CA Motor Carrier Permit and Insurance question.

Hello,

I'm kinda stuck in a tough spot and are looking for options. I purchased a 2002 Peterbilt 379 and are in the process of fixing it up. I am not a truck driver. I purchased this truck because I've always wanted to build a custom rig. Getting basic inexpensive, non-commercial insurance was not easy. Here in California, by law, I need to have a Motor Carrier Permit (MCP) in order to drive just the truck around (No load, No trailer). This is because it weighs more than 10,000 lbs and has three axles.

The DMV will not issue me a MCP because my insurance company (Progressive) will not file the necessary forms (Paperwork). They are telling me that I need more coverage than I currently have. I am also being told by my insurance carrier (The Insurance Store) that NO INSURANCE COMPANY out there is going to insure my truck without "trucker's insurance" which is twice as much as I'm paying now.

I will not, am not, putting any California mandated smog devices on the truck. I have registered it under the 1,000 mi limit expemtion plan with CARB. So, basically I'm being told that I need to insure my truck for about $3,000-$4,000 a year so it can sit in the my driveway 90% of the year. This whole thing does not sound right to me.

Does anybody have any advice or suggestions?

Thank you,

Mario

 

Nope, day cab.

 

This is what I have been telling numerous insurance companies that will not provide the DMV with the forms required for me to get my Motor Carrier Permit. Per the DMV, this is who is required to have a MCP:

[h=4]Who needs a permit?[/h]

• Any person or business entity that is paid to transport property in their motor vehicle regardless of vehicle size or weight. Persons who transport property for compensation are deemed a 'For-Hire' motor carrier.
• Generally, any person or business entity operating a commercial vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more, either for business or personal use. Persons operating such vehicles are deemed a 'Private' motor carrier.

[h=4]Who will not need a permit?[/h]

• Vehicles operated by household goods and/or passenger carriers as defined in Section 5109 of the Public Utilities Code (those vehicles operate under Public Utilities Commission authority)
• Vehicles operated by household goods carriers to transport used office, store, and institutional furniture and fixtures when operated under a household goods carrier permit issued pursuant to Section 5137 of the PUC.
• Pickup trucks with a GVWR of less than 11,500 pounds, an unladen weight of less 8,001 pounds, and equipped with a box-type bed not exceeding 9 feet in length, when operated in a non-commercial manner.
• Utility trailers, camp trailers, or trailer coaches.
• Vehicles providing transportation of passengers only, a passenger stage corporation transporting baggage and express upon a passenger vehicles incidental to the transportation of passengers.
• Vehicles used only for personal use and are 10,000 pounds GVWR or less.
• Two-axle daily rental trucks with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds when operated in non-commercial use.
• Vehicles which are exempt from vehicle registration fees.

As far as I can tell, I do need a MCP to drive my truck. It seems the problem lies with the insurance companies that don't want to cover me.

 

I have talked to DMV, CHP and my Insurance Company. Because the truck is a commercial vehicle, weighing more than 11,000 lbs and having a 3rd axle, the truck requires a motor carrier permit (MCP), regardless of what I actually do with the vehicle. That's the problem, the DMV, CHP and my Insurance company don't care that the truck has no towing devices or capability. There is no exception to the MCP law for Peterbilt trucks that are toys. Makes no sense, but what does in California.