On the long list of things a Mobile Axe Throwing company needs to know when they’re getting started, DOT and FMCSA regulations are pretty commonly left by the wayside.
The DOT is the agency that can usually be spotted pulling over an 18-wheeler or dump truck on the side of a highway. What most people don’t know is that, in most cases, any truck & trailer with a GVWR over 10,000lbs driving for a commercial purpose falls under the jurisdiction of the DOT.
Any truck within that jurisdiction requires:
- Fire Extinguisher- full with at least a UL Rating of 5 B:C
- Reflector Triangles
- Maintenance ensuring all regulated lights on the trailer are functional
- “A Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination must be conducted by a licensed “medical examiner” listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) National Registry.” (From https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/)
- USDOT # listed on the side of your truck
The GVWR of your vehicle is the weight rating that your truck can be loaded down with, and the same goes for the trailer. Trucks are generally tagged with informational stickers (on the inside of the driver’s door) that lay out your weight ratings.
To complicate this, some states have different regulations that work around the DOT and FMCSA. You need to check into the policies in the states your company operates in.
These violations can be expensive, and can in some cases cease your operation on a day with you on your way to an event.
The most important thing is doing your research. Not every state is the same, and some are much more lenient regarding these policies via simple lack of enforcement on the road, utilizing their own vehicle regulations for commercial vehicles, or other methods. Does your company operate interstate (in a number of states) or instrastate (within one state)? Remember: The most important thing is doing your research!
You can read all about the regulations at the FMCSA’s website (listed above), or check out Business Fleet’s DOT Compliance page for a general starting point.
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