Question
This is the situation: My fiance was not quite 18 when he bought a 1996 Peterbilt 379 daycab from his father about 9 months ago. He was able to get his CDL because of their farming business. Since then, all papers, including insurance, for the truck continued to go through his father. However, my fiance is reimbursing him for the insurance and repaying the loan to the bank. To make a long story short, his father is taking advantage of the situation. My fiance would like to be completely independent, with his own name on the title and insurance. We do not know where to begin. I've searched for basic information but come up empty-handed every time. For instance, how old do you have to be to get insurance for the truck? How much is it on average? How do you go about getting it? Does it make any difference that my fiance is an owner/operator? As we do not know much, any inforamtion provided would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you so much!!
[This message has been edited by driver's_girl (edited October 17, 2000).]
Answer
Drivers Girl,
These family situations are never easy. But, with your fiance being 18, even if he could get his name on the title and authority, he's going to have serious problems with insurance for a couple reasons:
1. Age
2. Experience
And then we have the issue of interstate driving. Is he wanting to drive over the road?
The insurance companies we represent will not consider a driver with less than 2 years verifiable over-the-road experience. And definitely, no one under 21.
You don't specify the details of "being taken advantage of" and I'd prefer you kept that private, but I would suggest you call a couple insurance places and investigate the possibility of getting your own truck insurance for your specific operation. You will need to tell them what he plans to do, as it sounds like farming will soon be out of the picture.
Then, if you can get the insurance, explore the other avenues of authority or leased owner-operator.
Best of luck.
Answer
Driver's_girl ... Please be aware that although your boyfriend has a CDL that he was able to secure under the farming exemption, this will not enable him to operate as an interstate driver if the vehicle is not being operated by the farmer as a private carrier. A private carrier is one who hauls his own goods ... Not FOR-HIRE.
Your boyfriend CANNOT legally operate in interstate commerce as a common or contract carrier until he is age 21, whether or not the goods are exempt, or regulated.
The vehicle must be under the control of the farmer.
See Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations part 391.11 for the specifics.
Mel
[This message has been edited by Mel (edited October 20, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Mel (edited October 20, 2000).]
Answer
Mel,
Thanks for the info. I appreciate you're stopping by and helping out. Please stop in again. I know we can benefit from your knowledge.