Understanding Curb Weight, GVWR, Towing and CDL requirements

Squirrel Tooth Alice · Apr 3, 2023

jjeff said:
So in Ohio you have to fill out log books even if your driving intrastate? In MI and WI and over 20 yrs ago in CA fortunately in my case you do not, driving intrastate anyway. Individual state laws vary so freaking much in the case of a CDL only making it more confusing to try and maintain one.

This change in law was decades ago, and I don't recall all of the specifics. Back then, I drove a tow truck for a shop I worked at, and I got the CDL not because I needed it, but because it was so simple to get, there was no downside to getting it.

When the new law went into effect, the state didn't want to create unnecessary hardship for seasoned veteran truckers by forcing them to take a driving test. So, the state accepted verifiable log books in lieu of taking the test. It wasn't about intra-state versus interstate; it was simply about proving you had driving experience. There may have been other options for proving your experience beside log books... like maybe a letter from your employer. Don't recall.

At the same time, the state needed to weed out guys like me, who carried a Class A CDL despite having never driven a tractor trailer. In my case, with no log books to show, I would have had to take the driving test (at that time there was no mandatory 160 hours of training). Since I didn't have a rig to practice or take a test in, I lost the CDL.

Hay Dude · Apr 3, 2023

Interesting. I do remember about 40+ years ago, there was a “grandfather” period before CDL’s existed. As I remember it, back then, truckers were “given” a CDL.
Then several years later, a written and driving test was required.

LD1 · Apr 3, 2023

Hay Dude said:
That’s unfortunate.
Maybe switch to a 2500-3500 HD SRW?

Shouldnt have to. Shouldnt have to go to a less-safe pickup/trailer combo. Its about the money, not safety

LD1 · Apr 3, 2023

There are far more people out there on a non-commercial class D (regular license) that should be required to go through training again....than people driving a pickup and a trailer and the gov't thinking they need a class A.

"most" people hauling around a mini-ex or skidloader doing light construction work actually know how to drive. Cant say the same for most cars I see driving down the highway

3 Horse Ranch · Apr 3, 2023

Hay Dude said:
Interesting. I do remember about 40+ years ago, there was a “grandfather” period before CDL’s existed. As I remember it, back then, truckers were “given” a CDL.
Then several years later, a written and driving test was required.

Exactly how I got my CDL. I got the CDL permit and went to work as a trainee for a few weeks. The chief driver signed off that I was "experienced" and I got a State issued truck operators license just by paying the fee, no driving test. Two years later the Feds came out with the CDL law, basically nationalizing the commercial driver's license. I was automatically issued a CDL when I went in to renew. I didn't have to produce any verification of experience. I started driving in 86 and I think the CDL came out two or three years later.
Now I get letters from the state saying I need to get a new medical card. I don't know how a previous poster was able to renew a license without one, but here you now have to have a medical card to renew. I'll be 74 when I have to renew, I may just forget the CDL. I have been retired for 6 years and haven't needed it once in those years.

paulsharvey · Apr 3, 2023

Not affecting the OP, most likely, but a small to mid sized contract, maybe 30 total employees made the switch to CDL trucks, and the owner had to pull all guys and let them know, no more weed, period. He told me now his guys can't smoke weed, they drink twice as much, and more of a headache to keep up with then when they all smoked.

jjeff · Apr 3, 2023

3 Horse Ranch said:
Exactly how I got my CDL. I got the CDL permit and went to work as a trainee for a few weeks. The chief driver signed off that I was "experienced" and I got a State issued truck operators license just by paying the fee, no driving test. Two years later the Feds came out with the CDL law, basically nationalizing the commercial driver's license. I was automatically issued a CDL when I went in to renew. I didn't have to produce any verification of experience. I started driving in 86 and I think the CDL came out two or three years later.
Now I get letters from the state saying I need to get a new medical card. I don't know how a previous poster was able to renew a license without one, but here you now have to have a medical card to renew. I'll be 74 when I have to renew, I may just forget the CDL. I have been retired for 6 years and haven't needed it once in those years.

Restrictions printed on CDL no interstate and I also have a farm endorsement. Most employers will understandably make you get a dot physical even if your intrastate only. In my case I occasionally drive a load greater than 13 tons gcwr with a 17k trailer. I hold on to things also especially considering the time and money I put into getting my CDL. It's something to hold onto in my opinion and it's not like I'd randomly get a job driving a 18 wheeler nor would I feel comfortable driving tractor trailer any longer from the get go. For me anyway driving truck isn't like riding a bicycle.

Omega Woods · Apr 3, 2023

paulsharvey said:
Not affecting the OP, most likely, but a small to mid sized contract, maybe 30 total employees made the switch to CDL trucks, and the owner had to pull all guys and let them know, no more weed, period. He told me now his guys can't smoke weed, they drink twice as much, and more of a headache to keep up with then when they all smoked.

Yep, doesn't affect the OP...

3 Horse Ranch · Apr 3, 2023

jjeff said:
Restrictions printed on CDL no interstate and I also have a farm endorsement. Most employers will understandably make you get a dot physical even if your intrastate only. In my case I occasionally drive a load greater than 13 tons gcwr with a 17k trailer. I hold on to things also especially considering the time and money I put into getting my CDL. It's something to hold onto in my opinion and it's not like I'd randomly get a job driving a 18 wheeler nor would I feel comfortable driving tractor trailer any longer from the get go. For me anyway driving truck isn't like riding a bicycle.

It's still a couple of years until my license is up, so I may just get a DOT physical just to continue having the option. I drove semi, straight truck, truck and trailer, doubles, A-train and truck and pup, none were at all difficult to transition to so I think I could jump into a semi or any other rig and be comfortable within a few miles.
Personally, I think the requirement for a truck driving school is nonsense. A solution for a problem that didn't exist. If a person can demonstrate the necessary understanding of how a truck works and how to safely operate it, that should be enough. (Written and extensive driving skills tests) It seems ludicrous to treat a young person who grew up around trucks, drove them when they could, the same as some kid from downtown Seattle whose sole experience is seeing them drive by on the freeway, as equals.