How can this be? Common sense hauling... Fed approved??? DOT Exemption!

[Dadnatron]

What difference does that make? They can drive a vehicle on a public roadway with no safety inspections, and a regular class of drivers license that the government has decided that anyone else operating the same vehicle on the road for non farm purposes must have a CDL, DOT safety inspections on the vehicle, etc.

Other than safety inspection... how does a US approved piece of paper and some stickers change anything else.

 

[LD48750]

Same in my area. There's a guy up the road from me with an early 2000's Chevy 4x4 3500 dually (no DOT#s on cab) and tows a goose neck trailer with 8 wheels. I estimate it to be at least a 20-25K rated trailer and on the trailer is an 18K excavator. Sometimes has has the excav. and a skid steer on the trailer. He has a class D license.
Even if it is a 25K its at or over the trailer limit and way over the limits of his truck. I'm guessing his truck, trailer, and load is pushing close to 40K.
I cringe every time I see him go down the road.

In the last 15 or so years he has had that rig, how many accidents has he been in?
I am assuming the number is low or none which makes me wonder why you "cringe" when you see him on the road?

Weight & size laws are for sale. If you want to go over them just buy a permit & go.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Weight & size laws are for sale. If you want to go over them just buy a permit & go.

Many people who do not have a CDL and a bit familiar with the laws do not realize this. Does make you wonder.

 

[George2615]

In the last 15 or so years he has had that rig, how many accidents has he been in?
I am assuming the number is low or none which makes me wonder why you "cringe" when you see him on the road?

Weight & size laws are for sale. If you want to go over them just buy a permit & go.

I know he has been in at least two single vehicle accidents. One was his own mothers car he destroyed and the second he wrecked an Expedition. He has a couple DWI's that I know of. But it seems he never gets caught when he's hauling the heavy loads. I cringe because his truck has no trailer brake controller so no trailer brakes (has lights only when they work). I'm glad I'm not on the road when I see him but worry about anyone else who is.
If I towed something like he does I wouldn't make it to the end of my street without getting pulled over.
I think its because I have my CDL, tow legally and know the laws here. Other neighbors have no idea what license he has and assume he is legal.

 

[bdog]

Other than safety inspection... how does a US approved piece of paper and some stickers change anything else.

While the difficulty involved in getting a CDL is way too easy do you think just anyone should be able to drive a huge truck and trailer around without passing a road and written test to prove at least some level of competency? What is any piece of paper? What about a medical license should joe blow be able to operate on anyone down at the hospital?

I agree things like DOT numbers on the door, ifta stickers, UCR, and the like are just taxes and do nothing for Safety but a license is different. I don’t think anyone should be allowed to drive a vehicle over 26k without having a license showing that they passed a road and written test on a vehicle of that size.

 

[Peter 315]

I see people with a CDL that cant drive or backup I watched a guy try to back in to a loading for 20 minutes when he got out of the truck we was wearing flip flops and shorts what a joke . DOT numbers are so the state can track tickets and violations on the company trucks

 

[sandman2234]

While the difficulty involved in getting a CDL is way too easy do you think just anyone should be able to drive a huge truck and trailer around without passing a road and written test to prove at least some level of competency? What is any piece of paper? What about a medical license should joe blow be able to operate on anyone down at the hospital?

I agree things like DOT numbers on the door, ifta stickers, UCR, and the like are just taxes and do nothing for Safety but a license is different. I don’t think anyone should be allowed to drive a vehicle over 26k without having a license showing that they passed a road and written test on a vehicle of that size.

My F350 and my Chevy 1500 do not require a CDL. However, if I hook a trailer to either one of them that has a GVWR of more than 10,000 pound (rated, not weighs) then I am required to have a CDL. My F350 is rated to haul GCVWR of 20,000 but only 11,200 on the truck. It hauls it very well. If I wanted to haul more, I just pay more for the tag on the truck and most likely will get by with it, right up to when the right DOT officer stops me. At that point, they will check the rating on the sticker in the door, or check the VIN rating and nail me for anything over 20,000 pounds. (or 11,200 on the truck).
I teach people to get their CDL, and have seen all types of drivers. Some I don't want to be in the same state with!
David from jax

 

[MinnesotaEric]

The guys running a F-450 with a cattle trailer or GN probably knows what he's doing. The guy driving a massive RV or rental box truck not so much.

What makes you say that?

 

[coobie]

What makes you say that?

I bet experience.

 

[Jcoon]

Trust me guys, we all (commercial motor vehicle inspectors) don’t agree with every regulation and exemption/exception.

I feel every farmer should have to do the same as every truck driver.

I feel grandpa should have to have the same license and qualifications as a truck driver.

But it’s the government and not everything I enforce makes sense!

Oh and believe me, I see a LOT of drivers every week with CDL’s that I ask them what fool gave them their license!