So you want to hot-shot? (Will be updated/edited frequently)

Silver Star NW · May 30, 2018

Okay great!
I am still thinking about it, but going over all of my options as well as doing my homework on every aspect of the business. I've got my business license started and just need to finish up getting my DOT# and MC# and insurance squared away.
I'd like to talk to you about the industry more if that's alright Gary, I have your number from another guy I was talking to. When would be a good time to contact you during the day or week?
Thanks.

flatbedcarrier · Jun 1, 2018

Silver Star NW said: ↑

Okay great!
I am still thinking about it, but going over all of my options as well as doing my homework on every aspect of the business. I've got my business license started and just need to finish up getting my DOT# and MC# and insurance squared away.
I'd like to talk to you about the industry more if that's alright Gary, I have your number from another guy I was talking to. When would be a good time to contact you during the day or week?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

If you'd like you can call me tomorrow, anytime between 10 am and noon would be ok.

Hortonaire · Jun 1, 2018

flatbedcarrier said: ↑

If you don't mind, I'll chime in a little.

MC, USDOT Number,

When you apply for your Motor Carrier Permit Number "MC#", you should get a USDOT Number with it at the same time. It's included in the $300.00 Motor Carrier Permit fee. In the past this has been an option, you didn't have to get it at the same time but it was smart to do so.

The website to get these numbers at is Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

IRP Truck Registration,

In the last year things have changed a little when it comes to getting IRP (International Registration Plan). What we're talking about is Commercial license plates for your truck that covers you to travel in other states. If your state wasn't set up to apply for these on line before, they should be now. You no longer get to pick out and select just the states you planned on running in. Now you must choose all states and Canada on your IRP application. Yes even if you don't plan on traveling through a particular state, or Canada you still need to include them on your IRP registration. Getting your IRTP Plate/Registartion is really a simple process now, every state I've talked to so far has been very helpful.

When you register your truck under IRP, you'll be registering for the full combined weight of your truck, trailer, and max load weight. Pick the weight wisely, selecting a higher weight option is acceptable, and it's very common. For instance, I just registered my 2015 Dodge 3500 dually under IRP at 40,000 lbs. Will I ever go down the road weighing that much? Absolutely not, but the lower weight option was under my combined gross weight.

Trailer registration,

When it comes to registering your trailer you should ask your DMV, Vehicle License Department for either a Token Plate, or Permanent License Plate (PTI Plate). You do not need to register the trailer at a weight. You see, your combined (truck, trailer, and load weight) is covered in the truck IRP registration fee. If you allow your state to choose a weight, or you yourself choose a weight to place on the trailer registration you will be throwing that money away.

Today with the way you can apply for IRP on line you'd be throwing your money away paying somebody else to do it for you. It's just to simple to do it yourself. While you're going through the process if you're not sure of something, just pick up the phone and call your states IRP office and ask for assistance. I've been doing my own commercial truck and trailer registration for approx 20 years now. I've called them to ask questions many times.

There may be some subtle differences from state to state on how the process works but this information should help a lot you regardless.

How do you come up with your max weight?

Look in the door jam of your truck, (on older trucks you may have to look in the glove box?). There should be a sticker there showing you the max weight that can be on your steer axle, and drive axle. There's also should be a sticker on your trailer showing the axle weight ratings. Combine (add together) all these axle weight ratings and thats the highest weight rating you can legally drive down the road at. And this is very important, you cannot exceed each individual axle weight rating. For instance if your drive axle weight rating is 9,750 lbs, You Cannot legally exceed that. Same goes for the steer axle and trailer axles. Never exceed those individual weight ratings.

Something you should also look at "Because the DOT will" is your tire weight ratings, calculate them up for each axle. The combined tire weight ratings on each axle must be equal to, or greater than your axle weight rating.

Hotshotter432 touched on the subject of Drug testing, I'll add to that.

Before you drive your truck at all in any commercial capacity you need to be signed up with, and tested by a drug testing company. Not only that, you also need those test results back in your office before driving the truck in a commercial capacity. If you fail to sign up, get tested, and wait for the results you can and will likely be fined. The fines regarding drug testing can be staggering. Just for not waiting for the results can cost you $10,000.00 .

Another thing, when it comes to choosing a drug testing consortium it's critical you sign up with one thats on the ball. Just becasue a company is well known doesn't necessarily mean they're on the ball, it can just mean they have a large advertising budget. When your state pulls your name randomly the company you're signed up with gets notified, and then they're suppose to notify you. What I've seen over the years is some drug testing companies tend to forget all about their clients after they get their initial fee out of them.

I've seen Independent Owner Operators fail to be notified by their drug testing consortium and then get shut down by State and Federal DOT. You only have so many hours to get tested once the state calls your name. Failure to comply, can, and will get you shut down where ever you happen to be at once the DOT is notified you missed a test. It can be extremely difficult, and expensive to get rolling again. It's not as simple as just taking a drug test at that point. The DOT calls you and informs you that cannot drive your truck anywhere because you missed your random test, and you have to see an actual doctor for tests, and examinations. It doesn't matter to the DOT if you're out of state at the time, you cannot drive the truck period until the DOT clears you to do so. All this doesn't happen quickly, it can takes weeks, even months before the DOT says you're good to go. These days, just getting a doctors appointment can take weeks.
Click to expand...

Just a quick question...
Is a hair sample of pee required?

Just passing by · Jun 12, 2018

This thread is awesome. I will read it again, from day one, for inspiration. And I will keep coming back here for the wealth of information you all so generously have provided. Thank you, thank you.

flatbedcarrier · Jun 14, 2018

Hortonaire said: ↑

Just a quick question...
Is a hair sample of pee required?
Click to expand...

Every time I’ve been tested, it was a urine sample.

kimbosa · Jul 5, 2018

If you have box truck under 26001, do you have to still get a dot health card?

Lite bug · Jul 5, 2018

kimbosa said: ↑

If you have box truck under 26001, do you have to still get a dot health card?
Click to expand...

Every State is different but I am 99% sure in Texas it would be required.

kimbosa · Jul 5, 2018

Thank

Lite bug said: ↑

Every State is different but I am 99% sure in Texas it would be required.
Click to expand...

Thanks lite bug,

flatbedcarrier · Jul 13, 2018

Fifth wheel pic for somebody that’s asking about one in messaging. I was having a problem trying to send the picture in messaging.

namelessend · Jul 13, 2018

This is the style I have flatbedcarrier

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