Understanding Curb Weight, GVWR, Towing and CDL requirements

[K5lwq]

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/CDL_Classifications.pdf

Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
Any combination vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, if the trailer(s) has a GVWR of 10,001 or more pounds

This is correct. People are missing the ”, if” part of the rule. If the trailer has a GVWR of 10,000 or less pounds and the tow vehicle has a GVWR of 26,000 or less pounds then you do not need a CDL. This combination would allow a maximum of 36,000 pounds to be driven without a CDL.

 

[Omega Woods]

@Omega-Woods, I hope you don't mind me asking a question on your thread, but it might yield some advice that is beneficial to you, as well...

I have a Kubota that weighs in at 13,000 lbs. Based on what I've read in this thread, I won't be able to trailer it without a CDL, period. But I could haul it on the back of a truck without a CDL if I could find a truck with a GVW below 26,000 lbs AND the capacity to carry 13,000 lbs. on it.

Is there such an animal? Am I looking for something like a rollback? Thanks in advance!

I don't mind, of course.

I have heard that you now have to take one of the CDL courses and have a CDL learners permit in some states before you can take the test. Passing the knowledge test is a requirement for the learner's permit.

CDL Federal Requirements | DMV.ORG

Getting a commercial driver’s license is regulated primarily by federal laws. Here are federal requirements for obtaining a CDL.

www.dmv.org

• To be eligible to apply for a commercial driver license, federal rules state that you must:
  • Must be 21 years old to: Drive across state lines. OR operate a vehicle containing hazardous materials.
  • Have no prior disqualifying criminal offenses. Certain criminal felonies may disqualify you from CDL eligibility.
  • Complete an entry-level commercial driver training program (see below for more details on this CDL requirement).

This is true but you can take the knowledge test training online.

 

[LD1]

Drivers | FMCSA

Drivers have been required to have a commercial driver's license (CDL) in order to drive certain commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) since April 1, 1992. The types of vehicles and operations requiring a CDL are outlined below. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has developed...

www.fmcsa.dot.gov

Regardless of the weight you are hauling in the truck, or towing on the trailer;

If "ANY combination of vehicles which has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) whichever is greater" you are in need of CDL

Wrong.

K5lqw has stated it correctly again.

I wonder how many other people are gonna chime in here with incorrect information???? Or a misunderstanding that the 26K limit has the condition of the trailer needing to be over 10k?

Do people even read the posts in the thread before commenting?

 

[Hay Dude]

You can tow a 9,999 trailer behind a 25,999 truck.
Another misconception is with air brakes, but lets not go there on this thread

 

[K5lwq]

Wrong.

K5lqw has stated it correctly again.

I wonder how many other people are gonna chime in here with incorrect information???? Or a misunderstanding that the 26K limit has the condition of the trailer needing to be over 10k?

Do people even read the posts in the thread before commenting?

The problem is not the folks here not understanding it is the DOT officer not understanding. It is a poorly written rule. The word “Any” at the beginning of the sentence causes people to stop reading and miss the word “if”.

 

[K5lwq]

You can tow a 9,999 trailer behind a 25,999 truck.
Another misconception is with air brakes, but lets not go there on this thread

Correct except you left 2 pounds on the table.

 

[Omega Woods]

Wrong.

K5lqw has stated it correctly again.

I wonder how many other people are gonna chime in here with incorrect information???? Or a misunderstanding that the 26K limit has the condition of the trailer needing to be over 10k?

Do people even read the posts in the thread before commenting?

In their defense, it's very confusing. I've read the requirements many times and it only now is starting to make sense to me.

You can pull a 9k gvwr trailer with a 25k gvwr truck and not need a CDL (right?)

BUT if your trailer is 12k gvwr and your truck is 23k gvwr, then you do (right?)

But if your trailer is 14k gvwr and your truck is 11.5k gvwr, then you don't.

The flowchart is helpful.

 

[jjeff]

Drivers | FMCSA

Drivers have been required to have a commercial driver's license (CDL) in order to drive certain commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) since April 1, 1992. The types of vehicles and operations requiring a CDL are outlined below. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has developed...

www.fmcsa.dot.gov

Regardless of the weight you are hauling in the truck, or towing on the trailer;

If "ANY combination of vehicles which has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) whichever is greater" you are in need of CDL

That's how I understand it.

 

[Omega Woods]

The problem is not the folks here not understanding it is the DOT officer not understanding. It is a poorly written rule. The word “Any” at the beginning of the sentence causes people to stop reading and miss the word “if”.

This is my worry!

 

[K5lwq]

This is my worry!

I would not worry at all. It can be cleared up in court. Plus, the chances of being stopped is small as long as you obey all the other traffic laws and do not wreck.

 

[sandman2234]

Both. Why?

Because as soon as you start doing it for hire, all of the rules change and deciphering them is a nightmare. Not to mention that each state tacks on a few twists of their own!
Good luck with it!
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

Good info. Thank you. Looks like I should start calculating how I'm going to work a job and get my CDL at the same time...

You missed the good opportunity to do this, as now they have mandated truck driving school to any new applicant! Not sure when and how much but it did make it a lot harder!
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

This is my worry!

Welcome to my life!!
David from jax

 

[jjeff]

Imo if you get harassed by law enforcement a lot has to do with how your driving, and if your load is or looks properly secured. This is at a more non commercial level in my experience.

 

[DK35vince]

Plus, the chances of being stopped is small as long as you obey all the other traffic laws and do not wreck.

Maybe where you live.
Random DOT checkpoints happen often around here.
The chances of being checked are high.

 

[K5lwq]

Maybe where you live.
Random DOT checkpoints happen often around here.
The chances of being checked are high.

Happens here as well but only on commercial vehicles with a DOT number. Occasionally get stopped for looking suspicious, whatever that means, but it is usually a license and insurance check.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

They check a lot around here but still know guys illegal as it gets doing commerce thru 3 states.

Unless you look suspicious, have a company name on the truck or drive a big rig, you can fly under the radar.

Local company didnt carry insurance or registration on their commercial vehicle. When they hit my buddy, they went as far as to file bankruptcy to get out of it

 

[LD1]

In their defense, it's very confusing. I've read the requirements many times and it only now is starting to make sense to me.

You can pull a 9k gvwr trailer with a 25k gvwr truck and not need a CDL (right?)

BUT if your trailer is 12k gvwr and your truck is 23k gvwr, then you do (right?)

But if your trailer is 14k gvwr and your truck is 11.5k gvwr, then you don't.

The flowchart is helpful.

Correct.

The 26,000 lb ONLY applies IF.....
The single vehicle has a GVWR OVER 26k
The combination is over 26K IF the trailer is over 10k
Or if passengers, schoolbus, or hazmat come into play.

So....since passengers or hazmat dont apply to you it becomes simple....

If the trailer is OVER 10k.....the combination has to stay UNDER 26k
If the trailer is UNDER 10k.....then the tow vehicle ONLY needs to stay under 26k

 

[K5lwq]

If the trailer is UNDER 10k.....then the two vehicle ONLY needs to stay under 26k

I think you should have said 36k.

 

[LD1]

I think you should have said 36k.

Autocorrect.

I fixed it.

It was supposed to say only the TOW vehicle