OT DOT numbers needed???

thanks

You have to meet ALL of the requirements to need a dot#.
Over 10000 lbs
Drive interstate
Make a profit

While you may be over 10000 lbs and drive interstate if you can prove you do not make a penny off the move in a road side inspection you do NOT need a dot#. This is why RV’s are exempt. RV’s are also exempt from stopping and weighing at state scales but you would need to do this.
The hard part is proving you do not make a profit. Who do you know moves a tractor over 100 miles for personal use only other than to say moving to another state or going to a summer home for a while.
The catch most do not consider is that if you are taking your tractor to a show and there is a judging for best tractor and a prize or ribbon is awarded to the winner that is considered a profit or a potential to make a profit.

One 'for sure' is if you make money hauling stuff, the DOT really, really wants to regulate you.....

Recreational personal use (motor homes, boats) the states bend over backwards to keep the DOT away from, as those folks bring money to the state.

Agriculture use is a grey area, if for your own farm operation near your farm generally most states don't fuss with you.

Hauling farm tractors for a hobby - now you are involving all 3 of these, recreation, ag equipment, and hauling for a profit. Good luck figuring out what applies to you & what doesn't. But you are in trouble if you get stopped by a patrol having a bad day..... ;)

--->Paul

1. You're engaged in a commercial enterprise. If there's no $$ involved AND you can articulate that on the side of the road, you're OK without one.

2. You are traveling interstate. That is out of your own state or country. Your state may have different regs. NY for instance is going to DOT numbers so the in state outfits can be tracked on the SAFER system, which is the saftey tracking system we use nation wide. Your insurance company can access this.

3. Your GVWR or CGVWR is over 10,000 lbs. Thats 10,001 lbs and up. Or you are hauling HAZMAT or a certain number of passengers, depends on the situation and I don't have my books here in front of me.

Beyond those basic criteria there are exemptions for log books and other details. The big thing is the state regs that apparently can vary wildly if all the stories I hear are true. Best bet is to get with the State Police in the state you'll be travleling through. Outline what you're doing and get their advice, in writing if possible. Get the guys name too. If you do have a problem brought on by bad advice, and it is a confusing subject, you can at least show you acted in good faith. The Federal DOT regs are available on-line. Do a google search. The adress will have "mcregis" in it. Thanks for at least trying to do it right. Too many people just wing it and depend on "acting dumb" to get by.

But I have another question to ask of you. If you move a tractor is it truly for no profit what so ever. Remember if you move a tractor to a field to cut hay and get nothing for the move; Do not sell the hay; BUT use said hay to feed your own cows and then sell these cows you really made a profit off of this tractor move.

I will say it again..... Who do you know that moves a tractor over 100 miles for no money other than to pack up and move to another state.

see 387.9 of the saftey regulations handbook