CDL and Commercial Vehicle Registration for hot shotting?

[Charlies.Contingency]

Alright guys, if any of you have been noting my posts the past few months, I am no longer in law enforcement, and am chasing other forms of employment now. I went out and had some fun since my end of employment in December, but I'm investing a little bit of money into being my own boss, and I found somebody running a start up hot shot business. I own my own diesel pickup truck, and a true flat bed goose neck, but I am curious as to what I need as far as licensing and registration goes.

My truck is under 7k curb weight, and under 10k GVWR.
My trailer is under 4k curb weight, and under 16k GVWR.

My total weight is 10-11k, and under 26k GVWR. If I am reading the law right, if my truck GVWR is over 26k, CDL A required. If my trailer is over 10k, CDL A required. If my combination GVWR is over 26k, CDL A required.

So at least by my trailer, if I'm pulling in a commercial manner, I am required to have a class A CDL? I am looking at starting here shortly, and I want to know what I need to do, or if anybody is offering up any hot shot jobs as well. If I need my CDL A for this, or even my CDL B, how do I get my license?

To be able to get my license, I need to have a properly registered and insured vehicle in the class of which I am obtaining my license for. Being that this will be my pick-up and trailer, I need to change the registration to a commercial combination and obtain Commercial Vehicle insurance on my truck. If I do this however, I could not drive my truck and trailer after I change the registration to being a CV without having the appropriate CDL. I get the easy way to do this would be to have another CDL driver drive my truck for me to the DMV for me to test, but my wife and I don't have any friends or family nearby, and we don't know anybody with a CDL. Any LEGAL suggestions on this?

If I am not mistaken, I have to take the truck/trailer to wherever I register it at since I'm changing the registration type. If I didn't have to, I might consider hauling another truck on my trailer, and unloading it in the parking lot of the DMV, and driving the second truck to the registration office to have the registration changed, and then get my proof of insurance with the new registration. Then I could return to the DMV to take my driving test. I'm not sure how else to do it.

Thanks guys!

[Keith B]

There are a lot of variations on the GVW/GCW combinations. If staying intrastate in Texas, then the 26,000 GCW (Gross Combined Weight) is the limit. HOWEVER, if you are over 10,000 GCW (Truck and Trailer) and engaged in Interstate commerce (across state lines), then the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules kick in and you must have a medical certificate, USDOT number and keep a log book. You will not require a Class A CDL. See http://www.glspermits.com/dottexas_dot-texas" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also, some other states WILL enforce the >10,000lb GCWR ruling inside their state. See this for Ohio as an example https://fullerisford.wordpress.com/2010 ... 26000-lbs/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and this as a overall review http://www.automotive-fleet.com/blog/ma ... again.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Jumping Frog]

A combination vehicle with a combined GVWR between 10,001 and 26,000 lbs does not require a CDLA, but as Keith mentions that does make it a regulated vehicle.

Your best bet is to lease onto a motor carrier to get started and run under its USDOT authority. I would not suggest trying to run as a purely Texas intrastate truck because so much of oil field equipment is interstate commerce. You may haul a load from San Antonio to Amarillo, for example, but if that freight originated (was manufactured) outside of Texas it would still be interstate freight and make you subject to the FMCSA.

If you lease onto a motor carrier, they are going to be able to assist you with the proper insurance, proper vehicle markings, fire extinguisher accessible and secured, annual USDOT vehicle inspection, pre-trip/post-trip inspection procedures, maintenance records, over regulations, safety training, log training, driver qualification file, medical card requirements, self-certification, etc. Easier way to get into the business and get to know it that having to start from scratch getting your own operating authority.

[Charlies.Contingency]

Okay, I forgot to put in one MAJOR thing...

I CAN ONLY DRIVE INTRA-STATE. Due to blindness in one eye, if I did get my cdl, I could only have an intra-state CDL. On a second note, I refuse to drive out of state anyway. A company I am looking at, is going to give me their insurance which is a commercial policy to include personal and business use. Freight will be purely intra-state, from one place to another within Texas. If I run my personal vehicle under weight within the state, does that mean no CDL? I'm going to make some phone calls now to find out more, so I'll let ya'll know if I find out more on my end.

[Charlies.Contingency]

For-Hire Carriers hauling products or loads within the state of Texas with vehicles up to 26,000-lbs: DOT Texas required. If you are For-Hire and get paid to haul loads inside the state of Texas without crossing state lines with these loads, and you are moving these items, products or loads with a van, pickup truck, pickup truck pulling a trailer, straight truck, straight truck pulling a trailer, and with a GVWR of 26,000-lbs or under with the power unit, or CGVWR of 26,000-lbs or under with both the power unit and trailer, you are not required to register for a USDOT number or for the DOT Texas Certificate, commonly refered to as DOT Texas.

This could be what I fall under, and this is a snip from the link that Keith offered. I am confused though. At the beginning, it says DOT TEXAS required, then at the end of the main text, it says it is not required.

[Charlies.Contingency]

Further update, got off the phone with Tis-Dale Auto company, and they were very stern that my combination, is not a commercial set-up, even if I am a for-hire contractor pulling things for people, so long as my weight rating is under the 26,000lbs.

[Keith B]

Further update, got off the phone with Tis-Dale Auto company, and they were very stern that my combination, is not a commercial set-up, even if I am a for-hire contractor pulling things for people, so long as my weight rating is under the 26,000lbs.

If you are intra-state, then last I knew Texas says under 26,000 GCWyou are not required to have a medical, USDOT number or CDL. Not saying that hasn't changed, but I do know it was that way about 2 years ago when I was researching it.

[Jumping Frog]

Okay, I forgot to put in one MAJOR thing...

I CAN ONLY DRIVE INTRA-STATE. Due to blindness in one eye, if I did get my cdl, I could only have an intra-state CDL. On a second note, I refuse to drive out of state anyway. A company I am looking at, is going to give me their insurance which is a commercial policy to include personal and business use. Freight will be purely intra-state, from one place to another within Texas. If I run my personal vehicle under weight within the state, does that mean no CDL? I'm going to make some phone calls now to find out more, so I'll let ya'll know if I find out more on my end.

Do not confuse the fact that you driving within the state of Texas means you are not interstate.

Transport Oil Field products that were manufactured in a different state and that is still interstate commerce -- and under the authority of the USDOT -- even if your portion of the journey begins and ends inside Texas.

Also, you do not need a CDL for a GVWR under 26,000 lbs, but you most assuredly are a USDOT-regulated vehicle whenever you are hauling interstate commerce.

[Keith B]

Do not confuse the fact that you driving within the state of Texas means you are not interstate.

Transport Oil Field products that were manufactured in a different state and that is still interstate commerce -- and under the authority of the USDOT -- even if your portion of the journey begins and ends inside Texas.

Also, you do not need a CDL for a GVWR under 26,000 lbs, but you most assuredly are a USDOT-regulated vehicle whenever you are hauling interstate commerce.

Good point. The rule is 'engaged in interstate commerce', so you potentially could be doing that and only transporting it Intrastate. So, the USDOT number, medical and log would be required.

[chuck j]

The medical certification can be tough depending on your doctor , homeland security is a real stickler on the mental evaluation by a GP many times . The written and driving test are not that hard unless your trying to get 'hazardous ' on your CDL . Having your doctor like you is good , I taught mine to shoot black powder .
Good luck in your new endeavor !

[Charlies.Contingency]

Okay, I forgot to put in one MAJOR thing...

I CAN ONLY DRIVE INTRA-STATE. Due to blindness in one eye, if I did get my cdl, I could only have an intra-state CDL. On a second note, I refuse to drive out of state anyway. A company I am looking at, is going to give me their insurance which is a commercial policy to include personal and business use. Freight will be purely intra-state, from one place to another within Texas. If I run my personal vehicle under weight within the state, does that mean no CDL? I'm going to make some phone calls now to find out more, so I'll let ya'll know if I find out more on my end.

Do not confuse the fact that you driving within the state of Texas means you are not interstate.

Transport Oil Field products that were manufactured in a different state and that is still interstate commerce -- and under the authority of the USDOT -- even if your portion of the journey begins and ends inside Texas.

Also, you do not need a CDL for a GVWR under 26,000 lbs, but you most assuredly are a USDOT-regulated vehicle whenever you are hauling interstate commerce.

Don't worry, I know well what you speak of as far as interstate vs intrastate goes. I plan on hauling only local items, such as horse/cattle hay, and cars from auto auctions to used car dealerships/garages. I have no interest in freight, or dealing with oilfield stuff, which has a big tendency of coming up as interstate commerce. It would appear that as long as I am very particular about the cargo I put on my trailer, my little trailer and I can go and have some fun.

Thanks for the input guys!