USDOT number - What it means?

[WBWI]

john_bud,

This is slightly different from your issue but this just came up with a friend this week. My friend owns a combination horse/camping trailer and was told he may need a DOT number to transport his horses to a camping destination. The requirement falls into the same BS catagory as you have questioned. Hope this doesn't derail your thread.

BTW this is also in WI.

 

[john_bud]

WBWI,

See my post above with the link to trans327.pdf? Go there, print it off. Highlight the execptions where it states that vehicles pulling horse trailers are exempt. Hand it to your friend and make his day.

Section 327.9(7)
(7) The provisions of this chapter do not apply to any farm
truck or dual purpose farm truck combined with any semitrailer
or farm trailer,

or any vehicle combined with a horse trailer,

if the vehicle combination weight rating, gross combination weight rating,
registered weight, and actual gross weight do not exceed 26,000
pounds, the vehicle combination does not include a commercial
motor vehicle described in s. 340.01 (8) (c) or (d), Stats., and the
vehicle combination is operated solely in intrastate commerce.

 

[WBWI]

Thanks! Just printed it and highlighted the section you referenced.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

IN KENTUCKY...The laws have been on the books for some time, and have been intermittantly enforced, requiring DOT #'s to be plainly marked on commercial vehicles (trailer or not) over 10,001gvwr for some time. Farm use (so long as legally tagged as such) is excluded under condition of being with-in the state, cargo/vehicle is being used exclusively for farm use (i.e. not hauling your tractor to a tractor pull, or any other extra-curricular activities) , and with-in 150 miles of "home". NON commercial vehicles are also excluded from DOT #, CDL, ect. Commercial is interpreted as "recieving compensation" for any activity involving the vehicle and/or any of it's cargo. In the eyes of State Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers, that would include recieving a $2 plastic trophy for "best in class" at an antique tractor show. ANY compensation, of ANY description makes you commercial in their eyes. It's then up to you, your lawyer and your ability to convince a judge you AREN'T commercial. (And not many win that battle from what I hear)

Each state seems to have a yearly "point of emphasis" on one or several issues. Kentucky went on a search and destroy mission 4 years ago over DOT #'s. This year has apparently been brakes and lighting on trailers, as well as following distances on interstate highways.

I spoke with my "insider" at the Ky CVE office yesterday, questioning him about any new regs about to be sprung upon us at Jan. 1. No NEW laws, but a few older ones will be focused upon in 2008. (hint...Ky commercial truckers, have your med card up to date)

Oddly enough, you can tow/haul almost ANYTHING without ANY restriction, if the tow vehicle qualifies as an RV.

 

[Builder]

Guys,

Just spoke w/ rep from DOT. Said you only need a DOT number if you're doing interstate commerce (crossing state borders) and over 10,000 lbs .

 

[john_bud]

Guys,

Just spoke w/ rep from DOT. Said you only need a DOT number if you're doing interstate commerce (crossing state borders) and over 10,000 lbs .

For your state. The other 49 may differ. Some like WI, enfore the interstate commerce on all intrastate activity as well.

jb

 

[Farmwithjunk]

For your state. The other 49 may differ. Some like WI, enfore the interstate commerce on all intrastate activity as well.

jb

Same here. Kentucky requires DOT registration and visible DOT #'s on truck and trailer for any commercial vehicle over 10,001, regardless of crossing state lines or not. It's been that way for years, just recently being enforced . From what I'm told by DOT officer, that's the way it is in all states, just selectively interpreted and enforced in many. DOT (federal) regs read the same, regardless of which state you're reading them in. How each state chooses to interpret and enforce varies a great deal.

 

[Builder]

For your state. The other 49 may differ. Some like WI, enfore the interstate commerce on all intrastate activity as well.

jb

Fair enough.

In PA, it's not required unless you leave the state to do business.

It's crazy that you guys with a dually pickup need DOT numbers splattered all over your nice new trucks and my behemoth dump truck needs nothing.

 

[john_bud]

Well, actually your dump truck probably needs USDOT numbers too as I imagine it is over 26,001 and you probably are towing over 10,001.

Remember, it's not just the ticket for not having the DOT numbers. They can then also ticket you for not having the rest of the DOT stuff! (safety inspections, log book, medical card, commercial insurance, etc). Sort of like piling on in football. I have no idea of what all they can do, as every trooper I spoke with had a different take.



On edit----------------

I think you may need to look into your requirements a little more. Unless your dump truck and trailer combine to less than 17,000.

PENNSYLVANIA-BASED COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Pennsylvania is one of 59 jurisdictions in North America who are members of the International Registration Plan (IRP). Except for Alaska and Hawaii, all other states and the District of Columbia are members of the IRP. In addition, the Canadian Provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitola, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan participate in the plan.

The IRP applies to vehicles that operate through (interstate) or within (intrastate) any of the member jurisdictions and that are used for the transportation of persons for hire or are designed, used or maintained for
transportation of property. The plan covers motor vehicles with a gross weight or registered gross weight in excess of 26,000 pounds, combinations with a gross weight in excess of 26,000 pounds and motor vehicles
having three or more axles, regardless of weight.

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/fs-pacv.pdf




Also-

INTRASTATE DRIVERS operating a commercial motor vehicle with a GVWR - gross vehicle weight rating or GCWR - gross combination weight rating of 17,001 pounds or greater must have on their person, a medical examiners certificate or photographic copy stating they are qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle. The driver must have been medically certified within the previous 24 months
Motor Carrier Assistance Program

 

[Rara Avis]

Well, actually your dump truck probably needs USDOT numbers too as I imagine it is over 26,001 and you probably are towing over 10,001.

Remember, it's not just the ticket for not having the DOT numbers. They can then also ticket you for not having the rest of the DOT stuff! (safety inspections, log book, medical card, commercial insurance, etc). Sort of like piling on in football. I have no idea of what all they can do, as every trooper I spoke with had a different take.

Here is an example of what they can do....

The list of 12 violations included, no in truck fire extinguisher (the one in the trailer doesn't count), insufficient warning devices (triangles), no record of duty status, driver failing to retain previous 7 days log, driver vehicle inspection report, operating a CMV without a periodic inspection (got that one twice), not being licensed for type of vehicle being operated, no drivers medical certificate on driver's possession, no pretrip inspection and finally a log violation. Also we did not a DOT number displayed or an ID number or name on the side of the truck. Fortunally, I was only cited for three of those offensed, officer no.394's printer ran out of paper, my lucky day. He also informed me I was now "out of service until qualified" and had it not been 97 degrees outside he would have pulled us off the road.

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