New Transporter Checklist For a Unique Situation

I drove a hotshot car carrier intrastate NJ for 2 yrs.moving luxury cars from dealerships to a customizing facility and then back.I was making 3 trips a day.Not once did I ever get pulled over.I did go through an inspection area numerous times and always got waved thru.That was in 91-94.The best thing to do is contact Ga.DMV and get it straight from the horses mouth. I'm sure you'll need all the basic safety equip.(fire extinguisher, triangles).No logs as long as you don't cross state lines.The rig I drove was a 90' F450 superduty with a 46'Featherlite aluminum triaxle trailer.I could fit 3 Full-size cars(Fleetwood or Towncar)with overhangs front and back.Needless to say it was hairy.The horse had juice brakes and the trailer electric.I always left way more stopping distance when loaded.The only mechanical problem I had(I did all maintenance and mechanics)was with the rear.The truck had those stainless covers over the rims and hubs and one day I noticed oil seeping from the hub cover.When I removed the covers,I saw the axle shafts had come loose.I had to replace all the studs and even had to helicoil a few of the holes.Threw the caps in the scrap pile.As far as insurance goes, just shop around and get the best price. Some other hands from your area could probably give you some names.I put 160k on that rig in 2 yrs.and made a lot of money,I just got tired of dealing with service managers and car salesman.One thing I can say if you take your time and keep an eye on your straps,keep your tires aired(mine were rated for 80,I kept them at 90)and watch your stopping distance,you'll do fine,I did.Good luck,if you have questions, don't be afraid to ask.

 

Here are two resources for you. Georgia requires registration with the state Dept. of Revenue for intrastate operating authority, very similar to the FMCSA interstate motor carrier authority process. They also have some minimum education requirements that must be completed before authority will be granted. The insurance limits, record keeping and compliance issues are nearly identical to the Federal requirements since Georgia adopts Federal rules by reference for the most part.

Georgia Trucking Portal - Frequently Asked Questions
Georgia Required Safety Training - Georgia Motor Trucking Association

To answer your other questions, log book not required if you stay within 100/150 air-mile radius and less than 12/14 hours on duty (same as Federal rules). Yes, you will need to comply with weigh stations, inspections and other commercial vehicle enforcement if you come across these on your route. Your truck and trailer will need annual inspections, fire extinguisher, triangles and working breakaway brakes to be compliant. Lettering of the operating carrier as well as your Georgia authority number. I believe GA also requires you to obtain a US DOT number as an intrastate carrier, but you would not need the MC number (which is the one that costs $300 and requires insurance filing).

The Georgia Motor Truck Association is a great resource for information and help with starting a GA based trucking company. Well worth your dues.

 

You'll have to get vehicle and trailer inspected.
I started a Georgia OTR car shipping company from scratch w a dually and Take 3 trailer with no help from anyone back in 2009. Put over 300,000 miles on the rig transporting vehicles to every state but Maine.
Talk to your insurance company about the cargo insurance. Basically you need enough to cover the replacement cost of what you're hauling. I had 300K cargo policy hauling 3 or 4 cars and my insurance was around 2 grand a month.
I'd suggest getting the CDL tho... For weight. Your truck is 11K the trailer will be around 6K. That leaves you w 7,000 pounds of cars. You will get pulled over eventually and checked.
Get your CDL and you'll have air brake restriction and no tractor trailer restriction.
Check out Eclipse Logbook. You can find it online. It's what I used.
Look into Foleyservices.com They did my fuel taxes and kept me compliant. If you get pulled over and something happens you call them and talk to a pro who gives you the advice you need.
Find a new or used auxiliary fuel tank for the bed of the truck and have it gravity fed to your main tank. You can shop for cheap fuel and save money.
Buy 19.5 wheels and tires. I got over 200,000 miles out of my rear tires and around 150,000/fronts. That route pays for itself.

There's a lot to it and you could act like you're not for hire or be legit... Running under the radar like a cowboy was how I started and after getting pulled over a few times I went the legal route.

I drive a Kenworth now and it's been a few years but I'll try and throw you a bone if I can think of anything else.

 

You run 19.5 on a 1 ton? Aftermarket wheels?

 

Check the dually GVWR, I'm pretty sure it's NOT 11,400 my 2013 F-350 dually extended cab GVWR is 14,000 lbs.

I just save you from being impounded, you're welcome.

 

I was not aware that can be done, even so it would not be wise. It's better to derate the trailer instead of the truck, you can buy a Take3 Ultralight with 12,000 lbs GVWR it's just the label difference from 14,000 lbs GVWR the trailer is exactly the same. When you sell the trailer it would have more value because it can be pulled with any other dually which are most rated HIGHER than 11,400.

You are not the only one trying to do 26,000 lbs or below, other people who are trying to do the same would be looking for a 12,000 GVWR trailer.

BTW, you can do it with a single rear wheel F-350 you are less likely to be pulled over.