26FT truck. OK to cross state lines? Indiana to Michigan.

Try contacting DOT Regional Field Office in Indiana at (317) 226 - 7474

Indiana Motor Truck Association - (317) 630 - 4682

 

May have to buy a trip permit.

 

Only if it should be apportioned.

A non apportioned base plate [non cdl truck] crosses state lines without any additional documentation.

The driver must have a valid medical card [non-cdl is not reported to the state like a cdl driver] in his possession.

Part 395.1 of CFR 49 [federal trucking regs] shows the application of the Hours of Service rules mentioning short haul regulations, get a copy.

Basically the carrier must maintain time records but no log book of electronic device needed on the truck as long as you operate within a 150 air mile radius of your starting point.

There are time rules to operate under the exemption.

That's a large area; stick a pin in your office location on a map and draw a circle the statute equivalent of 150 air miles.

My last place's non CDL truck could just reach the SW corner of RI from central New Jersey; we got busted for not using an ELD [we had one too] by going about 40 miles too far.

OP place's operation looks like it fits the 150 air mile circle unless going from south IN to the UP.

I lost the link when I retired but there is a radius program that will show you the 150 air mile circle.

While you do not need a fuel [IFTA] decal you MAY need a 3rd taxation decal like the New York Highway Use Tax in a few places.

 

See you will get all kinds of answers because you are thinking it is the size of the truck when it is the gross weight of the truck that matters in all of this.

What is the GVW of the truck?

Is this a one-time trip?

If so, don't sweat about it.

If it is >26k, you need a CDL, if under nothing.

You will have to log and have logs 7 days past.

You will need to display the company name and a DOT number if you have one.

You will need to have a valid physical.

Gas?

If it is gas no.

If it is Diesel, no, you just record the miles, but again, under 26k, you don't even need to worry about it,

26k GVW is the important number to remember.

 

Thanks @MACK E-6 for the tag. To the OP, thanks for the clarification on the GVWR of the truck as that does matter in the answer.

A truck with a GVWR at or under 26,000 pounds is a non-CDL truck, unless you are hauling hazardous materials in a quantity that requires placarding, then you will need at least a class C CDL with hazmat endorsement. Presuming you will not since you didn't mention it, so the driver will need the proper class of license for the truck, so if your driver is an Indiana licensed driver that will be a regular operator's license with the for-hire endorsement since it is a work truck. They will also require a medical certification from a provider listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.

A regular truck license plate is acceptable for under 26,000 GVWR and no fuel tax license (IFTA) is required. The truck will require a US DOT/FMCSA annual inspection report/sticker.

Since this is a work truck you will need a US DOT number. If you are hauling your own product, not something that belongs to someone else, you are a private motor carrier of property and can register with the US DOT as such. This is a quick and free process. If you are hauling stuff you don't own then you will also need motor carrier authority and will be a for-hire carrier. This process costs money and takes about 28 days to complete.

Next, hours of service, as posted above, you may be able to use the short-haul exception for local routes (150 air mile radius and return to the same place every night to go off-duty), but if those rules don't fit then you will need log books and maybe an ELD if you do daily long distance trips.

Also, beyond just looking compliant at roadside, you will need safety controls in place like driver qualification files, maintenance records and more.

I hope this helps.

 

Sometimes I think people confuse what an actual CMV is. A vehicle with a GVRW of >10,001 is considered a CMV. People go read 383.5 and see

Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle is a—
(1) Combination Vehicle (Group A)—having a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more), whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds), whichever is greater; or
(2) Heavy Straight Vehicle (Group B)—having a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 11,794 or more kilograms (26,001 pounds or more), whichever is greater; or
(3) Small Vehicle (Group C) that does not meet Group A or B requirements but that either—
(i) Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
(ii) Is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials as defined in this section.


The real answer is found in 390.5

Commercial motor vehicle means any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle—
(1) Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) or more, whichever is greater; or
(2) Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
(3) Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
(4) Is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary under 49 CFR, subtitle B, chapter I, subchapter C.


Below is a "cheat sheet" that has a lot of good information in it!