Non-commercial use

Surpirsed you get away with not stopping at the scales that say "ALL VEHICLES OVER 5 TONS MUST ENTER".
Just so you know, the Private Carrier or Not for Hire are NOT required. Good to let them know what you are before they decide to pull you over but it is not required.

 

Since my truck is just about "roadworthy" this is all something for me to consider too. Since you're just bobtailing you wouldn't even have to pull into the scales would you? I can't ever remember seeing just a tractor on the scales. I'm thinking no. I don't remember seeing a post about that particular issue. If I missed it, please just shoot me, lol.

 

FMCSA rules only cover a MV and driver actually engaged in Interstate Commerce regardless of vehicle class. Most states have a Reciprocity agreement for MV and driver licensing so as long as you're in compliance with your own state's code I'd have to say you're good for most of the lower 48. California is a state that doesnt have a Recipricosity agreement to my knowledge so you might get some hassle going through it.

I'm having an issue with the idea that attending a truck show with a $$ prize could be considered commercial use. Does that mean if I drive my car to the store and buy a lottery ticket its Commercial use? How about if I drive to Atlantic City or Vegas? Car Shows? If I drive across state lines so I can purchase an Indiana lottery ticket have I engaged in Interstate Commerce?

Luv... Bobtails must enter scales.

 

Well, darn...

 

Non Commerical use is usually a problem with John law, port cops don't believe anyone, but i enjoy a good arguement with them before I pull my paperwork and prove them wrong. Start with FMCRs its 385.5 or close, I don't have it with me, I should state that we're running Historic Plates, we are not defined as a commerical vehicle, can be used for shows, parades, and to and from a shop, (not a grocery getter or to pickup th ekids from school), and as long as there are no prizes,trophys,or moneys,even charging a gate admission is considered compensation, if you haul your buddies restored trucks or tractors to a show he fuels thats compensation. We are working with IFTA on haveing them put in their ruleings that we don't need a sticker this should/may solve some issues with the historic plates, as of now we have several state excemption letters that we show as a get outa jail card, but here again for hist plates only. Flordia doesn't have historic plates and you have to be 25 yrs or older to get them (the vehicle not you), and Ca will honor other states requirements, for excample Arizona doesn't require CDL's for historic palted trucks and Ca will honor that.

 

You're on to the right idea. Since you have the time you should make yourself a folder with the FMCSR and each state rules so you can show them at the scales. I would highlight the key words like commercial and so on. That's what I would do. I'd also take the fifth wheel off if you don't need it.

The words "not for hire" only means that truck is a private carrier. It's like my company that only hauls our own product. We would not hire out to Chevron or anyone else.

Of course getting all the documents from each state will take some time but might just save you some bucks later on. I know of no court that will pay for your time and travel when you get a ticket. I think your first step is to go to one of the truck shows and talk to the guys with show trucks. Find out what they did and get to the bottom of what is commercial and what isn't. I know just about anything you get because of the tractor makes it commercial so it might be good to see what they went through.

It's great to have a tractor just to drive around but talk about a money pit. There're worse than a boat. I guess you just throw money at the tractor and let the wind take it away instead of throwing money into the water for a boat! Whatever shakes your world.

 

I'm in this club too. Mine's an antique though so I'm exempt from nearly every rule passed since 1952. As long as I've got antique plates. I'll be carrying copies of said exemptions in the cab with me.

 

I was thinking about torching the head rack off of my car hauler and useing to pull my boat,....Talk about pizzen money away!!!,.LOL,...

 

Mine's a '94 so this truck has a ways to go, the only thing antique about the combination is me LMAO.