Comments on: Lightweight Vehicles and the DOT

By: Eric Arnold

Eric Arnold — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 22:07:12 +0000

Shawn: even those you have a smaller type vehicle which does not have a GVWR of 10,001 lbs. or more, you are still subject to all of the DOT safety regulations when you have to placard the vehicle for Hazmat. The presence of the placards is what makes you subject to all of the safety regulations. Hope that helps, sorry it took me so long to answer your question.

By: Shawn

Shawn — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 13:42:25 +0000

Hi Eric, So I drive a truck for work with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs, by definition, not a DOT truck, it has a USDOT number on the side of it. We on occasion will haul loads of less than the reportable quantity (RQ) of hazmat, and other times haul loads with more than the RQ of hazmat requiring placarding of the trucks. Should the driver of the truck: 1, have a CDL to drive the truck with no load or less than RQ of hazmat? I have my DOT medical card. 2. Is the driver required to keep HOS log and have available hours to drive when the truck is carrying less than RQ or no load? We often travel Intrastate, but just the last few weeks my daily trip was Interstate.

By: Eric Arnold

Eric Arnold — Thu, 05 May 2011 16:01:35 +0000

Lana: you are correct, if you use your private pickup and private trailer for private business across state lines, it is not subject to a DOT number. If you use the pickup or trailer for a business purpose, ie, commerce, then it is subject to a DOT number. That’s why the article, and the regulations, use the word “commerce”. The article is not misleading.

By: Lana

Lana — Wed, 04 May 2011 19:15:25 +0000

This article is misleading…if you have a private pickup and private trailer and haul your own private vehicle you do not need a US DOT # on your pickup. IF you haul freight for “money” or are “for hire” you definitely need a US DOT#. Each state may be different but for the central US there are no requirement for a pickup hauling a trailer with personal items (jeep, building, lumber, ect) you do not need a US DOT!!

By: Richard Shilling

Richard Shilling — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:11:33 +0000

I researched this for my employer when I picked up 4 violations. To comply with Federal Regs (States vary and some use the Federal definitions), vehicle or combos over 10,001 GVW that are owned by a business and cross state lines have to comply with virtually all the regs applicable to big rigs except Commercial Driver’s License and mandatory drug testing. Log book, medical certification, specific documents to be carried,etc. per the Regs. To drive through states you either need a transit pass or apportioned registration. Oh, the horse people saw this coming and got an exemption, but read the regs.

By: Eric Arnold

Eric Arnold — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:35:30 +0000

Well, whoever called you was probably from the Feds. They only have jurisdiction over interstate transportation, ie, across state lines. Some states conduct audits of motor carriers who operate wholly within their state (intrastate). I don’t know if New York does that, I don’t think so. So as long as you do not cross the state line, the Feds probably won’t bother you. Of course, it sounds like you do go “interstate”. Well, as long as you’re not driving way over the line, you’re exposure is limited, they’ll probably never know you were here.

By: D. Gill

D. Gill — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:12:08 +0000

In New York State, all pickup trucks are designated commercial no matter what you use it for. I pull a horse trailer with my one ton crew cab dually. Since I live one mile from the NY/PA state line, I frequently drive the truck and trailer “interstate”. I did apply for my DOT number and someone called me from the DOT. They asked if I had pulled the trailer across the state line yet and I said no. They said I didn’t have to be audited etc until I went interstate. Hmmm, are they kidding me or is that true? Thank you.
D. Gill