The FMCSA defines the Agricultural Exemption as a relief from Hours of Service (HOS) regulations for transporting agricultural commodities or farm supplies for agricultural purposes within a 150 air-mile radius from the commodity's "source" (see 49 CFR §395.1(k) under the ELD mandate).
Drivers operating entirely within this 150 air-mile radius while transporting agricultural commodities are not required to use an Electronic Logging Device (ELD) or keep paper logs.
If a driver, who remains within the 150 air-mile radius, uses a vehicle equipped with an ELD, they may either use an “Exempt Driver” account or not log in to the ELD.
However, once a driver operates beyond the 150 air-mile radius, HOS regulations apply. At that point, the driver must use an ELD to log their hours unless they or their vehicle qualify for one of the ELD exemptions. When operating outside the 150 air-mile radius, drivers must adhere to HOS rules.
Time spent within the 150 air-mile radius does not count toward the driver’s daily or weekly HOS limits.