DOT regulations in Iowa about pickups with trailers

OK, I live on the Iowa border in Missouri, and haul calves to the local salebarn across the border.  Is it true we need a DOT number on our truck to haul in there now?  I'm hearing terrible stories about state highway patrol hanging out at sale barns ticketing us Missouri people.  I even heard of a guy hauling lambs in a "popper" on a small trailer getting ticketed going to a show.  Is there any truth to this?  Heck, it'll affect our show schedule, routes to Jr. Nationals ect. if this is true.  Can they truely ticket an out of state truck with a trailer without a DOT number just for driving thru Iowa?  I really don't need a ticket or a fine

I don't know for sure Gidget, but my thoughts are that if you are not doing it for hire, that you do not need one. I think that there is also something about being so far from home, but don't know which vehicles this all pertains to. I would call the Iowa DOT and see if you can get anyone that knows to explain what it is that you may need. I would doubt that you should need anything to haul your own stock to a sale barn across the line, but these are hard times and we could use your help up here. If it is true, us Iowans can bet that Mo. will soon be replying in kind.

I dont know anything about it, but I do know in addition to the Labor Laws that would screw farmers over.  There was also a big push federally to make it a requirement to have a CDL in order to pull any type of livestock trailer of any size with any type of vehicle.  Even if it was a 2 horse bumper pull trailer with a half ton truck, you would have to have a CDL to pull it.

I don't know about Iowa, but a 10,000 lb truck and two 8000 lb axles gets you to 26,000 lbs which requires a cdl in WI.  I contend that half of all cattle trucks are running illegally according to the rules.

In Colorado even if you are just driving a 1 ton pickup with a gooseneck hooked on you have to have a DOT number. Then after that you have to have an annual inspection done on your rig that costs you money as well as a physical on the driver(s). Thats if you are only hauling for yourself. If you haul for hire bend over. Just another way to take our money and make us jump through their hoops.

You need a DOT number, annual inspection on the truck and trailer, medical card, fire extinguisher and flares oh and a log book over a 50 mile radius from your home.  You also need to have enough tonage on the truck license or truck and trailer licence combined depending on how your home state does it to carry the truck trailer combo and it fully loaded.  My F350 single rear wheel truck needs a DOT number just to drive for farm use by itself, 10,100 gvw.  I live in Iowa and found out the hard way in Illinois.  Farming is a business and even if hauling for yourself you are subject to this these rules.  Courtesy of the Federal Dot  officer working for the Illinois state Police.  Even if you show cattle as a hobby and it's not a "business" to you it is in the DOT eyes.  You get premiums at shows you go to and sell the cattle at some point.  This is nothing more than a way to increase the revenue stream for states.

http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/omve/truckguide.pdf

Commercial vehicle - Any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a
highway to transport passengers or property when:
In Interstate Commerce
A single vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight
more than 10,000 pounds; or A combination vehicle has a combined weight rating or gross combined
weight more than 10,000 pounds

Commercial Driver’s License Exemptions
Farmers and Farm Helpers
Drivers of commercial motor vehicles under the control of the farmer and used
in their farm operation may claim an exception from the requirement to have a
Commercial Driver’s License, provided all of the following conditions are met.
• must stay within a 150 air-mile radius of the home farm; and
• must transport supplies, equipment, or products for that farm operation;
and
• must transport from farm site to farm site (sale barn), or to and from the home farm;
and
• may not transport for-hire, but may exchange services with other farmers.

Generally, drivers of farm operated commercial motor vehicles may operate
across state lines within a 150 air-mile radius of the home farm, provided the
neighboring state recognizes the CDL exception from the state of issuance. It
is advisable to consult with the officials of a neighboring state before crossing a
state line.

Lightweight Combinations -
Farmers and Private Carriers of Livestock or Ag-commodities
A motor truck in combination with a trailer or semitrailer, operated by a farmer
or private carrier hauling horses, with county level registration or special farm
registration may qualify for a gross registration weight exception.


Registration of trailers
Farm Trailers
Unlike implements of husbandry (farm machinery) that by design have an exclusive agricultural
purpose, farm trailers are designed and could possibly be used for many
purposes, not just agricultural. Bumper-hitch livestock, flatbed, and utility
trailers are examples of vehicles that could be considered farm trailers if used
exclusively in a farmer’s agricultural operation. When operated as a farm
trailer, they are not subject to registration. However, farm trailers are subject
to the same lighting, safety and axle weight regulations as registered trailers.
Semi-trailers and gooseneck trailers may not be considered a farm trailer and
must be registered. Bumper-hitch livestock, flatbed, and utility trailers used
outside the scope of a farmer’s agricultural operation must also be registered.

Basically, if you are under 5 tons, private, hauling Ag, and within 150 miles the intrastate rules should apply.  I deal with the Iowa Administrative code every day, but I am not a lawyer. Take it for what its worth.  Call the DOT and they will tell you exactly what is needed, an I bet that would be some cash.

FYI, the county level law and sometimes the Patrol and DOT are not the best at interpreting the rules.  They will call them as they can cash them.  Don't give them low hanging fruit such as chains or lights etc.  Health papers seem more of a concern to me, but then again this state loves to squeeze cash from out of state visitors.

And, whatever you do don't let your kid drive through Cedar Rapids so the Traffic camera can fine you, owner of the vehicle for his speeding......

I'm NEVER stopping in that town again.

Mark

justme said:

OK, I live on the Iowa border in Missouri, and haul calves to the local salebarn across the border.  Is it true we need a DOT number on our truck to haul in there now?  I'm hearing terrible stories about state highway patrol hanging out at sale barns ticketing us Missouri people.  I even heard of a guy hauling lambs in a "popper" on a small trailer getting ticketed going to a show.  Is there any truth to this?  Heck, it'll affect our show schedule, routes to Jr. Nationals ect. if this is true.  Can they truely ticket an out of state truck with a trailer without a DOT number just for driving thru Iowa?  I really don't need a ticket or a fine

Click to expand...

The DOT number is free and you can do it online - probably pretty cheap insurance against indiscriminate tickets

anybody have any updated info on out of state pickups and trailers traveling thru iowa?

nebraskadave said:

anybody have any updated info on out of state pickups and trailers traveling thru iowa?

Click to expand...

http://www.iowamotortruck.com/


when iowa goes obama, that should be enough info of where the state is headed.  city people hate farming, unless its boutique farming at outrageous prices.

IOWA= I gO Way Around!

I told an Iowa friend that I wouldn't buy any calves in Iowa this year unless they where delivered to the Illinois state line.

I have to go to Iowa a couple times a year formy Et service, and usually have a trailer on. I had heard all the stories as well, so apllied for nad recieved my DOT number. THEN, I start getting all kinds of letters in the mail, first -- DOT compliance letters -- telling me I had to attend and pay for drug testing and other course training -- with -0- or more private drivers! HUH??? -0-??

Then, when I called the feds to ask some questions, I was told this -- while explaining to the obviously city born and raised employee what I was going to be hauling and all of it was NOT for hire -- she told me that "" Any animals derived from artificial conception was NOT considered livestiock as of 9-1-11. These animals are considered Comodities and therefore will require a federal CDL and interstate requirements must be met."" How in heck can you tell the difference between a bull sired calf in the pasture and an ET sired calf out there too??? Obama cabinet made that determination. The bottom line there is that if you are hauling Commodities instead of livestock -- you have to pay two or three different fees to get the same job done. Go figure.

Now, I made the signs and all that -- they have been on the truck ONCE -- and I still have to pay the 76.50 fee for the UNC -- united carrier fee -- per year. I think the whole thing is done just for money -- and that is it. I believe that they would rather you did NOT comply, so they can actually stop and fine you! Role the dice game -- who wins??

Well I just wanted to give you my limited experience so far -- I may never go back into Iowa with my trailer for this reason. We should nothave to explain to any one WHY we are in another state hauling OUR cattle -- just how I feel. One notch closer to dictatorship if you ask me. We are going to be allowed to keep a very small amount of what they already allow us to earn -- and that will be it!

Good day all -- close your eyes and roll !!

Terry

Is Missouri as bad as Iowa enforcing the rules??

I did call the Iowa Motor Truck Association and asked them about the rules and the cost.  They have a couple of people in their office that can assist you.  They estimated the cost to get everything done is  in the range of $650 plus the cost/time of getting a CDL.  Great resource! 

The information that Glenstory provide is right on.  Key is driving over 150 miles. 

economic activity must be stopped.

So glad I live in Texas!!! Of course Shorthorn Junior Nationals is in Iowa next summer....

If you have questions on the requirements, I would suggest getting on the Iowa DOT website and get what you need directly from them.  I printed off a copy of their response to my questions and keep a copy in my pickup at all times.  According to their guidelines, my Ford F-350 (not a dually) long box with a 24 foot Exiss gooseneck trailer is 500 pounds under the level (GVWR) that requires a CDL.  The Iowa DOT was very responsive and direct in their reply.