USDOT Number

Speedy Petey

Who runs a USDOT number on their vehicle?

Since I run a trailer on occassion I was told I need to run a USDOT number since I will be over 10k# GVWR with either truck. Both are 1 ton and almost that alone without a trailer.

I did get my number but have not received a letter yet. I do have the web confirmation and number though from the FMCSA.

I have been hearing that they are going to start cracking down on truck/trailer combos not running numbers. They say landscapers are a prime target.

Any feedback or comments.

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wolffhomerepair

I have my numbers on my truck. Like you my trailer puts me over 10k. I have heard stories of people being stopped for not having them but they are all friend of a friend stories.

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" Of course I don't look busy, I did it right the first time "

TempestV

is that with the trailer loaded or empty?

Drywall1

That is how everyone I know has got their number Including myself. Here in Nebraska the DOT boys are out bustin balls day in and day out. Be very careful if your truck is lettered. I cant speak for others states laws. But here if you are are a homeowner and put a house on a 1000 lb trailer you are ok. But if you have any company lettering. "Hammer Time" Get the number sooner than later. Mine cost 250 dollars

Nate

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Krieser Insulation
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mdshunk

If you don't cross state lines, you don't need a USDOT number. Everything I own is over 10K, and I only have a single USDOT number at this point. If you genuinely need a USDOT number, I think you also need a DOT physical card in your wallet, flares, fire extinguisher, the whole nine yards.

wolffhomerepair

It is by gross weight.

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" Of course I don't look busy, I did it right the first time "

Speedy Petey

They specifically ask if it is for interstate or intrastate.

I am also only intrastate. I do only need one number for all my vehicles. The application asked how many vehicles and how many trailers.

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stampcrete

In CT you need a dot # over 10k my mason dump gross is 12.5 . my international gross is 25k My trailer gross is 14k So I need a class 1 cdl and my trailer needs a annual inspection like my truck needs if im towing it with my international but not if towing with my 1 ton. Pretty ridiculous...... Kirk

Bruney

I know this thread is pretty dang old but I am having a hell of a time with this USDOT crap. Im from Lansing, MI and we are getting hit pretty hard here. Our company has been pulling 8 yard dump trailers for almost 30 years and have never had a problem with the USDOT numbers and now guys are getting slammed with $1500.00 fines. No one that I have talked to truly knows how to fully comply, I guess it's just by the discretion of who pulls you over. A way around things that we have been trying is having another company bring dumpsters and pick them up, but that costs more and does nothing for my tool trailers. Are there any other small contracting companies finding other solutions? It seems between this, the small business tax, the new lead laws, and many other fun government scams, can you make money in construction anymore?

collardcarpntry

I'm wondering about this too. does my 1/2 ton truck need the vehicle inspection? Or will the usdot numbers alone be good? And a medical card? Seems excessive to me. Around here (mid michigan) you see as many "smaller trucks" with dot as without.

woodchuck2

Honestly the rules here seem to contradict themselves when researching the State website. I am just going to wait until i get pulled and i will just play my normal stupid self. I have not bothered to letter my truck because of this, only my enclosed trailer is lettered. If they went just by gross vehicle weight then even a half ton truck towing a good size camper would fall under the guidelines. I do not see them with DOT numbers or being stopped for the lack of numbers.

collardcarpntry

From what I understand it doesn't matter if you are lettered or not, if he sees you hauling a large trailer, say full of lumber, that is commercial and you must have dot numbers. I have no problem with displaying numbers on the truck, just trying to find out what else must be done, like the physical, vehicle inspection, etc. I don't want to be the weighmaster's example to all the non compliant hanks in my area.

Mike Finley

Something to think about is putting the DOT numbers on your trailer and not your truck. This is what we have done, based on a DOT officers advice. The truck doesn't need DOT numbers by itself, but once you hook it up to one of our trailers, the combined weight means you have to comply with DOT. You can put the numbers on your truck or your trailer but for us it made sense to put them on the trailer, this leaves the truck out from having to comply with DOT inspections and such, the trailer still has to, but it's much easier to pass on the trailer, plus you can keep all the DOT required gear in the trailer where we have more space.

woodchuck2

You see here in NY what baffles me is your registered GVW determines if you are registered commercial or passenger. Oddly enough when i bought my 06 RCLB D-Max it somehow got registered as passenger, yet when i tried to register my ECSB D-Max as passenger i couldnt because of the GVW. But the two trucks are really rated the same for GVW and the ECSB is more of a passenger vehicle that the RCLB. Now these new 1/2 ton trucks are getting bigger GVW's and are suppose to be registered commercial yet they do not seem to fall under DOT guidelines. Now if my truck is not lettered, registered commercial because DMV says it has to be, and i am towing a small trailer full of lumber for a shed does that mean i am a contractor in business or am i just a HO doing my own work and would i have to have DOT #'s to pull this trailer full of lumber?

collardcarpntry

I guess it comes down to if you are hauling whatever for profit for a job, or for your own personal use. It definately is muddy situation.

GettingBy

This worked when the IRS was wrongfully pursuing me.
I got the main IRS number and added one digit at a time to it until I got to speak to a real IRS employee, not some Public Relations Spin Doctor.

Here's the dee oh tee main number
"And you can call us at the General Information Main Switchboard at: 202-366-4000"

Ask to speak to 'Larry' or 'John' or 'Sam' or some common given English name, in "the Office of x?x?x?x"
tell them the message you were left was not clear.

Sound urgent.

When they suggest someone say
yes, that sounds right.

If you get voicemail add or subtract digits from the person's number until you get a real live person. Then ask for their assistance. You want a grunt, not a big shot.

These guys take long lunches.

Keep notes the whole time. Get names and titles "for your records."

There's no current scandal with these people and so their guard may be down and you might actually get through after a half dozen attempts.

collardcarpntry

Thanks getting by, I hate that it may come to such great lengths to get an official answer. It seems like since this its such a common occurence, truck and trailer weight being over 10,000 lbs, that more people would know what is what. If I happen to see our local weighmaster ill flag him down and have him answer.

GettingBy

Have him cite the code, chapter & verse. Sometimes rules are ambiguous, either by accident or on purpose.

Njhandyguy

i run DOT#'s on everything personal vehicle trailers trucks everything

i Have first hand knowledge of the sting of a $500 Dot ticket

That not withstanding commercial or apportioned or equiptment in transit plates they can anil you how har up for $$$ is your state.