All I wanted was a trailer to pull - now I am knee deep in it.

[gtsinc]

I bought a 14K gvw 24' gooseneck trailer for my 99 PSD F250. I own a small corporation and only haul equipment for my company that we own - no for hire work.

I went to register the trailer and that is when all the fun began. I
had to change my GCVW on my existing registration/title to 20,000 lbs. Registration went fom $150 to $350 per year. Then I was told I needed a DOT number and a Medical Card.

Now that I have the US DOT number where do I find the requirements to
display it? And do I display it on my F250 or Trailer or BOTH? And how big do the letters have to be?


I have a few employees who drive my truck only (no trailer) for work.
Although on longer trips it would be nice to have one share the driveing with the trailer. Do I need to get medical cards for everyone? Can they still drive my truck without the trailer?


I was told I need to have a drug testing program, saftey program and
previous employment screening for my existing personnel. If it is just me how extensive of a program/documentation do I need to have?

DO I need to keep driving log records fo rthe number of hours on the road vs resting? I think truckers need 10 hours of rest each 24 hours.

I was trying to find the Guidance book at the FMCSA or Government
printing office but could not find the exact documents needed to answer my questions.


I am going out of state to pick up some auction equipment I bought for myself - would I be legal if I ONLY have the USDOT Number and Medical Card?


Do I need to notify my insurance company that I now have this US DOT
registration?


Thanks in advace
Steve

[CaptRon]

Steve,

Sounds like you opened a big can of worms here.
First off, if the trailer had a GVWR of 10K or less then you would have had a much easier time.

Most states are now requiring any trailer over 10K to be towed by a person holding a CDL. Also, many states are requiring a DOT medical card to get or renew a CDL.

Since you will be using the truck and trailer in your business then you are required to comply with all the regulations of the DOT and FMCSA. That would include running logbooks and keeping detailed records that are subject to audit. This includes a drug screening program for anyone who pulls the trailer. And, you will be required to enter weigh stations too. The Dot numbers will go on the truck only, along with your company name. You can place the company name on the trailer too if desired.

Good news is that anyone can drive just the truck like before.

You can get around the CDL requirement by getting rid of that 14K trailer and getting one that is at or below 10K.

What state are you in?

Check with the guys HERE for some more asnwers.

Good Luck,
Capt Ron

[LongRider]

<font color="green">Any DOT numbers go on the tow vehicle, not the trailer.

Trailer over 10,000 = Class A CDL; this is a nation-wide requirement, as CDL requirements are, since their inception, the same in all 50 states.

I can't understand why they made you change your truck, when you went in to license the trailer, unless you asked, and therefore poured the worms out of the can.

Many trailers are tagged, without anyone ever knowing what kind, or whose, truck will be towing.

More arguments/flaming/discussions have been started over licensing/CDL/legal requirements than any other topic of discussion.

</font>

[JimTJr]

It is for PERSONAL business use, NOT for hire. I dont think it falls under the DOT/FMCSA regulations... I am a "For hire" company, I have all that, and only have 26k plates, with a 14k trailer, I DO NOT NEED A CDL... the rules are hazey, trailers over 10k,, and then 26k or less...26,001 lbs and I need a CDL. I have my DOT and ICC numbers, they KNOW I DONT HAVE A CDL. My insurance company KNOWS I DONT HAVE A CDL,, everything is fine!

As far as you having to have all that, I think you found a "teller" at that DMV that didnt know *** she/he was doing,,and screwed you up royaly.....costing you a ton of extra money,,,,and heartache. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]
This is always a can of worms on here too,,, many will tell me I am wrong, guess they need to call Missouri and let them know I am ilegal... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif[/img] if in fact I am.

[Casey_1]

If you are hauling for the purpose of making money, whether it is your business or for hire, it's commercial. And if you're over the weight requirements to need all that commercial stuff, you need everything they told you.

[gtsinc]

I am in PA. I wanted the extra rating for the trailer - more than 10K. When I first bought it(I got temp tags in Ohio and did not register it in PA until yesterday when I got the title in the mail) I was on my way out of state to pick up some vidmar cabinets and comming back my trailer and truck total weight was 19,980 lbs. With 9,900 on the trailer axles, 4,720 on the truck front and 5,360 on the rear axles based on a certified truck scale at a truck stop. My truck is rated at 8,800. So I was lucky here that I did not get stopped. In the future I need to redistribute the load on the trailer better to lighten the truck weight to under 8800 lbs. The extra 200 per year for the combined weight is not a big deal as I dont want to get fined. I was able to control this load well.

I was told I did not need a CDL. Only if the TOWING vehicle GVW is over 26,000 lbs.

I am considered a private hauler.

Do I need to keep logs when I am not pulling the trailer?

Thanks
Steven

[olddieseldude]

You might check out the FMCSA website. It has a quick questionaire (5 questions) that may answer the question. If I read it right one key seems to be whether our company's business crosses state lines.

FMCSA webpage

[BurnedBronco]

you dont need a CDL if you register your truck for less weight. if your truck is registered for 12k you will be fine.
IN IL the truck only needs to be registered for the weight the truck carries, and the trailer is registered for the 14 for the amount it holds.
law states that a class A is needed for a combination GVWR of 26,001lbs or mroe towing a trailer weighing more than 10k.
take the trucks GVWR down and you will come in below these specs.

and FYI, if your truck is registered for 20k, you and your employees need a class c liscence to even drive it empty..............

[gtsinc]

"and FYI, if your truck is registered for 20k, you and your employees need a class c liscence to even drive it empty.............. "

My truck is still rated at 8800 lbs GVW. The Gross Combined Vehicl Weight is now at 20K.

[gtsinc]

I went to the FMCSA Website and went thru the online form for getting a US DOT#. And set up as a private carrier, motor freight, interstate but with a TRUCK under 10,000 lbs. I got the following message:

New USDOT Number MCS-150 Not Needed

There are no applicable forms if the motor carrier does not need to file a Form MCS-150 or OP-1.
The Form MCS-150 (USDOT number) is required only for carriers that have large trucks (GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds) or that transport 9 or more passengers.

The Form OP-1 (Operating Authority / MC number) applies to for-hire carriers only.

--------------
Anyone care to comment here? THe private liscencing center did not tell me this information. Do I need the DOT Number?

[CaptRon]

We hashed this out a couple of months ago...10K+ trailer=CDL even if GCW is below 26K.

Here's the Thread.

[gtsinc]

I dont see how I would need a CDL based on the guidlines:
http://www.dot10.state.pa.us/pdotfor...ets/fs-cdl.pdf

[CaptRon]

Steve,
I searched this for a hour and I think that you're right, Pa appears to be lagging behind other states on this.
Capt Ron

[BIGERN]

GTSINC, you do not need a CDL. Yes CDL standards are Federal, no a 10000 lb gvw trailer does not automatically need a CDL. A Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating of 26001 lbs or more, with a trailer with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 10001 lbs or more, requires a CDL A. A GCVWR of 26000 lbs or less, regardless of trailer weight, NO CDL REQUIRED.

Yes you will need a USDOT number, and are subject to weight, measurement, and inspection standards, just like any other commercial vehicle. The DOT number needs to be displayed on both sides of the vehicle, along with the company name and address (the regulation only requires the lettering to be a contrasting color to the vehicle paint, and be legible, there is no requirement for size of lettering).

Yes you and anyone else who drives the truck will need a current DOT Physical Exam Card. You will also need a drug testing program and records for that program (for audits only, not needed in the vehicle). You and your drivers may be required to keep log books, unless you fall under the local driver provision (log books are still a good idea, check out www.FMCSA.org to see if you qualify for the local driver provision).

You do not need to register with IFTA (International Fuel Tax), nor do you need to be apportioned in every state you operate in.

Anyone who tells you anything different is wrong.

I know it seems like a lot of stuff just to pull a small trailer, but it is always cheaper to do it right, then to get caught doing it wrong.

[BIGERN]

I just reread your first post GTSINC, and I see that you upped your truck reg. to 20,000 GCV. My 99 F250 had a GVWR of 8800 lbs, add that to your 14,000 lb GVWR trailer and you have a GCVWR of 22,800. You will be seen as a 22,800 lb combination, regardless of how you are registered (assuming your F250 has the same GVWR as mine did). Not that this in any way affects what I said above just wanted to let you know.