vehicles-dot numbers-comercial plates in nys

[CUTABOVElc]

i just started a part time lawn care business this summer. it is taking off pretty well for me. i already have around 20 accounts and i am picking up a lot od mulching and bush trimming jobs. my question is about my tow vehicle. i have a dodge 1500 with non commercial plates. i have not yet put my name on the side of my truck. do i need commercial plates to put a name on the side of my truck and also do i need dot numbers for my vehicle. thanks for all replies

[Stonewellmark]

If your truck and trailer gross combined weight is over 10000lbs then YES you do need DOT numbers. If you put a bussiness name on it I think your ok until you hook up the trailer, then you probably need the numbers and commercial plates. If you put the DOT numbers on then you should have commercial plates. I would probably just not put a name on the truck and keep doin' what your doin'. Good Luck!!

[CUTABOVElc]

thats what i was thinking. with no name and no dot numbers i am just abother guy driving around with his personal trailer. i feel i am missing out on some advertising by not having the name on the truck, but between ins, gas, help, and other stuff i just dont have the money this year to switch to commercial plates, and get the truck lettered.

[Stonewellmark]

Hey your doing this part time rite??? so your keeping busy for now without any advertising so it sounds like you dont need any for now untill you get your bearing and figure out what to do.

[SangerLawn]

A vehicle is not considered a commercial vehicle until the combined gwr weight is over 10,000 lbs. you can have your company name listed on the truck without D.O.T. numbers as long as the truck and trailer combo is not over 10,000 lbs. I have a Chevy 2500 that has D.O.T. numbers on it. My Chevy 1500 does not. They are both used for my business.

On the inside door of your truck on the drivers side you will see a sticker with all the truck info on it. Look at your GWR weight. Next look at the tongue of your trailer. It will have a sticker as well with the GWR rating. Add those 2 weights together (truck plus trailer) to get the total weight you are allowed to haul. Again, if the total weight goes over 10,000 lbs you must have D.O.T. numbers. If the weight is under 10,000 then no numbers are needed.

This is why my Chevy 1500 pulls a single axle trailer. If I have it pull a tandem I would be over weight on that truck as well.

[Stonewellmark]

What he Said....

[CUTABOVElc]

Hey your doing this part time rite??? so your keeping busy for now without any advertising so it sounds like you dont need any for now untill you get your bearing and figure out what to do.

even though its part time, ill always take more work.

so how about commercial plates, do i need them to put name on my vehicle?

[SangerLawn]

To be honest with you I never heard of commercial plates for a smaller truck. I will tell you that I have my trucks inspected every year by D.O.T.. Many people don’t realize it but they give free inspections to tell you what you need to do to become legal. Just call your state troopers office……..anyway, they never said anything to me about my plates and I pass my inspections.

After a long story I believe the correct answer would be no you don’t need any special plates but your best bet to make sure is schedule a free inspection. Once your inspected you have 30 days to become legal if you fail the inspection :)

[grandview (2006)]

Your truck plates should say commercial on them all ready if it says New York you have the wrong plates on them.

[dcondon]

even though its part time, ill always take more work.

so how about commercial plates, do i need them to put name on my vehicle?


In this state if you are using it for business and hauling a trailer you have to have com plates.

[Raking-It-In]

how do i go about getting DOT numbers in ny ?

[grandview (2006)]

how do i go about getting DOT numbers in ny ?

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/online-registration/onlineregdescription.htm


Just follow the directions. You'll need a credit card number that they use for verification but there is no charge.

[Raking-It-In]

thanks..gonna call in a bit!