Shop vehicle question (commercial tag/USDOT#)

[joelswork]

Hey guys...just Joel the installer here! I travel the country installing door hours, artwork, and a bit of this and that for a few large clients. I've never plated commercial but thought I should, after looking into it and changing vehicles. I now have a 1 ton cargo van and have been receiving most of my shipments at my office and taking off to whatever state they need to be installed in.

I need to know if I need a usdot# because I'm going state to state .

Do I need a log book ?

Do I have to stop on the scales ?

Hoping one of you guys/gals might know.

Thanks,

Joel

 

[James Burke]

In Michigan, anything one ton and over need DOT numbers.

But more importantly, make sure you have a commercial insurance policy on the vehicle. If you letter it up with your business name and were ever to get in an accident and get sued, your insurance company could deny coverage because you were conducting business under a personal policy. This is a very gray area if the vehicle has not been lettered, but once the name goes on, it's a whole new ball game.

I was pleasantly surprised that a commercial policy on my truck was actually less than personal coverage.

 

[joelswork]

My father-in-law has a horse ranch in michigan....everything needs tags and dot#s up there

Commercial insurance is cheaper down here too! Just confussed on the other stuff (tags are just about $25 higher)

 

[James Burke]

The DOT registration wil obviously cost you something. Check with your DMV to be sure about the other details. They'll know everything that needs to be done.

 

[Pat Whatley]

DOT numbers are free.

 

[joelswork]

DOT #s are free, check! But am I gonna have to adhere to all the driver limits on how far/many hours I can drive.....and those dang scales....????????????????

 

[Pat Whatley]

That's gonna vary state to state. Alabama doesn't require it and I've heard that if you do stop they get pissed because the light weight of the van screws up the scales and they have to stop and recalibrate.