USDOT regulations for towing your trailers

Posted by Dave on May 01, 2003 at 07:19:54 from (64.22.200.53):

First of all, be careful who you talk to.
I called the phone number found on the front page
of www.dot.gov. I asked them about this, and they
transferred me. I lost track of how many times I got transferred. I eventually got a phone number for the Virginia field office, 1-703-280-4001. I don't know how or why I ended up there, but they seemed to have some answers.

I didn't know it was a field office, because people chattered so fast and pushed the "transfer" button so fast I just didn't know who I was talking to. I found out later when I called back.

I was told just about exactly what everyone here was saying. You must register with the USDOT if you cross state lines and you are carrying more than 10,000 pounds. (WRONG)

But the problem was, I had more questions, and I started getting different variations of the answers I had for my first questions. So I dug deeper.

I was finally given the phone number for the Illinois Division of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in Illinois (my state). I talked to the Federal Program Specialist, Kent Miller. 1-217-492-4608

This guy knows the regulations inside and out.

And, since this is simply a local field division of the USDOT, all of the rules and regulations he mentioned apply to all states, not just Illinois.

If you have a pickup towing a trailer carrying a tractor, and the overall weight of everything does not exceed 10,000lbs, you do NOT have to register with the USDOT. Period.

But get real, unless it is a lawn tractor, it is going to exceed 10,000lbs.

If you have a pickup towing a trailer carrying a tractor, and the overall weight of everything exceeds 10,000 pounds, and you do not cross a state line, you do NOT have to register with the USDOT. Period.

The USDOT is concerned with interstate traffic.

If your overall weight exceeds 10,000lbs, AND you cross a state line, you only need to register with the USDOT if you conduct commerse.

He clarified by saying that if I towed a tractor across state lines to be in a farm show, I don't need to register. The minute I win a prize that consists of financial gain (cash prize or other item of real value) I would need to have had the truck registered. (I forgot to ask if this applied to winning a trophy)

Pertaining to the USDOT regulations which require a vehicle be registered, he mentioned exceptions.

He sited 49 USC 390.3 (f) Exceptions. Unless otherwise specifically provided, the rules in this subchapter do not apply to --
(3) : The occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation nor in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/390.3.htm

The $350 to register your truck that rustyfarmall mentioned in a previous thread is actually only $300, and that is ONLY needed if you are driving for hire. (The $300 is for an MC#)

If you wanted to drive your personal truck/trailer across state lines, AND it exceeds 10,000 pounds, AND you wanted to financially gain somehow, you must register. But as long as it isn't for hire, and it is only for personal use, the USDOT registration is FREE!

Dave

Follow Ups:

• Re: USDOT regulations for towing your trailers Matt Clark 11:33:24 05/06/03 (0)
• Re: USDOT regulations for towing your trailers Nobul 14:40:39 05/02/03 (1)
  • Re: Re: USDOT regulations for towing your trailers Bill MI 19:42:22 05/02/03 (0)
• Re: USDOT regulations for towing your trailers bill b va 12:21:03 05/01/03 (0)
• Re: USDOT regulations for towing your trailers Duner Wi 11:41:18 05/01/03 (0)
• Re: USDOT regulations for towing your trailers Ben in KY 08:12:35 05/01/03 (0)

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