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USDOT Regulations

doublewide

Senior Member
Joined
May 31, 2015
Messages
844
Location
MA
RMV.jpg I recently received a letter from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles stating that I would need to provide them with my Federal DOT number in order to re register my truck. Well, I don't have a DOT number. I figured that since I don't transport people for hire, transport HAZ MAT or cross state lines I was exempt. Unfortunately it looks like they have changed the "interstate" to "intrastate". Maybe it was always that way, I don't know. I'm just a small time carpenter with a few pieces of equipment and hauling a few loads of sand or stone from the pit about 3 miles up the road and I hate dealing with this sh!t!
 

doublewide

Senior Member
Joined
May 31, 2015
Messages
844
Location
MA
So, I decided to give in and sign up. What a ridiculous system. Took me soo long to complete. And of course, as soon as I completed the registration I began receiving emails, text messages and 'phone calls, all by people trying to sound or look like they were from the government claiming that they were here to help me. Yeah right. Scam.jpg
 

doublewide

Senior Member
Joined
May 31, 2015
Messages
844
Location
MA
And the FMCSA web site. What a bunch of crap. You can't just scroll through the regulations. You gotta click links to every section, which of course references other sections, Which I have know idea what the other sections say, but cannot read them unless I click back to the main page, blah, blah, blah.....

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations

The only thing that I've got so far is that I have to implement a random drug and alcohol test program on myself??!? Unbelievable.
 

doublewide

Senior Member
Joined
May 31, 2015
Messages
844
Location
MA
So, If anyone is familiar with how to navigate this mess I would be very grateful for any and all legitimate information.

Thanks
 

Labparamour

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2013
Messages
732
Location
Washington
I think you’re on track.
I registered my truck years ago (Washington state) and obtained DOT number- intrastate.
I don’t remember it being too difficult.
There are updates you need to do every two years.
My vehicle registration comes with a note that I’m required to have/show a DOT number, however, I’ve never been asked in 10 yrs.
I also joined a drug testing consortium that puts me in a random pool.
There do seem to be lots of regs and, the more you read ‘em, it seems there’s more you need to do.

I’ve only gone to the FMSCA site a couple times and found I had to do a bunch of searching to find what I wanted...not sure I could find it quickly again.

Good luck,
Darryl
 

excavator

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2006
Messages
1,445
Location
Pacific North West
I think you’re on track.
I registered my truck years ago (Washington state) and obtained DOT number- intrastate.
I don’t remember it being too difficult.
There are updates you need to do every two years.
My vehicle registration comes with a note that I’m required to have/show a DOT number, however, I’ve never been asked in 10 yrs.
I also joined a drug testing consortium that puts me in a random pool.
There do seem to be lots of regs and, the more you read ‘em, it seems there’s more you need to do.

I’ve only gone to the FMSCA site a couple times and found I had to do a bunch of searching to find what I wanted...not sure I could find it quickly again.

Good luck,
Darryl
Last February I spent an hour and a half with a WSP truck inspector, very professional and very helpful. I run a Kenworth T600 service truck, I do have a DOT number, I am self employed with no employees, intrastate only. What it came down to is making sure I have my truck inspected annually. Since I do not haul for hire I do not have to deal with the UTC so I don't have to do any bi-annual reports and because I am self employed I don't have to do any drug testing. I to was getting all kinds of 3rd party emails about what I needed to be doing so I figured the best way to find out is talk to the WSP.
 

doublewide

Senior Member
Joined
May 31, 2015
Messages
844
Location
MA
I think you’re on track.
I registered my truck years ago (Washington state) and obtained DOT number- intrastate.
I don’t remember it being too difficult.
There are updates you need to do every two years.
My vehicle registration comes with a note that I’m required to have/show a DOT number, however, I’ve never been asked in 10 yrs.
I also joined a drug testing consortium that puts me in a random pool.
There do seem to be lots of regs and, the more you read ‘em, it seems there’s more you need to do.

I’ve only gone to the FMSCA site a couple times and found I had to do a bunch of searching to find what I wanted...not sure I could find it quickly again.

Good luck,
Darryl

Thanks Darryl, I appreciate the input. Obviously you pay for the drug testing but is the drug testing consortium a service that you pay for? Is it a service through your local doctor or part of some online service?
 

doublewide

Senior Member
Joined
May 31, 2015
Messages
844
Location
MA
Last February I spent an hour and a half with a WSP truck inspector, very professional and very helpful. I run a Kenworth T600 service truck, I do have a DOT number, I am self employed with no employees, intrastate only. What it came down to is making sure I have my truck inspected annually. Since I do not haul for hire I do not have to deal with the UTC so I don't have to do any bi-annual reports and because I am self employed I don't have to do any drug testing. I to was getting all kinds of 3rd party emails about what I needed to be doing so I figured the best way to find out is talk to the WSP.

Thanks excavator. I'm guessing you mean Washington State Police? If so, I think that's a great idea.

I used to run Maine plates on my trailers. I heard for so many guys that "oh, it's perfectly legal" " save a ton of money" . So one day I went by the local state police barracks and spoke to the Commercial Enforcement Officer. "Totally illegal!" Which means also that if you have an "incident" The insurance that we pay so much for will provide you with no coverage!
 

crane operator

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Messages
8,273
Location
sw missouri
There are several "random" dot pool companies. Mine is all online. It's called "Heath Street". $100/ year. Sign up, give them your drivers info, once a month they send out a email showing if anyone got chosen for a random. When I first signed up, I think I got chosen 4 times in 6 months, its been much less often in the last few years.

https://www.health-street.net/product/dot-random-pool/
 

Truck Shop

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2015
Messages
16,529
Location
WWW.
Most times a person in your setting can cut through a bunch of red tape by taking to a DOT inspector or weigh master when it comes to paper work and regulations. Because you have a
small business yes you need a DOT number but there are so many things that don't apply also, so save your self the grief and talk to DOT. But remember regulations change yearly.
 

doublewide

Senior Member
Joined
May 31, 2015
Messages
844
Location
MA
Currently I keep a pre trip log book in the truck, yearly state inspection, and health card that includes drug test.
 

crane operator

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Messages
8,273
Location
sw missouri
The health card drug test doesn't cover the being in a "random" pool. Just keep your trucks older so you don't have the headaches of e-logs.

The regulations are dreamed up by all the big trucking outfits with the insurance companies and bankers, then "suggested" to the pencil pushers in gov't, to drive all the little guys out of the game. Nothing like a monopoly. "Its for the children, and safety:rolleyes:"
 

Tenwheeler

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2016
Messages
870
Location
Georgia
And the FMCSA web site. What a bunch of crap. You can't just scroll through the regulations. You gotta click links to every section, which of course references other sections, Which I have know idea what the other sections say, but cannot read them unless I click back to the main page, blah, blah, blah.....

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations

The only thing that I've got so far is that I have to implement a random drug and alcohol test program on myself??!? Unbelievable.
I do not thank you have to do that for yourself.
 

Truck Shop

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2015
Messages
16,529
Location
WWW.
The regulations are dreamed up by all the big trucking outfits with the insurance companies and bankers, then "suggested" to the pencil pushers in gov't, to drive all the little guys out of the game. Nothing like a monopoly.

Actually the big trucking companies don't want the regulations anymore than the little guy with one rig. If everyone on here knew of the full load of crap the interstate trucking companies put up with
from insurance companies to federal dot requirements most would have little to grip about. For instance in order to have a trusted carrier plate your equipment and drivers better not have X amount
of violations or you lose it and your insurance premiums go up. I have to keep a constant count on equipment for service and keep it cared for in case the insurance company shows up for service
records audit. and it better be up to date. Every trailer hauling prepared food must have a secure lock box covering the swing latch on the right door with a stout padlock-a mere 650.00.
That has to do with home land security-and to be locked even when empty. The list goes on and on. What is killing the owner operator is the emission equipment and how unreliable it is. There is
plenty of loads out there running refrigerated equipment. The problem for everyone is being able to cover costs of lost revenue because the catalytic system took a dump and it's down for a week.
You have to own 14 trucks to cover 1 truck in the shop. We run 65 tractors and at least 3 are in the dealer shop on warranty repairs/or non warranty repairs at any given time anywhere across the
U.S. Plus if your going to be in the trucking business you better buck up and have one of these also. You will probably be going broke if you don't-another added expense.

003 (10).JPG
 

excavator

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2006
Messages
1,445
Location
Pacific North West
Actually the big trucking companies don't want the regulations anymore than the little guy with one rig. If everyone on here knew of the full load of crap the interstate trucking companies put up with
from insurance companies to federal dot requirements most would have little to grip about. For instance in order to have a trusted carrier plate your equipment and drivers better not have X amount
of violations or you lose it and your insurance premiums go up. I have to keep a constant count on equipment for service and keep it cared for in case the insurance company shows up for service
records audit. and it better be up to date. Every trailer hauling prepared food must have a secure lock box covering the swing latch on the right door with a stout padlock-a mere 650.00.
That has to do with home land security-and to be locked even when empty. The list goes on and on. What is killing the owner operator is the emission equipment and how unreliable it is. There is
plenty of loads out there running refrigerated equipment. The problem for everyone is being able to cover costs of lost revenue because the catalytic system took a dump and it's down for a week.
You have to own 14 trucks to cover 1 truck in the shop. We run 65 tractors and at least 3 are in the dealer shop on warranty repairs/or non warranty repairs at any given time anywhere across the
U.S. Plus if your going to be in the trucking business you better buck up and have one of these also. You will probably be going broke if you don't-another added expense.

View attachment 206991
The Washington State Patrol truck inspector I talked to had been a trooper for 18 years and he told me that until he moved to the truck inspection side he had no idea what truck drivers/ trucking companies have to go though.
 
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