You guys are gonna get tired of my questions for little bit, but I really want to be safe, and weight my options in case the costs are too great.

I just got done over at the FMCSA's website, and see that it says I need a US DoT # if crossing state lines with a GVW or GCVW over 10,000lbs.

If I get a dot number for this reason, will I then be reqd to stop at the scales each time? Be bound by DOT for inspections and handed fines for a slight leak at the front seal?

I cant believe all this BS just to take 1 GN load of cars across state lines 1 time a month...and its not even my fulltime job, its just a hobby. or am I worrying too much, and just need to hook up and go. I dont have any business name on my truck, etc.

I am really beginning to frown on this all. If I was doing this everyday, I agree with what is needed to be done. Its just after taking care of a family and working a fulltime day job, it leaves about 1 trip a month hauling junk. It just so happens that we are close to the border

 

If you were just going once or twice I'd say just load up and go, but once or twice a month you will surely be noticed and believe me a licensed driver, paying out the wazoo and all the legal bs he has to do, will report you or a DOT will remember seeing you and stop you to check things out.

I know a local car lot that got stopped and was fined in the $$$$ that's thousands! No cdl,using dealer plates on truck, not correct weight, over weight etc...but he was doing the auction for several yrs. till he got nailed. Now he is legal!!


Yes with the DOT, you stop at open scales, go by all the rules,logs,taxes,mc etc.....BS not worth it unless you run fulltime. My insurance runs over $6k per yr.

 

If ya wana play,,ya gotta pay.

If you get lucky, you won't get cought. Personally. I'm the sucker that alway's get's caught. So I try to be 100% legal. Of course I'm doing it every day.

So ya gotta ask yourself. "Do ya feel lucky punk".

I would weigh the cost's to get legal with the money you make scraping. Is it worth the effort.

 

Don't cross into MD. They'll taser you while they inspect your rig, then baton you while writing your fines and violations, and then ground your vehicle and ticket you for loitering.

 

For that load .....the scales aren't always open and the scales aren't on all roads. If you were doing this constantly yep...get legal. For an occasional social jaunt.....just getter done but do it safely and stay within the limits of your equipment. If you get caught and you have everything wrong you will pay and pay and pay. You gotta have a cdl for sure. ks