Forum Discussion

chemoman's avatar
chemoman
Explorer
Aug 24, 2014

US DOT Numbers

I was pulled over in IA a few days ago by the Highway Patrol Motor Vehicle Division and cited for a number of violations starting with no US DOT numbers posted on my vehicle.
I drive a F-350 Dually with a ladder rack and ladder.
I was not towing at the time, but he also told me that when I tow my RV that I need to keep a log book.
I have a class C license and the pickup is registered to me personally. No company or moving of commerce involved.
I am contesting the ticket in court, but have very little information to plead my case. I called the DOT and they said that there is no reason for me to need the DOT numbers and referred me to their website FMCSA.dot.gov, but there is little information there. The lady I spoke with said that they do not deal with private vehicles, so there is not going to be much information on there website.
Does anyone here have any other information that I can research to present to his honor?
Oh, let me add that I live in TX, and he stated that out of state tags was one of the reasons that he pulled me over. He said that being from out of state that it appeared that I may be using my vehicle for commercial use. Sounds stupid because it is!
Tow Vehicles
  • chemoman's avatar
    chemoman
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2014
    Jay Pat wrote:
    Here is a starting point.

    Do I need a DOT number?


    Thanks Pat, that is the website that the USDOT lady directed me to. I printed that page and highlighted the first paragraph; however, I feel that I need more information when I am face to face with a career LEO who recites the law daily.
    I am hoping to find more info, but the DOT said that they just don't deal with personal vehicles and have nothing further for me.
  • ricatic's avatar
    ricatic
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2014
    ...and the revenu-ing machine rolls on...not for safety or for the protection of roads from overloaded trucks...just for the money...

    I have to wonder where in Iowa you were robbed...if on Hwy 30 east of Marshalltown, I am not surprised...a Napoleon syndrome DOT guy harasses vehicles all day long...I am working on a large project right on HWY 30 and I see him almost daily play out his power trip...

    The public needs safe travel and safe trucks...but the harassment of the industry by these revenuers is driving a shortage of qualified truckers. An under appreciated profession is being decimated by regulation and enforcement by the sheer greed of the State...

    Good Luck in your fight with the bureaucracy...

    Regards
  • Jay_Pat's avatar
    Jay_Pat
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2014
    chemoman wrote:
    Jay Pat wrote:
    Here is a starting point.

    Do I need a DOT number?


    Thanks Pat, that is the website that the USDOT lady directed me to. I printed that page and highlighted the first paragraph; however, I feel that I need more information when I am face to face with a career LEO who recites the law daily.
    I am hoping to find more info, but the DOT said that they just don't deal with personal vehicles and have nothing further for me.


    I think you may find more references in that dot site that you can use.
    If you have any images that might show you using your rack for kayaks, canoes, etc, (personal stuff) that would be to your advantage.
    You can ask ther officer (if he/she shows up), exactly what commercial proof did they have that you were using the truck for commercial purpose that required dot numbers.
    I think the more you explore, you will find more proof or lack of.
    Pat
  • Jim-Linda's avatar
    Jim-Linda
    Explorer II
    Aug 24, 2014
    If you have TX plates, take the copy of the receipt that shows a private vehicle, a copy of insurance that shows private vehicle, a copy of your inspection that shows private vehicle. Take this info with you when you go to court.

    Jim
  • chemoman's avatar
    chemoman
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2014
    ricatic wrote:
    ...and the revenu-ing machine rolls on...not for safety or for the protection of roads from overloaded trucks...just for the money...

    I have to wonder where in Iowa you were robbed...if on Hwy 30 east of Marshalltown, I am not surprised...a Napoleon syndrome DOT guy harasses vehicles all day long...I am working on a large project right on HWY 30 and I see him almost daily play out his power trip...

    The public needs safe travel and safe trucks...but the harassment of the industry by these revenuers is driving a shortage of qualified truckers. An under appreciated profession is being decimated by regulation and enforcement by the sheer greed of the State...

    Good Luck in your fight with the bureaucracy...

    Regards

    I am here working as well east of Fort Dodge on HWY 20.
    I kind of thought it may be a revenue thing. Also, I have pumped about 15K into this state just on my expenses alone in the past two months.
  • OH48Lt's avatar
    OH48Lt
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2014
    A friend of mine was stopped on his way back from the Sturgis Rally. He was in a F-350, Ohio plates, pulling a 40' enclosed trailer with 9 of his friends motorcycles in it. They busted him for no DOT number, no logbook and hours, and equipment violations that are applicable to commercial vehicles only. BUT, he had a magnetic sign on his door that advertised his custom motorcycle business, and that (in the eyes of the officer) made him a commercial vehicle. Cost him $750 to get out of there.

    Any signs on your truck or trailer?
  • nomad297's avatar
    nomad297
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2014
    OH48Lt wrote:
    Any signs on your truck or trailer?


    A very good question.

    Bruce
  • chemoman's avatar
    chemoman
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2014
    OH48Lt wrote:
    A friend of mine was stopped on his way back from the Sturgis Rally. He was in a F-350, Ohio plates, pulling a 40' enclosed trailer with 9 of his friends motorcycles in it. They busted him for no DOT number, no logbook and hours, and equipment violations that are applicable to commercial vehicles only. BUT, he had a magnetic sign on his door that advertised his custom motorcycle business, and that (in the eyes of the officer) made him a commercial vehicle. Cost him $750 to get out of there.

    Any signs on your truck or trailer?


    I have no signs. Just a plain red truck that I use to get to and from my work site with a ladder rack and ladder. There is nothing in the bed except a tool box and 5th wheel hitch. No passengers or cargo.
    I wasn't pulling my trailer at the time, but it has no signs either other than the manufacture logo and name.
  • OH48Lt's avatar
    OH48Lt
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2014
    No indicators that the truck was used commercially and not even towing a trailer, this creeper-cop was waaay wrong. I'd take it to court too, and after that was done, a nice letter to the head guy at the Iowa state patrol would be in order. The cop thought you wouldn't contest it because of the Texas plates.

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