CDL Requirements

Same in VA but the day passes didn’t seem to take care of it. When I travel into NC I have to have apportioned tags. I’ll f I don’t have those tags even with a permit I’ll get popped. Maybe it’s just NC but to go into Nc I need dot numbers and apportioned tags as well as fuel tags. The dot number opens me up to enforcement of the administrative stuff. State police don’t check on that but you’re required to report violations to FMCA so another reason for an audit.
 
NC does a spec. Vehicle tag that alot of cranes and big wreckers use. That said, legally they are not supposed to even carry their own cribbing. From what I understand it's not much different than an rv tag and not near as expensive as the apportioned weight commercial tags. Maybe Virginia has something similar...
As far as I know you would still need to have the IFTA stamp and dot number. If you are going to be working in nc often I would definitely jump through the hoops. If you don't and get caught you will have the same hoops, plus fines.
Watch for the state troopers in suburbans, they are the dot enforcement ones who target trucks.
 
Our DOT enforcement suburbans have a different color highway patrol logo and run all red strobes. The blue lighted suburbans are generally for the higher ups in the department.

Good luck to you Steve. Glad you’re trying to be ahead of things. Do the best you can but their interpretation of the law can change daily. The DOT numbers seem to be an issue here at the moment. I’ve been popped twice this year without them. Was ticketed and had it dropped because I don’t cross state lines. Just be polite and it seems to help. The only reason I could see you being pulled over is because your truck might be to flashy. Draws a lot of attention. Nothing wrong with that. They will get used to seeing you
 
Also, in MA you are only required to have a DOT number if you have trucks over 10k lbs that leave the state. Simple solution to a lot of problems, don't leave the state. When we have had to we just purchased day passes.

How much does a day pass cost and where do you get them? Does it work the same for over and under cdl trucks?
 
In VA I don't need DOT numbers or IFTA and just commercial tags. In NC when I enter in I need DOT numbers, apportioned tags and IFTA. I have reached out to the motor carrier unit about the temporary passes. They "aren't for regular use" and only good for 3 days. There are 2 sentences about it on the web site that leads me to think the passes are for the fuel tax (IFTA). It's mentioned again in a different context about trip permits. It doesn't actually say so I emailed them to find out. The trip permits are sold at commercial retailers not by the state. Most truck stops sell them and there are national places you can call and order them over the phone. The issue is you have to have them before entering the state and......your permit has to outline your route. It's doesn't allow you to just drive all over whilly nilly. Entering Virginia with a temporary permit is $50.
SO when I called NC state police and asked about the DOT numbers he told me even with everything legit, if I didn't have apportioned tags he'd write me. To get apportioned tags you have to register through IRP, a nationwide registration portal for interstate carriers. You declare a home base and then go from there. I think some of the difference is if you are just passing through a state or if you are stopping to work there.

When my truck shipped from Boise to Maryland they had to get a temporary trip permit for every state they passed through. It's crazy complicated.
 
I don't know about CDL vs non CLD vehicles. I have only been researching CDL. Some of the verbiage I saw had a 10,0001 number floating around but I skipped over it because i'm way over that.
 
I have also heard that what puts you on the radar is getting DOT numbers.
Troopers here are known to pull over one ton dumps that are in the 11k gvw range. If its registered to a business it needs numbers. If not you have to show its registered to you (or someone), personally. Letter up your truck and you better have numbers.

Steve you are correct. It was what Mert was mentioning that stuck in my mind. I don't need a Class A yet, so I wasn't concerned with remembering all those details.

Its all damn confusing as hell. Things need to be simplified ..... but then traffic authority agencies wouldn't get paid ....
 
I have also heard that what puts you on the radar is getting DOT numbers.
Troopers here are known to pull over one ton dumps that are in the 11k gvw range. If its registered to a business it needs numbers. If not you have to show its registered to you (or someone), personally. Letter up your truck and you better have numbers.

Steve you are correct. It was what Mert was mentioning that stuck in my mind. I don't need a Class A yet, so I wasn't concerned with remembering all those details.

Its all damn confusing as hell. Things need to be simplified ..... but then traffic authority agencies wouldn't get paid ....
 
I was told by a trooper yesterday when he pulled me over for an inspection in my little chip truck Isuzu frr #19500 registered
towing my 18xp bandit #9750
I should up my registration weight
He said if they weigh the combined weight and I had chips in the truck he would likely write me an overweight ticket. His reason being the combination of the #9700 pound truck unloaded with a lightweight aluminum chip box plus the #9700 pound chipper puts me right at or under #19500 with odds and ends tools and such maybe over without even chipping into the truck! Technically I have 10000 pound in payload but have to dump before I haul the chipper , sounds like.
He made a recommendation to up the weight on my registration for the truck, but legally can you register over the weight on tag of truck or is that another ticket? I am awaiting that answer from the department I wasn’t in the mood nor did I have time to ask as I was trying to beat the rain and he put me behind schedule already lol
 
He made a recommendation to up the weight on my registration for the truck, but legally can you register over the weight on tag of truck or is that another ticket?
When registering my dump bodies, the town office folks asked what weight I wanted (without asking for documentation). I actually changed the registed weight on one of them a year later without fuss. The only difference is cost of registration which was minimal. But small town in Maine so…
 
When registering my dump bodies, the town office folks asked what weight I wanted (without asking for documentation). I actually changed the registed weight on one of them a year later without fuss. The only difference is cost of registration which was minimal. But small town in Maine so…
We are pretty small town feel around here until recently we’ve noticed a lot more enforcement from stateys down doing truck inspections! It’s not terrible if your up to snuff with you kit, but man just the time dealing with them is annoying as shit when your trying to go to work.. they said today via phone call in Nj trailer weight is counted zero / only as truck total when in combination with your truck so my 19500 truck should be registered for the maximum 25950/2599 whatever wanna put or just under cdl to account for the maximum I’d likely carry. If we’re over 26001 of course immediate stop service if guy doesnt have cdl and if trailer has tag weight of 10001 or over you need class A
I’m still confused but getting less so as time goes
I have them on speed dial now so today whilst working I had them on sena getting more info lol this way I’m tryin to stay ahead of the inspections, the trooper on the phone she was real nice and helpful so I’ll call her back lol maybe I can get leads on when they’re coming to town if I get in good with her lmao
 
they said today via phone call in Nj trailer weight is counted zero / only as truck total when in combination with your truck so my 19500 truck should be registered for the maximum 25950/2599
Well shit, I better research here! My commercial registration says “registered weight” which I assumed meant gvwr (truck only), they are telling you it means gcwr (truck and trailer). Thanks bud, probably saved some serious headache! Never been pulled over but…
Edit: checked and it is GCWR for the weight, wicked surprised that was never communicated or written!?
 
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Weird, so it’s a registration issue not an actual weight thing with any tangible element.
This actually kinda clarifies a couple of thing. I can’t remember which truck it is (pickup or 19.5k Isuzu) but when I went to register it they asked me what weight I’d like to register it under. The folks behind the desk were clueless when I asked them questions. I think I took the next highest weight bracket because oddly it was cheaper!

No one knew why and I figured I could always say ‘well I donno but I’m under gross weight’

Must be some road tax thing, I’ll likely have to look into it.

Federal laws are the minimum standard, states can be more restrictive. Jeesh..
 
I don't know anything but thought that when registering my Ram 5500 they wanted max weight the truck and any trailer would road at. It definitely costs more for higher weights here in CA. And if stopped and weighed that they could penalize me $1 per pound of weight I was over that amount. And they provide stickers showing registered gross weight.
 

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