FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL - Florida Department Of Highway .

COMMERCIAL MOTORVEHICLE MANUALFLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROLPublished by:Florida Highway PatrolOffice of Commercial Vehicle EnforcementNeil Kirkman Building2900 Apalachee ParkwayTallahassee, FL 32399(850) 617-2280http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/cveThis manual serves as a guidefor commercial motor vehicledrivers and carriers whotransport goods andpassengers in Florida. Thisguide lists size and load limits,safety rules, and permitsrequired by the State ofFlorida.NINTH EDITIONJuly 2016

AS OF JULY 1, 2016, FLORIDA WILL HAVE THREE LOCATIONS WHEREPERMITS CAN BE PURCHASED AT SCALE FACILITIES. OTHER THAN THOSELOCATIONS, PERMITS MUST BE PURCHASED PRIOR TO ENTERING THESTATE.FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE: WWW.FLORIDATRUCKINGINFO.COMKNOW THE LAW!!!The State of Florida has certain laws to assist the transportation industry and keepcommercial motor vehicle operations safe and economical in Florida. The FloridaHighway Patrol Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (OCVE) and the FloridaDepartment of Transportation Motor Carrier Size and Weight enforce these laws. Thismanual provides an overview of the laws and regulations that pertain to commercialmotor vehicle operations. This overview is specific to operations in the State of Florida.For rules and regulations for other states, contact each state individually. Commercialmotor vehicle operators should consult their own legal counsel for guidance onapplicability and interpretations regarding laws, regulations and business practices.Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor VehiclesDivision of Florida Highway Patrol / Office of Commercial Vehicle EnforcementPage 1 of 45

TABLE OF CONTENTSINTRODUCTION .4SIZE AND WEIGHT LIMITSSIZE AND WEIGHT LIMITS . 5DEFINITIONS . 6SCALE TOLERANCE . 6LOW-LIMIT ROADS AND BRIDGES . 7MAXIMUM SIZE AND WEIGHT LIMITS . 8HOW TO FIND YOUR VEHICLE’S LEGAL WEIGHT . 9HOW TO USE TABLE 1 . 10-11HOW TO USE TABLE 2 . 12-13HOW TO USE TABLE 3 . 14-15TABLE 4 . 16WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR VEHICLE IS WEIGHED? . 16WHEN CAN YOU SHIFT YOUR LOAD? . 16WHEN WILL YOU BE REQUIRED TO OFF-LOAD? . 16WHEN YOUR DISABLED TRUCK IS MOVED BY A WRECKER . 16SUMMARY OF FACTS . 17OVERWEIGHT/OVERSIZE PERMITSPERMIT OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION . 18WHY DOES THE FDOT ISSUE PERMTIS? . 19WHEN DO YOU NEED A PERMIT? . 19WHAT KINDS OF PERMITS ARE ISSUED? . 19LIABILITY OF PERMITTEE . 20WHO IS EXEMPT FROMPERMIT FEES? . 20COST OF PERMITS . 20WHAT HAPPENS IF NO VALID SPECIAL PERMIT IS PRESENT WHEN REQUIRED? . 20WHAT HAPPENS IF REQUIREMENTS OF A SPECIAL PERMIT ARE VIOLATED? . 21DRIVER/VEHICLES SAFETY EXAMINATIONS & HAZARDOUS MATERIALSSAFETY IS OUR BUSINESS . 23SAFETY REGULATIONS IN FLORIDA LAW . 23SAFETY INSPECTIONS . 23WHAT HAPPENS IF DEFECTS OR VIOLATIONS ARE FOUND? . 23WHAT WILL BE INSPECTED? . 24COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) . 25MEDICAL CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS . 26RECORD OF DUTY STATUS AND HOURS OF SERVICES LIMITATIONS . 26-27SLASH & SPRAY SUPPRESSENT DEVICES . 28HAZARDOUS MATERIALS . 28COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (HAZMAT) . 29DRIVING . 29HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGISTRATION . 29INCIDENT REPORTING . 29FEDERAL USDOT NUMBERS & INTRASTATE DOT NUMBERSINDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS/VEHICLE MARKINGS . 31INTERSTATE AND INTRASTATE COMMERCE . 31WHO NEEDS A FEDERAL USDOT NUMBER AND OPERATING AUTHORITY . 31Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor VehiclesDivision of Florida Highway Patrol / Office of Commercial Vehicle EnforcementPage 2 of 45

EXECPTIONS FOR REGISTERING FOR AN INTRASTATE DOT NUMBER . 32INTRASTATE NEW ENTRANT SEMINARS (FLORIDA ONLY) . 32INTERSTATE NEW ENTRANT SAFETY AUDITS . 32COMPLIANCE INVESTIGATIONS . 33MINIMUM LIMITS OF LIABILITY INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS. 33INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION PLAN (IRP) & INTERNATIONAL FUEL TAXAGREEMENT (IFTA)INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION PLAN . 36ENFORCEMENT REQUIREMENTS . 36WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR TRUCK IS IMPROPERLY LICENSED? . 37INTERNATIONAL FUEL TAX AGREEMENT . 37ENFORCEMENT REQUIREMENTS . 37PAYMENT & PROTESTING OF PENALTIES & VIOLATIONSUNIFORM COMMERCIAL VEHICLE CITATION/PERMIT. 39FAILURE TO PAY A PENALTY . 39PROTESTING A PENALTY . 39PROTESTING A DRIVER/VEHICLE EXAMINATION REPORT . 40CONTACTSFLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICE OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT . 42FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MOTOR CARRIER SIZE AND WEIGHT . 43-44ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE . 45Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor VehiclesDivision of Florida Highway Patrol / Office of Commercial Vehicle EnforcementPage 3 of 45

INTRODUCTIONThis manual covers important points of Florida laws and Federal regulations governingthe operation of commercial motor vehicles; however, it does not cover all of them. Thismanual condenses and paraphrases the actual language found in the laws and regulationsand provides other useful information. It is the motor carrier’s responsibility to befamiliar with and follow all applicable laws and regulations. Commercial motor vehicleoperators should consult their own legal counsel for guidance on applicability andinterpretations regarding laws, regulations and business practices.Every attempt has been made to ensure that this manual contains accurate information;however, changes to laws or regulations may affect the information found in this manual.A court or other official proceeding is guided by the full and exact language of the lawsand regulations. This manual is not a proper, legal authority to cite in such proceedings.This manual is for commercial motor vehicle operators using Florida’s roadways. Floridawants to assist operators remain current on state laws which affect the safety ofcommercial motor vehicles, the size and weight of loads which may be carried, and thepermits obtained to operate on state highways. The Office of Commercial VehicleEnforcement is dedicated to fair and impartial enforcement and education of these laws inorder to preserve the highway system while making it a safe and economical place totravel.Commercial vehicle operations are a vital part of Florida's economy. The FloridaHighway Patrol is committed to promoting a safe and secure transportation environmentfor the efficient mobility of goods and people.Additional information is available via the Florida Trucking Info Line at (850) 414-4700.Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor VehiclesDivision of Florida Highway Patrol / Office of Commercial Vehicle EnforcementPage 4 of 45

SIZE AND WEIGHT LIMITSFlorida Department of Highway Safety and Motor VehiclesDivision of Florida Highway Patrol / Office of Commercial Vehicle EnforcementPage 5 of 45

SIZE AND WEIGHT LIMITSFlorida law regulates the size and weight of each vehicle and its cargo. Generalinformation on determining legal size and weight can be found in the following pages.Statutory language can be found at: Size Laws- 316.515, Florida Statute Size Laws- 316.515, Florida StatuteWeight Laws- 316.535, Florida Statute- Bridge Gross and AxleWeight Laws- 316.545, Florida StatuteWeight Laws- 316.555, Florida Statute- Low Limit Roads/BridgesDEFINITIONSGROSS WEIGHT - Total weight of the vehicle and load.EXTERNAL/OUTER BRIDGE LENGTH - The distance between the center of thefirst axle and the center of the last axle of the vehicle (Measurements are to the nearestfoot).INTERNAL BRIDGE LENGTH (also called "inner-bridge") - The distance betweenthe centers of two or more axles, but not the entire "external/outer bridge." This applieson Interstate highways only (Measurements are to the nearest foot).SINGLE AXLE WEIGHT - The weight placed on the road by all the wheels of oneaxle.TANDEM AXLE WEIGHT - All weight transmitted to the road by two axles togetherwith equalization.TIRE WIDTH - The width stamped on the side of the tire by the manufacturer (A 10:00X 20 is a 10" tire).SCALE TOLERANCEAll weight limitations in this manual include the tolerance allowed by law to accountfor any variation between different sets of scales. If you load to the maximum weightfor your vehicle, you have used the tolerance allowed. For example, if the table says yourtruck can operate at a gross weight of 80,000 pounds, you have used all the toleranceallowed by law when your truck weighs 80,000 pounds. This tolerance is included in allweight enforcement areas, including low limit bridges and roads, tax classes, overweightpermits, and safety enforcement where weight is a determining factor in compliance.Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor VehiclesDivision of Florida Highway Patrol / Office of Commercial Vehicle EnforcementPage 6 of 45

LOW-LIMIT ROADS AND BRIDGESDue to age, condition, or design, some roads and bridges in Florida are designated aslow-limit roads and bridges. The weight posted for these roads and bridges may not beexceeded.MAXIMUM - ALL VEHICLESMAXIMUM - BY CLASSAs illustrated above, posted load limit signs will indicate the maximum allowable weightfor all vehicles, or the maximum allowable weight for different classes of vehicles.The maximum allowable weight is listed in tons (one ton equals 2,000 pounds) beside thesilhouette for each of the three classes of vehicle

truck can operate at a gross weight of 80,000 pounds, you have used all the tolerance allowed by law when your truck weighs 80,000 pounds. This tolerance is included in all weight enforcement areas, including low limit bridges and roads, tax classes, overweight permits, and safety enforcement where weight is a determining factor in compliance.