CLASS RACER FORUM - View Single Post

Angela Macy · 08-09-2008, 12:17 PM

I mentioned some of this stuff to my superior, which sparked his interest due to where I work. He had a contact - Luetienent (sp?) with the Highway Patrol - this guy is over our general area, about 8 counties, including Guilford. Interestingly enough, the guy mentioned he had just gotten off the phone with a legislator regarding this stuff. He also said they were having more crack downs in the Farmington area.

According to him, which contradicts what is being posted on here and what everyone is being told, you're ok if your rig is over 60 feet if you are on a STAA approved road. http://www.ncdot.org/doh/preconstruc...ic/safety/TSI/

Here is a link to STAA approved routes - http://www.ncdot.org/it/img/DataDist...statewideMaps/

Basically anything interstate - such as I-85 and I-40 are approved. However, routes from those to the track probably aren't - such as Route 801 going to Farmington. Is this where they are busting people, on the small roads? Or are they busting people on the interstate?

He also said you could tow something behind a motorhome as long as it wasn't over 60 feet on a non STAA approved route.

He acted like more of the problem is with people not having CDLs. Anything over 10,000 pounds being towed for commercial use - commercial meaning generates income, which includes drag racing - requires CDL - also, if I wasn't mistaking, if you're towing with a 5th wheel you need a CDL according to what that guy says, but I suppose since most 5th wheel trailers are 3 axel they probably are over 10,000 pounds loaded anyway? It was all very confusing and again, contradicting what other are being told.

As for State Employees CDL only being for State Vehicles, me and my superior did not know that to be true. I know for sure a State Employees CDL license doesn't say "for state vehicle use only". However, most NCDOT employees who are Transportation Workers have a CDL with an endorsement only allowing them to drive a dump truck or like vehicle with a regular tag trailer, such as one for a backhoe. Their CDL endorsement says "No Semi Trailer" - Semi Trailer meaning 5th wheel connection. The reason this is the only endorsement most have is because that is all their job requires them to have which is all the state will reimburse the employee for. There are some TW's who have the endorsement to tow Semi Trailer, such as a low boy, if there job requires them to do so.

The State Worker can get additional endorsements if they want, the State just isn't going to pay for it if its not needed for their job.

One thing though worth mentioning, which may be where this is coming from, is the State Employees aren't required to have a medical card or the phyicals every so often. So if you're a State Employee and use your CDL for non state related things you probably should go on your own and get the required physicals to have the CDL and have that card. Meaning if you get stopped in a State Vehicle without a medical card your ok but in a personal vehicle your not. Also, state TW don't have to keep log books but out in the "real world" you would need to.

So in general a State Employee with a CDL while on the job isn't required to have all the paperwork your average Joe has, but once their an average joe using their CDL they'd have to have the paperwork.

Again, to the best of my knowledge and my supervisors - obviously things aren't so black and white so we may be wrong too.

Honestly I didn't get all the answers to my questions - simply put, us taking our dually with a trailer racing shouldn't require us to file out log books, take medical exams, have to stop at weigh stations, etc. I've also heard but not confirmed that it makes you auto insurance go up? (anyone know??) I'm sure there is more to it than just that as well.

Here is a link to the DMV page for CDL requirements
http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver_serv...uirements.html

You can download the CDL handbook here
http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver_serv...g/cdlhandbook/

If nothing more, I hope this meeting doesn't just focus on the length issue, but get clearer rules for us and our CDL needs.

08-09-2008, 12:17 PM	#3
Angela Macy Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Randleman, NC Posts: 301 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: DMV Crackdown I mentioned some of this stuff to my superior, which sparked his interest due to where I work. He had a contact - Luetienent (sp?) with the Highway Patrol - this guy is over our general area, about 8 counties, including Guilford. Interestingly enough, the guy mentioned he had just gotten off the phone with a legislator regarding this stuff. He also said they were having more crack downs in the Farmington area. According to him, which contradicts what is being posted on here and what everyone is being told, you're ok if your rig is over 60 feet if you are on a STAA approved road. http://www.ncdot.org/doh/preconstruc...ic/safety/TSI/ Here is a link to STAA approved routes - http://www.ncdot.org/it/img/DataDist...statewideMaps/ Basically anything interstate - such as I-85 and I-40 are approved. However, routes from those to the track probably aren't - such as Route 801 going to Farmington. Is this where they are busting people, on the small roads? Or are they busting people on the interstate? He also said you could tow something behind a motorhome as long as it wasn't over 60 feet on a non STAA approved route. He acted like more of the problem is with people not having CDLs. Anything over 10,000 pounds being towed for commercial use - commercial meaning generates income, which includes drag racing - requires CDL - also, if I wasn't mistaking, if you're towing with a 5th wheel you need a CDL according to what that guy says, but I suppose since most 5th wheel trailers are 3 axel they probably are over 10,000 pounds loaded anyway? It was all very confusing and again, contradicting what other are being told. As for State Employees CDL only being for State Vehicles, me and my superior did not know that to be true. I know for sure a State Employees CDL license doesn't say "for state vehicle use only". However, most NCDOT employees who are Transportation Workers have a CDL with an endorsement only allowing them to drive a dump truck or like vehicle with a regular tag trailer, such as one for a backhoe. Their CDL endorsement says "No Semi Trailer" - Semi Trailer meaning 5th wheel connection. The reason this is the only endorsement most have is because that is all their job requires them to have which is all the state will reimburse the employee for. There are some TW's who have the endorsement to tow Semi Trailer, such as a low boy, if there job requires them to do so. The State Worker can get additional endorsements if they want, the State just isn't going to pay for it if its not needed for their job. One thing though worth mentioning, which may be where this is coming from, is the State Employees aren't required to have a medical card or the phyicals every so often. So if you're a State Employee and use your CDL for non state related things you probably should go on your own and get the required physicals to have the CDL and have that card. Meaning if you get stopped in a State Vehicle without a medical card your ok but in a personal vehicle your not. Also, state TW don't have to keep log books but out in the "real world" you would need to. So in general a State Employee with a CDL while on the job isn't required to have all the paperwork your average Joe has, but once their an average joe using their CDL they'd have to have the paperwork. Again, to the best of my knowledge and my supervisors - obviously things aren't so black and white so we may be wrong too. Honestly I didn't get all the answers to my questions - simply put, us taking our dually with a trailer racing shouldn't require us to file out log books, take medical exams, have to stop at weigh stations, etc. I've also heard but not confirmed that it makes you auto insurance go up? (anyone know??) I'm sure there is more to it than just that as well. Here is a link to the DMV page for CDL requirements http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver_serv...uirements.html You can download the CDL handbook here http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver_serv...g/cdlhandbook/ If nothing more, I hope this meeting doesn't just focus on the length issue, but get clearer rules for us and our CDL needs.