Dot # For 1 Run to Pick up a Trailer?

No number needed

 

No, I’d say keep a bill of sale or title handy to prove you just bought it and on the way home.

 

Yes you do. You are engaged in interstate commerce pulling a cmv across state (country) lines.

You can answer for yourself at Do I Need a USDOT Number? | FMCSA

Remember, fmcsa sees this as no different than a private carrier moving their own trailers around. The only thing you don't need is an mc# and cargo insurance.

 

Pulling a empty trailer that is in your name is not interstate commerce

 

There’s a guy I know from Alberta that comes down to the states for truck shows. He just puts regular plates on his truck same as you would a vehicle and drives it down and back empty.

 

Let's go through the questions...
1. Are you a Motor Carrier, transporting property or passengers in commerce?
Yes

2. Select One
I am a Canada-domiciled carrier

3. Does one or more of the following apply?
A. I am a for-hire Motor Carrier
B. I operate a vehicle with a GVWR, GCWR, GVW or GCW of 10,001 pounds or more

Then it's redirected to the dot,# sign up page. Seems fairly straightforward to me. And if you try to argue he's not transporting property, the trailer it's self is property. Plenty of case law about this.

It's also not personal use as he would not be moving the trailer if it wasn't to further commerce.

 

If switching to regular auto plates for a trip is a hassle just get the trailer delivered to the border.

 

the key words "in commerce" no load no pay no commerce

 

Literately 100's of years of case law on this. Way before even motorized vehicles were invented. It's in commerce as the move would never happen if he wasn't using it to make money with.

The whole intent of the move to to (eventually) make money with it. It's 100% in commerce.

 

Splitting hairs. I'd go get the trailer.