I saw a little ad in the SC Farmer magazine that said that SC is set to start enforcing federal INTRAstate DOT laws 10-1-11. These apply to any vehicle used in "commerce" with a GCVW of +10k lbs. Read this as your half ton and a trailer, the literature they sent me said so.
This means, to begin with, a name and DOT number displayed. The little blurb about meeting "DOT health and safety regulations" has me really worried, up until now "Farm" tags in SC ment you could drive anything w/o a CDL, health card, DOT inspection, etc.
I really hate the idea of having to get my '52 COE (19,500 GVW) to pass a DOT inspection, and I can't afford to have a play pretty truck that gets 5 mpg. Anybody out there been through this?
Anybody got any good ideas for displaying DOT numbers that don't look so gawky? And you might want to check into it if you are working your old trucks, I can hardly believe SC is the only state to make this up, we aren't first in anything.
Thanks,
Scott

Write to your State Senators to try to get it stopped. Sounds like a bunch of nonsense to me. Too many rules and regulations on too many things lately. Could be some kind of money producing thing. Maybe you could start a petition. Keep us posted.

Bill

Bill, while this is indeed a SC law it is part of the Federal Motor CarrierSaftey Regulations, so it could be coming to a state near you. For the time being it is free to get a number, but failure to have one is where the fundraising comes into play. I also figure there were some federal highway dollars involved. That is why I was sounding the alarm here.
Scott

In commerce, or for commerce. Because both of those will mean different things. If you are in commerce, as in going to the feed store to buy feed for your own operation, or to the lumberyard, I would think that you would be exempt. Now if you were a framing contractor or a landscape contractor, it would shift to be for commerce, and become a commercial rig.

Sounds like another Federal government Carrot on a stick for the states. They lure you in with the carrot, and when you aren't looking, whack you with the stick!

In Texas as well as several other states obtaining a DOT number is part of the registration process.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/registration-usdot.htm

Getting a DOT number is not very difficult. In Wisconsin they push having a number and displaying it on the truck. They even require that the bigger toy haulers and race car guys have it. It makes the roads safer for all of us. The bigger the rig the bigger the dangers. Don

Scott, I sure hope things don't start changing, but I'm not real confident. Still here in Virginia, if a vehicle is actually used for Farm Use, we still don't even need license plates. You can buy some "Farm Use" tags at the store, or just Paint "Farm Use" on the back of your truck. The only thing different lately is instead of the truck being covered under the farm insurance, you now are required to pay a little extra per vehicle. We also have state issued Farm tags, but not sure about any special privleges with those. The only trucks I ever see with DOT numbers are some long distance heavy haulers.

Keep us posted on how things turn out in your state.

Bill

DOT numbers are for commercial vehicles.So if you are hauling for money you need one.

How about if you are hauling your own product?

Bill

If it is for profit,yes you need a DOT no.NowIam not talking about hauling personal stuff like ng over to Sears to pick up a new fridge.

If it is for profit,yes you need a DOT no.Now I am not talking about hauling personal stuff like running over to Sears to pick up a new fridge.

I haven't kept up with SEMA's involvement for a good while but they are always on top of nonsense like this and push hard to get antique & specialty vehicles exempted. They have a good track record so checking out SEMA's website may turn up something.

As for the concern over a CDL I wouldn't worry if your not over 26,000 GVW, thats a federal statute and not a state reg.

I do have the feeling and deep concern that the Fed's are scrutinizing every conceivable regulation & law to generate those almighty dollars. So anything is possible.

I've called the SC DOT to help muddy the waters even more. The "nice" lady said that there were no new safety or inspection rules attached to this law "at this time". So here in SC you can still operate a farm tagged truck over 26k GVW without a CDL, and there won't be any inspection for my '52. As we already guessed this is a way for big brother to look over your shoulder. I went ahead and applied for a DOT number as we have several modern medium duty trucks on the farm.
I really hate the idea of putting the numbers on the side of my COE but guess I will. Does anyone know if a magnetic sign will pass muster? That way I can take it off if I want to.
Oh, and SC defines commerse as any furtherance of your business. So going to the lumber yard to get some lumber to work on your barn is the same as hauling a load of hay off to sell. Thanks all.
Scott

Now would this be a individual State requirement? or a Federal requirement?

I'd expect that would depend on if you were involved in intra-state or inter-state commerce

Bill

Doesn't matter. All trucks are subject to DOT regulations. Even our 450 and 550 demonstrators must have DOT certificats and drivers must keep daily logs and have up to date medical cards. Just drive across the scales at the chicken coop and you'll find out. Particularly if your out of state. And for God's sake don't buy any farm (non taxed) diesel fuel. About a $1500 fine at least in Montana/Idaho.

C10-90 Bill,
Out of necessity I've been doing some checking here lately, hence starting this thread. Below 26k GVW it is a state by state requirement. The link crenwelge gave earlier in the thread shows the states that require a state specific DOT number. SC is on the list, lucky for you VA is not. Now what I've gathered is that, in SC at least, any truck over 10K GCVW must have a DOT number if it is engaged in any activity that is "furtherance of a buisness". This is Intrastate (within the borders of SC)commerce only. There is a whole different set of rules for Interstate (crossing state lines) commerce. These are Federally mandated and I believe are consistant from state to state.
I also belive that over 10k GCVW requires at least a health card, in SC. Thankfully, having farm tags on my '52, and our other meduim duty trucks gets us out of having to have a health card and CDL's on our International (33-36k GVW) dumps and spreaders. Note that "C" in GCVW. That is a truck and trailer that grosses over 10K lbs. So a half ton pulling a skid steer loader would qualify.
A truck used for your personal or recreational uses does not have to have DOT number, at least here in SC, but you do have to have a CDL if over 26K GVW, think big motor home. Hope this clears up more than it muddies up. Again, all this applies to SC only. Other states I know have different laws that are as equally confusing.
Scott

Scott,

Appreciate the detailed info.

I now see the Link that you are referring to. I missed that on crenwelge's reply. Glad to get that verified as it definitely would have been news to me around here.

Bill