Business Fleet, November/December 2020

WWW BUSINESSFLEET COM 14 BUSINESS FLEET November December 2020 Maneuvering through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FMCSA and the Department of Transportation DOT can be an intimidating task While balancing federal and state regulations are difficult theyre necessary DOT regulation keeps our roads in good shape our citizens safe and business operations dependable However if you choose to disregard the rules outlined by the FMCSA roadside fines ranging from hundreds to several thousands of dollars can be applied Based upon the infringement the driver could be personally ticketed or arrested and the vehicle could be towed and impounded These infractions often lead to more in depth audits that uncover additional violations and supplemental fines This article will help you understand when you need a DOT number and answer common questions to keep you compliant WHEN IS A DOT NUMBER NEEDED A DOT number is a unique eight digit number following US DOT on the side of a truck that is assigned to each company The FMCSA assigns these codes to registered commercial vehicles A DOT number is required if you plan on performing any of the following tasks with a commercial vehicle If you have a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating GVWR of 10001 lbs or more If you are being paid to transport 9 to 15 people If you are operating a vehicle that can haul 16 or more people If you are hauling hazardous materials If you drive a commercial vehicle on interstate routes If you rent a vehicle with a GVWR of over 10001 lbs for over 28 days without closing the contract It is important to note that DOT rules can vary extensively from state to state so it is imperative to remain in the loop for DOT regulation within your home state as well as any other state in which your fleet travels The best way to combat hefty fines sanctions or company shutdowns is to be informed Answers to the following questions will help to ensure your fleet is compliant in all commercial activity DOT QUESTIONS ANSWERED How does weight rating versus actual weight work Even if your actual weight is under 10000 Got Compliance DOT GVWR REGULATIONS How does weight rating versus actual weight work and when can an enforcement officer operate off actual vehicle weight Stay compliant with these questions answered BY CODY SWARTZ ANDREW MONTANINO AND SHAEFER SCHUETZ A pickup with a GVWR of fewer than 10000 lbs does not need a DOT number But if that truck is pulling a trailer and the combined weight exceeds 10000 lbs it would be subject to the FMCSA rules SAFETY