John in LA

Call me stupid, but please define "make money".

Thanks

Not all trucks that weigh over 10,000 lbs and cross a state line need a DOT #; but all trucks that fit in that class and make money do need a #.

We could take this one more step by looking at some of the past court rulings.
A guy owns a class 8 peterbilt. He has his own bobtail insurance in his name. He is bobtailing from his terminal where he dropped the company trailer to his house. On the way he gets stopped and asked for a log book. It is not up to date and he is over hours so he gets a ticket.
When the guy goes to court the ticket is thrown out because even though he was in a class 8 truck he is not considered to be working at that time and does not need a log book no more than a guy driving a car down the road. The reason is because he is considered to be driving his personal vehicle at that time. It is now up to the court to prove he was actually at work.

The first is the way most of of think about truckers making money. Hauling other peoples stuff for a fee. This is called a For Hire Carrier and he needs things over and beyond what most guys on this site need. Such as a ICC #; some call it a MC # because it starts with MC. This is why I tell guys to not haul anything for anybody even as a favor. If you get caught you will fall under For Hire rules.

The second is what most guys on this site fall under. They are called Private Carriers. This carrier can only haul stuff he ownes. This could be stuff brought into his plant to make a product out of or hay hauled to a farm to feed cows. It could also be the finished product hauled out or the cows going to the sale barn.

While I do not agree with it the rules apply to and money changing hands. Even if the IRS thinks it is a hobby. So yes that tractor you haul to a show is considered making money because you have a chance to win $20 or even a ribbon. The guy hauling hay into his house may not be making money from the move but he will one day down the road when he sells the cows.

So making money is a direct or indirect compensation. If anyone gives you anything; a ribbon; a dollar; OR you have a chance of getting such; and you were required to use your truck that weighs over 10,000 lbs some where along the line (not just the day of compensation) you fall under DOT rules and need a DOT # and all that implies.

Hadn't thought about it before May have to look into it.

jb

If you sell something for $100, did you "make money"? Well, if you bought it for $80 I guess you did. What if you bought it for $120?

Example - - You live in Detroit. - You are going to haul a tractor from Flint, MI to St. Louis, MO.
- It's 50 miles from Detroit to FLint, then 540 to St. Louis. Then you deadhead back to Detroit another 527 miles. - You charged the guy $450
- How much money did you "make". When I fill out my income taxes at the end of the year aren't I going to put down for this trip of 1122 miles, that the standard deduction for mileage is $0.41 (or whatever number that is) comes out to $0.41 X 1122 = $460. So I lost $10. So do these rules apply?

- Example 2 - I'm hauling my stuff, from California to Maine. I'm far from home? Am I legal as Joe Schmo?

Thanks,

Example 1
If the name listed on the truck and trailer registration is different from the name of the person/company listed on the BOL (Bill of Lading) that owns the load you are a For Hire Carrier. Who cares if you made money or not.
Before you ask.... What if I do not have a BOL. All I can say to that is you better have a BOL if you cross a state line with the load.

Example 2
If the owner of the truck and trailer also owns the load you are a Private Carrier and need to follow all DOT rules UNLESS you have a exemption.

IN your example 1, you are compensated, even if it cost you more than the compensation. That only means you are a whizz poor business person, it does not change the fact you were compensated.

In example #2, as long as you are under 26,000# you should be legal. You can even buy a tractor and haul it from NOothern Maine to Southern Flakeafornia as long as it's for non-business use. Something like using it to make a food plot on your hunting land is OK, as long as you don't charge someone for hunting. Moving your household is the same deal. Hauling a tractor that you bought off e-scam is ok, as long as it's not going to be used on the farm. You bought it so you can pull a hay wagon for the 4-H club parade - wink - .

jb