Forum Discussion

BeerBrewer's avatar
BeerBrewer
Explorer
Apr 20, 2019

Tired of your NYS Commercial Plates?

I finally got sick and tired of the insanity of the NY State DMV requiring that pick-ups over 6000 lbs be register as commercial vehicles. The actual use of the vehicle should determine the whether or not it needs commercial plates and NOT its weight! There are plenty of vehicles over 6000 lbs that are legally registered with passenger plates, so why not pickup trucks?. So I've written the head of the NYS DMV, Attorney General and my local New York State Senator John J. Flanagan the Minority Conference Leader. Senator Flanagan actually called me and was sympathetic to my issue. So those of your who live in NY I strongly suggest that you call, email or write your NY State Senator as well. You can reach Senator John J. Flanagan at the following web page.

https://www.nysenate.gov/registration/nojs/form/start/message-senator?senator=4518701

It's time we stand up for our rights. We can complain to DMV until the cows come home. They are only enforcing the STUPID law the NYS Legislature passed, so only they can fix this!
Tow Vehicles
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Apr 20, 2019
    That sucks. Does that mean you have to stop along with the big rigs to get weighed?
  • George3037's avatar
    George3037
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2019
    It's all done for the money. Many pickups are privately owned and can be registered with commercial plates or passenger plates if they meet certain criteria per DMV. Vehicles are registered by weight whether passenger or commercial. I believe that whether passenger or commercial plates are used the truck registration fee is based on the unladen weight at commercial rates if over 6,000 lb. The law has a lot of gray areas when it comes to pulling into weigh stations. The signs say all commercial vehicles pull in but when a pickup and trailer pull in they holler at you and chase you out.
  • wanderingaimles's avatar
    wanderingaimles
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2019
    If it is a means of taxing or charging additional fees, you will not get a reduction in a place like NY.
    But if it makes you feel better, by all means, write a letter and complain.
  • BeerBrewer's avatar
    BeerBrewer
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2019
    Having commercial plates in NY Means that we can't legally drive on any parkways (There are many) and to drive anywhere in NYC you need to have your name, address and phone number permanently written on both sides of the truck in 3" letters. To add insult to injury, the town where I live prohibits any writhing at all on my truck. It also costs more for insurance and to drive thru a toll booth.
  • wanderingaimles's avatar
    wanderingaimles
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2019
    Can you get a little "hybrid" tag off a wrecked Prius?
    That may make them love your truck. :D
  • ACZL's avatar
    ACZL
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2019
    Having commercial NY plates on a personal truck does NOT mean you have to pull into weigh stations. Only those trucks operating under a business name and w/ USDOT numbers need to pull in. LEO's are not going to waste their time chasing after every RVer in NY who drives past weigh stations. While I agree that it's not right one would have to reg a 3/4 ton p/u as a comm truck based on GVW and NOT allowed on certain roads while the exact same truck used by hiway dept's get reg under gov't plates and CAN use roads comm ones can't.

    This may be a mute point in an attempt to get things changed and I fully understand as to why it should be attempted anyways. Sadly, pass plates don't go high enough for GVW weights. ONLY if DMV changed things as it's all about $$$$ for NYS. But say you throw pass plates on a 3/4-1 ton truck for 6,000 lbs.(hypothetically speaking) and truck weighs 9,000 and RV weighs another 13,000 for a total of 22,000 lbs. Get into an accident and some sue happy att'y is going to have a field day.
  • danrclem's avatar
    danrclem
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2019
    I feel for you but I doubt that you'll be able to do anything about it. The only place to make changes is in the voting booth but I think NYS is too far gone.
  • BeerBrewer's avatar
    BeerBrewer
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2019
    ACZL wrote:
    Having commercial NY plates on a personal truck does NOT mean you have to pull into weigh stations. Only those trucks operating under a business name and w/ USDOT numbers need to pull in. LEO's are not going to waste their time chasing after every RVer in NY who drives past weigh stations. While I agree that it's not right one would have to reg a 3/4 ton p/u as a comm truck based on GVW and NOT allowed on certain roads while the exact same truck used by hiway dept's get reg under gov't plates and CAN use roads comm ones can't.

    This may be a mute point in an attempt to get things changed and I fully understand as to why it should be attempted anyways. Sadly, pass plates don't go high enough for GVW weights. ONLY if DMV changed things as it's all about $$$$ for NYS. But say you throw pass plates on a 3/4-1 ton truck for 6,000 lbs.(hypothetically speaking) and truck weighs 9,000 and RV weighs another 13,000 for a total of 22,000 lbs. Get into an accident and some sue happy att'y is going to have a field day.



    Even with Passenger plates on my 2500 I still would not be permitted to tow on the parkways, the bridges are just too low. The point is when I'm not towing, I can basically only use Rt 495 to go east or west on Long Island. Not to mention I can't park on most streets in NYC and according to NYC law my truck needs to have my names, address and phone number painted on both sides, removeable magnetic labels aren't legal either. Pure insanity!
  • blt2ski's avatar
    blt2ski
    Moderator
    Apr 21, 2019
    Sounds no different than here in Wa St. ALL pickups buy tonnage! In 2000 lb increments, Min is 150% of your tare/empty weight to the next highest ton. As such, my sons 1500's are licensed at 8000 lbs. Same as my C2500. All three weigh in the 4800-5200 lbs range. I any of us are at 8001+ lbs, we would be illegal. I do not get my door stiker 8600 lbs. if I was to want to do so, I would buy a 10K plate. About $15 per ton.

    If you had passenger plates on your truck, you would technically speaking, not be able to haul anything but passengers! No trailer, nothing in the bed. We do not have to stop at weigh scales etc.

    Marty

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