Not For Hire?

Neighbor has an older KW he bought a few years ago when he retired that has "Not for Hire" on the side. He pulls their 5th wheel RV with it. Over the last 6 years they have been through all 50 states and just left for another summer to Alaska. He and his wife have "Class A Non-Commercial" licenses. He said he and the wife have both been stopped a few times, they were checking to see if he was a for hire or not.

 

We own a floor covering business here in arizona. I haul everything from our setting materials to carpet, tile, granite slabs, ect. Im a private carrier and not for hire. I have the us dot numbers on my truck and not for hire listed below that and that is all. Im considered a local driver as well so no log book for me just a daily time card. I pass by DOT cops weekly and have yet to be hassled by them and when i do pass through a scale house they see im a private carrier on on my way i go. I dont have to have IFTA tags either. If i do travel out of state i just buy a trip permit and fuel permit and carry on my way. You might be able to see my lettering on the battery box.

 

I have a 20 foot Volvo FE with air brakes and a GVWR of 33000. I was given the truck to store our burned items from a house fire that happened to out family. I asked the diesel mechanic if I needed a CDL to haul my burned stuff around.

He told me that I do not if:
A) Place a Not for Hire on the truck

B) Re register the truck as 26000 GVWR

From what I've read, I don't think either of them ate truly options, so I thought I'd send out this message for some absolute clarity.

I'm not trying to debunk the system. I'm trying to follow all rules according to our laws, so please respond with thoughts on how to best proceed through our laws.

 

A) not for hire means nothing legally. Sign or not doesn't change anything.
B) Some states will allow this, some will not dor registration.

As for needing a CDL. Yes you will need one if registered as a cmv. You might need one even if registered for personal use (California). The requirement is gross vehicle weight rating. It's not gross registered weight.

 

mine are on the frame rail in between the fuel tank and tandems

 

I don't remember the regulations exactly but it is specified. I believe the letters need to be 2 in tall in a conspicuous area and contrasting color.
I'm not sure about the height requirement but it is in the regs. Just not enforced it seems.
Apparently it must also be readable from 50 ft.

 

It really depends on your state so maybe if you posted your rough location that would help

Generally speaking... if you're using it for personal use you don't need a CDL. People rent huge Penske trucks all the time without CDLs

Having not for hire on the door isn't required and doesn't really mean much. That being said I have it on my truck. It's no guarantee that you won't get pulled over and questioned but helps reduce that

 

Nope, Penske (ryder too) will not rent a >26,000lb truck without a cdl holder.

 

I said huge, not massive