Motive’s explainer says it can only be used while off-duty.
How is a yard move logged?
Show answer
If your carrier enables the yard move category, you select it. If not, you annotate the start and end, per the ELD requirements FAQ.
Do I have to annotate special categories?
Show answer
If the carrier has not configured your account for them, yes. The FAQ says you must annotate the start and end.
