U.S. Scales and rules???

[Alberta_Mud]

I am flying down to drive a ford F-800 Digger Derrick back from Iowa to Alberta, Can. I was wondering what the protocol is down in the US as I will be passing through multiple states with a 33,000 LBS truck (with air brakes) with only a 10 day in-transit permit.

Any relitive info would be appreciated.

I know this might not be the right place on the forum to post but I am assuming those of you that tow have to pass through the scales and abide by the DOT's regulations.

Thanks

[bikerforchrist]

Pick up a Rand Mcnally Truckers road atlas from the local truckstop and in it there will be info on every state regs. or a phone number to the State DOT office to get each states rules. You will probably need to pre-purchase or pull into POE and buy a trip permit for anywhere from 15 to 120 dollars. I occasionally transfer Equipment from Oregon to Colorado with a truck that is only licensed in OR,WA.and have to get a permit for Idaho,Utah and Colorado. I can get Idaho permits over the Internet but have to buy the Utah and Colorado at the port of entry scale. Hope this helps.

[Pat Dolan]

What Elkchaser said, plus you need to be aware that some states (none that you will go through) require you to purchase permits BEFORE you enter, and others just before you cross the scale platform. The trucker's atlas contains all of the phone numbers to call ahead.

Another thing to think about: from where is your 10 day permit issued? It may not be valid in the US if issued in AB. It may not even be valid in SK. You do realize that US customs requires 72 hours mininum advance notice (and copy of the title) before exporting any motor vehicle, and you must have a signed over ORIGINAL copy of the title when leaving the country. Most scales are pretty hazy about foreign registration rules, but if you buy their fuel and trip permits, they generally are happy.

You have two very different sets of rules to worry about: State/Provincial for registration and insurance. You need to call every one in which you intend to drive long before hand to know their particular rules. Secondly, you need to get all of the Federal import/export stuff sorted out before you show up at a border crossing. You will also want to use a commercial port, since it is a business vehicle (can't be imported in other ports).

You will have to observe US rules for hours in service (now up to 11 on duty) and log your trip down as a "work" page. Obviously, you need to carry a log book and present a CDL (Class 1A) if requested.

[SmokeyWren]

Because of the hassle of various state requirements, I would head due north on either I-35 or I-29 to go through as few states as possible. If there is one of those "commercial" import gates in Minnesota, then I'd use I-35 so you'd need to worry about only Iowa and Minnesota. If not, then I-29 to Winnepeg, and you'll need to worry about only Iowa, South and North Dakota. Once you cross into Canada, then hit highway 1 and head west.