I am new to hauling horses. I am being told 10 different things by different companies saying they are the go to person for USDOT stuff. I have talked to the official people but they just send me to their site which is super confusing.
I'm just looking for in a nutshell the minimum requirements I need to comply with hauling horses for other people. My truck & trailer are under 26,000lbs.
Posted 2013-08-21 6:49 PM (#154183 - in reply to #154181) Subject: RE: USDOT requirements?
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Visalia, CA 93292
Their is a subject that is tough to give you advise because almost every state has something different on regulations. If you are going to "Haul For Hire" you will need a DOT number. Also you will needs commercial insurance and license. Ok now that is the short version. Here are hard facts for insurance it will cost you about $6000.00 per year depending on your agent. You will also in some states need a class "A" or "B" license depending on your equipment and weight. In your case you will need a commercial if you have air brakes you need a endorsement for that so let start with a class "B" license. California is now checking for that even with RV people. The D.O.T has books that you can get and read up on everything. You can also you can take classes on "HOW TO" I have been pulled over several times and yes each officer tells me something different than the other. I have taken many of classes on D.O.T. compliance & safety they were worth my time. These classes sometimes are a day to three days in length. We have all started where you are and we have all paid the piper so your not going to get someone who is going to tell you all because we don't want more competition. What some people do is have a good attorney write a good contract have the client sign that you are not responsible for their horses. You can also demand that each client gets insurance for their horses to travel. Downside is for every situation their is someone who is going to take you to court no matter what. It is sad what this world has come to. Most people are good not everyone is a bad client. Do what you can and keep everything clean and in good repair and KEEP RECORDS!!. Also make sure that every horse you haul has coggins and health certificates. Some states require 6 months and other a year. Just in case you get into an accident or get pulled over and have to prove who's horse is who's. As far as telling you everything that you need it is difficult and that is why books are written. Their are no short cuts in life. Their are those who do take them but it will catch up with them one day. Not saying that I haven't taken some when I was younger.Also everyone who is new to transporting likes to put a big sign on your truck and trailer. At that point you are now commercial. Your big sign says "hit me" I have lots of money. LOL Learn from others and look up as much as you can about horse transportation keep your mouth shut and your ears open you will learn it takes time. Their is a good place I use which is "USRider" it is like Triple "A" but for people with horse trailers. D.O.T. is not something to mess with!! The fines are high and can send you packing the first ticket or if your trailer gets impounded. If entering a state with live stock and the sign say pull over and you get caught with out the right paperwork or license you have a good night in jail plus trying to explain to your clients where their million dollar horse is. Oh, no matter what a horse costs weather it is $500 or $25,000.00 to the client it is their baby and is always worth a million dollars. I guess this is the best I can do for the time I have to even think about this. Good luck don't do it half ass because we are all paying to do it right and if we know your doing it wrong will turn you in.
Posted 2013-08-21 9:48 PM (#154189 - in reply to #154181) Subject: RE: USDOT requirements?
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by spiritthunder on 2013-08-21 5:34 PM
I am new to hauling horses. I am being told 10 different things by different companies saying they are the go to person for USDOT stuff. I have talked to the official people but they just send me to their site which is super confusing.
I'm just looking for in a nutshell the minimum requirements I need to comply with hauling horses for other people. My truck & trailer are under 26,000lbs.
thanks for any help:)
Focus on the trailer's GVWR. If the trailer is over 10,001 lbs. and hooked to any vehicle under 26,000 lbs. it will be a Class "A" CDL if the combined weight RATING puts them over 26,001 lbs.
Posted 2013-08-21 9:52 PM (#154190 - in reply to #154181) Subject: RE: USDOT requirements?
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by spiritthunder on 2013-08-21 5:34 PM
I am new to hauling horses. I am being told 10 different things by different companies saying they are the go to person for USDOT stuff. I have talked to the official people but they just send me to their site which is super confusing.
I'm just looking for in a nutshell the minimum requirements I need to comply with hauling horses for other people. My truck & trailer are under 26,000lbs.
Posted 2013-08-21 9:56 PM (#154191 - in reply to #154181) Subject: RE: USDOT requirements?
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by spiritthunder on 2013-08-21 5:34 PM
I am new to hauling horses. I am being told 10 different things by different companies saying they are the go to person for USDOT stuff. I have talked to the official people but they just send me to their site which is super confusing.
I'm just looking for in a nutshell the minimum requirements I need to comply with hauling horses for other people. My truck & trailer are under 26,000lbs.
thanks for any help:)
If you stay purely intrastate, most states do NOT enforce USDOT registration for hauling livestock...BUT...If the farm truck crosses state lines, the truck is then involved in interstate commerce, and USDOT registration is required. Further, if the farm truck is operated for-hire – such as hauling livestock, chemicals or commodities for other operations – the USDOT registration and applicable regulations apply to the vehicle.
Posted 2013-08-21 9:58 PM (#154192 - in reply to #154181) Subject: RE: USDOT requirements?
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by spiritthunder on 2013-08-21 5:34 PM
I am new to hauling horses. I am being told 10 different things by different companies saying they are the go to person for USDOT stuff. I have talked to the official people but they just send me to their site which is super confusing.
I'm just looking for in a nutshell the minimum requirements I need to comply with hauling horses for other people. My truck & trailer are under 26,000lbs.
Posted 2013-09-05 3:29 PM (#154560 - in reply to #154181) Subject: RE: USDOT requirements?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322 Location: Fort Madison, Iowa
I started with talking to the people where I licensed my truck and then she gave me the number to the DOT in my state to answered my questions.
I found out from my local license office that because of my weight of truck and trailer, I needed to license my 3/4 ton truck for 5 tons to be legal on my registration.
Found out from calling the DOT that I'd only need a CDL if my truck weighed over 10,000 and my truck and trailer weighed over 26,0000 I only trail ride and don't do anything for profit.
I'd suggest you call your states DOT to get the right facts. I had someone telling me all kinds of wrong information so I was glad I called to find out what I'd legally need.
Posted 2013-09-09 9:30 AM (#154628 - in reply to #154181) Subject: RE: USDOT requirements?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
EXCELLENT ADVICE!!!!You never know when a local copper is NOT familiar with the laws. And should you go say over the line into another state....welll you are at least going to have a leg to stand on, as you would have been legal where you operate.
USDOT requirements?
