DMV Crackdown

[Angela Macy]

One more thing, for those who are posting but not in NC - here if your towing with a pick up truck you have to have a weighted commercial tag that covers the weight of your truck and trailer - ours is for 18,000 pounds and its several hundred dollars a year - $217 or $317 - can't remember exactly. However, if your towing with a motorhome you can have a recreational vehicle plate which is only $28 or so a year. Thats kind of been a beef with Scott, shouldn't the motorhome have to have a weighted plate too? However, apparently some are being told they can't tow with a motorhome at all, so maybe that has something to do with it as well - the plate on the motorhome isn't weighted?

Another issue I have with that is its implying our truck is "Commerical" - the plate says so. But if we're not towing over 10,000 pounds we're not required to have a CDL. But then go back to what the trooper said, going drag racing is consider Commercial Use since we're generating income. So in that case should we have a CDL regardless if our trailer is over 10,000 pounds or not? Again, VERY CONFUSING.

[FED 387]

I think the area we all need to be concerned with is the initial overall length and/or the type of registration/license plates on the vehicle--This gives the cops a legal loophole or "probable cause" to make the initial traffic stop--From there they then go on to registration-insurance-driver licensing--overall length--safety violations etc--They just need a valid excuse to make the initial traffic stop--they can then go berserk with the ticket book---Any cops on here that can shed some light on this subject??? comp 387

[Lou SG2340]

This is from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations reguarding CDL'S & racing concerning exemption 390.3(f)(3)
Does the exemption in 390.3(f)(3) for the occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation nor in the furtherance of a commerical enterprise apply to persons who occasionally use CMV to transport cars, boats, horses, etc to races, tournaments, shows or similar events, even if prize money is offered at these events?
Guidence
The exemption would apply to this kind of transporation, provided: (1) The underlining activities are not undertaken for profit,ie(a) prize money is declare as ordinary income for tax purposes, and (b) the cost of the underlying activities is not deducted as a bussiness expense for tax purposes, and, where relevant(2) corporate sponsership is not involved. Drivers must confer with their State of licensure to determine the licensing provisions to which they are subject.

In short, claim any thing you get a 1099 for & don't carry a copy of your tax return to show the officer.

AS Drag Racers we do a sport where 75% of us loose by 2ed rd. & don'tget a dime.

I carry the Federal Motor Carrier book in the motor home in case I am stopped. I have this passage marked. Have not had a problem in 10 yrs.

[SS Engine Guy]

I'm all for obeying the law. However, vague laws are vague for a reason. The reason is money. Has nothing to do with saftey. I see gross saftey violations everytime I drive. As with alot of issues the true spirit of the law (saftey) is sometimes cloulded by the letter of the law in order to generate revenue. If you are after saftey, then start with the companies that make trailering tires that blow every 5k miles. Trailer manufacturers that will sell a product with the knowledge that the product is too light duty for the purpose intended. The loads heading to the swap meet that are secured in an unsafe manner. The saftey chains that wouldn't keep my dog from breaking them. The customers that seek out these products because they are cheaper. The junk steel balls at the discount store.........etc. That would be too much WORK. Its easier to see the big rig racing outfit that is figured they have some expendable income so they are much easier game. One again, racers need to stick together on this one.........but we know from past experience that this won't happen. My thanks to all that have called or written the depts. of tourism and attended meetings on this subject.