Business Fleet, November/December 2020

WWW BUSINESSFLEET COM 15 BUSINESS FLEET November December 2020 lbs GVWR it doesnt matter The weight rating takes precedent If your vehicle is rated for over 10000 lbs GVWR then it needs a DOT number However there are situations in which an enforcement officer can operate off actual weight One example would be an aftermarket modification to a vehicle Lets say an individual performed an upfit to a half ton truck with a GVWR of 7000 lbs that enabled the vehicle to reach a total loaded weight over 10000 lbs An enforcement officer is allowed to move forward using the vehicles actual weight rather than what it was initially rated for Does a pickup truck under 10000 lbs GVWR need a DOT number No However be mindful of the combined weight rating if the truck is pulling a trailer For example a half ton truck with a GVWR of 7000 lbs does not need a DOT number But if that truck is pulling a trailer with a GVWR of 3001 lbs it would be subject to the FMCSA rules Do farm trucks need DOT numbers Many states do not require farm trucks to have a DOT number for intrastate operations If the truck crosses state lines it is considered to be in interstate commerce and USDOT registration is required What about landscaping vehicles that dont drive along roadways Even if the vehicle is not technically driving on public roadways your state may still consider it a commercial vehicle In most states a DOT number is required for a landscape vehicle If a truck from a state that doesnt require DOT numbers crosses state lines into one that does drivers could be subject to a hefty fine even for a first offense What about a commercial vehicle that leaves the state for personal use If a driver is operating the vehicle at the direction of the motor carrier crossing state lines is considered interstate commerce and the vehicle is subject to the FMCSA However if the motor carrier allows the driver to use the vehicle for personal private transportation that crosses state lines then then it is not regulated by the FMCSA How can I apply for a DOT number The actual application process is outlined very well on the FMCSAs website www fmcsa dot gov registration If applying for the first time you can count on writing at least a 300 check The actual application takes anywhere from 25 to 90 days for approval How does renting impact DOT regulations The entire DOT process can be an intimidating one By reaching out to a truck rental or leasing facility you remove a portion of your legal clerical and financial exposure that coincide with the authorization from the Department of Transportation Using trucks from a third party means that they are responsible for a portion of DOT adherence on their trucks which alleviates many potential headaches that DOT litigation can create If an organization decides to lease a vehicle for over 28 days without closing and opening a new contract with the asset provider then the lessee is required to display its own DOT number Any rental period under the 28 days allows lessors to display their organizations DOT number FULL TIME JOB Understanding DOT regulations has become so complicated that many attorneys dedicate 100 of their time dealing with them For internal teams trying to manage these rules it can pull you away from your daily business operations and business goals If youre wasting precious time energy and money trying to maneuver the complicated world of DOT rules and regulations it may be time to find a better solution More in depth answers to the questions in this article whether from a third party compliance service your states actual DOT office or an additional reliable source will help to ensure your fleet is compliant in all commercial activity BF A fter you realize you are subject to the FMCSA routine DOT inspections are necessary These inspections although sometimes tedious are designed to keep everyone on the road safe Some items that you will need to review for a proper DOT inspection include Check all the lights on the truck Turn signals Brake lights Marker lights Analyze each tire meticulously For hydraulic brakes pump the brake pedal until it is stiff Once the pedal is stiff hold the pedal down to see if you lose any pressure For air brakes release the tractor brake and then pump the brake pedal to lose air pressure in the brake line Once you get down to a low enough pressure the safety valve will turn on and set the tractor brakes Overall tire health is a critical aspect of a thorough DOT inspection When examining tread depth use an approved tread wear gauge This will tell you if the tread is worn beyond what is safe or legal If you do not have one you can do this by looking at the wear bars to make sure they are not protruding beyond the tread blocks If so its time for replacement Another trick is to use the penny test Insert a penny upside down into a tread groove If Lincolns head is completely visible this indicates the tread is worn During your visual inspection look over the whole tire to note any abnormalities in treadwear feathering flat spots or uneven wear can indicate an issue inspect sidewall condition for bulges or excessive cracking and scrutinize for punctures as well Check your tires air pressure while tires are still cold using a certified pressure gauge The correct pressures for your tires can be found on the placard inside of the drivers doorsill Do not go off the info listed on the tire sidewall Also note that many vehicles require different pressures for front and rear tires THE IMPORTANCE OF BRAKE AND TIRE INSPECTIONS Check the tread dept Look for uneven wear Search for bald spots Check the brakes ABOUT THE AUTHORS Cody Swartz Andrew Montanino and Shaefer Schuetz are rental representatives at City Rent A Truck a familyowned truck and van rental operation that specializes in helping businesses right size their fleets PHOTOS COURTESY OF CITY RENT A TRUCK When doing DOT inspections make sure to examine tread depth with an approved tread wear gauge If you do not have one look at the wear bars to make sure they are not protruding beyond the tread blocks If so its time for replacement