Trucking: hotshot, vehicle safety inspection, cdl exam

Question
i want to star in the hotshot business but i want to know how to getting in...tell  me what i need to do in relation of equipment and permits,insurance....i want to go on flatbed or car hauler

Answer
Hello Jose,

Let me make one thing clear first. No matter what setup you use, you will be operating a commercial motor vehicle. You will be required to follow all the regulation that a trucking company and a driver with CDLs would. A CMV begins at 10,001 lbs. The configuration of the truck has no bearing on whether or not it requires CDLs, only the GVWRs.

Part 390.5 Definitions                                     Commercial motor vehicle means any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property.

A commercial motor vehicle requires: annual vehicle safety inspection (*Part 396.17 Periodic inspection), DOT #, Company name, and is subject to roadside safety inspection (*Part 393: Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation)

As a driver and company owner, you are responsible for ALL driver qualifications (*Part 391: Qualifications of Drivers), requires running a log book (*Part 395: Hours of Service)
A driver of a CMV has to follow all requirements like a driver with CDLs.


390.21 Marking of CMVs: Must have company name and DOT # on the truck.

Interstate means crossing state lines.

Intrastate means moving product within 1 state.

You can find these regulation Parts at the FMCSA Regulation home page (www.fmcsa.dot.gov)

The GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is listed in the driver's door of the truck and the trailer will have the GVWR listed on the data plate. The GVWR is not the actual weight of the vehicle, but how much weight the vehicle can handle.

As long as your trailer GVWR does NOT exceed 10,000 lbs. and your truck GVWR does NOT exceed 26,000 lbs., you will NOT be required to have a CDL.

Example 1: truck GVWR 26,000 lbs + trailer GVWR 10,000 lbs. = GCWR 36,000 lbs.        NO CDL

Example 2: truck GVWR 16,000 lbs + trailer GVWR 10,001 lbs. = GCWR 26,001 lbs.       CDL REQUIRED (Class A)

Example 3: truck GVWR 26,001 lbs + trailer GVWR 10,000 lbs. = GCWR 36,001 lbs.       CDL REQUIRED (Class B)

Take notice of the 1 lb. added to examples 2 & 3. That 1 lb. makes all the difference. Class B license begins at 26,001 lbs. for the truck. If the trailer is 10,001 lbs. or more and the combination of the 2 together are 26,001 lbs. or more, then a Class A license is required. You will notice in example 1 a gross combination weight rating of 36,000 lbs., the truck falls 1 lb. short of a Class B and the trailer falls 1 lb. short of a Class A. NO CDLs required for this operation and is the maximum weight you can get by with without CDLs. I can back up my answers with code sections out of the Federal Regulations if I need to. I understand how easy it is to get different answers, but I can prove it if I need to.

I recommend pulling a wedge trailer, you can haul cars, boats, and small cargo trailers. That would give you a better chance to get a load. The easiest way to start is lease on with a company first and learn from them. Check out BakerTransport.com, they lease on hot shots. Also www.dotauthority.com can help you with permits, DOT #, and operating authority if you decide to drive on your own.

I hope this answers your question. If you need me to clear up anything you might not understand or just ask a whole new question, feel free to shoot me another line. I don't believe in stupid questions, I figure if you knew the answer you wouldn't have asked the question.

God Bless, Israel