I’m about to pull the trigger on a f350 DRW. With any gvwr options, I’ll be over 26,001 because my horse and equipment trailers are both 14k gvwr.

Ohio has a farm exemption for 150 miles, but that doesn’t cover going across state lines. Being in SW Ohio, I’ll def go into KY and Indiana.

so it looks like my wife and I will need to get a class A, which will have exemptions since we won’t have a manual, air brakes, etc.

my main question is what’s required for logging? I haven’t found information out in regards to that and small couple hour trips. Paper logs, etc.

anyone have good direction?

 

Nothing, you are private, not for hire.

Don't need to stop at the scales either.

This is all assuming you are not making money. If making money then I would advise log books and pre-trip inspection forms, DOT # of course safety inspection, hours of service would apply.

 

not private. We transport our client horses to shows, etc and charge to do so.

also, the trailer would be in the farms name - so that’s an immediate “commercial” flag if stopped.

 

are you sure you will be over 26K, if so then you are having to go the full commercial route.

As I said, When you are for hire, you are just like an 18 wheeler.

Will have to get DOT physical, Class A, trk inspections and keep log books and inspection forms. Stop at all scales, no more than 11 hours driving with the time off needed. After 6 hours, 30 min break.

You can find a lot online of what you need to do as a commercial driver. There are You Tube videos on how to fill out the log books.

There are apps that you can download for the CDL test. You are after the combo test since you are using a trailer too. That means you need to learn the pre-inspection for the truck and trailer and will have to demonstrate each.

For the drivers test, there is straight line backing, off set backing, parellel parking and sometimes alley backing you to a dock. Depends upon the state.

Or...hire me lol..No really this all do-able. Sounds worse than it is.

Start with the DOT physical.

 

ha! Thanks.

yeah, 14k gvwr for trailers, and even the DRW derate of 13k puts us at 27k gvwr - even though actual weights would be nowhere near that!

It’s all such a pain just to move to a more stable truck. Appreciate the help

 

well worth it for long distance runs. Good luck. Get your state CDL book, probably online to study with.

But really the apps for the smart phone are the best, with tests to take.

CDL prep
Air Brakes
Combination

search for those.

 

I got the dealer to give me a derated plaque so I could run non class As with our F350s.

11999 plus 14000 is 25999.

Still have to go thru the scales, still track hours (hopefully just paper logs), still a DOT number and paperwork, but it keeps you out of drug testing and having to pass a test.

If you are going to take the test, in my state they are making a week class mandatory in a couple months.

Good luck!

 

Forgot about the class, I think that is nationwide starting in Jan.

the class is to cover a lot of what the apps can do for you.

 

You’re going to need a CDL-A and all the DOT crap. Get the CDL ASAP. Starting early February, you’ll have to go through a truck driving school.

As far as what you’ll need (off the top of my head):


Fill out a driver application (even if self-employed)
Get potential driver records on file; general driver check and history from previous employers (general check needs done annually)
Join a Drug/Alcohol consortium
Have a written drug/alcohol policy
Pay UCR fee
Join IFTA
Get pre-employment drug test on file
DOT#
Fill out MC-150
DOT inspections for the tow vehicle and trailers
DOT physical
Carrier insurance (unless exempted)
Authority, formerly an MC # (unless exempted)
Intrastate Authority (if applicable)
Vehicle pre-trip inspection forms
Log book (electronic required if a certain number of trips are done in a specified period) get a paper log, in case electronic goes down (may be exempted)
Appropriate vehicle signage

There may be more…..I’m trying to multi-task, while typing.


Kansas offers a free DOT course. It was well worth the time to attend. They went over this book, which follows the Federal regulations and has the additional Kansas-only requirements. Check your State, for similar.

If you can’t find your State’s version, this is handy (and has the employment application and driver records you can print off)
https://kcc.ks.gov/images/PDFs/trans...procedures.pdf
Page 4 has a checklist and includes what I may have forgotten, making my list.

Here is a snapshot of it:




Enjoy. It’s a real pain in the butt. If you have any questions, I can try to guide you the right direction. I’ve dealt with this from the law enforcement side and as an owner/operator.

 

Oh man. That’s a lot. Thanks.

this would just be me and my wife. So much to just take client horses to and from shows.

Monday I’ll start looking for an Ohio checklist. Def don’t want to have to do a truck driving school.

also, seems like Ohio has an air brakes exemption - so that’s handy. And I believe I bring my own truck/trailer as opposed to trying to drive / inspect something I’m not familiar with.

practice tests seemed like basic driving knowledge unless I’ve missed something.

 

I am telling you it seems worse than it is right now. but that will change.

Go to the website for the state and start reading.

Start with the physical. Since you are the owner operator it is not so bad.

 

Here is the PUCO page. So far, I haven’t found as clean of a resource, for Ohio. It looks like you’ll be spending sone time here:
https://puco.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov...ation/trucking

 

Also, don’t forget about this:

https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov

 

I’m curious, how is your business set up?

 

Would suggest you do a LLC. Then open a business account. All money goes to the Biz and then you pay yourself.

Expenses on the road etc get bought by the biz.