Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires that an electronic logging device is integrally synchronized with an engine through ECM (engine control module). It means a hotshot driver must comply with DOT and FMCSA regulations including the requirement for the electronic logs (ELD).ĮLDs are designed to track and to prepare HOS (hours-of-service) reports automatically. This is a major advantage for a driver who is looking to start their own business rather immediately.Īny truck and even a pickup truck becomes a CMV (Commercial Motor Vehicle) if the gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight of the vehicle, load, and trailer is 10,001 pounds or more. Gaining this certification can allow you to carry heavier loads, but it is not necessary for every transport. This type of trucking minimizes the overall cost of transportation for both the driver and the client.įor drivers who are interested in starting up their own hotshot trucking company, it can be tempting to bypass the time and financial investment required for a CDL. When time is of the essence, these smaller rigs can typically transport the necessary supplies within a shorter time frame. The benefit of hotshot trucking is the expedited turnaround time for the customer. Keep in mind that most trailers for hotshot trucking will range in size from twenty to forty feet. Because this is such a significant weight, it is almost always preferable to opt for a bigger truck that can haul with greater ease. It should be capable of efficiently hauling more than 10,000 pounds. If you are interested in hotshot trucking, you need to look for the best model around. In essence, hotshot trucking means that you are hauling a load with a souped-up pickup truck. They will need either a gooseneck or fifth-wheel type connection. Most drivers prefer three-quarter or one-and-a-half-ton models from a major manufacturer. A hotshot truck load is hauled with a midsize (class 3, 4, or 5) truck instead of the standard rig. However, it is imperative to understand just what this term means and how it applies to the ELD mandate. Hotshot trucking may conjure up all kinds of images. What is Hotshot Trucking and how is it regulated? Last but not least, drivers of vehicles that were made in the year 2000 or older are exempt from the ELD rule. Driveaway-towaway drivers who drive and deliver a vehicle as a commodity for sale, repair or lease are also exempt, as long as it is part of the shipment. Drivers who keep paper Records of Duty status for eight days (or less) each calendar month may also forego the electronic logging device. For example, drivers who are using short-haul exceptions can use timecards. Some hotshot drivers may be exempt from the ELD mandate.
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