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Is an ELD required for intrastate?

Today, most intrastate drivers of commercial vehicles are required to use an ELD. While the ELD mandate by the FMCSA is a federal mandate, all states — except for California — have already adopted their own intrastate ELD mandates.

What is the difference between an interstate and an intrastate driver?

According to the FMCSA, interstate is driving from one state to another while intrastate refers to driving within a single state. The FMCSA explains that

interstate commerce is when you drive a commercial motor vehicle:

  • from one State to another State or a foreign country
  • between two places within a State, but during part of the trip, the CMV crosses into another State or foreign country
  • between two places within a State, but the cargo or passengers are part of a trip that began or will end in another State or foreign country

Intrastate commerce is when you drive a CMV within a State and you do not meet any of the descriptions above for interstate commerce. Intrastate commerce includes movements within a state where the load originated from or is ultimately destined for another state or country.

If you operate in both intrastate commerce and interstate commerce, you must choose interstate commerce.