CDL/DOT problems - anybody had any?

S

smeents

Member
Hi everyone - I'm trying to collect some information or specific examples of anyone that has had problems with law enforcement regarding the licensing of their race hauler and/or any CDL issues. I am working to start a business helping racers get and stay legal with their DOT and CDL requirements and am also collecting information for an upcoming media article. All information can remain anonymous if you choose, please email me at Meents05@yahoo.com
Any stories out there? Thanks for the help!!!
Stephanie Meents
 
We had this discussion on here not long ago and it was to inform racers that if you advertise anything on a trailer like a race team product ect that a DOT officer MAY take that as a DOT regulated vehicle. At the time it was a grey area. Not so much to do with weight as it was the vehicle and its use. Im not sure if they ever went back and redid what they were trying to push. Beleive Mark Voigt and some other people actually got pulled over since they had advertisments on their trailers. Not sure what the outcome was or if they ever went and redid what they were shooting for. My opinion with the lack of funding DOT has not been able to do what they originally was going for and that was to make any trailer or vehicle with lettering on it no matter what the weight is to be deemed a CDL vehicle. In years to come who knows. Interesting subject. Also in the future might see them dig to the haulers as they know they haul hazmat chemicals(batteries fuel oils ect) and not enough to post a placard but enough to create an issue if there were a fire or accident. I work for a hazmat transport company and we see alot of info as to whats going on or what may happen. I will say this. If everyone has to get a CDL and redo their plates let alone th insurance for their vehicles truck and trailers it would hurt every racer out there for sure. Let me know when you get the article done. Id like to read it. Kind of like recreational vehicles and not needing a CDL to drive those. See that changing in years to come as well.
 
Knock on wood, I think the state has given up on this. I got stopped a few years ago and the officer suggested that I was a commercial operation. I told him that it was a hobby and not a business and after some back and forth he went away. I think many who have received citations have fought it and as a result they have decided to bother someone else. JMO

AK
 
We have been told that other states are very much enforcing DOT laws. Technically any vehicle having a GVWR over 26,001 pounds requires a CDL. Laws are very clear that state RV's are exempt when used solely for personal use. The minute you receive prize money or corporate sponsor compensation (does not have to be cash), you are a business by DOT standards. Any vehicle used for this purpose over 10,001 pounds requires DOT numbers and all the responsibilities that come with that. I will be coming out with more information soon or if you get stopped and have problems, please let me know. I am working to help racers get legal and yes, that will mean DOT and CDLs for a lot of the bigger haulers. And remember, if your truck and trailer are registred in your business name, you are gonna have a hard time explaining to an enforcement officer that it is solely being used for personal use.
 
What's strange is when u rent a truck your not required a cdl but if you own it you have to have one for a business. Rental company might but the state don't.
 
Its is strange and i agree. Just like big recreational vehicles. Same deal. Like smeents stated its a weird deal. More concerned as to what its used for versus the weight ect. Plus no 2 officers take the rules the same.
 
Maybe I'm missing something but what's the problem with just getting your CDL??? I've had mine for many years and I don't even drive a truck!
 
Intake said:
Maybe I'm missing something but what's the problem with just getting your CDL??? I've had mine for many years and I don't even drive a truck!
Click to expand...
There is the cost of commercial plates, fuel tax issues etc. I am far from an expert but it's not as easy as getting a CDL. That's why there won't be any racers who voluntarily do this. Very costly.
 
Well a common CDL isnt too bad. I think its 60 dollars for a CDL in Illinois for a chauffer's license that will cover pulling a trailer if its considered CDL vehicles. Its when you get into the plating issue that gets more confusing. Also i may be wrong but you may be required to provide insurance on said vehicle as well. Everywhere ive worked any vehicle we drove from a standard truck to big rigs all had special insurance policies. I know Hazmat is around a million dollar police per vehicle. Not sure if thats tractor and trailer or just tractor and another policy for the trailer. Like i said i may be wrong but thats what they were trying to get to. To make people with CDL vehicles or what they deemed CDL vehicles have porper licensing and insurance policies. Its why i said years ago if you have an enclosed trailer to take your race name or any numbers you have on it as that will just raise an eyebrow as you go down the road. Its a weird deal either way. Been ok for years and now they want this. Its a money maker for states and insurance companies for sure. Another deal is the medical cards which if you have to be required to have a CDL you will be required to have a medical card. Those can be expensive and depending on where you gotot a pain in the butt! Here is a link to the Illinois CDL site. Now it says 10001 or more but keep in mind this is subject to change and subject to the officer as to what your vehicle is being used for ect ect and so on. http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/drivers_license/CDL/cdl.html
 
The DOT rules and regulations can be a tricky and can look like Chinese if one has no idea what they are looking at. The easiest way to be in compliance with federal and state rules would be to, 1. Have a commercial license Class A 2. Have a medical card and drug test 3. Have hazmat endorsement on your license if hauling race fuel especially in a 50 gallon barrel 4. Have base plates on transporter an trailer 5. Dot numbers along with cab card stating which states you plan to race in 6. Have truck and trailer DOT inspected. As to the insurance as mentioned above being in the millions of dollars for hazmat that is not too cover the equipment it is for cargo insurance. That would cover costs for spills, leaks and clean-up. However as Al said I don't for see many racers doing this for it runs into a lot of money with all the fees, insurance and taxes for fuel reports. If a race team was to be completely legal they would be racing for nothing or actually be in the red. Although when coming into contact with a officer of the law its completely up to his discretion and if he is a trained DOT officer as to how far he will push the issue.
 
True like i said im not on th insurance side of the deal with hazmat but yes it is for a liability deal if something happens while transporting hazmat. I worked for a wrecker company too for 5 years and i think theirs was 500,000 per vehicle and it was that high due to being sued if car comes off while towing.........tires flies off ect. Either way i donot think its set in stone the EXACT amount of insurance that would be required if DOT enforces this deal. But im sure you will have to show some type of proof of insurance. Madison County sucks for insurance rates
 
All i can tell you is ive been in the trucking industry 20+ years and am still in it and some trucks of my own the best i can tell you is LEAVE A SLEEPING DOG LIE because trust me when you go start pushing those buttons of wanting these haulers to get all this stuff believe me its going to get expensive real quick. Believe me these state troopers have bigger fish to fry than some guy racing a car and hauling it back and forth with a pick up truck or these high dollar haulers some are using. Truth be told the trooper that was giving this person a hard time was probably some new young cat trying to prove a point. Just let it go trust me you dont want that expense!
 
Believe me, I'm not trying to stir up anything and I hope it does stay a non-issue around here. But, unfortunately this is not a sleeping dog in many areas. There are a lot of states that are cracking down and I think that as states need money, this will be an easy target. I'm not going to tell anyone they have to have a CDL, drug test, medical card, DOT numbers, log books, etc, but I am trying to make options available to those who want to be able to do this. I have a large trailer and will be required to have a CDL driver, I know it's costly, but for me I will look at it as chepaer up front then the legal fees if I get caught without all my i's dotted and t's crossed. Right now I'm just trying to get examples of problems people have had, so that I can come up with solutions and help those that want options. I appreciate everyone's posts on here. I have gotten some good feedback so far, so thank you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.




Back
Top