the grey areas..... when is a pickup a commercial vehicle?

When I drove tow trucks I used to see this issue constantly, and even warned my boss and fellow drivers about it. The problem is, in that industry, a lot of drivers (and even owners), when you talk to them about DOT regs, they're thinking, "oh, that's just for big trucks"; many of them don't realize that the rollbacks they're driving are also commercial vehicles and also fall within the jurisdiction of the DOT.

I've seen quite a few rollbacks get busted for flying past scales, or transporting vehicles over state lines without a DOT number on the truck. The drivers usually look pretty surprised that many of those regs apply to them, too.

That pickup may not be a Peterbilt but, depending on how you're using it at the time, that doesn't mean it's not a CMV.

 

It would seem fair, but its not. I don't that much about farm use regulations but I know they get a lot of breaks as long as they're hauling their own product.

The OP is absolutely a CMV. His truck and trailer combination GVWR were over 10,000 which brings him into CMV regulations. From there, it depends on a lot different things as to what was required of him. Distance travled from home terminal/crossing state lines determines log books and dot number requirements... the list goes on.

FWIW, before I began driving..before I had a CDL, I got nailed for a very similar situation. Much like the OP, I had not a clue. But, that didn't save me either....he just kept writin...lol

 

As a farmer, I can jump into a 105,500 maxi potato rig and drive it anywhere in-state. They even did away with the 150 air mile rule. Hours of service exempt, CDL exempt, and even tie-down rules are far more lenient.

I take advantage when I can.....

 

I think that sums up farmers and agricultural exemptions.

 

You can get really creative. I have one run that's 13 hrs. After 11 hrs on the return trip, I'm 130 miles from home, and I put the log book on the shelf. At that point, I'm HOS exempt, baby, and daddy's going home....

 

Well, it does at that. But in some states, like mine, agriculture is the big kahuna when it comes to the economy of the state. You just don't piss on your bread and butter.

But each state has it's own little quirks regarding regulations on stuff that primarily operates inside that state. Fed regs only have minimal application. My state, Iowa, the state boys can really tighten the screws when they want on a roadside. And there are as many pickup/trailer combinations that get roadside insp as there are heavy trucks. One thing you have to say for Iowa State Patrol troopers... they are equal opportunity.

If you look like you are doing any kind of commerce with a pickup/trailer combination, you really should have your ducks in a row in Iowa.

 

Don't get me started on Ag Exemptions. They walk on water when it comes to safety regulations, even though they are not exempt from part 393.