Trucking: follow up to last question on hotshot, motor carrier regulation, gross vehicle weight

Question
Sorry it has takin so long to get back to you I was out on the road in my truck.
The GVW for the pick up is 8800 and the GVW for the trailer is 7000.
I wanted to know to if we run with the company name on the pickup would we then have to put the dot numbers on it like the other hotshot pickups and stuff i have seen on the road and run a log? or will it be just like driving a personal vechicle with a trailer attached just to go pick up stuff? thanks again
Erika Maggard
D & L Trucking

Answer
I had to do some reading and here's what you have. Because the combination weight of the two vehicles exceed 10,000 lbs., together they are considered a commercial motor vehicle. However this setup does not require CDLs to operate. Since the combination is a CMV, everything except the CDLs applies just like driving a tractor trailer. You have a vehicle anyone can driver, but you must treat it like a tractor trailer as far as driver files, log books, inspections, DOT #s, and so on. Keep in mind the truck by it self with no trailer is NOT a CMV. Here is the code section from the Federal Motor Carrier Regulation book.

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 when the vehicle

(1) Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater

Example:
Truck 8,800 GVWR NOT a CMV

Truck 8,800 GVWR + Trailer 7,000 GVWR = 15,800 GCWR (more than 10,001 GVWR) This IS a CMV, does NOT require CDL

There is one exemption to filling out a log book. Part 395.1(e)(2) The driver is not required to fill out a log (IF) the driver's time starting and the time ending is recorded and kept on file for six months. This time does not have to be in the driver's possession while on the road. Example, driver shows up at the yard, clocks in leaves and returns to the yard to clock out. The driver must not exceed 11 hrs on-duty and must be off-duty for 10 hrs. The driver must return the same day to the work reporting location, no overnight stays anywhere on the road. You could place a log book in the glovebox, and if that one day was going to be too long or turn into an overnight stay, then just fill out a log for that particular day. This applies to 150 air mile radius of the work reporting location for NON CDL vehicles only. CDL vehicles are restricted to 100 air miles.


I may have given more than you needed, but I figured if you are working oil wells you might be running close to home. If I need to clarify any part, please let me know.