Clarify "commercial use" in Illinois

[KB9UDE]

I know a guy in my area (ILLINOIS) that has a large box truck full of equipment he uses for a side business. His business name is all over the truck but also he has "NOT FOR HIRE" on the side. He claims since he only hauls his own equipment he does not need a CDL?? Is this correct and would this apply if he hauls a 14K trailer behind the truck??

Thanks

 

[Duffster]

I know a guy in my area (ILLINOIS) that has a large box truck full of equipment he uses for a side business. His business name is all over the truck but also he has "NOT FOR HIRE" on the side. He claims since he only hauls his own equipment he does not need a CDL?? Is this correct and would this apply if he hauls a 14K trailer behind the truck??

Thanks

Having his name on it, or having not for hire on it has nothing to do with it.

I would guess that the truck has a GVWR of 26k or less which doesn't require a CDL. With that truck he could to up to a 10k GVWR trailer without a CDL.

If the truck has a GVWR of 16k or more then any trailer over 10k will put him into a class A CDL territory.

Basically a 14k trailer will need a CDL with anything larger than 12k GVWR towing it.

 

[kevinj]

I know a guy in my area (ILLINOIS) that has a large box truck full of equipment he uses for a side business. His business name is all over the truck but also he has "NOT FOR HIRE" on the side. He claims since he only hauls his own equipment he does not need a CDL?? Is this correct and would this apply if he hauls a 14K trailer behind the truck??

Thanks

There is an exemption for "service vehicles". It seems to be a gray area for us since we are a service company. It seems that if you haul a sale-able part that you may not be exempt but are exempt for a tool hauler only. We have not gotten a clear interpretation yet.

 

[Duffster]

There is an exemption for "service vehicles".

That is interesting. I have never seen a exemption like that before. Is that for MI only or for everyone? Would you happen to have a link to the MI stat where that is stated?

 

[kevinj]

That is interesting. I have never seen a exemption like that before. Is that for MI only or for everyone? Would you happen to have a link to the MI stat where that is stated?

I found it in the rules a couple years back. i may have it at work yet. We worked with an outside compliance company for our initial setup and they said it was gray area and advised that we just be compliant since many items would void the exemption

 

[kevinj]

That is interesting. I have never seen a exemption like that before. Is that for MI only or for everyone? Would you happen to have a link to the MI stat where that is stated?

Found it!!!

It is a MI only thing to exempt a service tech from the chauffeur license for 10k to 26k here in MI

 

[schoolsout]

I believe as long as the GCWR is 26k or less, no matter the weight of trailer, you don't need CDL



http://www.aamva.org/NR/rdonlyres/4B7E58B8-85EB-46D8-B541-7211DF16F750/0/CDLFlowchart.pdf

 

[kevinj]

I believe as long as the GCWR is 26k or less, no matter the weight of trailer, you don't need CDL



http://www.aamva.org/NR/rdonlyres/4B7E58B8-85EB-46D8-B541-7211DF16F750/0/CDLFlowchart.pdf

I did not say a CDL was needed, MI REQUIRES a chauffeur for 10k to 26k, NOT A CDL

 

[schoolsout]

I was reinforcing what Duffster said with a pretty picture to look at

 

[schoolsout]

And actually, from what I've been told (one of those where you ask 5 people you get 4 different answers) as I sell commercial vehicles for a living, as long as the main purpose of the truck isn't to pull a trailer, i.e. a tractor set up, you can tow up to 33k GCWR without CDL (tow vehicle must still be 26k or less, though)

Basically, a 26k GVWR straight truck (flatbed, dump, etc) can tow a 7k trailer to reach 33k and not need CDL.

I've called SC State Transport Police and the local weighstation for clarification and that is what they've told me.

 

[kevinj]

I was reinforcing what Duffster said with a pretty picture to look at

Sorry, quoting helps!!!

 

[wvpolekat]

Having his name on it, or having not for hire on it has nothing to do with it.

I would guess that the truck has a GVWR of 26k or less which doesn't require a CDL. With that truck he could to up to a 10k GVWR trailer without a CDL.

If the truck has a GVWR of 16k or more then any trailer over 10k will put him into a class A CDL territory.

Basically a 14k trailer will need a CDL with anything larger than 12k GVWR towing it.

I agree 100% with your summary, but many take it to mean any trailer over 10k. I believe there is an "and" in the wording that everyone misses. Something like "trailer over 10k AND GVWR over 26k" But, many people read it as an "or" which would be completely different.

 

[Duffster]

Found it!!!

It is a MI only thing to exempt a service tech from the chauffeur license for 10k to 26k here in MI

Thanks.

I believe as long as the GCWR is 26k or less, no matter the weight of trailer, you don't need CDL

This is true unless hauling passengers or hazmat.

And actually, from what I've been told (one of those where you ask 5 people you get 4 different answers) as I sell commercial vehicles for a living, as long as the main purpose of the truck isn't to pull a trailer, i.e. a tractor set up, you can tow up to 33k GCWR without CDL (tow vehicle must still be 26k or less, though)

Basically, a 26k GVWR straight truck (flatbed, dump, etc) can tow a 7k trailer to reach 33k and not need CDL.

I've called SC State Transport Police and the local weighstation for clarification and that is what they've told me.

It would actually be up to 36k GCWR in the right combination. That 26k even GVWR truck can tow up to a 10k GVWR trailer without a CDL.

I believe the only significance that 33k has is that is where FET starts.

 

[powerstroke444e]

I just shake my head when I read all the stuff put on here about CDL most on this site act like it is a magical thing. If you have a big truck or a company that hauls or moves stuff you should follow the rules and take get one but just because you have a CDL don't mean you are a safe driver.
In IL I am hearing from DOT that by 2013 you will need to take a state approved course to get your CDL vs now all you have to do is pass a test a simple written test and a short driving test.
All my trucks are inspected and on commercial insurance policies which run about 750 per year for each truck.

 

[schoolsout]

Thanks.



This is true unless hauling passengers or hazmat.



It would actually be up to 36k GCWR in the right combination. That 26k even GVWR truck can tow up to a 10k GVWR trailer without a CDL.

I believe the only significance that 33k has is that is where FET starts.

You are right, the 33k is dealing with FET.

edit...I was thinking after you mentioned the FET aspect and my whole spiel about primary use not being towing and all that was dealing with FET, not CDL.

 

[schoolsout]

I just shake my head when I read all the stuff put on here about CDL most on this site act like it is a magical thing.

What are you talking about?

I sell commercial trucks for a living...others here seem knowledgeable on the subject as well. Not sure what you are trying to convey here...

 

[powerstroke444e]

What are you talking about?

I sell commercial trucks for a living...others here seem knowledgeable on the subject as well. Not sure what you are trying to convey here...

Nothing to the few that actually know the rules as you do. My what I am talking about is that this gets brought up all the time rehashing same old thing.
When every state has differant rules it is just an all around piss me off thing. Thus the reason I dont comment on these dot/cdl threads as most of the laws are to generate income for the state not for the saftey of the traveling public. I understand the rules in IL as I have to for my clients but best wishes to anyone who drives through IL or gets to meet some of best DOT officers we have here as I assure you they will find a rule you have over looked.

Nothing against anyone on here and enjoy a good conversation. next time i am overly thrilled at the great state I live in I will reframe from letting it spill in to the forums

 

[kevinj]

Nothing to the few that actually know the rules as you do. My what I am talking about is that this gets brought up all the time rehashing same old thing.
When every state has differant rules it is just an all around piss me off thing. Thus the reason I dont comment on these dot/cdl threads as most of the laws are to generate income for the state not for the saftey of the traveling public. I understand the rules in IL as I have to for my clients but best wishes to anyone who drives through IL or gets to meet some of best DOT officers we have here as I assure you they will find a rule you have over looked.

Nothing against anyone on here and enjoy a good conversation. next time i am overly thrilled at the great state I live in I will reframe from letting it spill in to the forums

Michigan is just getting onto the revenue bandwagon.

 

[wsp617]

What Duffster said is correct. Generally the level at which you need a CDL is 26,001 LBS. Being "NOT FOR HIRE" or hauling "just my stuff" is irrelavent. The exception to this is the "10,000 LB trailer rule". Yes you can have a trailer up to 10,000 LBS behind a 26,000 LB truck and you don't need a CDL. The problem is most trailers pulled behind a 26,000 LB truck will have a GVWR higher than 10,000 LB.

Here's the problem that get people in trouble. It's not just the GVWR of the vehicle that is looked at. You also need to look at ACTUAL WEIGHT and REGISTERED WEIGHT. If you have a trailer that has a 14,000 LB GVWR and then register it at 10,000 because you are trying to get the 10,000 LB trailer rule to work for you...it won't. If ANY of the three (GVWR, actual weight, registered weight) are over, you need a CDL. If you have a dump truck registered at 26,000 LB and the GVWR is 26,000 LB but overload it and now it weighs 29,660 LBS...CDL REQUIRED. Basically what I'm saying be careful and look at more than just the GVWR.

There are cases when the power unit is a 3/4 ton pickup and you need a class 'A' CDL. A 3/4 ton truck with a diesel normally has a GVWR around 9,000 LBS. Put a goose-neck trailer behind it with a 20,000 LB GVWR and your at a total GVWR of 29,000+.

Another issue not discussed here is US DOT numbers. If the unit is over 10,000 LBS and is "in commerce" or otherwise it's a business (even a"side business"), they need a US DOT number.

 

[crazyal]

If you have a dump truck registered at 26,000 LB and the GVWR is 26,000 LB but overload it and now it weighs 29,660 LBS...CDL REQUIRED. Basically what I'm saying be careful and look at more than just the GVWR.

I usually stay out of these DOT threads. But just thought I would say this. Anyone who has a dump truck that's bigger than a 1 ton (even then they can find themselves in the same situation) who has gone to a pit for gravel, dirt, etc. has gotten loaded by the guy who sells dirt for a living and has no regard for how much you weigh.

One of the pits that was in use close to me didn't have scales, they just used the number of loader bucket loads to determine how much you got. After they closed that location down and I had to use a different location with scales. Often I would cross them loaded over 32k lbs. Since I'm registered Ag and only haul dirt for the driveway and road to the sugar house I don't have to worry.