USDOT is just a scam

[wlhequipment]

Sure seems like it anyway. I just got my DOT number; I didn't know I even needed one. I've been running the medium duty truck for about 5 years now, and never got stopped, never had anyone ever tell me I was supposed to have one. I thought as long as I was under 26K, I was ok. That's not the case. Anyway, so I got my number, yay me. So, as soon as you finish that ridiculous application process on FMCSA's website, you start to get calls and emails. I mean hundreds of em. All these agents trying to prey on your inexperience and fears. All these guys telling you "we just checked your USDOT status, and you're in violation..." crap like that. That's total BS. I got my number 2 weeks ago, and I'm still getting calls and emails. They have slowed down though. So then, we have the physical coming up, which I'm not worried about, but that's $500 that my insurance won't pay. Than there's the annual inspection of the truck itself. Here's the real scammy part. I asked the licensing people who I have to take the truck to, and they told me "any authorized USDOT inspection station" and to just google it, which I did. Every shop in my area is "authorized". So here I am, thinking, I'm a mechanic, what do I have to do to get authorized? All I have to do is fill out a form that says I have 2 years experience working on these trucks. I don't even send that in, I just fill it out, and keep it in a file, and I'm authorized. Well, I probably spend almost that time building this truck, so I'm authorized. Then, I found a phrase in the regulations that said fleets can conduct their own inspections. Really? That's not a conflict of interest or anything? I ran all this by my licensing people and yeah, I'm authorized and can conduct my own inspections. Because I'm now a motor carrier with a fleet of 1. So, all of this is just a way to spend more money to keep a number.

 

[excavator]

3rd party companies trying to make a buck doing the paperwork that you can do yourself. It really has nothing to do with the DOT, anyone can access the DOT site to see who has a number. I had the same thing, I run a T600 as a service truck and started getting emails and letters so one day when I saw a WSP truck inspector setting at a fire station down the road I stopped and asked him what all I needed to do. I spent an hour and a half talking with him, he was very helpful, he even called the state auditor to ask them a few questions. It turns out all I'm supposed to do is an annual inspection, none of the stuff in the emails apply. I can also do my own inspection but I choose to pay a local truck shop a $100.00 to do it, that way if there is an accident there's less responsibility on me.

 

[cfherrman]

All government is a scam

You don't need dot numbers if you are not a motor carrier, whatever that means. I didn't put them on my rig but I can't go out of state now.

 

[CM1995]

So then, we have the physical coming up, which I'm not worried about, but that's $500 that my insurance won't pay.

$500 for a DOT physical?!

My chiropractor charges $110, in and out in less than 30 mins.

 

[Junkyard]

Round here the farm tag is the answer to all that lol.

 

[skyking1]

Round here the farm tag is the answer to all that lol.

LOL I'm planting Christmas trees at the new place now, you have given me an idea.

 

[Truck Shop]

Look at it this way it gives all something to constantly bitch about and keeps eveyone's jaw
exorcised with all the babble quacking.
*
The good thing about threads like this is it's entertainment--I spent years dealing with regs.
It's wonderful to watch small companies **** and moan over paper work and regs.

 

[Truck Shop]

Round here the farm tag is the answer to all that lol.

That doesn't work around here-DOT smells that out real fast.

 

[Truck Shop]

I just got my DOT number; I didn't know I even needed one.

Ok--now that you have it and know about inspections and performing them-next step that most
don't do is start a file on any piece that has a DOT number. Any repairs done by you should be
on a legit repair order and filed, inspections filed, any outside work filed, keep a complete file
incase of any accident or DOT investigation and or a surprise audit.

 

[heymccall]

Here in PA,17k lbs requires a medical card, regardless. As soon as I cross a state line, 10,001 lbs and up requires a medical card.

As for inspection, aside from an extra set of eyes looking it over, it also helps in the event of a collision or other reportable offense, in that you did have the truck safety inspected on intervals.

 

[skyking1]

I have an appointment Tuesday to get the dump truck gone through and inspected. I am happy to spend the bosses money for that paper trail that TS mentioned above. Boss does not really know it but he should be happy too.
They had been winging it for 8 years while I was gone. Not a good situation.

 

[CM1995]

It's wonderful to watch small companies **** and moan over paper work and regs.

Wal-Mart appreciates your post.

 

[Junkyard]

That doesn't work around here-DOT smells that out real fast.

If you’re taking advantage they’ll catch it here too. I have two with farm tags and they’re legit AG use, anything commercial I use one of a couple friends rigs.

 

[skyking1]

IF I were to go that route it would be to the closest pit and back for materials to the "farm". You would not catch it anywhere else.

 

[Spud_Monkey]

Got a registered LLC here that is called a "Ranch" (Sequestered Ridge Ranch) so anything I bring home is bringing back to the "farm/ranch". While we are at it we can throw some red diesel in the mix too on this thread. Stick the tanks on my vehicles and yes you will find red diesel in all of them, I drive more out here between my properties and around them moving stuff than I do on the road in a month. Not calling a fuel truck out here to bring #2 or #1 diesel either to be stored for when needed.

 

[wlhequipment]

I obviously got to shop that physical around a little . Yeah the whole question of whether or not I'm a motor carrier was in question. I carry parts for sale, but they're mine until I install em, so that's a grey area. Bottom line is, I'm over 11k lbs, and I use my rig for commerce. Shady deal for sure, but I did it.

 

[Spud_Monkey]

$500 for a DOT physical?!

My chiropractor charges $110, in and out in less than 30 mins.

Same here, except not my chiropractor, but a chiropractor who does it charges same amount or less.

 

[Truck Shop]

Free Market, Capitalism and free Enterprise-it's all in the price of doing business.
*
I was licensed/insured/bonded for 11 western states and British Columbia. Had to pay
$5.00 bucks every time to reenter the U.S. or spend a $125.00 for a yearly pass-------
it all was part of doing business.

 

[Spud_Monkey]

Free Market, Capitalism and free Enterprise-it's all in the price of doing business.
*
I was licensed/insured/bonded for 11 western states and British Columbia. Had to pay
$5.00 bucks every time to reenter the U.S. or spend a $125.00 for a yearly pass-------
it all was part of doing business.

As they say, pass the buck.
Charge you for this permit that license this much for insurance, you just roll it up and stick it in the customers tabs somehow or write it off if smart enough.

 

[MG84]

I guess we are somewhat lucky in VA, as long as I stay in state I don’t need a DOT number, or any markings on the truck whatsoever. Also since I stay in state and within 100mi, no log books, IFTA tax or FMCSA inspection, just a regular state inspection like the cars get, although it is $50 instead of $20. I don’t need a medical card either for what I do, but keep one anyways. Just got my DOT physical yesterday, cost $105.