All,

   I forwarding this message from Mary. Interestingly in her quest she recently viewed, contacted, and or joined some other affected groups including some SCCA groups, Horse Show, and even a Miata group. The DOT issue has been affecting them all with some interesting stories.

One guy got a $60.00 ticket and the officer told him it could have been thousands of $ even though this guy only had the chance of winning a trophy!!

The guy paid the ticket when the officers supervisor told him even though a trophy was a strectch he needed a DOT number. The guy got the number but it does not alleviate the problems, he is concerned because he is now on the list of DOT vehicles that have been stopped for infractions. A DOT officer gets this info when they run the DOT number through the database and they can see which numbers have a higher probability of infractions. As infractions reoccur the fines get higher!

This information will give the roadside officer a percentage of times the vehicle was stopped with an infraction!  Is this being used as a money grab?

In one group there was a former DOT officer that knew the rules, including the exemption and described it all for folks, including the need to carry the correct paperwork so they could give their exemption a basis.

Another person succesfully got out of a ticket by informing the officer they would not sign the ticket until the officer showed him the particular law he was breaking,..... the officer could not come up with the law. This last one might seem like a good aproach but could also be troublesome for the roadside motorist if the officer is having a paticularly bad day!!

Bottom line is folks that lawmakers saw a need for a "in commerce" law and created a law and an exemption for non "in commerce" folks.

Officers and locals are taking a wide range lattitude into what "in commerce" means. The range is much wider then what the Federal and local income tax people will view you, and allow you to claim as business deductions. It is not right, and it is not written that way but the two sections of government are overlapping in range where they both win either side of the question.  

The exemption is being downplayed, overlooked, or simply nullified by trained, or missinformed Officers. People are loosing another freedom they already have. 

Is it lack of information, or a money grab by government?

Is it fair or right to just give up a right the lawmamkers all ready gave you?

I am not anti safety, or anti government but I urge all folks that are affected by this to study this thoroughly, and stand up for your rights where they apply.

The intial article is posted on WWW.Gassermadness.com but also look over the NMA website for this and other motorist rights help.

 

                        Take care and be safe

 

                                      Carlos      

Note: forwarded message attached.

Folks,

 

 

Here is a link to my final summary on what I have found with the USDOT numbering requirements as they affect hobbyists.  I hope that you will take the time to read it.  And, if you are affected, I hope you will contact your state and federal representatives, local tracks and anyone else you can think of to let them know what you think about this.

 

If you have questions on the article, please send me a note.

 

Mary