What
is a for-hire motor carrier?
A for-hire motor carrier means a person engaged in the transportation
of goods or passengers for any kind of compensation: promised, paid,
or given. Persons providing for-hire transportation must obtain the
proper for-hire operating authority. Intrastate
for-hire operating authority can be obtained from the Office
of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations. Interstate
for-hire operating authority can be obtained from the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
What
is a private motor carrier?
A private motor carrier means a person who provides transportation and
is not a for-hire motor carrier. A private carrier uses vehicles to
further its primary business, which is not transportation.
What
is an intrastate carrier?
Intrastate carrier means any person engaged in the transportation of
property or passengers where the movement takes place entirely in Minnesota.
What
is an interstate carrier?
Interstate carrier means any person engaged in transporting property
or passengers between states or countries, or between two places in
a state as part of transportation originating or terminating outside
the state.
Do
I need a DOT health card?
A driver is required to have a current and valid DOT health card (medical
examiner's certificate) if operating a vehicle that is:
- Of any size operating
for-hire in intrastate commerce unless providing transportation described
in MN Statute § 221.025, clauses 6, 10, 12, and 13;
- Over 10,000 pounds
gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) operating in interstate commerce;
- Over 10,000 pounds
gross vehicle weight (GVW) or GVWR operating as a private carrier
in intrastate commerce;
- Designed to transport
16 or more passengers, including the driver, operating in interstate
commerce;
- Designed to transport
8 or more passengers, including the driver, operating for-hire in
intrastate commerce; or
- Any size vehicle
transporting hazardous materials of a type or quantity that requires
the vehicle to be placarded.
Do
I need a commercial vehicle driver's license (CDL)?
A driver is required to obtain a CDL to operate any of the following
vehicles:
- A single vehicle
with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of more than 26,000 pounds;
- A combination
of vehicles with a combined GVW of more than 26,000 pounds; with a trailer of more than 10,000 pounds GVW
- A vehicle designed
to transport 16 or more people including the driver;
- Any size vehicle
that requires hazardous materials placards; or
- Any size vehicle
outwardly equipped and identified as a school bus.
A driver is not required to obtain a CDL to operate any of the following vehicles:
- A farm truck when it is:
- Operated by the farmer or immediate family member, or an employee of the farmer:
- Used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies, including hazardous materials to or from a farm;
- Not used in a contract or common carrier operation; and
- Used within 150 miles of the farm
- An authorized emergency vehicle of any size
- A recreational vehicle operated for personal use
What
are the maximum dimensions of a vehicle that I can operate without needing
an overweight/overdimension permit?
The maximum vehicle dimensions that may be operated without special
permits on Minnesota highways are:
- Height: 13' 6"
- Width: 8' 6"
Exclusive of rear view mirrors or temporary load securement devices
that may extend an additional three inches on each side of the vehicle
or load.
- Length: Maximum
lengths for various vehicles are:
|
VEHICLE
|
MAXIMUM
LENGTH
|
| Single
motor vehicle |
40'
|
| Mobile
crane |
48'
|
| Each
trailer or semi-trailer of a twin trailer combination |
28'6"
|
| Trailer
of two-vehicle combination |
45'
|
| Semi-trailer
of two-vehicle combination |
48'
|
Semi-trailer
of two-vehicle combination, if the distance from kingpin to center
of rear axle group is 43'0" or less
|
53'
|
| Twin trailer
combination, Drive-away saddlemount combination, and Drive-away
saddlemount vehicle transporter combination |
75'
|
| Truck-tractor
with semi-trailer combination and all other two-vehicle combinations
|
75'
|
Who
needs a DOT number?
Where
can I find motor carrier safety information including safety ratings,
inspections, and accident summary data?
This information can be found on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations
(FMCSA) Safety and Fitness Electronic Records System (SAFER) Website
at www.safersys.org.
