Extension > Agriculture > Livestock > Horse > Horse care and management > Commercial vehicle regulations
Commercial vehicle regulations
We have received several questions regarding commercial vehicle operation as it applies to horse owners and trailering horses. Below is a “check list” to see if your horse operation meets the requirements for a commercial vehicle.
- Do you declare prize money as income from a business for tax purposes?
- Are the costs for the underlying activities deducted as a business expense for tax purposes?
- Do you accept products and/or money for advertising a sponsor?
- Is the transport vehicle being used in the furtherance of a commercial operation?
If you answered “YES” to either question 1, 2, 3 or 4, continue to question 5. If you answered “NO” to ALL questions (1-4), STOP HERE: you are not in the furtherance of a commercial operation. - Is the “gross vehicle weight” of the single vehicle or combination (truck and trailer) greater than 10,000 lbs?
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the greater of the manufacturer's gross weight rating (GVWR) or the actual weight of the vehicle plus the load. If the transport vehicle consists of a truck and trailer, add the GVWR or actual weight of truck to the GVWR or actual weight of the trailer to obtain the gross vehicle weight of the combination. DO NOT use the registered weight on the vehicle license plate(s) to determine your GVW or GVWR.
If NO, STOP HERE. You are not subject to the commercial vehicle regulations. If YES, You must follow the appropriate regulations for the location(s) you travel (i.e. interstate or intrastate).
Interstate requirements. If you travel into another state you are an “interstate” carrier. If the vehicle/combination's GVW is greater than 10,000 lbs:
- CMV driver must be at least 21 and possess a valid USDOT physical card
- Equipment requirements apply
- Hours of Service requirements apply
- You must have a USDOT number and display it on the power unit (i.e. truck) in addition to the carrier name.
- Transport vehicle(s) must carry proof of an annual inspection
- Record keeping requirements apply
- Accident recording requirements apply
- If the vehicle/combination's GVW is greater than 26,000 lbs:
- You must follow the above items
- CMV drivers must possess the proper class Commercial Driver's License
- Drug and Alcohol Testing requirements apply.
Intrastate requirements. If you operate only in Minnesota. If the vehicle/combination's GVW is greater than 10,000 lbs:
- CMV driver must be at least 18 and possess a valid USDOT physical card/form
- Hours of Service requirements apply
- Carrier must have a USDOT number if the power unit has a GVW / GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds. The USDOT number must be displayed on power unit in addition to the carrier name.
- Record keeping requirements apply
- Accident recording requirements apply
- If the vehicle/combination's GVW is greater than 26,000 lbs:
- You must follow the above items, and
- CMV drivers must possess an appropriate Commercial Driver's License
- Drug and Alcohol requirements apply.
- Transport vehicle(s) must show proof of an Annual Inspection performed by a Minnesota Certified Inspector
