fines for no tanker endorsement

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by gary123, May 31, 2008.

  1. gary123

    gary123 Bobtail Member

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    May 31, 2008
    Simi Valley, CA
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    Hey fellow trucker's! I stumbled onto this cool website looking for info on a question I had. Chiefly speaking, I have had a CDL since 1982 and have been driving 18 wheeler's up until 2 years ago, when I made a job switch to working in the Water & Sanitation field. My question and situation is, the Construction side of Water Works needs me to drive their water truck to a jobsite. But it dawned on me I don't have a tanker endorsement on my CDL. So how do I handle this one? I no longer work on the constuction side, I'm on the meter reading/customer service side of the Water Dept, but I'm the only one with a CDL, so in the past they have "used" me to drive the dump truck with the backhoe and trailer etc. So I need to know the laws and fines etc. for driving without the tanker endorsement, so I can gingerly & professional explain to the agency that I "no can do". By the way it's a County Goverment job, so you would think that they would not allow it to begin with. So any info would be helpful thanks guy's n Gals out there in the wind
     
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  3. reddemon71

    reddemon71 Light Load Member

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    A tanker endorsement is just that. You are driving a water truck that contains a tank, So you need the tanker endorsement. Otherwise call your local dmv
     
  4. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Nothing could be as screwed up as bureaucracy at any level, with one not understanding the other. The fine would be for a minor violation plus surcharges and court costs, it may be severe. Depending on who would catch you, you might have to park the vehicle until a qualified driver could be found.

    The tanker endorsement is easy, no background check and no driving test, just get your vision checked, pass the multiple guess, smile for the camera and pay for it. I kept the tanker and dropped the Hazmat.
     
  5. fatdumbbroken

    fatdumbbroken Bobtail Member

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    May 3, 2008
    Roanoke, VA
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    Gary I worked in my last job for a local municipal government and was in a similar situation. If the tank is more than a thousand gallons you will need a tanker endorsement.
     
  6. witchwaywest

    witchwaywest Medium Load Member

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    Monroe New York
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    I don't know the fine but under federal guidelines it's 60 days in jail for operating a vehicle out of class.You can go to FMCSA.Search 383.51.Grab the CDL book,go down to DMV and take the test.It's simple and won't take more than a few minutes if you study.Your not hauling haz-mat so there won't be any headaches.Print out 383.51 to show your boss.He'll proably be more than happy to give you half a day off to take the test.One last thing,the boss can also be held liable for allowing you to operate a vehicle out of class.
     
  7. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    What is it? An extra $5 and 15 minutes of your time. Go get the endorsement and do your job.

    As far as fines go, unless you have a wreck or speed. I doubt you ever even get pulled over for a look over.
     
  8. gearjammer-2000

    gearjammer-2000 <strong>Clutch User</strong>

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    why don't you just go get the endorsement a half an hour reading and another half an hour taking the test and problem solved
     
  9. 379 Peterbilt

    379 Peterbilt Medium Load Member

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    I think the point Gary is trying to make is that he doesn't want to drag the tank in the first place, and needs some help regarding legalities so to tell the company, sorry, but can't do it since he does not have the required endorsement.
     
  10. Big Duker

    Big Duker "Don Cheto"

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    Federal guide lines would not apply to his case as he is just driving for the city or county. I doubt he would ever even get pulled over in a gov vehicle unless he was acting the fool. But if you are going to drive it I would go get the endorsement. In TX it is about 5 pages and quiet easy. Take the test, eye retest, and of course the most important thing- pay the fee. That is what they are most concerned about anyway.:yes2557: I aced it so I'm sure you would have no problems.
     
  11. Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    The thing is not about getting pulled over. The thing is about (God forbid) having an accident. Particularly if there is injury or fatal.

    You are working for a government agency. Don't put you agency, or yourself, or your boss in this position. Get the endorsement, or don't drag the tank.
     
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