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A few things about those DOT numbers. They are required on all Commercial vehicles over 10,000lbs GCVW. Thus my employer has a DOT number on a pickup (7,500lbs) that often tows a trailer (5,000lbs).

In MD there is an exception for vehicles that go less than 100 miles from home and do not cross state lines (I think I remember). However the MD regulations are very similar to Federal standards. This is also the extent of my knowledge of this beyond that a vehicle with farm tags is regulated differently from those with commercial tags.

I also know that there are a number of people driving trucks with a registered weight of 15,000lbs without DOT numbers, since many of these vehicle do not appear that clearly to be that much heavier than a one ton truck. Think F-250 versus F-450.

You are correct. Also vehicles that are designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers, including the driver, for compensation; or designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, whether or not it is used to transport passengers for compensation; or used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous.

Okay, maybe you can help me understand this. Somehow the DOT has asserted control over trucks that are not involved in interstate commerce. No real surprise. That said, how does a state legislature go about exempting trucks in its own state? Does the federal enabling legislation have an opt-in or opt-out for individual states?