[aarupservice]

I want to start an animal transport business for dogs and cats. The USDOT and Mississippi DOT says I am exempt from needing an authority or DOT number since I plan on being <10,000 lbs in weight. I am aware of needing a CDL which I have a CDL B, but is there any other agencies I need to check out? I am a newbie and I need help. Also am I exempt also if I haul property as well as animals under 10,0000 lbs? I want to start small. any help would be appreciated.

Also any radio, software or other equipment reccommendations would be a great help.

Jan "Jon" Aarup
Water Valley, MS
aarupsvcs@aol.com

[dhalltoyo]

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

This site will provide you with verification of the 10000lb GVWR exemption.

Mississippi is a state that does not require a DOT# for that class of trucks.

Uniden CB

Any Excel spreadsheet should work OK.

Microsoft.com has many free templates.

Personally, I like using a Dome Recordkeeping Book, a pencil and a big eraser.

Please let us know if you have any other questions.

[Jack_Berry]

OWNER-OPERATOR INDEPENDENT DRIVERS ASSOCIATION - REPRESENTING TRUCKERS look for the cpm spreadsheet.

[P51bombay]

Have the airlines got that bad shipping animals?

[MSinger]

Originally Posted by aarupservice

I want to start an animal transport business for dogs and cats. The USDOT and Mississippi DOT says I am exempt from needing an authority or DOT number since I plan on being <10,000 lbs in weight. I am aware of needing a CDL which I have a CDL B, but is there any other agencies I need to check out? I am a newbie and I need help. Also am I exempt also if I haul property as well as animals under 10,0000 lbs? I want to start small. any help would be appreciated.

Also any radio, software or other equipment reccommendations would be a great help.

Jan "Jon" Aarup
Water Valley, MS
aarupsvcs@aol.com

You do realize the 10,000 lb magic number is the gross vehicle weight RATING for the vehicle you are using. If your truck is rated 10,001# or higher and you are only hauling an envelope you better have DOT #'s and a DOT medical card. From the sound of your post it sounds like you believe you can haul 9,999#'s of animals and still be legal.

[P51bombay]

Do you still need a DOT medical if a CDL isn't required?

[MSinger]

Originally Posted by P51bombay

Do you still need a DOT medical if a CDL isn't required?

Some states have Class C CDL's. In Indiana I think they just call it a Chauffeur's license.

[aarupservice]

Originally Posted by MSinger

You do realize the 10,000 lb magic number is the gross vehicle weight RATING for the vehicle you are using. If your truck is rated 10,001# or higher and you are only hauling an envelope you better have DOT #'s and a DOT medical card. From the sound of your post it sounds like you believe you can haul 9,999#'s of animals and still be legal.

Yes I am aware of that Thanks

[fastrod]

10,001# to 26,000# requires a DOT medical card but no CDL, 26,001# and up requires both and 10,000# and under does not require anything but a standard drivers license unless you haul Hasmat.

[greg334]

I would ask your insurance company about the CDL, and you better carry some good separate liability insurance if you lose an animal in your care. The airlines have well established relationships with insurance companies and they go through law suits with loses all the time.

You will need to get DOT numbers, If you enter Michigan without them, they will give you a nice fine. You are a commercial company engaged in commercial business, not a private person doing someone a favor. Remember when you cross that state line, it is not what your state thinks, it matters what the state you are in thinks.

The other thing that I am trying to figure out, 10,000 lbs? Why are you worrying about the size of the vehicle, are you hauling cattle or pigs? I mean if you get a van and transport dogs, 2000 lbs of dogs are a lot of dogs, won't fit into the van at Great Dane size dogs.

I think you should stop and talk to some of the people who are actually doing this for a living. There are a couple companies that have been doing this for a while and they take a couple dogs/cats at a time.