F350 DOT Questions
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 443
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F350 DOT Questions
Hello -
I just recently joined the forum and have some questions regarding DOT requirements. I have searched here and elsewhere and am more confused with the information that I found. Here's my situation:
- Going tomorrow to order a F350, I haven't decided if it will be a DRW or SRW. I have no real need for the DRW, but love them. Cost and MPG isn't a factor in my decision.
- The truck will be purchased & registered to a company that I own.
- I will be the only driver of the truck.
- I won't be using the truck to carry or transport for company business.
- I will occasionally pull a car trailer, I have an enclosed 24', and a 20' aluminum tilt/flat bed. I only use the trailers 4-5 times a year.
- I'm in Maryland with the trailer, but will travel in PA, DE, Va & DC - without the trailers.
I have read conflicting and confusing details regarding the requirements.
Thanks for any help.
Tom
I just recently joined the forum and have some questions regarding DOT requirements. I have searched here and elsewhere and am more confused with the information that I found. Here's my situation:
- Going tomorrow to order a F350, I haven't decided if it will be a DRW or SRW. I have no real need for the DRW, but love them. Cost and MPG isn't a factor in my decision.
- The truck will be purchased & registered to a company that I own.
- I will be the only driver of the truck.
- I won't be using the truck to carry or transport for company business.
- I will occasionally pull a car trailer, I have an enclosed 24', and a 20' aluminum tilt/flat bed. I only use the trailers 4-5 times a year.
- I'm in Maryland with the trailer, but will travel in PA, DE, Va & DC - without the trailers.
I have read conflicting and confusing details regarding the requirements.
Thanks for any help.
Tom
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: BC, Canada
Not sure how things work in your neck of the woods, but here in Canada, if you license the truck commercially, you then have to follow all the commercial rules, even when using it for personal use, including camping, etc
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 143
Likes: 2
From: Pocatello, Id
This is absolutely correct. Any vehicle registered as commercial must follow all rules and laws regarding the type of vehicle. Since you will be traveling out of your home state you will be required to follow federal DOT laws as well. The best information you can find will be your local DMV office or talk to a state commercial police officer.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 571
Likes: 3
I would not go any commercial route at all. The company is paying for it but it's for personal use. Only way the law would know is if they pull you over and request the registration and see its a company but that shouldn't matter and they wouldn't care as long as everything is current. Don't over think this or you'll end up with a huge and expensive headache on your hands for no reason
Brett
Brett
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,126
Likes: 7,925
From: Texas
Hello -
I just recently joined the forum and have some questions regarding DOT requirements. I have searched here and elsewhere and am more confused with the information that I found. Here's my situation:
- Going tomorrow to order a F350, I haven't decided if it will be a DRW or SRW. I have no real need for the DRW, but love them. Cost and MPG isn't a factor in my decision.
- The truck will be purchased & registered to a company that I own.
- I will be the only driver of the truck.
- I won't be using the truck to carry or transport for company business.
- I will occasionally pull a car trailer, I have an enclosed 24', and a 20' aluminum tilt/flat bed. I only use the trailers 4-5 times a year.
- I'm in Maryland with the trailer, but will travel in PA, DE, Va & DC - without the trailers.
I have read conflicting and confusing details regarding the requirements.
Thanks for any help.
Tom
I just recently joined the forum and have some questions regarding DOT requirements. I have searched here and elsewhere and am more confused with the information that I found. Here's my situation:
- Going tomorrow to order a F350, I haven't decided if it will be a DRW or SRW. I have no real need for the DRW, but love them. Cost and MPG isn't a factor in my decision.
- The truck will be purchased & registered to a company that I own.
- I will be the only driver of the truck.
- I won't be using the truck to carry or transport for company business.
- I will occasionally pull a car trailer, I have an enclosed 24', and a 20' aluminum tilt/flat bed. I only use the trailers 4-5 times a year.
- I'm in Maryland with the trailer, but will travel in PA, DE, Va & DC - without the trailers.
I have read conflicting and confusing details regarding the requirements.
Thanks for any help.
Tom
On my 38' enclosed trailer, I have it labeled "Not for Hire"-"Non-Commercial" and never get looked at.
Last edited by Desert Don; Feb 19, 2017 at 02:33 PM. Reason: Add comment
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 224
Likes: 1
From: Central Massachusetts
If its registered in your company name its automatically commercial..on top of being a DWR f350...but you must know this if your in business?
You can drive it as you are saying...but once you hook up to a trailer..you are required to stop at all weigh stations that are open. Chances are you can get by...but if you get pulled over and its registered in a company name...you will get tickets.
For your intended use...dont register it in your company.
You can drive it as you are saying...but once you hook up to a trailer..you are required to stop at all weigh stations that are open. Chances are you can get by...but if you get pulled over and its registered in a company name...you will get tickets.
For your intended use...dont register it in your company.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 571
Likes: 3
If its registered in your company name its automatically commercial..on top of being a DWR f350...but you must know this if your in business?
You can drive it as you are saying...but once you hook up to a trailer..you are required to stop at all weigh stations that are open. Chances are you can get by...but if you get pulled over and its registered in a company name...you will get tickets.
For your intended use...dont register it in your company.
You can drive it as you are saying...but once you hook up to a trailer..you are required to stop at all weigh stations that are open. Chances are you can get by...but if you get pulled over and its registered in a company name...you will get tickets.
For your intended use...dont register it in your company.
Brett
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 224
Likes: 1
From: Central Massachusetts
Yes..the truck can be used for personal use. There are too many variables. But like you were saying...if he was to bring a car to a track on a weekend. Technically if there is a potential for prize money or even a trophy...regardless if he wins anything. It's considered commercial and getting compensation.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 224
Likes: 1
From: Central Massachusetts
For the OP intended use the truck should be registered in his name.
I myself went through all of this with my construction business.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 461
Likes: 3
Your right to question this. I am doing the same thing. Company F350 DRW, platinum that only I drive. As a point of reference, I own the company and I have a small Fleet. Some of my fleet trucks are in the 33k gvw range.
Here is what I found out. #1, yes it is a commercial vehicle. #2, Federal Motor Carrier says that a commercial vehicle over 10k gvw, requires a commercial driver licence if the vehicle crosses state lines or travel's over 100 miles (one way) from its home. And yes, you're supposed to stop at weight stations. Just driving in state, no cdl needed except.... A class A will be required when the trailer is over 10 k gvw.
Here is what I found out. #1, yes it is a commercial vehicle. #2, Federal Motor Carrier says that a commercial vehicle over 10k gvw, requires a commercial driver licence if the vehicle crosses state lines or travel's over 100 miles (one way) from its home. And yes, you're supposed to stop at weight stations. Just driving in state, no cdl needed except.... A class A will be required when the trailer is over 10 k gvw.
The rules apply even if it is being used for play or recreation.
In my state commercial vehicles license plates start with two letters that quickly tell an officer it is commercial.
You may slip by if you put personal vanity plates on, and or a sticker " not for hire". Oh, don't forget those mud flap laws.
You can risk, putting your toys on your truck and driving like it's an F150, but I know of two guys that did and the results were impound and fines.
In my state commercial vehicles license plates start with two letters that quickly tell an officer it is commercial.
You may slip by if you put personal vanity plates on, and or a sticker " not for hire". Oh, don't forget those mud flap laws.
You can risk, putting your toys on your truck and driving like it's an F150, but I know of two guys that did and the results were impound and fines.