I see a lot of heavy equipment "for hire" folks hauling heavy equipment on youtube. Yet they do not have dot numbers along with company logo, and they are crossing state lines. If I tried that in Florida dot would shut me down asap. Farm exemptions only work for local work as far as I know.
-
Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!
How do they operate without DOT #'s
- Thread starter T320FL
- Start date
skyking1
Senior Member
I have no idea. I don't cross state lines and have DOT numbers on my 1 ton and dump truck.
Willie B
Senior Member
I never have. In VT no one has ever suggested they are needed. I'm a small scale user, but the subject has never come up.
I did hear a fellow crossing into NY with a log truck in a snow storm. State cop cited him for license plate unreadable in snow, license plate light not working, (covered in snow) & his door numbers covered in snow.
This fellow has a temper, but kept himself in control that day. He went to court & appealed his $2200. fines & won.
I did hear a fellow crossing into NY with a log truck in a snow storm. State cop cited him for license plate unreadable in snow, license plate light not working, (covered in snow) & his door numbers covered in snow.
This fellow has a temper, but kept himself in control that day. He went to court & appealed his $2200. fines & won.
I could tell you about all kinds of stuff that gos on but most of it boils down to the wright Dot hasnt pulled them over and there is so much gray area about what is legal and what you need to have. I called and ask about having my name on my truck. I talked to the highway patrol and some guys with the Dot then they let me talk to another guy. I was on hold while he tried to figure it out gave me a good answer but then told me something that made what he had said wrong.
Back when I had my land clearing business, I owned a F550 truck with 10 ton goose neck trailer, one man operation. Dot would single me out while surrounded by 18 wheelers on the interstate to check me for cdl, lights, numbers, and all the other things they like to check. In my home state. Luckily I kept everything in working order.
Truck Shop
Senior Member
Technically-I know this from working in my dads sign shop years ago.
Name has to be minimum of 3" letters.
Town and State 1.5" letters
DOT, VIN 2.5" letters
GVW 2" letters
Fire Extinguisher 1" letters.
Truck number 3"
But if truck has signs that's all that really matters, DOT is not going to measure.
If it is for commercial use it is required to have DOT numbers.
Name has to be minimum of 3" letters.
Town and State 1.5" letters
DOT, VIN 2.5" letters
GVW 2" letters
Fire Extinguisher 1" letters.
Truck number 3"
But if truck has signs that's all that really matters, DOT is not going to measure.
If it is for commercial use it is required to have DOT numbers.
CM1995
Administrator
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2007
- Messages
- 13,397
- Location
- Alabama
- Occupation
- Running what I brung and taking what I win
Seen the same in person wondering how they get away with it. Contractor out of GA did the site work for a "travel plaza" we did some ancillary work on as well.
Big new shiny white 4 axle Pete with 3 axle detach shows up with a dozer and roller. No DOT # or company name on the door but lots of chicken lights.
I have no idea how they get away with it.
I nearly flipped on the cop just thinking about that amount of stupidity
savman
Well-Known Member
Where I live is near a weigh station so I suspect that's why we have so much DOT enforcement in my area, but I recently bought a new truck and went half ton specifically so I don't fall under their jurisdiction. I was pulled over twice in my 1 ton with no trailer and hassled to no end.
I wanted a 3/4 ton with 10k or less gvwr but couldn't find one reasonable. True I would need DOT numbers as soon as I hooked a trailer, but at least I could drive free the rest of the time.
I see lots of contractors running 3/4 and 1 tons without DOT numbers; I assume they just haven't been burned yet. (at least in GA)
I wanted a 3/4 ton with 10k or less gvwr but couldn't find one reasonable. True I would need DOT numbers as soon as I hooked a trailer, but at least I could drive free the rest of the time.
I see lots of contractors running 3/4 and 1 tons without DOT numbers; I assume they just haven't been burned yet. (at least in GA)
skyking1
Senior Member
my 3500 Ram SRW has a GVWR of 10,100. I did not know that could be an issue 
Willie B
Senior Member
I wasn't there. The guy telling the story is not one to tell stories exaggerated. I'd guess the cop was one of those who discriminate based on color. Lots of NY cops really come down HARD on those with green plates.
Willie B
Senior Member
When I buy a truck I look hard at the differences between 2500 & 3500 series trucks. In some cases, there is no difference, except rear springs & shocks.
My van cost $1900. less as a 2500 series. It came with every part number the same, except rear springs & shocks. When springs started getting spongy, I upgraded to springs & shocks for 3500 truck.
Here, truck laws are adopted by the State from Federal laws. It clearly states "any trailer over 10,000 LB GVWR rating requires a CDL license with trailer endorsement........ Later in text, it exempts if total GVWR is under 26000. Scale weight is irrelevant, law only addresses GVWR of truck & trailer.
Lots of people driving 13000 GVWR trucks with 12999 GVWR trailers, no CDL required.
Willie B
Senior Member
& yes, DMV is concerned with 1 LB!
Vermont was scheduled to change the law in 2020, CDL licenses require the driver to attend school to learn to drive before they can test. School is very expensive, & takes time from your work schedule. People chronically unemployed, or potentially to be employed by a big corporate trucking company attend free. They have time & don't have to pay. People not blessed with that sponsorship are less favored.
The Governor froze that law for a time because of Covid.
Seth (my son) took the test. He drove my 28000 LB truck, towed my 10000LB trailer. They denied him taking the test. The trailer was 1 LB short of the required weight rating. He had to reschedule, & return with the identically sized 22,500 GVWR trailer to test.
Vermont was scheduled to change the law in 2020, CDL licenses require the driver to attend school to learn to drive before they can test. School is very expensive, & takes time from your work schedule. People chronically unemployed, or potentially to be employed by a big corporate trucking company attend free. They have time & don't have to pay. People not blessed with that sponsorship are less favored.
The Governor froze that law for a time because of Covid.
Seth (my son) took the test. He drove my 28000 LB truck, towed my 10000LB trailer. They denied him taking the test. The trailer was 1 LB short of the required weight rating. He had to reschedule, & return with the identically sized 22,500 GVWR trailer to test.
Truck Shop
Senior Member
CM1995
Administrator
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2007
- Messages
- 13,397
- Location
- Alabama
- Occupation
- Running what I brung and taking what I win
Here in AL if your company runs regular commercial vehicles less than 26,001 GCWR intrastate then we are exempt from Federal rules while inside the state.
Friend of mine runs a foundation repair and waterproofing company using 3500 dually's pulling 12K trailers with small Kubotas right under 26K GCWR. State trooper pulled one of his trucks over in south AL for no DOT #. He called me asking advice and I gave him the link below, the ticket was thrown out.
https://www.alea.gov/dps/highway-patrol/motor-carrier-safety-unit
Friend of mine runs a foundation repair and waterproofing company using 3500 dually's pulling 12K trailers with small Kubotas right under 26K GCWR. State trooper pulled one of his trucks over in south AL for no DOT #. He called me asking advice and I gave him the link below, the ticket was thrown out.
https://www.alea.gov/dps/highway-patrol/motor-carrier-safety-unit
I find driving a pickup they pay no attention to you, if you have a trailer you get a bit of attention but not much if it looks good. For 7 years I drove past scales open or not with my pickup and never stopped me once and i've never ran weights or name tags on my pickups, even with my 5500 flatdeck they don't care. Unless you're pulling a skidsteer or mini ex, or something really sketchy they have no interest in pickups.
Truck Shop
Senior Member
In Washington St 16,001 GVRW. And combinations of 10,000 lbs or more. Plus the state uses the number
to track safety violations and safety rating of a business. If it's hazardous material all have to have it.
https://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/intrastatedot.html
to track safety violations and safety rating of a business. If it's hazardous material all have to have it.
https://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/intrastatedot.html
John C.
Senior Member
I'm supposing that the DOT numbers only apply to commercial vehicles and not Pa Kettle driving his dually with three axle enclosed car trailer carrying the top fueler and all the tools and gear to the next weekend competition?
Willie B
Senior Member
I've never known.
I drive past a sign, it says: "ALL TRUCKS EXIT RIGHT, TRUCK INSPECTION" I routinely drive past in anything with four tires. Never been chased.
It is never clear to me the discrepancy between written law & accepted law. Most truck related laws do not apply to farmers, but that isn't in writing anywhere.
The dot told many racers around here that prize money is profit so