Crossing Canada Border As "Not For Hire" - What Should I Know?
Topic 15476 | Page 1
Sorry you're not getting any responses but that's a tough question and I don't expect anyone here will have an answer for you. I would contact OOIDA and see if they can help you:
OOIDA:
Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
Who They Are
OOIDA is an international trade association representing the interests of independent owner-operators and professional drivers on all issues that affect truckers. The over 150,000 members of OOIDA are men and women in all 50 states and Canada who collectively own and/or operate more than 240,000 individual heavy-duty trucks and small truck fleets.
Their Mission
The mission of OOIDA is to serve owner-operators, small fleets and professional truckers; to work for a business climate where truckers are treated equally and fairly; to promote highway safety and responsibility among all highway users; and to promote a better business climate and efficiency for all truck operators.
I cross the Canadian border regularly with an American car, not truck. My car insurance is with Farm Bureau and they give me a special insurance certificate just in case I get stoped. Might not help but worth asking your insurance company about.
Sorry not much help.
Having crossed each direction without cargo, I'd assume you just need the documentation you mentioned. The only time I've needed other paperwork was when I was loaded. At that point wouldn't you just be considered a fancy RV?
Thanks for the advice guys. Yeah it's difficult to say. I did call my insurance and they said I was insured for Canada. I should call back to see if that letter is an option. Great tip!
And here's one update: I contacted the Canadian Border services and spoke with a senior officer (surprisingly they were very easy to get a hold of). I told him about my unique scenario and that the truck is coming into Canada for "show" only. He said all I would need is a letter from the venue stating the specific intentions along with a contact name and number. Any paperwork that might be necessary would be completed at the border (nothing to submit ahead of time).
Fingers crossed, but it sounds like it shouldn't be too bad. Now I'm trying to contact the US agency to ask the same questions. They aren't anywhere near as easy to reach.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
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Hey gang - newbie here with a question I'm pretty confident will be a unique one. :)
I've got a Western Star big rig. I own the truck (or should I say I'll be paying it off for the next 30 years lol) and I am "not for hire." I don't work for anyone, nor am I a commercial hauler. I don't use it for business, and thus don't pull any trailers. Since I do not have a US DOT number, I do not keep any log books either.
(And I know you're already wondering what the heck I'm doing. Getting that part out of the way, the truck is an "Optimus Prime" replica truck from the movie Transformers. In other words it's just a show truck.)
I've been invited to display the truck at a convention in Canada for a weekend. We won't be hauling anything, and I'm not getting paid for this appearance. So really no "commercial" use of any kind.
My question is - given the above circumstances, what should I know about driving my rig across the Canadian border? Outside of bringing my CDL and our passports obviously. The truck is current with insurance (will need to double check if I'm covered in Canada), registration, and inspection stickers.
Any insights would be appreciated. Either crossing into Canada or coming back into the states. I certainly don't want to drive 10 hours just to be sent back home.
Thank you! Joe
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.