am I DOT regulation subject?

Doesn't matter what kind of work, much less vehicle.

If getting paid, or even unpaid at the direction of the motor carrier it's on duty work.

 

Good question!
I don't have a answer.

But I do know that any accident goes against
Your CDL.
Whether in a commercial vehicle or your
Personal vehicle.
Didn't used to be like that.

It used to be separate,but they changed it
A few years ago.

 

once you have a class A or B CDL, you fall under the DOT rules.

a class A CDL, can drive all classes below it, B, C

a class B can drive all below it, the C, but NOT above that B license.

you can be randomly drug tested, you can have a pre-employment drug/alcohol test, you can be post accident tested for drugs/alcohol.

any accident that the cops respond to, or an ambulance or a tow truck, gets DOT reported.

accidents in a parking lot, are usually not involving the cops, unless you run over a person, and the ambulance or coroner respond.

 

you can easily be DOT regulated . All placarded HAZMAT required CDL with hazmat endorsement regardless of the vehicle size, so a class C vehicle counts there. Also if involved in interstate commerce with a small vehicle like an expedited driver might have, that too requires CDL and logs, etc.. Don't confuse the size of the vehicle with whether a CDL is required or is regulated. CDL exists for all classes of vehicles, it is just most common to have A or B endorsement on it.

 

The answer depends on a few things. Some operations like private carriers of passengers have exceptions from part or all of the FMCSA regulations, while others size does not matter. It also matters if you work for just one company or are working for multiple companies, because if one job is regulated but the other is not, you have to show the total hours at both companies. So, please answer these few questions and I can give you a better answer.

When you say class C, do these vehicles have greater than 10,001 but less than 26,001 pound GVWR?
What are you doing, meaning are you hauling freight or passengers?
If passengers, how many passengers do these vehicles seat including the driver?
Do you only drive these vehicles or are you also driving vehicles that require a CDL?
Do you ever haul haz-mat in these vehicles?
Does what you do ever meet the definition of interstate commerce or is it all local? Keep in mind you can engage in interstate commerce without even leaving your home town (think about UPS packages).

Generally, as ZVar said, if you work for a motor carrier, even part-time, all other work is counted in your on-duty calculations for hours of service. If you are asking about other regulations, the licensing, medical qualifications and penalties for violations vary depending upon the type of vehicle you drive and what you are doing at that moment. It is possible to be held to the CDL standard in a car under certain conditions or state laws.

 

IF you are a for hire vehicle engaged in interstate or intrastate COMMERCE for a living (Revenue etc) as a Company (Incl. OO's and Lease) or as a employee and you are driving for wages or your own authority you are indeed regulated.

Don't look to me for anything deeper. I am not as formidable as I would like to think I am what with the 50,000 little details in Law.

The one way not to be regulated is to have say a 12,500 pound box Uhaul marked not for hire hauling your own sofa, bed etc to a new apartment or something.

 

Back in the day (30 years ago) the DOT and State Troooers in Ohio used to set up in wide spots on state state highways and inspect cars and pickup trucks. Not any more. You can drive a rusted out pickup with cracked windshield and no tail lights down the road without so much as a glance from law enforcement. But have one little marker out on a big truck and your getting the white glove treatment.

 

Had a pickup truck pass me awhile back on I-90 east of Cleveland Ohio. The sides of the bed were so rusted out the guy had straps holding them from shaking. Wheel wells about gone. So you know the frame has to be weaker than a wet paper bag. He's out in the hammer lane just a git'in it. You right about Ohio. The cop would stand by edge of road, usually at a intersection, and flag them over.

 

No, you are not DOT regulated as far as drug testing and keeping logs if you as a CDL holder are only driving non CMVs. You are regulated as far as staying qualified to hold the CDL by your state DMV.

As to some of these answers. Did you actually take the time to read the question and comprehend it?