Door lettering

Give me some time to reply. Some background about myself. I have my own authority, and I was a contractor for a little over 4 years.

 

Fair enough but I am quit certain of what I have been saying or I just would have left off with links to the FMCSA.

Only the government could make a simple rule so complicated to read .

 

The definition isn’t incorrect, but it’s very general. Here is a more thorough definition from eCFR code 390.5 Definitions:

“Motor carrier means a for-hire motor carrier or a private motor carrier. The term includes a motor carrier's agents, officers and representatives as well as employees responsible for hiring, supervising, training, assigning, or dispatching of drivers and employees concerned with the installation, inspection, and maintenance of motor vehicle equipment and/or accessories. For purposes of subchapter B, this definition includes the terms employer, and exempt motor carrier.”

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR)

Another way to distinguish a motor carrier from a contractor is that a motor carrier has both a USDOT # and an MC # along with a Motor Carrier Identification Report (MCS-150) that is public information. For example, this report belongs to Stevens Transport based out of Dallas, TX:

SAFER Web - Company Snapshot STEVENS TRANSPORT INC

As I mentioned before, it is possible for a contractor to have his own authority, but what is not possible or allowed is for two motor carriers to be operating the same truck simultaneously. You can haul one load as a contractor under Landstar, and then you can haul a different load under your own authority (if you have one), but will be required to use “operated by_______(your trucking company name).” Alternatively, you can also cover the name of Landstar, its USDOT #, etc., so only your name and USDOT # shows.

 

I mostly agree on this section of your post that I quoted, but it’s important to point out that merely having a trucking company name does not mean you have a motor carrier authority. The name of the motor carrier as displayed on the MCS-150 (or other forms) must appear on the side of the truck whenever the motor carrier is hauling a load (eCFR 390.21b, number 1).

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR)

 

Make sure you have a copy of the lease agreement in the truck. Even if it is your truck leased to your company.

 

It kind of feels like you are creating a straw man's argument with much of your post.

I have never stated that having a trucking company name meant you have a motor carrier authority or that two motor carriers could be operating the same truck simultaneously under each of their own authorities.

Your second paragraph I do not agree with and I do not get where you get that. Your more thorough definition does not say that having an MC# is needed to be a motor carrier.

Bottom line is that if you have more than one company name on the truck the name of the company with operating authority must be preceded by the words "Operated By".

Seriously, the FMCSA puts out its guidance's for a reason, to give us the simple answers to such questions so I will finish my responses to this thread by quoting it one last time...

"The markings of the motor carrier responsible for the operation of the CMV must be displayed at the time of transportation. If 2 or more names are on the vehicle, the name of the operating motor carrier must be preceded by the words "operated by."

It is really just that simple.

 

Can someone explain to this guy that a contractor is not a motor carrier? I tried.

 

What he said ^^^^^^ Done

 

You guys are arguing over fifty cents’ worth of vinyl that could save you a massive headache with the wrong cop on the side of the road. My name and the carriers name is on my registration, so my truck says operated by on the side. And the only place my name is on the outside is on my hood emblems.

 

Well, as you already know, I like to argue. Hahaha.

 

My goal with any inspection is to get out of there with the least amount of hassle. And we all know that officers can interpret the law differently. So when we did the vinyl on my truck he printed Operated By small in the stripe, just in case. So far nobody has said anything, but I did have OK ask for the lease agreement like they usually do.