Truck and Trailer requirments
 

Ok, I need help. I will be racing out of state for the first time this year. I just need help with my requirements for my truck and trailer.

I will be using an F350 and a 26 foot enclosed with business sponsorship on the side.

I will be traveling from Indiana to Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and Illinois.

Do I need DOT Numbers?
Log Book?
Weight Stations?
Other stuff?

Thanks in advance for all of the advice.

RBJ

Re: Truck and Trailer requirments
 

There is no simple answer to your question. As a retired CA Traffic and Commercial Enforcement Officer, I can give you the information and you can decide. I know some may disagree but this is my information.

First off the USDOT rules are Federal Requirements. Any state wishing to get federal highway funds is “required” to adopt these enforcement regulations. If not the fed’s refused their federal highway funds. CA battled the fed’s for years and eventually were forced to give in or loose millions in highway funds. The catch is all states are required to adopt the rules, but there is no requirement that they are enforced.

MOST CA, and I suspect other states; commercial officers do not want to deal with the weekend warriors. In CA if it doesn’t have air brakes and is not truly “for hire” we don’t want to be bothered with you. States like Indiana where their lifeblood is racing, I would assume they turn a blind eye too.

The old myths about registering your totter as a “motor home” or putting “not for hire” on the side does not do any good under the reg’s. (see below). The issue is the use of the word “commerce” in the regulation and that is what creates room for “interpretation”. Now some states may use the theory that if you have markings on the side of your trailer then you are commercial. That may be the case, BUT it isn’t anywhere in the DOT reg’s. The DOT regulation is cut and pasted right out of the DOT law guide. In CA chances are slim to none that you will ever be stopped with decals on your trailer. I was stopped once in NM for this very thing and it took me some time to talk my way out of a citation. But that was before CA adopted the USDOT rules.

Actually my concern would be insurance issues. Many policies may not cover you in a collision as many have limitations requiring that you and the vehicle are operating legally and are properly licensed. In a crash you know any insurance company is looking for a way out of covering a claim. I would get a written letter from my agent that you and the rig are “covered”. I did that very thing when I had mine.

Good Luck,

Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle—
(1) Has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more), whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds), whichever is greater; or
(2) Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 11,794 or more kilograms (26,001 pounds or more), whichever is greater; or (3) and (4) apply to busses..

Re: Truck and Trailer requirments
 

Several years ago, Eric and I were pulled over on I-70 about 40 miles east of Indy. We were driving a Ford dually and a tag trailer. Motor Carrier Enforcement asked us if we raced for money or trophies. Said that because we race for money, i.e., money is paid to us even if we spend WAY more than we take in, then you ARE commercial. Had to go to the next exit's truck stop and buy a few items, such as a set of reflective triangles, etc. By the way, we were pulled over because we had a tail light out.

Re: Truck and Trailer requirments
 

ok.. Looks like a mess!!! I do appreciate your guys help!

We own and operate a trucking company if your ID plate on the truck and trailer added together are in excess of 26,000 u will be required to have a CDL a DOT number and a KYU number for Kentucky you will also be required to file a unified carrier report and also a mcs -150 your insurance will also need to be updated.

Re: Truck and Trailer requirments
 

Originally Posted by Honest-Sam:
Several years ago, Eric and I were pulled over on I-70 about 40 miles east of Indy. We were driving a Ford dually and a tag trailer. Motor Carrier Enforcement asked us if we raced for money or trophies. Said that because we race for money, i.e., money is paid to us even if we spend WAY more than we take in, then you ARE commercial. Had to go to the next exit's truck stop and buy a few items, such as a set of reflective triangles, etc. By the way, we were pulled over because we had a tail light out.

It's about the same in Minnesota & Wisconsin. If the race pays a purse, you are in commercial service & must display DOT numbers, have current inspection, have proper Commercial Insurance, health card & log book. Wisconsin DOT Enforcement has been known to set up Mobile Inspection Sites right outside the Pit Gate at some tracks. It is technically ILLEGAL to operate a vehicle licensed as an RV in Commercial Service.

steiny
:32:

Tractor Truck and Trailer Requirements (DoT)....
 

10-4 on a Commercial vehicle, weather its used as an RV or not, being operated by someone not properly schooled, trained or "DoT" Certified to do so, should be against the Law!!..for all our Safety on the Road!!......
________________
Brucer":32:

Re: Tractor Truck and Trailer Requirements (DoT)....
 

Do you need to have Placards (sp) If your caring extra fuel? Also be sure all liquids such as oil, fuels, generator fuels are secured in case of accident, and covered under insurance policy. EPA gets nasty and very costly to clean up a spill.

Tractor Truck and Trailer Requirements (DoT)....
 

All Comm. Veh. that carry Haz, over the designated specific amounts, are required to Placard on all sides!!...for specifics bout POV's for Rec.use purposes....check with DMV/DoT to get correct answers !!.........
__________
Brucer' :32:

Re: Truck and Trailer requirments
 

USDOT rule was no more than 100 gallons of fuel for the motive equipment being carried. So no more than 100 hundred gallons of methanol for the sprint car.

Please look at the DOT reg's though because it has been awhile for me. You can always call the Scales Office or Trooper Office and ask their commercial guys questions.

I would always help anyone that called us and I usually ended up learning something new in the process. And don't ask the regular patrol guys they usually won't know !!!

Hi everyone, this is Stephanie Meents and last October I started a consulting business to help racers get legal with their transportation requirements. If you got to the Federal Motor Carrier website, the rules on whether or not you need DOT numbers and a CDL are spelled out and if you read the exceptions it mentions car racing. CDL requirements are determined by vehicle weight, but Since we race for prize money and many of us receive some type of sponsorship consideration (does not have to be cash), most of us do fall under commercial vehicle requirements, meaning you need DOT numbers and all the log book, drug testing, etc requirements that go with it. I'm currently away from my computer, but I can post the specific mention of Motorsports when I get back home or if anyone has specific questions, you can feel free to call or email me anytime.

618-210-4342
Meents05@yahoo.com

Facebook - RaceTrans Logistics

Something else everyone who comes under these regulations needs to keep up on is there are several new laws that are being put in place this year. One is all commercial vehicles will be required to run electronic logs . I'm not sure who will or if anyone will be exempt but the federal motor carrier laws are getting way out of hand it's become a cash grab for the gov

Re: Truck and Trailer requirments
 

It would be helpful if the ones who have knowledge on this subject if you could post the guidelines on were you cross the line from not needing a CDL/DOT/State permit to were you need these things , so you can evaluate what you have & either adjust or comply with the regs

Out here in the land of fruits & nuts (LOLLL !!!) I have asked the Commercial Cops from the Sacramento office, Regional office , Scale house & Commercial Cops patrolling the streets & have gotten wildly different interpretations on the law regarding transportation of race cars in State & across State lines

I also went to the Federal Carrier website http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ & could not access the rules & regs when I got to the specific rules I got a access denied code

Re: Truck and Trailer requirments
 

Bump

Re: Truck and Trailer requirments
 

Maybe this isn't the way the state looks at it, but I'm not being paid to haul my car in my trailer. Sure the car earns money, but the truck and trailer don't. A truck driver gets paid to haul something down the highway. If I were hauling a car for someone else, and getting paid to do that, I would be subject to the DOT requirements. The act of using a state asset to generate income, is the whole point of the tax. So how can the state say that my truck and trailer are making me money, when I'm not getting compensated for that purpose?

I suppose you could argue the point of, how am I going to get the car to the track to make money, without using the truck and trailer? Well, let's look at well drillers. They don't have to even put license plates on their trucks, because they don't haul anything. But, the vehicle itself makes money. So, I guess to satisfy the above argument, I should just drive my car to the track...

Also noted above is that there is a minimum weight involved too. I'm not sure too many pickups with trailers would be over that weight.

Carry on...

Bill

Re: Truck and Trailer requirments
 

All that money that's taken in, I assume, is to be used for keeping our roads passable, now them danged fools want to raise the gas tax some more, cause they spend it faster than it's coming in, and most of it isn't going for infrastructure, it's going for golf outings, and vacations, and parties, and whatever else they want, wears me out, time for a turn over! Bob

Hopefully this will help clear up some questions – this is straight from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website (www.fmcsa.dot.gov)

In general, a USDOT Number is required if you are operating in interstate commerce and:

• You have vehicles that are over 10,000 lbs.
• You transport between 9 and 15 passengers (including the driver) for compensation.
• You transport 16 or more passengers.
• You haul hazardous materials.
For more specific requirements, go to http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/online- registration/onlineregdescription.htm. Go to the “Help me register” section and click on “Step-by-Step Registration Guide.”

We would qualify as Private Motor Carriers --- A private motor carrier transports its own cargo, usually as a part of a business that produces, uses, sells and/or buys the cargo that is being hauled. A private motor carrier transports its own goods and is required to have a USDOT number but does not need operating authority (MC number).



As for whether or not racing is considered a business or a hobby – this is the DOT’s interpretation

Question 21: Does the exemption in §390.3(f)(3) for the “occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation nor in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise” apply to persons who occasionally use CMVs to transport cars, boats, horses, etc., to races, tournaments, shows or similar events, even if prize money is offered at these events?
Guidance: The exemption would apply to this kind of transportation, provided: (1) The underlying activities are not undertaken for profit, i.e., (a) prize money is declared as ordinary income for tax purposes, and (b) the cost of the underlying activities is not deducted as a business expense for tax purposes; and, where relevant; (2) corporate sponsorship is not involved. Drivers must confer with their State of licensure to determine the licensing provisions to which they are subject.
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regul...0.3&guidence=Y

And one other thing - if your tow vehicle or trailer are titled in a business name, you are going to have a hard time arguing with a cop that you are not engaged in a commercial activity. Remember, police officers have access to the Internet from their vehicles, they can search your race team and clearly see if you have corporate sponsors and if you treat your race team as a business.

I'm not telling you to shut down your website and go incognito, but if you have a large hauler, I highly recommend you consider getting DOT numbers and CDLs and then following all FMCSA regulations.

I currently offer services which include DOT registration, drug consortium membership, monthly trip monitoring, and basically all information you need to stay legal.

Is there nothing that the government does not have its hands in. I no longer have any respect for any of them