Hi - We were returning from Virginia Highlands show in Atlanta Sunday night when a disturbing incident occurred. Wondered if anyone had info or ideas,
We travel in our RV which weighs about 11000 pounds empty. We were stopped by the GA State Police on another issue not relevant here. My wife happened to mention that we were returning from an art show in Atlanta - that was a mistake. The patrolman warned us that we were not in compliance with the FMCSA - a federal law. Since we were using a vehicle over 10,000 pounds for a commercial purpose we were supposed to follow certain rules - such as a special medical card, keeping a logbook and other things. Basically as if we were driving an 18 wheeler.
Anyone know about this? Was the cop blowing smoke or is he correct? Thanks.
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The first I heard of this was from an artist in Oklahoma who had to register with the Department of Tranportation and have the commercial registration number put on his horse trailer that he hauls his art festival stuff in. He has to stop at all the commercial truck weigh stations and if he passes one by he could get a huge ticket.
He had also heard of another artist who was fined something in the neighborhood of $7000 for driving a unregistered "commercial" vehicle.
I travel in an RV and when talking to him, he just said that if I don't plan to register it then if I am ever pulled over just say I am moving...thus the reason for artwork in the vehicle...to never admit to "commercial transport" (to register and pay the fees is quite expensive)
I have since paid attention to all the artist vehicles I have seen while doing shows and found only one or two each season that have the DOT number on it.
I posted this same question last year on an RV website and know one had any knowledge of DOT's rules.
There is a law out there. I was stopped in Michigan a few years ago by a State Patrol officer who asked about the display racks on my roof. I made the mistake of telling the truth. I told him I was returning from an art show in Chicago.
He told me that if my vehicle was rated at over 10,000 pounds I was suppose to have a business name painted in the side of the vehicle. Then he walked around to my driver's side door and looked at the VIN label. There it said the vehicle is rated at 9,500. I was off the hook....
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He had also heard of another artist who was fined something in the neighborhood of $7000 for driving a unregistered "commercial" vehicle.
I travel in an RV and when talking to him, he just said that if I don't plan to register it then if I am ever pulled over just say I am moving...thus the reason for artwork in the vehicle...to never admit to "commercial transport" (to register and pay the fees is quite expensive)
I have since paid attention to all the artist vehicles I have seen while doing shows and found only one or two each season that have the DOT number on it.
I posted this same question last year on an RV website and know one had any knowledge of DOT's rules.
He told me that if my vehicle was rated at over 10,000 pounds I was suppose to have a business name painted in the side of the vehicle. Then he walked around to my driver's side door and looked at the VIN label. There it said the vehicle is rated at 9,500. I was off the hook....