dot compliance

[Chris1529]

I am like Mark. If you talked to them, what did they say?

[Scotty D]

i'm sorry i didn't clarify myself on this subject,i only talked to them for 10 minutes and was told that if you dont meet the weight specs that they meaning the troopers and dot can shut down your tow vehicle and trailer and impound it and cost you alot of money.this is a consulting firm that was called in specifically by the imis show for this purpose of educating racers as to dot regulations.and even not for hire race tow vehicles are in need of a cdl and a drug and alchol testing and required physical's for any vehicle setup that goes over 26,001 lbs.this group is willing to do seminars at anytime,and all they want to do is keep the racers from ending up between a rock and a hard spot.any other info needed they said to call them and ask questions they can help setup the programs you need to get on the legal track.this is a consulting firm that wants to help,they where even going to come to our awards banquet on saturday evening and talk for an hour he said,to get in touch with racers.

[Mark Callanan]

Originally Posted by Scotty D

i'm sorry i didn't clarify myself on this subject,i only talked to them for 10 minutes and was told that if you dont meet the weight specs that they meaning the troopers and dot can shut down your tow vehicle and trailer and impound it and cost you alot of money.this is a consulting firm that was called in specifically by the imis show for this purpose of educating racers as to dot regulations.and even not for hire race tow vehicles are in need of a cdl and a drug and alchol testing and required physical's for any vehicle setup that goes over 26,001 lbs.this group is willing to do seminars at anytime,and all they want to do is keep the racers from ending up between a rock and a hard spot.any other info needed they said to call them and ask questions they can help setup the programs you need to get on the legal track.this is a consulting firm that wants to help,they where even going to come to our awards banquet on saturday evening and talk for an hour he said,to get in touch with racers.

The need for DOT really starts at 10,001 pounds
Ah the weight goes higher there are more rules to go by but at 10,001 you need DOT numbers in alot instances ....

[Chris1529]

the whole thing goes back to whether you are a commercial operation or not.

one DOT or police officer may view you as a commercial operation, one may not.

I saw a triple axle bumber pull camper trailer with a 13000 gvw tag on it. Does a guy that is taking his family on vacation with it need a DOT # any more than those of us that just do this sport for fun.

If you treat your racing operation like a business, that is one thing and I think you need to abide by the rules, but if you just do it for relaxation, you don't need to be subject to the higher taxes, insurance, and DOT rules.

[Scotty D]

mark and chris he also said that a dually truck and enclosed trailer that runs over the 10,001 lbs is also applicable to being shut down and impounded,he said ANY vehicle that breaks the weight guide lines according to the weight tags on the truck,trailer(combined gross vehicle weight of truck and trailer) whether its for relaxation or not.if you have the possibility of winning a prize of any kind its considered for profit and is applicable.i'm sorry i stirred up a bees nest,i was just trying to help and let racers know that there's somebody that wants to help.

[Rob Petrie E395]

What sucks the most about all this cdl stuff is back in 89-90 when the new Federal CDL law went into effect its purpose was to make every state the same and get everyone on the same page. Now every state is different and some seem to pick and choose what you do and dont need you almost need to be some kind of cdl lawyer to know whats what. I belive its CFL 390.3 f(3) of the federal law that exempts us from the cdl stuff but the states are overriding it to make more money. What the government needs to do is quit spending money on BS and they wont need to rape our wallets on this crap to keep going.

[Mark Callanan]

Originally Posted by Scotty D

mark and chris he also said that a dually truck and enclosed trailer that runs over the 10,001 lbs is also applicable to being shut down and impounded,he said ANY vehicle that breaks the weight guide lines according to the weight tags on the truck,trailer(combined gross vehicle weight of truck and trailer) whether its for relaxation or not.if you have the possibility of winning a prize of any kind its considered for profit and is applicable.i'm sorry i stirred up a bees nest,i was just trying to help and let racers know that there's somebody that wants to help.

Scotty I think you did all a favor to let the racers know what they are facing
And as our states and federal goverment are going broke they are going to find money any way they can

[Chuck Porter]

The whole "for profit" tact that the DOT is taking is suspect at best. First of all in any business cash flow doesn't constitute profit. Cash flow minus operating expenses etc. then equals profit. I've in this game long enough to know you have to win a lot of races to make a profit, especially when you factor in the "true" cost of the racecar, trailer, tow rig, tools, entry, the list goes on. The average guy doesn't make a "profit".

So if this is the direction the DOT is going, then every guy with a set of golf clubs in the back of his pickup who is heading for a golf tournament, or a guy with a little boat and a fishing pole heading for a fishing tournament should all be subject to the same rules, because there is the potential for profit. The whole thing smells.

We're easy targets.

[Mark Callanan]

Originally Posted by Chris1529

the whole thing goes back to whether you are a commercial operation or not.

one DOT or police officer may view you as a commercial operation, one may not.

I saw a triple axle bumber pull camper trailer with a 13000 gvw tag on it. Does a guy that is taking his family on vacation with it need a DOT # any more than those of us that just do this sport for fun.

If you treat your racing operation like a business, that is one thing and I think you need to abide by the rules, but if you just do it for relaxation, you don't need to be subject to the higher taxes, insurance, and DOT rules.

Well by the DOT rules the way the inspector told me you arent correct
They gave the example of sitting outside a track and asking people pulled over in a randomm fashion how they had done that night
As soon as they found somone that made some money bingo he was in deep crap
The DOT rules are federal rules that states enforce to get the federal money...