What's a Commerical Motor Vehicle - New Law

[HGreen]

From Commerical Carrier Journal online newsletter



Should we support this?



Bill would redefine commercial vehicles

By Jill Dunn



A U. S. House bill would change the federal definition of commercial motor vehicles to include only those that weigh more than 26,000 pounds. The bill’s sponsor, U. S. Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla. , said the legislation would help Oklahoma farmers.



“Oklahoma borders six other states, and our farmers often need to cross those state lines,” Boren said. “I am hearing from farmers across my district who are already facing fines from these regulations that were never meant to apply to them in the first place. ”



Federal motor carrier regulations give states discretion in deciding whether in-state vehicles under 26,001 pounds are considered commercial vehicles, but those crossing state lines are held to the federal standard of 10,001 pounds. H. R. 1757 would change the definition of a commercial motor vehicle to include only those that exceed 26,000 pounds, which Boren says makes it consistent with most states’ laws.



The bill -- introduced March 29 and referred to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee -- doesn’t change safety standards for vehicles of any weight that transport 16 or more passengers or hazardous materials.



Classification as a commercial motor vehicle requires farmers and ranchers to hold a commercial driver's license, obey hours-of-service regulations and register their vehicles with the U. S. Department of Transportation.

 

[steved]

I have mixed feelings... I say no, as far as I'm concerned ANY vehicle operated "commercially" on a public highway should be required to follow DOT regulations (hours, weights, registration, inspections, license, etc. )... it isn't a matter of inconvinience, but a matter of SAFETY.

You should see the "safe" farmers that are exempt in those "other" states... for example: In OK, I passed a "farmer" driving a 2500 Duramax towing at least a 40 foot GN. On the GN was a tri-axle dump truck brimming over the top with grain... tell me he was under his GVW.

steved

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

YUP - we *DO* sorta want to be sensitive to what WE share the roads with!

 

[robertyoke]

I have mixed feelings... I say no, as far as I'm concerned ANY vehicle operated "commercially" on a public highway should be required to follow DOT regulations (hours, weights, registration, inspections, license, etc. )... it isn't a matter of inconvinience, but a matter of SAFETY.



You should see the "safe" farmers that are exempt in those "other" states... for example: In OK, I passed a "farmer" driving a 2500 Duramax towing at least a 40 foot GN. On the GN was a tri-axle dump truck brimming over the top with grain... tell me he was under his GVW.



steved

then he would be over the gcwr of 26,001 #'s

law reads any combination of vehicles over 26,001 # not just the tow vehicle.

but right now most drw and some srw 1 tons are over 10,001 gvw and are subject to inspection, dot regs. loaded or not and you must have a least a medical certificate to drive them, most people DO not.



what I think should change is no cdl or testing for rv's. some of these rv are getting too big and there drivers have no training.



-robert

 

[Diesel Dually]

I'm kind of from the school of less is more... I am for safety but you can also be regulated out of existance, and not be any safer... I am all for this bill, if it does what is said here and there aren't a bunch of other stuff added in.

 

[jelag]

I'm on the west coast here... and OR and WA both have a special license they issue for trucks that are farm trucks, and are driven by farm workers... . they have to stay with in 150 mile radius of the farm... . but some of the classic things like log books, and other restrictions are lifted, and other restrictions are imposed... . And from what I've seen they seem to be fair.....

As another example, the safety requirement is there, as well as stopping at scales... .

 

[steved]

See here around Reading, we have hay-haulers that run ratty old Farm trucks that are not inspected because they have Farm tags... yet they are using them commercially. Most wouldn't pass a PA vehicle safety inspection, let alone a DOT inspection.



And the driver's are not regulated under DOT (DOT exempt)... so you can have a 16 YO driving a "Farm Truck" over 26k with nothing more than a typical driver's license. They don't have to scale, nothing... that bothers me in a big way.



steved

 

[robertyoke]

See here around Reading, we have hay-haulers that run ratty old Farm trucks that are not inspected because they have Farm tags... yet they are using them commercially. Most wouldn't pass a PA vehicle safety inspection, let alone a DOT inspection.



And the driver's are not regulated under DOT (DOT exempt)... so you can have a 16 YO driving a "Farm Truck" over 26k with nothing more than a typical driver's license. They don't have to scale, nothing... that bothers me in a big way.



steved

Just because people don't go through the weight/check station does not mean they are not supposed to.

Farm tags, reg tags and comm. plates are supposed to weigh if 26,001 and over unless the are a rv, at least in colorado. In fact here in colorado if towing a trailer over 10k but under 26,001 gcw. You are still supposed to weigh, if within 3 miles of the weight/check, most don't and some of the cops don't know any better. The csp does but don't bother in most cases, unless they see you are just blatantly over loaded.

-robert

 

[steved]

... at least in colorado...

-robert

Exactly... and laws vary state-to-state, which is the main issue.



As far as I'm concerned, anything used commercially or over 10k pounds (regardless of what it is) should fall under the category of commercial.



steved

 

[RJWEST]

Everyone always wants to have the government regulate someone else,
but complain, when they fall into to a regulated catagory.

Lets make all drivers pass a Commercial test for interstate driving.
Sure cut down on fuel consumption... .

 

[steved]

Everyone always wants to have the government regulate someone else,

but complain, when they fall into to a regulated catagory.



Lets make all drivers pass a Commercial test for interstate driving.

Sure cut down on fuel consumption... .

See, I have a CDL A license... I understand the whole DOT thing... pretrip, bi-annual inspections, random drug testing, etc. And most of the "professional drivers" don't even do a pretrip, let alone know how to do a pretrip.



IMO, this is about safety... nothing else. You start leaving the farmers bypass safety regulations and someone is going to pay with their life... that is my biased opinion based on what I see around here... farmers will shortcut ever corner they can to save a buck.



steved

 

[Diesel Dually]

Knowing a few farmers myself, I can understand why they are trying to save anyway they can. I have never seen a farmer using the old farm truck going down the interstate towing anything... They do tow on back country roads to get the crops out of the fields at about 20 mph or less. Sorry, I don't see the problem. I tow good size hay trailers from the field to my barn and it isn't that hard to stay at a reasonable and safe speed. The trailers are all labeled with the slow moving vehicle triangle etc for "safety".



I too have a CDL-A, know about the pre trip checks so on and so forth, and think we are too regulated as is. If this all for safety (and not revenue) why shouldn't everyone need to follow the same criteria. Make sure you have the proper papers at each check point or you will be taken away - Oops that must be a different country. If you want to save lives, ban EVERYTHING!!! Remember only the government can save you!! Ah, okay my rant is over...

 

[RJWEST]

stved : any vehicle operated commericial should be regulated,

The gov'n egg heads love that line of thought... .

Mary Kay sales mom, real estate sales person, etc... .

Man the govn't gotta love you. .

And , God Bless the Hard working farmers,
Thank you for feeding us every day... !!!!

 

[steved]

stved : any vehicle operated commericial should be regulated,



The gov'n egg heads love that line of thought... .



Mary Kay sales mom, real estate sales person, etc... .



Man the govn't gotta love you. .



And , God Bless the Hard working farmers,

Thank you for feeding us every day... !!!!

I'm sure the family of the road worker that got ran over and killed by the farmer who lost his brakes would agree with you... and yes, that's a true story.



I don't care about the cars, but anything that has airbrakes should be regulated regardless...



steved

 

[rowilson]

I'll bet you there are more accidents caused by non farmers driving like idiots on backroads passing farm equipment at or about the posted speed limit without coming down to the equipments speed. And you can probably count on one hand the amount of accidents a farmer has in a state compared to non ag profession drivers.

 

[CBari]

I Think The Proposed Law Is Good And Is Deserving Of Our Support.





Now Let Me Elaborate On My Views.



Both Of My Trucks Carry Farm Tags In Arkansas That Allows Me To Be Cdl Exempt (i Do Have One Though But Not My Wife) If I Taged The Trucks With Standarded Comercial Tags They Then Want A Cdl Driver. Some Of You Might Ask Why Do Personal Trucks Used As Everyday Drivers Need A Commercial Licence To Begin With.



Well It Is Simple In The Mind Of The Arkansas Dot Officer That Stoped Me In Jan. Once I Hook One Of My Horse Trailers To My Trucks And Head Off To A Rodeo Or An Other Equine Event In Which Money Is Changing Hands I Am Operating My Truck In A Commercial Venture And Thus Required Commercial Tags. I Cried Foul On His Ticket Went To Court, Lost And Paid My Fines.



Now Back To The Farm Tag Issue My Wife Driving Either Of My Trucks With A 3 Horse Trailer Is Under The 26000# But The Trailer Is Over 10000# So According To The Current Law She Would Have To Stop At The Scales When Leaving The State And Entering Another State. Is She Operating Any Way That Is Going To Make Her More Of A Hazard On The Road Then Any Of You Pulling Your Tt Or 5ers? I Say Not.



I Do Know For A Fact The Farm Running Trucks Over The 26000# Are Required To Stop At The Scales.





As Far As The Farmer With The 3/4 Durmax And The Tri-axle Gooseneck And The Grain Truck He Would Be Required To Stop At The Scales But Chances Are He Wouldn't Be Going Out Of State.



If You Still Think The Farmers Are Milking This Country Dry And Placing You And Your Family In Danger On The Roads Then Look At Everything In Your Life That You Use, Wear And Eat That Is Produced On A Farm And Boycott It, But I Don't Want To See You In Your Birthday Suit When You Become Malnurished.



Sorry My Rant Was So Long

 

[Bob Cochran]

Don't want to get in to the farmer thing. I will say there are some with farmer tags that are dangerous as is there people without the farm tags. I sure wish there was uniform driver license as well as weight rules for RV's similiar to say the CDL(RVDL???) recognized by all states. Arizona does not even have a non-commercial class A(as California does and other states I am sure) any longer only have CDL which is way over kill for an RV. Certainly if air brakes are on the vehicle there should be an air brake endorsement required. This should/would help stop the discussions we are having here at this time. I am saying this even though I hate having the Feds more envolved than they already are!!!!Sooner or later while I am under the 26000#'s my trailer is close to 14000#'s. I don't stop at any scales but if DOT deems they should chase me down I will turn around and get weighted and face the consequences when it happens what ever they should be. I guess worst case will have to hire someone with a CDL to drag my rig out of the state. I have gotten caught in the moving scale lane in California and was flashed to pull in to scale but did not. No CHIP's so far has chased me down; lets hope this is always the case.

 

[Pavemen]

it should be 26,001lb or more combined or more than 40ft combined or multiple trailer towing, regardless of for hire or not. plain and simple. i cant see how its different for a guy in a 2500 pickup pulling his 12 foot utility trailer with or without a CDL, even if he hits 14k GCVWR. Joe Schmo next door or Hector the lawn guy? I see no difference and no need for the extra regs/rules for the lawn guy.

enforce safe cargo loading and securing methods for all drivers/setups. enforce existing traffic laws for all drivers/setups.

 

[steved]

stved : any vehicle operated commericial should be regulated,



The gov'n egg heads love that line of thought... .

!

And if they weren't regulated now, what do you think the roads would be like? They would not be safe to be on in anything short a sherman tank.



I have dealt with truck driver's a lot in my short time. I find it absolutely amazing what they will try to shortcut and the laws they will break just to get the few extra miles... not all drivers are this way (don't take this to mean that), but more than one is dangerous.



And again, the farmers around here are what I base my prejudice on... I have seen more unsafe acts on the road by "farm trucks" than I care to remember. I see them everyday and everyday. The example I gave of the Duramax was just an extreme example of what could be driving down OUR highway at any given time... and that was a true sighting north of Tulsa on I44.



The same way with school buses around here... everyday I watch the same school bus on the same route pull out into traffic without regard for anyone's safety... just to go down the road 150 feet and turn back off the highway. And the majority of them are that way... they take too many chances... NOT WITH MY KIDS THEY WON'T!



I look at it this way... ONE unsafe driver can kill YOUR family in a accident. And I don't care if you have the most protective car made today... get run over by 80k pounds and your dead. And dead is dead.



steved

 

[Diesel Dually]

Yep... Dead is dead with or without regulation.