motor carrier permit learning

[brain55]

I got schooled this morning by the friendly neighborhood California Highway Patrol officer about motor carrier permits and class A licensing. He dispelled any myth there may have been about where the line is. My F-450 though it has a pick-up bed is not a pick-up, its unladen weight is over 8300 lbs which makes it a truck. It also does not matter how much my trailer weighs, it is rated for 20,000 lbs, any time you are towing a trailer rated for over 10,000 lbs you need a class A license whether it is commercial or not.

So I spent the rest of my morning filling out paperwork and paying the required weight fees. Fortunately he mostly wrote fix-it tickets and not infractions. The driving out of class may cost me a bit though.

Let the flaming begin.

Brian

 

[Soundguy]

dang.

my every day drive to work personal vehicle would need class a.

I'd move from that communist state!

 

[dave1949]

Your total GVWR exceeds 26K, I think you need a CDL for that in most places. I'm getting rusty on those rules.

 

[3930dave]

Pretty much the same here.

Here, the next license down (D) won't let you tow anything more than 10k#, same as a light-vehicle general license. Seems pretty goofy, but us peasants don't get to make the rules.

They brought in an optional restricted Class A in Ontario, for something like a setup like yours. If you're towing a float, work trailer, or horse trailer, you don't typically need to know anything about air-brakes - so we have an A "Lite" here.... not sure if you are that lucky in CA ?

The same govts that don't mind collecting big sales taxes on expensive HD pickups really should pass laws so those same dealerships are required to inform the buyer in writing what the DL requirements are for those capacity of vehicles.... but that ain't likely to happen is it ?

Rgds, D.

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

In Va. If it's tagged for less than 26,000lbs or if it's Ag. Use no CDL required.

 

[PlumCrazy814]

In PA, CDL info can be found here: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/fs-cdl.pdf for those who need to know. Farm operations get some byes.

Vehicle classifications: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/mv_forms/mv-70s.pdf

licensing class info here: PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services - Classes of Licenses

It used to be possible to register below the actual vehicle weight rating but not legal to run beyond registered weight rating (not sure if it is still so and I am not interested in finding out). Be smart and be safe.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Glad I live where I do. 1/2 of us would be in trouble.

Chris

 

[JJZ 109]

I got a Class A with tank endorsement many years ago when I was about 20 or 21. Well before CDL, it was called a Class 1 in NY. Although I haven't used it in many years and it costs me much more than a normal license to renew, I never gave it up. It would be too hard to get back.
With you using that rig every day to make a living, I hope things go as quickly and painlessly as possible for you Brian.

 

[dave1949]

Pain in the butt for sure. How painful depends on how they do the testing for the Class A in California, or if they have different categories of Class A, like mentioned in Canada and PA. I think there is only one flavor of Class A in Maine.

The CDL written test in Maine covers a lot of topics that don't apply to the OP. Then there is the driving test. Here you would take the test driving your own rig as far as I know but that doesn't really make sense either from a driving skill standpoint.

 

[wdchyd]

My dually F350 service truck has a gvw of 11k......I was warned to NOT tow my boat with it on weekends for exactly the same reason

It would bring the weight over the top

 

[grsthegreat]

I have a friend that had an F450 and tows a 5 horse gooseneck with living quarters. He was stopped i believe in Utah and ticketed ..... didnt have right class license.

Im sure it has more to do with generating more funds $$$$ than safety.

 

[Soundguy]

we call that revenue enforcement.. i'm sure most places that do traffic fines do it for the money.. and if some safety accidentally happens.. it's a bonus...

 

[newbury]

My dually F350 service truck has a gvw of 11k......I was warned to NOT tow my boat with it on weekends for exactly the same reason

It would bring the weight over the top

Is that a boat or a ship?

 

[john_bud]

In Va. If it's tagged for less than 26,000lbs or if it's Ag. Use no CDL required.

Just don't leave your state if over 26k.

Our state is amping up revenue generation. They are stopping 1/2 ton pu's with yard tractors on trailers and slamming them for not having "free" dot numbers. In wi if over 10,000 pounds actual weight for you, trailer,load, truck, etc -- by definition you are commercial. Thank goodness there is a farm plate exemption!

Oh, as a "gotcha" if you have a free dot number (also by definition) you need commercial insurance, spares&flares, drivers log, dot inspections, etc etc.

 

[wdchyd]

Is that a boat or a ship?

grady white....:cool2:

 

[nc redneck]

Sounds to me like California needs more tax revenue for Obama Care and Unions.

 

[Soundguy]

i'd be ok if russa gave crimea back to ukraine and took cali instead....

 

[groundcover]

Good thinking Soundguy, you need to run for office !:laughing:

 

[JJZ 109]

i'd be ok if russa gave crimea back to ukraine and took cali instead....

I live northern NY state. We'd let Putin take NYC and Cuomo along with it!