Do Hot Shots under 10001 lbs follow DOT and FMCSA and HOS?

rental trucks can eat into your overhead and bring you into the red fast. if you have enough capital you are better off paying for the authority and BOC3 agent and buying (unless you already have) a truck and trailer. you do not need all brand new equipment. I have a 2003 F-350 and a 24 ft gooseneck that cost me $5000. Remember there are things uch as insurance, fuel costs, and upkeep of your rig to factor in what you are getting paid. starting out, money will be tight. I am still new in the business and I am getting to the point where I am starting to break even on hauls. short hauls are nice but remember you could be sitting a while for those loads.

 

You won't make any money. the competition has pushed rated down so unless you are willing to either specialise in something or hook up with an established carrier who can give you consistent otr work, it isn't worth it. Many of us have tried this by the way.

 

the only way I can get anywhere close to making money, outside of getting hauls in the oil field, is to go OTR with my hotshot driving. If I book a load close to home the minimum I can do the haul for is $150 for the 100 mile radius of my home base and that is using my own truck and trailer combo.

 

It's a simple fact, if you haul for hire you can't get out from under some federal regulations even 10K, "been there done that"

 

if you use uship it is extremely competitive and will break you quick

 

you can be successful but it takes time

 

Some confuse CMV vehicles with CDL required vehicles. States will give definitions of CDL required CMVs and refer to CMVs in regards of the rules that require a CDL. Yet there are CMVs that exist that are outside all this. It can get confusing. What you are asking is one of them outside the rules CMVs.

No you don't have to comply with the federal regulations or HOS. No you don't need a US DOT#.

Now that's the federal end as far as the (CMVSA) Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 which all states had to adapt.

As long as you don't haul placarded hazmat then you just have to comply with state laws. That includes tagging your vehicle with a CMV tag for it's weight class which you would have a 10,000 lb tag. That just means you're in business and have a FEIN.

If one hauls placarded hazmat in a van, pickup or car then they need a class C CDL and must follow the regulations.

Anyone can be ticketed for being overweight for the vehicle they are driving.


Now here's the kicker, states have to follow the CMVSA but they are allowed to be stricter if they choose.

Personally I don't know the states if any that are stricter. Maybe this is a good thread for anyone that knows a particular state to post it.

Most hotshots have to follow the rules for the fact they pull a gooseneck trailer.

Useful links pertaining to your question:

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/cdl/cdl.htm

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/gettingstarted/guide0.10.htm

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/hos/Interstate-Truck-Driver-Guide-to-HOS_508.pdf

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/drug-alcohol/index.aspx


I'll add this. When you read the regulations you see CMV this, CMV that....
Here's the definition of CMV in regards to the regulations.

 

10,000 lbs or less is not required to comply with FMCSA regulation with the exception of Hazmat then all regulations apply. Any CMV of 10,001 or more all regulation apply.