Howdy everyone. Got my latest work van which is a 2014 E450 V10 Dually with a Rockport Workport 12' utility body on it. 14,800 GVWR, van is lettered for my carpentry co, (one man show).
I will out fit the interior into a shop and pack the outside cabinets with tools.

I'm getting mixed messages from other contractors and truck / van owners on the subject of DOT numbers.

The Connecticut DOT site concerning DOT numbers is slightly confusing.

Can anyone set me straight please?

BTW this is my 13th Ford van!

 

I'd call my local DOT and get their better interpretation of when/where a number is necessary. Given that you have it lettered as a commercial vehicle chances are you'll be required to have it registered.

Here in Ohio any commercial vehicle over 10K # must have a DOT number regardless of its use.

OR you could ask the guys in the CT chapter----someone there will know for certain.

 

Thank you. I will post there.

 

Most states do "require" the DOT number, if the vehicle is over 10,001# GVW, as JWA stated.

It falls under the Fed motor carriers safety reg's.

Here's a link for the info.

It's easy to register right on line, and it's (was) free.
Don't fall into one of the "pay" online sites. Make sure your on the Fed site.

Once you get the DOT number, it covers all of your vehicles forever, but like in NY, you only need to post it on any vehicle over the 10,001# GVW.

Registering on the Fed site, automatically covers your state requirements.

NY also requires you to post the business name near the number, As the road side DOT inspector told me, on the 10 day compliance ticket I got once.

If your van is lettered as you wrote, then your covered on that.

Also, the Dot number should be posted on the drivers/passengers doors, and I believe that the numbers need to be 2" high.

Any vinyl sign shop should be able to make the decal you need, and should have the experience for this, and seeing that "we" buy vinyl decals by the square foot, it's better to get several decals made up at the same time, for your future fleet of vans

Now that your "compliant" expect to get pulled over by the local (town) DOT inspectors, which here, every town has there own inspector
Once, I got stopped, had to drive 15 minutes out of my way to the town "inspection" station, the guy spent 45 minutes, going under the van 3 times, and finally found something.........I didn't have a marker light on one corner of the box in the right place........so I got a 10 day compliance ticket and had to "prove" that I got the violation corrected.

One of the big things, make sure you have the triangle markers, and a fire extinguisher up in the cab on the van, that's the big ticket item that is required under DOT.

And, yes, the Dot inspector (even local) can tag your vehicle for any major safety volition, and your going to need a tow.
One guy I know, his parking brake cable snapped in the the inspectors face, and he got towed from the site until the repair was made.

 

Because I work on big OTR trucks almost exclusively the crap those DOT numbers bring on is pretty unbelievable many, many times. Sometimes the violations and fines are just plain ridiculous, seems more geared towards raising money than really insuring highway safety.

Its an extremely rare situation where any inspection doesn't result in an actual fine.

Its for these reasons I don't letter or otherwise advertise my business on my vans---well that plus not wanting to answer calls from tire kickin' "shoppers" looking for the cheapest price.

 

Agree!!

But, as a sub-contractor, and sometimes a sub-of-a-sub, I don't need the company name on the work truck and I got by with the letters as small as I could, as I was told, "readable with-in 50 feet"

Again, it depends on how each state (or local) interprets the "rulling"

The first part of your statement you have to conciser that with all these rules and regulations, besides keeping all the bean counters employed and being "sold" as "keeping the public safe" does have some merit behind it.

Like I wrote, I would not want to be driving next to a work van that the parking cable is broken, Who know what could happen
And, yes, we have the yearly vehicle inspections here.

 

Seriously?

But isn't that why you let your "Fingers do the Walking" on the Web rather than shopping locally? I remember something from the other day along the lines of: "These days thanks to the Internet, Joe Blow can review parts pricing in ways they could only dream about a few years ago." Remember? Remember that?

 

You're talking apples to oranges dude especially if you're referring directly to me and how I conduct my own business.

For your edification and illumination my own business is NOT directed towards those I call "consumers" which I use in a derogatory manner. Typically such "customers" call anyone with a phone number looking for the absolute lowest price. Believe it or not sometimes just a few dollars will be their decision maker.

Almost always those whining and crying about getting the lowest price assume they receive the same quality as any other product/service they've shopped for--they're also the first to whine and cry loudly when they receive something inferior. Sadly they try making their assumptions and misconceptions your problem, believing "the customer is always right.........." applies to poor choices along with not being better aware of what their dollars are buying.

When starting my current business I purposely began with the idea to NOT have employees, NOT deal with insurance companies and NOT deal with "consumers". I'd had my fill of them and even 25 years later I'm still very content with those choices made back then. Contrast that with colleagues in the same industry who constantly have issues with "consumers" and I'm much more stress AND BS free than they are.

When *I* buy ANYTHING over the 'web or elsewhere I first settle upon what I need/want, for example a Milwaukee tool. Armed with specific brand and model number only then do I begin the hunt for the best price for the exact same item. When the combination of specific product, price, service and reputation of the seller suits me I buy from them.

If your "Remember? Remember that?" comment is snarky or you think you're catching me in an inconsistency better rethink that sort of approach. You'll see after some time I've almost NEVER posted a thread regretting a purchase made in haste or based upon one single criteria. Compare that to those who have posted regrets in paying more than necessary or buying from problematic sellers.