Non CDL Driver, Driving Vehicle Under CDL Weight With Closed Alcohol In Truck Question
Topic 16534 | Page 2
We are a construction company, I am the new DOT Compliance Coordinator and learning as I go, and trying to become compliant with DOT Regulations. We do not run long haul trucks, our trucks are pickups with trailers. From my understanding you do not need a CDL Class ABCD to operate a 1 ton pickup. However, the regs say that a gross combined weight over 10001 lbs. to 26000 lbs. is considered a CMV , but then another regs states that the weight of the each vehicle has to be over 10001 lbs. I was not the one who has had the opportunity to instruct our employees on the rules, so I have not been able to make sure that they know the rules, the employees have been instruction they need to fill out a log book if they drive over 150 air miles and go through scales but NOT why. I am asking advice. I am trying to learn. Trying to read all of the FMCSA rules is confusing. In the future I will be teaching the regs to the drivers and they will know all of the rules.
Trying to decipher the rules from the FMCSA's can be extremely confusing. Luckily, as drivers (which is what this site caters to), we don't have to understand nearly the amount of regs that the COMPANY has to comply with.
As far as ALCOHOL GOES - you can have 40,000 lbs of hard cider, in a sealed trailer on a Bill Of Lading and you're golden. One bottle of it (open or otherwise) in the Cab of the tow vehicle, while operating On Duty - and yer busted.
Another note on Line 5 (which most companies don't allow for company drivers anyways). You cannot be UNDER A LOAD and log on Line 5. Dragging an empty is OK - bobtail is better.
Rick
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Bobtail:
"Bobtailing" means you are driving a tractor without a trailer attached.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
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.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.You should also have a knowledge of what your drivers haul. For a little perspective consider this:
Full size truck (1/4 ton) = about 5000lbs or more(newer) trucks weigh more.
14 ft double axle gooseneck trailer = 4400 lbs (give or take)
Thats 9400 lbs without a driver or equipement/materials
So a little homework on your part ,before you talk to someone at NASTC, will help you get things sorted out much more smoothly.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Ps...i was throwing out the lowest common denominator for a regular truck....your company is probably using at least a 3/4 ton truck...i hope.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
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I would suggest again getting in touch with NASTC. They specialize in small companies and they don't just help out truckers. Some of their clients are construction companies and lawn care operations. They will help you wade through all the regs as they apply to your specific needs.