DOT Requirements
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
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From: Northern Indiana
DOT Requirements
My dad got pulled over by the DOT cop the other day.
They told him that he has to get his truck certified because that the truck and his cargo trailer is over 10,000 pounds. He uses the trailer to haul his tools for carpenter, he lives in Michigan but drives into Indiana a lot. He was told he has to get a chaffer license, medical physical, fire extinguisher, triangle reflector's, and to get his truck and trailer inspected. Does this sound right? I was also wondering does that mean he has to keep a driving log too. He doesn't drive more then 100 miles a day. I am wondering about this because he was not expecting this and I am going to be moving up there by him and will be pulling my 16 ft. trailer also. So I am trying to help him and get in order what I am going to have to do. Any help would be great.
They told him that he has to get his truck certified because that the truck and his cargo trailer is over 10,000 pounds. He uses the trailer to haul his tools for carpenter, he lives in Michigan but drives into Indiana a lot. He was told he has to get a chaffer license, medical physical, fire extinguisher, triangle reflector's, and to get his truck and trailer inspected. Does this sound right? I was also wondering does that mean he has to keep a driving log too. He doesn't drive more then 100 miles a day. I am wondering about this because he was not expecting this and I am going to be moving up there by him and will be pulling my 16 ft. trailer also. So I am trying to help him and get in order what I am going to have to do. Any help would be great.
Junior User
Joined: May 2006
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Which state did he get pulled over in? Being over 10k and requiring Class A requirements seems a little extreme to me, since quite a few trailers today are rated at 12k-14k alone.
As far as logs, that means keeping a driving log. They are PITA especially for someone who does so little driving. For OTR drivers it still sucks.
As far as logs, that means keeping a driving log. They are PITA especially for someone who does so little driving. For OTR drivers it still sucks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,199
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From: High Point, NC
This seem to be a hot topic all over RV.net. A lot of RV'er are getting pulled.
Basically in this scenario, he has to be licensed by what his home state requires. All other states have to honor his home state requirements (Driver License Pact) when he travels thru.
According to the US DOT (which set the rules for CDL), he shouldn't have to have a CDL.
The Federal standard requires States to issue a CDL to drivers according to the following license classifications:
Class A -- Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Class B -- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.
Class C -- Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials.
Commerical Vehicle Definition:
Commercial Motor Vehicle. For purposes of this regulation, a motor vehicle designed or regularly used to carry freight, merchandise, or more than ten passengers, whether loaded or empty, including buses, but not including vehicles used for vanpools, or recreational vehicles operating under their own power
Basically in this scenario, he has to be licensed by what his home state requires. All other states have to honor his home state requirements (Driver License Pact) when he travels thru.
According to the US DOT (which set the rules for CDL), he shouldn't have to have a CDL.
The Federal standard requires States to issue a CDL to drivers according to the following license classifications:
Class A -- Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Class B -- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.
Class C -- Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials.
Commerical Vehicle Definition:
Commercial Motor Vehicle. For purposes of this regulation, a motor vehicle designed or regularly used to carry freight, merchandise, or more than ten passengers, whether loaded or empty, including buses, but not including vehicles used for vanpools, or recreational vehicles operating under their own power
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Northern Indiana
I have to have a class A non commerical license to drive a firetruck, so I am not worried about that part but I don't know what he is going to have to do to get his taken care of. I also don't know how much it costs to get the truck inspected and numbered.
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2001
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Here is what the Indiana BMV site says about chauffeurs licenses.
"A chauffeur license grants the holder all the privileges allowed by an operator license and, in addition, permits the holder to operate vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 16,000 but not more than 26,000 pounds (whether single vehicle or combined gross vehicle weight) when used to transport property for hire or as an employee. The chauffeur license does not authorize the holder to carry persons for hire, whether in a bus or a taxicab. For those uses, Indiana residents should apply for a public passenger chauffeur license."
Is he an employee or self-employed?
"A chauffeur license grants the holder all the privileges allowed by an operator license and, in addition, permits the holder to operate vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 16,000 but not more than 26,000 pounds (whether single vehicle or combined gross vehicle weight) when used to transport property for hire or as an employee. The chauffeur license does not authorize the holder to carry persons for hire, whether in a bus or a taxicab. For those uses, Indiana residents should apply for a public passenger chauffeur license."
Is he an employee or self-employed?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 327
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From: Columbia, MO
If his truck and trailer are correctly licensed and he has the correct drivers license for Michigan then I think something is not right. He needs to contact the Michigan DOT for the correct information.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
Enforcement of these rules is stepping up big time here in Kentucky and I for one am very glad. Note that the officer didn't demand a CDL, he just demanded the commercial supplies. Those are mandatory for any commercial vehicle, not just semis. The CDL physical exam is required for any commercial but non-CDL driving, even if its a car. He "got away" with it for six years, he's been in violation all this time. If you are driving commercial you need to play by the rules. I DON'T haul commercial but I STILL have all the same things in my trailers, just not the physical. As far as the chauffeur license, if that license is required of all commercial drivers who conduct business in that state I'd imagine that would be a requirement... if they are just driving through you may be able to argue that its too complicated and confusing to satisfy all 48 state's requirements as far as standard driving licenses as long as you have proper licenses and all other requirements satisfied.
I'm doubting his truck/trailer were correctly licensed too... most people skimp on their GVW plates.
I'm doubting his truck/trailer were correctly licensed too... most people skimp on their GVW plates.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
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From: Northern Indiana
His truck plates are fine, even the police said that the plates didn't need to be changed. I don't like the fact that you are implying he was doing wrong on purpose. I am trying to get the facts so he and I can be in compliance.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,056
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From: Waterford, CT
chauffers liscense makes no sense what so ever. the only passenger is him. chauffer is 15+ passengers.
his truck is under 26k GVWR, but is his trailer's GVWR over 10k lbs. in CT, any trailer with a capacity of 10,000 lbs or more required a CDL A (tractor trailer) liscense.
also, because he is crossing state lines to make a profit, you need a US DOT number. that costs roughly $6000
his truck is under 26k GVWR, but is his trailer's GVWR over 10k lbs. in CT, any trailer with a capacity of 10,000 lbs or more required a CDL A (tractor trailer) liscense.
also, because he is crossing state lines to make a profit, you need a US DOT number. that costs roughly $6000
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
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From: Simpsonville, KY
US DOT numbers are free. MC numbers are $300. The insurance needed to GET those numbers are pricy, but only apply to MC customers, which he is not.
Chauffers license in that state is not for transporting passangers, its for any commercial driver.
Chauffers license in that state is not for transporting passangers, its for any commercial driver.
Junior User
Joined: May 2006
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chauffers liscense makes no sense what so ever. the only passenger is him. chauffer is 15+ passengers.
his truck is under 26k GVWR, but is his trailer's GVWR over 10k lbs. in CT, any trailer with a capacity of 10,000 lbs or more required a CDL A (tractor trailer) liscense.
his truck is under 26k GVWR, but is his trailer's GVWR over 10k lbs. in CT, any trailer with a capacity of 10,000 lbs or more required a CDL A (tractor trailer) liscense.
