DOT Inspection?

[glennm01]

In the US, does a Fuso camper conversion that's never used for commercial purposes still require a DOT number/inspection? It's tough to find a definitive answer on this, but based on what I've found so far, it appears that any commercial vehicle over 10,001 lbs. needs a DOT number. It's not clear to me, however, if private use and not needing a CDL changes anything. What are others doing in this regard?

 

[billiebob]

Great question, but I'm betting it will be a state by state answer, not a federal regulation. Where do you live or where will you register your Fuso ?

 

[charlieaarons]

My U500 has a 33k GVW, is an RV, with air brakes. And doesn’t need a DOT #. I do have a CDL just to be safe, especially outside North America.

 

[RoamIt]

My U500 has a 33k GVW, is an RV, with air brakes. And doesn’t need a DOT #. I do have a CDL just to be safe, especially outside North America.

Could you elaborate on the 'just to be safe outside of North America' part? Would a U.S. CDL count for a a hvy truck operating license elsewhere?

 

[glennm01]

I'll be registering mine in Nevada soon. My sense is that it's a federal thing, though certain states might add their own additional requirements. I could easily be wrong though.

 

[charlieaarons]

People claim they are exempt from needing a CDL in North America with an RV. In Australia and EU, and other places, one needs a CDL if >3500 or 7500kg (depending on area and age of original license); no matter what, no exception for RVs. But if one has a CDL, there’s reciprocity almost everywhere.

 

[SkiFreak]

I have not really heard of our licenses being referred to as a CDL, but in Australia there are different categories of license, primarily based on weight and type of vehicle, not that this is really pertinent to the questions being asked.

 

[kerry]

I don’t know. My truck was in commercial use before I purchased it so had a DOT inspection and number. I have never done anything with it, assuming it is unnecessary in non commercial use. I may be completely mistaken. Do large farm trucks have DOT certification? I don’t recall seeing any numbers on them.

 

[billiebob]

I have not really heard of our licenses being referred to as a CDL, but in Australia there are different categories of license, primarily based on weight and type of vehicle, not that this is really pertinent to the questions being asked.

yep, in Canada a CDL, Commercial Drivers License, is a Class One, which lets you drive anything except a school bus which needs a Class Two. 3 Axle Straight Trucks, not articulated need a Class Three plus AiR Brake Endorsement and to drive a Taxi, Ambulance, Limo, you need a Class Four.... technically a chauffeurs license.



Class Five is the one everyone has. Class Six is a Learners License which is a graduated license with restrictions for the first two years regardless of age and finally Class Seven for motorcycles capable of more than 18mph....... E-Bikes in Canada are limited to 30kph/18mph.... not new since mopeds in the 1960s faced the same speed restrictions. Anything faster, gas or electric and you need the Class Seven License, plus insurance and registration for the bike.

ps, these are all Provincial, not National Regulations. Canada also has some of the heaviest highway trucks with 8 axles, 63,500KGs, 139,500LBs.... when I drove these 25 years ago I had a 14L Diesel, 435 HP thru an 18 speed. Today most Super Bees have 600 HP.



But for International visitors, we often accept a foreign license.... altho with limitations for weight.

 

[billiebob]

Do large farm trucks have DOT certification?

The BIG Canadian loophole...... Canadian Farm Trucks are exempt from virtually everything. And a few farmers always exploit that loophole altho the truck is only exempt if running for bona fide farm use. Some of our most unsafe, poorly maintained trucks have "farm licenses".

 

[SkiFreak]

This is what I call a big truck!

 

[glennm01]

I really hate to disrupt such a promising derailment just as it's getting up to speed, but...about those DOT inspections for Fuso builds (or really any similarly-sized commercial truck builds). Maybe the relative silence on the matter means it's a non-issue. Anyone?

 

[kerry]

Aren’t there thousands of privately owned large US trucks without DOT numbers?

 

[glennm01]

Precisely what I'm trying to get clarity on. That, and whether they're all legit in not having one. If that's the case, you'd think someone would've chimed in by now saying "yeah, you don't need one, and here's why." On that note, I found this handy link, which does seem to settle the matter:

Do I Need a USDOT Number? | FMCSA

EspañolAre you a Motor Carrier, transporting property or passengers in commerce? Yes

www.fmcsa.dot.gov

 

[86scotty]

Your link sums it up. I work in commercial trucking and this was my thought anyway. I would NOT pull in to any scalehouse. Some of them are more confused than the general public. Conduct yourself as a clueless (no offense) citizen driving your RV and carry on. I very seriously doubt you would ever be questioned. If so, refer to the link you posted above.

I don’t know. My truck was in commercial use before I purchased it so had a DOT inspection and number. I have never done anything with it, assuming it is unnecessary in non commercial use. I may be completely mistaken. Do large farm trucks have DOT certification? I don’t recall seeing any numbers on them.

Farms and farm trucks are usually intRAstate and they have all sorts of exemptions anyway depending on what they're doing.