Michigan roadways are directly affected by heavy vehicles which can damage the road surface. Replacing just one mile of roadway can cost you the taxpayer in excess of one million dollars. Emmett Township Motor Carrier Officers identify commercial vehicles that may cause damage to our highways. Motor Carrier units carry portable scales to perform weight checks on commercial vehicles that may not cross state weigh stations.

Enforcement Activities
Motor Carrier Officers perform a full range of enforcement duties including the detection and apprehension of individuals who use commercial vehicles in their criminal activities. Officers intercept drugs, alcohol, weapons and other contraband being transported on Michigan roadways.

Investigators and Auditors Investigators work with the trucking industry to detect commercial frauds and crime including drugs, insurance schemes, regulatory violations and habitual offenders of the Motor Carrier Safety Act. Audits are performed at companies to determine compliance with driver qualifications, safety inspections and repairs.

Hazardous Materials
Thousands of trucks transporting hazardous materials travel Michigan's roadways every day. Hazardous Materials Officers not only enforce strict safety standards and regulations, they conduct training programs that provide up-to-date regulatory and safety information to business and industry leaders.

Commercial Vehicle Crashes
Knowing what caused a crash enables authorities to develop and institute preventive measures. Motor Carrier Officers have great expertise in the gathering of critical facts and evidence at crashes involving trucks. MCOs serve as expert witnesses and are routinely called upon by other police agencies, courts and the industry to provide valuable insight and knowledge.

Speed Enforcement
Utilizing the latest technologies, including laser speed detection equipment, Motor Carrier Officers monitor commercial vehicle traffic speed to promote compliance and safe transit for the motoring public.

Commercial Vehicle Inspections
Experts at detecting unsafe or defective vehicles, officers perform thousands of comprehensive equipment inspections annually. Vehicles with serious violations are placed "out of service" until repairs are made

MOTOR CARRIER GENERAL INFORMATION
Disclaimer: The following information is provided as a general reference. You should consult the following organizations or reference material for specifics:

Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Division, Michigan Department of State, Public Act 300 (Michigan Vehicle Code), Public Act 181 (Motor Carrier Safety Act), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR).


How do I know if the Motor Carrier Regulations apply to me?

The Motor Carrier Regulations apply to you if your vehicle(s) fall under the definition of Commercial Motor Vehicle.


What is a Commercial Motor Vehicle?

The Michigan Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1963 defines a Commercial Motor Vehicle or CMV as any self propelled or towed vehicle designed or used on public highways to transport passengers or property, except for a bus exempted in subdivision (b), if the vehicle is 1 or more of the following:

Has either a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or an actual gross weight (GW) or
Gross combination weight rating (GCWR) or an actual gross combination weight (GCW) of 10,001 or more pounds.
Is designed for carrying 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
Is used in the transportation of hazardous materials in a quantity that requires the vehicle to be marked or placarded pursuant to 49 C.F.R. parts 100 to 180.
What this basically means is that if,

You drive a vehicle that the manufacturer specifies (GVWR) can carry over 10,000 pounds by itself or actually weighs (gross weight) with load over 10,000 pounds you fall under the regulations.
You drive a combination of vehicles that when the two vehicles weight ratings are combined, they exceed 10,001 pounds. An example of this would be a pick up truck which has a manufacturers rating (GVWR) of 8,000 pounds pulling a trailer which has a manufacturers rating (GVWR) of 3,000 pounds. When you combine (GCWR) the two 8,000 + 3,000 = 11,000 you fall under the regulations.
You drive a vehicle or combination of vehicles that actually weigh (including load) over 10,001 pounds; you fall under the regulations.

Do I need a medical card, I'm not driving a Semi Truck and I don't need a C.D.L.? If I do, how do I get one?

If you drive a commercial motor vehicle as defined then you must have a physical examination every two years and doctor must certify that you meet all the health guidelines. He must certify this by signing the Medical Examiners Certificate. This card must be carried on your person anytime you drive a commercial motor vehicle. The forms may be obtained through several different organizations, contact the Michigan Truck Safety Commission (1-800-682-4682) for further information.

Do my trucks need to be inspected by anyone before I drive them on the road?

Yes, the law requires all commercial motor vehicles to pass an annual (yearly) inspection. Even newly purchased trucks from the dealer must have the inspection. Law has established the guidelines for this inspection. You must carry a copy of this inspection with each vehicle. The forms may be obtained through several different organizations. Contact the Michigan Truck Safety Commission (1-800-682-4682) for further information.

What type of drivers' license do I need to drive a truck?

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE

GROUP A - If you drive a vehicle which tows another vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 10,000 pounds you must have a CDL with a Group A endorsement
GROUP B - If you drive a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 26,000 pounds or a combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating in excess of 26,000 pounds as long as the vehicle you are towing is rated under 10,000 pounds.
GROUP C - You must obtain a Group C Endorsement to operate small vehicles (less than 26,001 pounds GVWR) which:
Are designed to transport more than 15 people (incl. the driver).
Carry 15 people or less (including the driver) transporting children to or from school and home regularly for compensation.
Carry hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding
CHAUFFEURS LICENSE
You are required to obtain a chauffeurs license if;

You are a person who operates a motor vehicle as a motor common carrier of property or a motor contract carrier of property as defined in section 1(f) and (h) of the motor carrier act, 1933 PA 254, MCL 475.1, or a motor carrier of passengers as defined in section 3 of The Motor Bus Transportation Act, 1982 PA 432, MCL 474.103.
You are a person who is employed for the principal purpose * of operating a motor vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or more.
You are a person who operates a pupil transportation vehicle used for the regularly scheduled transportation of pupils between school and home, or a person who operates a bus or school bus.
You are a person who operates a taxi.
You are a person who operates a limousine as defined by section 3 of the limousine transportation act, 1990 PA 271, MCL 257.1903.

NOTE: For purposes of subsection (1)(b), a person shall be considered to be employed for the principal purpose of operating a motor vehicle when the person's employment customarily involves the necessary use of a motor vehicle for hire or for transporting passengers for hire, or for transporting for gain or hire any merchandise for display, sale, or delivery.
What type of license plate do I need for my truck?

There are various types of commercial truck plates available. You must tell the clerk at the Secretary of State office exactly what type of vehicle you have, what you plan on doing with it and if you are towing a trailer for pleasure or in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise (business). When you go to the local Secretary of State branch office you should have the following information ready.

Type of vehicle (dump truck, stake truck, pick up truck, etc)
Weight of the vehicle
Do you plan on pulling a trailer
What is the total weight you plan on carrying (loaded weight of truck) (loaded weight of trailer also)

Note: Improper or incorrect type of license registration plate could lead to fines and penalties in excess of $500 and confiscation of the license plate.
Fuel Permit, what is that and do I really need one?

You must obtain a Motor Fuel Tax License (Fuel Permit) if you use a diesel powered motor vehicle for the transportation of persons or property and meets any of the following criteria:

Has 3 or more axles regardless of weight
Has 2 axles and a gross weight or registered weight exceeding 26,000 pounds or,
Is used in a combination of vehicles and the gross combination weight or registered combination weight exceeds 26,000 pounds
Is required whether you operate only in Michigan or across state borders. Your particular operation will determine which tax license you will need.

(** Source: Truck Drivers GuideBook - Michigan Truck Safety Commission)
For further information on FUEL Permits and the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) contact the Michigan Department of Treasury - Fuel Tax Division