Well, the family keeps moving further away, MI, OH and MO. I was hauling My sons tractor up to his new place and stopped to re-fuel. Each place I stopped at ask for a DOT number, said I didn't have one and they said fuel was six cents more a gallon. So I got to thinking that if I have to travel from MO to see the kids I might as well haul farm equipment to pay for trip. Been hauling tractors, hay, cattle, horses and all thats between for years around MO. I look at the DOT stuff on the web and came away more confused that when I started. A little about my rig; F350 PSD, crew cab, dually 18k plates and a 24 ft goodneck (4 ft dove). Do I need a DOT or a MC ?? number ? and why do those fuel stop post a DOT price for fuel and not what you pay at the pump?

THanks for any replies.

 

Unless you are going to be doing this as a money making venture then don't worry about DOT numbers. Like you said there is a lot more to it than meets the eye and you would have to apply for the authority, keep log books, enter scales, and keep records up the ying yang. Also you will be required to have insurance to meet these requirements.
The other side of this is that hauling like you are can put you under a microscope and you may be judged as operating for hire without authority to do so... You probably would have no problem hauling your family's equipment but the fact that fuel clerks asked for your DOT numbers points out the fact that you looked like a commercial hauler.

It's better to pay for the fuel as you are now since you are only doing it occassionally, this doesn't make it legal but that's up to you.

Having DOT numbers means that you will pay taxes based on the number of miles that you have run in each state and on how much fuel you bought, records, records, records. This can get real expensive if you don't intend to do it on a regular basis. And did I mention the need for an approved saftey program and that you will probably have a DOT audit to check your saftey record. Your truck and trailer would have to pass a DOT inspection and carry required equipment. You may also be required to have a CDL.

One last thing to think about if you decide to haul without authority... Those who have gone through the process to haul legally may rat you out.

Tread lightly.

 

When this DOT number thing got started a few years back I was told that IF you grossed out, where plated for, or the rating on the truck and trailer added up to over 10,000 pounds you needed a DOT Number even if you only hauled your own stuff locally.

Now a F-150 with most two wheel trailers puts you over 10,000 per the rating tags.

Now the DOT Cops are not out there looking for pickups with small trailers, but have an accident with the wrong person and the sky many starting falling on you.

The weight thing may have changed but anyway you look at it what you are doing puts you in a VERY DARK CORNER!

I got a DOT Number as a small farmer for interstate travel within 200(?) miles of home on "farm" business. Less paperwork but what I am hauling MUST be mine.

RVer's are clear of requirements for a DOT number unless they are pulling for hire.

There is less paper work if you have only the truck. I know the DOT site is very hard to follow, but a good insurance guy, a personal friend who is with the state DOT or law-inforcement, or the like maybe the place to go for help.

There is alot of "GRAY" areas in the DOT thing!

 

The DOT numbers were issued when they dismantled the ICC . Only commercial ( for hire ) carriers are required to have DOT numbers . 001-F DORF is right , you don't want all the record keeping involved , besides you are not really saveing 6 cents a gallon , you are just paying in another way as 001' explained , keeping track of all miles driven in all states then filing quarterly fuel reports with the DOT so the fuel taxes you paid gets distributed to the states you ran through but didn't buy fuel in ( been there , done that ). Flying J and others offer discount card to RVers that saves 2 cents a gallon and they're free to get , just sign up for one .

 

You also only need the DOT number IF you cross state lines commercially.

Toyman

 

I'm in Wisconsin. We had the State Patrol inspector speak at our tractor club meeting. There are so many regulations/specifications, you don't know what questions to ask. She explained the "for hire" deal. My understanding is that it's a waste of paint on the side of your truck. RVer's going to a craft fair are participating in commerce, so they are for hire. Race car haulers are participating in commerce (prize money), me, taking my 5000 lb tractor to a pull, is commerce. Locally, we have another State Patrol, not the woman, that is going through a bad divorce, and he is enforcing the "DOT number thing" to-the-letter. From my point of view, it is cheap insurance to have the number, a fire extiguisher and triangles, because if they stop you for a burned-out marker light, they're going to begin asking questions.

 

There is more to it than just getting the numbers and having your truck plated correctly. You must cross scales and carry a log book, you must have a valid CDL, and carry the proper insurances. It is my understanding that if you are a race team and you are not selling shrts and trinkets for profit than you are exempt, and can have not for hire on your truck. Not For Hire means just that. If you tow someone elses race car and charge them you are for hire and have to be properly licensed.

Either way if you run into someone that wants to give you a ticket they will find whatever they can to give you one properly licensed or not. The biggest thing to do is be safe on the road and try not to stand out from anyboody else when traveling and they more tahn likely won't notice you.

If you ask 10 different DOT officer the same question adds are you will get 10 diferent answers.

Toyman

 

Your point about asking 10 different officers, and getting 10 different answers sums-up the situation. They might not be able to tell you what is wrong, but if they scan through the reg. book long enough, they'll find something.

 

The whole thing of being "for hire" and being involved in commerce is completly missued by the DOT and local PDs . the original intent of the law is to regulate carriers ( for hire ) in the business of hauling freight for compensation ( commerce ) , but is now applied to any one who may tow a race car or pulling tractor with the chance they may win some prize money ! If they follow this train of thought , if you drive your bracket car to the wendesday night grudge races and win $100 you are involved in commerce with your vehicle , and should have a DOT number and be subject to all the regulations ! It all come down to revenue !