Source: http://www.511ga.org/static/commercialdriver.html
Timestamp: 2019-09-21 09:37:18
Document Index: 392382827

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 383', 'art 383', 'art 387', 'art 390', 'art 391', 'art 395', 'art 396', 'arts 40']

Whether you operate one vehicle or a fleet, there are many federal and state regulations that you, your business, your vehicles, and your drivers are subject to if those vehicles operate on the public highways. Filing for authority, registering a vehicle, obtaining permits, qualifying a driver, preparing documentation, and operating a twenty-four hour a day business within the law is a challenge. Failure to comply with the economic and safety motor carrier edicts may subject you and your business to substantial fines, penalties, and even revocation of your license to operate. This summary is provided to help you with a few of the details. Let’s start with the basic definitions to see if your operation fits the profile.
used to transport hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards.
has a GCWR or gross combination weight of 26,001 or more pounds, whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more, or
has a GVWR or gross vehicle weight of 26,001 or more pounds, whichever is greater, or
The drivers of these vehicles are required to hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and the company also must follow the guidelines of Parts 383, 40 & 382. In Georgia, CDL’s are issued by the Georgia Dept. of Driver Services.
It is easier to explain what is not considered a motor carrier and when the FMCSR does not apply…You are a motor carrier if you operate a CMV described previously on a public highway for any reason except:
49 CFR 390.5 defines a “for-hire motor carrier” as one engaged in the transportation of goods or passengers for compensation. That is compensation for the movement of the goods. A private motor carrier still operates commercial trucks that are subject to the regulations, however the company hauls its own cargo, and the use of the trucks is inter-company and not for-hire.
If you meet the definitions of a motor carrier operating CMV’s on the public highway, there are several things that you must do:
Purchase a copy of the “management edition” Federal Motor Safety Regulations and prepare yourself. You will be asked to certify with several agencies that you are “familiar with and prepared to conduct your business in accordance with” these regulations. Although you are responsible for most of the book, here are the key sections to be familiar with:
Part 383-CDL Requirements; Part 387-Insurance; Part 390-General & Record Keeping; Part 391-Qualifications of Drivers;
Part 395-Hours of Service; Part 396-Vehicle Inspection, Repair & Maintenance: Parts 40 & 382-Alcohol & Controlled Substance Testing
Call your insurance agent and be sure that your policy has at least the minimum amount of public liability insurance required and that it is on the proper form.
Register your business with the agency in the state that deals with motor carriers. In Georgia, it is the Georgia Dept. of Revenue. If you will be doing business in more than one state, you must check the requirements for those other states as well.
File U.S. Tax Form 2290 on your truck(s) with a GVWR over 55,000 lbs. through your accountant or call the IRS at (800) 829-1040 or (404) 522-0050. Your county tag office and the Georgia Department of Revenue require proof of payment of this “Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax” before license plates will be issued.
For-Hire Interstate Motor Carrier
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration-Georgia Division www.fmcsa.dot.gov (678) 284-5130
You will need: MCS-150 Form – application for a US DOT number and the OP-1 Application – for interstate, for-hire operations.
U.S. DOT – Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration hazmat.dot.gov (404) 832-1145
You will need: DOT F 5800.2 Form – Hazardous Materials Registration Program
Georgia Dept of Revenue www.dor.ga.gov (855) 406-5221
IRP Division – 4125 Welcome All Road, Atlanta, GA 30349
IFTA Division – 1800 Century Center Blvd. Suite 9227 Atlanta, GA 30345
Crossing state lines (interstate) with a power unit or combination unit with a GVWR/GCWR in excess of 26,000 lbs. or a power unit with three or more axles (regardless of weight) requires that you have an “apportioned” license plate and fuel registration agreement. Georgia will be your base state and apportion your fees to other states however it is up to you to choose the other states in which you wish to operate. The IRP office will issue your license plate and give you a cab card for each truck or tractor however you must have your U.S. DOT number first. Since you are for-hire, you must specify the "C" series tag. Also, you must show proof of payment of ad valorem taxes (see County Tag Office). The IFTA office (similar paperwork to IRP but in a different office) issues the fuel tax decal and proof of registration that you will need as you travel to other states.
Georgia Dept of Driver Services www.dds.ga.gov (866) 754-3687
2206 East View Parkway, P.O. Box 80447 Conyers, GA 30013
All drivers of vehicles required to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) must go through the Georgia DDS to apply for and be road tested for their CDL. Appointment times are required for road tests. Visit the DDS website for a complete listing of state locations for CDL testing.
GA Dept of Public Safety - Motor Carrier Compliance Division www.dps.georgia.gov (404) 624-7211
P.O. Box 1456 Atlanta, GA 30371
This is the agency in Georgia that enforces highway safety compliance for trucking following the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). These standards, as well as the specific CVSA ‘out of service’ criteria are used to enforce driver, vehicle and company compliance.
The Department of Public Safety also administers the UCRA, Unified Carrier Registration Agreement, for interstate carriers and the GIMC, Georgia Intrastate Motor Carrier permit.
UCRA - GIMC www.ucr.in.gov or www.ucr.gimc@gsp.net (844) 238-8097
The UCRA and GIMC applies to the following types of operations of passenger and property in interstate and intrastate commerce: Motor carrier; Motor private carrier; Freight forwarder; Broker & Leasing companies. All registrants are required to submit an annual filing of information required within the UCR Agreement. Fees are based on the total number of commercial trucks, tractors and trailers in your fleet.
Georgia Department of Transportation www.dot.state.ga.us (404) 635-8178 or (888) 262-8306 or (800) 570-5428
The International Registration Plan (above) covers your license plate and road use taxes for your truck or tractor after you pay your county ad valorem taxes. Interstate carriers pay apportioned ad valorem taxes to their county for all the trucks and trailers that they have registered. The Georgia form, “PT-95”, is used to declare the number of miles you operate in Georgia and the amount in all other states. New motor carriers must estimate a certain number of miles for every state that you wish to be apportioned with, but in your second year of operation, you must use actual miles traveled in every state. Your ad valorem taxes will be based on the percentage of miles run in Georgia compared to your overall mileage. These taxes must be paid to your county before you can receive your license plates from the IRP section of the Georgia DOR. Remember, you must have proof of payment of your Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax on U.S. Tax Form 2290 on each truck with a GVWR over 55,000 lbs.
Don’t forget your trailer license plates. The permanent trailer plate (yellow in color) is a one-time fee for the plate (you still pay the annual ad valorem tax). If you plan to keep the trailer for at least four years, it is less expensive to get the permanent plate rather than getting a new trailer plate each year.
For-Hire Intrastate Motor Carrier
If your operations stay wholly within the boundaries of Georgia, you are considered an intrastate motor carrier. The Federal Safety Regulations (FMCSR) still applies to your operation as Georgia has adopted most of these regulations in the state. The Georgia Dept. of Public Safety – Motor Carrier Compliance Division is the lead agency for enforcement of these regulations. If your home state is Georgia and you do not intend to leave the state with your truck, contact the following agencies:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration-Georgia Division (see the agency information from the previous page)
You will need: MCS-150 Form – application for a “Georgia Only” US DOT number.
Georgia Dept of Revenue: See agency information above. You will not need IRP or IFTA but will need a “Motor Carrier of Property Permit”
Georgia Dept of Transportation: See agency information above for oversize/overweight permits
Georgia Dept of Public Safety: See agency information above for the UCRA-GIMC
Your County Tag Office: See agency information above for tag information
If you are not crossing state lines, you do not need the IRP tag or the IFTA fuel decal. Simply go to your county tag office and obtain the “for-hire” Georgia base plate for each truck.
Hauling your own goods and not using your vehicles for compensation makes the paperwork requirements somewhat easier. Your ‘private carrier’ tag is less expensive than the ‘commercial’ type however all the safety regulations still apply. You still need the following registrations:
For Interstate (private): U.S. DOT #, IRP Tag, IFTA Fuel Decal, UCRA & applicable permits for Haz.Mat.and Oversize/Overweight loads.
For Intrastate (private): U.S. DOT #-Georgia Only, GIMC, County Tag & applicable permits for Haz.Mat.and Oversize/Overweight loads.
That's it! Now you are ready to tackle the motor carrier registration process. Don't forget to follow the safety guidelines found in the FMCSR and make sure you train your drivers and other support staff in these rules. These agencies will check up on your operation from time to time so you want to be prepared.
Safety Regulations and UCRA & GIMC Registrations Georgia Department of Public Safety
www.ucr.gimc@gsp.net
Driver Licensing Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Services
Size and Weight Limits Georgia Department of Transportation
Registration Requirements Georgia Department of Revenue
www.motorvehicleinquiry@dor.ga.gov
(404) 417-6712
www.taxpayer.services@dor.ga.gov
Industry Publications Georgia Motor Trucking Association www.gmta.org
American Transportation Research Institute www.atri-online.org
Transport Topics www.ttnews.com
The Trucker www.thetrucker.com