Do we need a DOT Medical Card for these trucks?

[FATCAT]

My machanic buddy and I were talking about the new truck I have on order and he said that at minimum, I will need to get a DOT Medical card to drive a 3500 or bigger truck, even though I would not need to get a CDL B for the new 4500 I have on order.



I checked the NH DMV website and found this Federal regulation:



"Requirements for Medical Certification

In the interest of public safety on the highways, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations require interstate commercial drivers to be medically fit to operate their vehicles safely and competently. You are required to have a physical exam and carry a U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) medical certificate if:



You operate a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) or gross vehicle weight (GVW) or gross combination weight (GCW) of 4,536 kilograms (10,001 pounds) or more in interstate commerce.

You operate a motor vehicle designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, in interstate commerce.

You operate a motor vehicle designed or used to transport between nine and 15 passengers, for direct compensation, beyond 75 air miles from your regular work-reporting location, in interstate commerce.

You transport hazardous materials in quantities requiring placards, in interstate commerce.

You must carry a current copy of your medical examination certificate with you when you drive. Residents of Mexico or Canada who drive in the United States can be certified by doctors in their countries, provided they meet the U. S. requirements. "



Now the first statement about the 10,001 lbs or more in INTERSTATE COMMERCE ... to me says if I'm not traveling across state lines for work (and this is my personal truck), I don't need to get a DOT Medical card.



Am I correct?



I think I'll call the doctor anyway and get one just in case.

 

[GaryOwen]

Since you are not using it for commerce - no medical card needed. DOT physicals usually run from about $25 to $100. IMO - save your money.



Gary

 

[FATCAT]

What about the scales? Will the 4500/5500's be obligated to pull into the weigh-stations along the highways?

 

[catdsl]

no scales unless you haul stock or are over 26,000 lbs.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

no scales unless you haul stock or are over 26,000 lbs.

OR are hauling commercially, (I think anyway)



SHG

 

[HBarlow]

You're probably asking the wrong question. The answer is not based on the truck but it's GVWR, whether it has a pickup body or commercial bed/body, the weight of a trailer you're pulling, what's on the trailer, the purpose it's being used for, and your state laws if you're not crossing state lines.



You should call or visit your state police office and ask a commercial enforcement officer. Ask for your state's commercial driver handbook.



There is a clear federal definition but your state may have a different interpretation for intrastate use.



Harvey

 

[therabbittree]

In Commerce Those are the key words. . ie . . are you being paid to haul something on your truck or in you trailer?, and are you crossing state lines?. . If you can answer yes. . Then you need the medical card. .

Thanks,

Deo

 

[jelag]

Each state has different laws based on what trucks must scale... in BC Canada its over 4500 KG even if your a pickup... . OR, WA, CA, ID all have different standards... . one is 16,000, another is 20,000 and the other is 26,000... . But this is for commercial trucks... . private personal trucks don't apply... . so you can pull your 5er with a 3500 dually at 28,000 lbs... .

Its the same for the medical, you can own a 5500 @ 19,500 or a F550 @ 19,500 or a Chevy... . without a medical as long as it pulls your travel trailer... or personal race car trailer, or boat, not for gain (hire)... . once your in the business to make money (commerce) your required the medical card, log books, and all the other DOT requirements which are Federal standards... . it doesn't matter if your stay in one state or cross a state line... .

The exception to these rules are those drivers who are at home at night (local delivery drivers) or farm workers... . who can drive within a 200 mile radius of the farm with a farm license... ...

I have a Class A, CDL with combination and Air Brakes but even I don't know all the rules... Hope this helps...

BTW - you don't have to be paid when you haul to fall under these rules... . lets say I ask my MIL to move one of my commercial trucks... . and it's got product on it..... and he gets stopped..... he has to follow the rules... now I loan him the same truck to haul his personal goods from one home to another..... now its not a commercial haul... . This is like a Budget Truck, Hertz, or Penske Truck @ 26,000 lbs hauling personal goods, or commercial goods..... but some states require all rental trucks to stop... . so they can inspect the load and fine you if you don't have the license, logs, medical... . etc. .

 

[Thunderbolt]

A couple things to keep in mind:

A medical examination is not nessecary if you are hauling your wife and kids to the mall, or you camper to the mountains, or you tractor to the tractor pull.



Engaged in INTERSTATE and COMMERCE, GVWR in excess of 10,000 lbs.



Interstate means crossing state lines.

Intrastate means operating within state lines.



Commerce means simply operating a Commercially registered vehicle for the purpose of making money.



IF you are hauling FOR HIRE and have a GVWR of <26,000 lbs and stay within state lines you are NOT required by FEDERAL law to have a Medical Exam.

Additionally if you don't exceed 100 miles from home terminal where you report AND will return within a 12 hr. period you don't need to keep a log book.



This is based on Federal law Title :49. Hope this helps.



'Bolt

 

[AMink]

Wouldn't it be nice if the rules were the same state to state? I guess that would be too easy.

 

[barbwire]

The US is becoming more & more communistic every day. When asked to see my papers, I am reminded of the days of the Hitler regime. "Yes Heir Commandant" , No Heir Commandant. "I am only trying to make a living for my family, Heir Commandant"

What amazes me is that people can pull a 5ver, and a boat somewhere, stay up all weekend drinking and partying, tired as hell, and pull it all back home, and not be bothered by the communistic DOT. "But, OH man!!!" " Just try to make a living 10 or 12 hours a day!!!!!!!!!!!"

 

[HBarlow]

Wouldn't it be nice if the rules were the same state to state? I guess that would be too easy.

In general state transportation laws are based on the federal code for interstate (crossing state lines) commerce but might vary somewhat for intrastate (within their borders) commerce. States do enforce different rules when it comes to weigh scales. Some require all commercial vehicles to stop and weigh, some, probably due to traffic, require only vehicles with a weight exceeding 16k or 20k, etc. CA does not want any pickups on their scales even RV transporters who are clearly engaged in interstate commerce. However, in CA a 3500 cab and chassis, anything other than a pickup bed must weigh.



Most of the confusion results from drivers who simply don't understand the rules and many times they are getting away with violating the law without realizing it. Even a landscaper pulling his own backhoe or tractor on his own trailer behind his own truck within the borders of his home state is engaged in commercial activity and falls under DOT rules. However, if he is operating within a 150 mile radius he probably doesn't have to keep a log book. Exceptions make it harder to understand. That's why, when answering a question I usually suggest the poster visit his commercial enforcement office and ask.



Harvey

 

[FATCAT]

Well, my new truck will be ready March 8, and not mid-April! (I wish it was mid-April so I could get a few more paychecks under my belt).



Most of my work will be within the state of NH, but there will be times I need to bring my small backhoe down to Mass or Maine for personal use or let a friend "borrow" it for a day.



Also I will need to go to NJ a few times this year to help clean out my folks home.



I probably should just go get the stupid DOT physical and get the card just in case.

 

[HBarlow]

FATCAT,



Getting a DOT physical is a good idea but that is only a small part of the issue.



You will be operating a commercial vehicle in intrastate and/or interstate commerce. You will need to obtain DOT registration and numbers for your truck, commercial liability insurance, fire extinguisher mounted, carry reflective triangles, commercial vehicle inspection sticker on the windshield, keep a log book when you go beyond a 150 mile radius or cross state lines, and stop at all scales.



Again, you should visit your state commercial motor vehicle enforcment office or talk to a trooper in your state police barracks that does commercial vehicle enforcement.



Most states have stepped up enforcement of commercial motor vehicle regulations since the Single State Registration system was superceded but not replaced by Congress.



You are likely to get stopped and ticketed if you don't.



Harvey

 

[DMattson]

Harvey has spelled it out,DOT #'s saftey equipment,Annual Inspections,Vehicle Log Book,ect. .

I work for a utility so were exempt from the driver log book,but we have to have med. cards. 10,001 lbs. up to 26,000 ,CDL above 26,000.

Oh and if say you drive a F350 with a GVWR of 9900 and you pull a Snomobile Trailer that makes the GVRW of the combo over 10,000 and you gotta have DOT #s ect. .

We had a crackdown in our area,the commercial vehicle inforcement guy came over and held a little class for us said laws were now same for USA,Canada & Mexico ..... LOL yeah right. Except for some additional regional Regs.

I find it funny that a guy can drive a combo under 26,001 lbs. and fill out a vehicle post trip log and not have a CDL ?

 

[DMattson]

Oh yeah and if it has to have a DOT # it has to stop at the scales.

 

[FATCAT]

FATCAT,



Getting a DOT physical is a good idea but that is only a small part of the issue.



You will be operating a commercial vehicle in intrastate and/or interstate commerce. You will need to obtain DOT registration and numbers for your truck, commercial liability insurance, fire extinguisher mounted, carry reflective triangles, commercial vehicle inspection sticker on the windshield, keep a log book when you go beyond a 150 mile radius or cross state lines, and stop at all scales.



Again, you should visit your state commercial motor vehicle enforcment office or talk to a trooper in your state police barracks that does commercial vehicle enforcement.



Most states have stepped up enforcement of commercial motor vehicle regulations since the Single State Registration system was superceded but not replaced by Congress.



You are likely to get stopped and ticketed if you don't.



Harvey

I am not a company. I willnot be operating in intra or interstate commerce. I did speak with the NH State Police Hiway Enforcement Div. Trooper for about 20 minutes and he stated that if i were to take $1 for doing anything, then I would fall under the DOT Commerce rules. I will need to get a DOT Medical card for being over 10,000 lbs. , but not all the other stuff so long as I only use the truck for personal stuff.



If I do not own a business and am not incorperated as a business or self employed, I could not get a DOT registration anyway. The Trooper did say that my suggestion of putting "Not For Hire" on the side of the truck would be a good idea.

 

[HBarlow]

There is no point to trying to convince or deceive me or other TDR members. You have previously stated here that you planned to put a dump bed on the truck and I remember you mentioning hauling some sort of earth moving equipment.



Private individuals do not put dump beds on their trucks just to drive around. A dump bed has a commercial purpose. So does a back hoe, tractor, or bulldozer. You may or may not "own a company" but you are obviously going to charge a fee for hauling material or moving dirt. That makes it commercial.



If you gave the trooper incorrect information you received incorrect answers.



It is not a concern of mine. Do whatever you wish with your truck. My interest is in providing correct information for other TDR members with legitimate questions about commercial use of a light truck.



Harvey



Harvey

 

[therabbittree]

HBarlow said "Private individuals do not put dump beds on their trucks just to drive around. A dump bed has a commercial purpose. So does a back hoe, tractor, or bulldozer. You may or may not "own a company" but you are obviously going to charge a fee for hauling material or moving dirt. That makes it commercial"

Ah If don't get this???? So just because I have a dump bed on my truck it automatically means I'm lying and using it commercially?

Ah was the last time you priced any home deliverys of mulch or stone and gravel?. . $50-$75 around there and I only live 5 miles from a supply yard and Gravel mine, snowploaw, I'd be $45 minimum every 4 inches of snow, and each time if a storm required more then one time... .

I own a dumping 1 ton and plow to make my work at home much easier I'm tired of shoveling stone out of the back of my pickup bed for my driveway and home projects , so I built a dumping flatbed.....

Same with a tractor or back hoe dozer etc. . I would rather own and run my own equipment at my own home then pay some one to come and do it for me. If I don't own the euipment needed, I'd rent it and trailer it back to my property. If I drive to my relatives property and work for them for free that is not commerical either... etc etc...

I am also a law enforcement officer and I inspect commercial trucks, the opinion & the attitude you show with your statement that no private people have a need for that equipment so they must me commercial is false in my experience. Yes, there are many doing as you say without the proper regs and laws being followed, BUT there are others that are not for hire, and used for private use only legitimately, even with tractor trailers... etc. You can't use a blanket statement like yours... in all cases.

Thanks,

Deo

 

[HBarlow]

What percentage of private individuals owning light trucks would you say have dump beds installed and pull trailers around with a backhoe on it for their private use?



Harvey