Any downsides to getting a CDL?

[Doofy]

I see your point and feel your frustration. The older I get the more important physicals become. Never needed them for most of my life because I was seldom sick. Now, not so much.

 

[tjkubota93]

I’m thinking of getting a CDL and buying a single axle semi because they’re cheap and way more capable than a ton truck. I can also see myself owning a real dump truck in the future. I’ll probably have get a dot physical every year. Am I missing anything else?

I have one from my work.

I dont know about the rules, but every time it comes up for renewal I either have to show a dot card from dr or my government id badge (then it has a government only restriction).

It costs a few bucks more to renew.

I haven't got a ticket since I have had the cdl (10 years)

The limit goes from .08 to .02 no matter what you are driving

Technically you are supposed to have a pre-trip inspection every day. To be within the rules, keep a filled out one with blank date.

To pass the test you kinda need to know how air brakes work. They are easier than regular brakes.

Drawback = red tape to get it.

You can got to the driver license place and get a study book for the written part. Then you pay your money and take it.

After passing that, you do a driving test (bring your own vehicle). We drove around town a little. Then I had to parallel park the truck and trailer.

 

[bdog]

Yes it is a hassle and a money grab I think. As long as a person checks out perfectly on the physical I think the time span should be longer than 2 years. If someone was borderline or had a condition that might progress than require it more frequently as necessary.

I got my class A CDL in 2015 or 16. I read the book one night, passed the written test the next morning, and then rented a truck to take the driving part. I had never driven a semi in my life and I only practiced maybe 30 minutes before I took the driving test and I passed with a 92/100. Quite frankly I think the test is too easy.

 

[Doofy]

I had to have a CDL to road test and to fuel up our school busses. I'd only been doing it for 20 years without one.

 

[tjkubota93]

I had to have a CDL to road test and to fuel up our school busses. I'd only been doing it for 20 years without one.

They did the same to all the older fellas at work. When they started requiring it, they "grandfathered" them in.

 

[bdog]

The limit goes from .08 to .02 no matter what you are driving

This is not correct. The limit while driving a CMV is .04 for a DUI and you are not permitted to drive a CMV at all within four hours of consuming any alcohol. These limits do not carry over to non CMVs. It is a common misconception that they do but the limit is .08 in your personal car if you have a CDL just like everyone else.

 

[Morning Wood]

If I were going to get the license I’d just bite the bullet and go to the school. That way it’s in their best interest to get you out of there with a CDL license in hand. I know the pre check is a real biatch.
I don’t have a CDL, but I do have a dot number. I just got it recently. I only haul my own property, my truck is registered over 10k, and I pull a trailer over 10k, but my registered GCWR is 26k. So no CDL. I was told that all I need is the dot # and a UCR registration which is like 60-70 bucks a year. That’s it, since I’m a private carrier. So far so good.

 

[4570Man]

If the truck driving class is 6k as mentioned earlier it ain’t happening. I have made it to the DMV where they didn’t have a CDL book but I haven’t been by the truck driving school yet.

 

[Doofy]

If the truck driving class is 6k as mentioned earlier it ain’t happening. I have made it to the DMV where they didn’t have a CDL book but I haven’t been by the truck driving school yet.

In your case, I think it would be a total waste of time and money and not really benefit you as hoped.

 

[tjkubota93]

This is not correct. The limit while driving a CMV is .04 for a DUI and you are not permitted to drive a CMV at all within four hours of consuming any alcohol. These limits do not carry over to non CMVs. It is a common misconception that they do but the limit is .08 in your personal car if you have a CDL just like everyone else.

I was told that was the rule here in TN. Is it the same everywhere?


Edit- just looked on google, your right.

 

[Jcoon]

Too everyone out there, as far as FMCSA and NY goes, and I知 sure it痴 every other state also, when your in a NON commercial vehicle you are treated the same way as everyone else on the road, regardless of your license, all these stricter rules only apply when you are operating a CMV.

You MIGHT get out of a ticket or two for having a CDL, because you are looked at as a professional driver, but then, if being professional what are you being pulled over for? Lol



4570Man, the best advice I can give you.... if u are not going to be moving the backhoe much, find someone with the proper equipment, become friends, and have them move it for you for a small fee!

 

[4570Man]

I have access to a diesel dually that does the job. I was thinking of going into part time backhoe work next year, and needed to do a little better on the transport vehicle.

 

[Jcoon]

Then it sounds like you are going to be in business. You will definitely need to follow FMCSA regulations, I advise you to go to their website and start doing the research now, it wouldn’t hurt either to stop to a local truck inspections site and talk to one of the officers about what you need because your state May have other rules and regulations you need to follow also.

The problem with discussing this on the forum is that unless someone here is an enforcement officer from your state giving you your answers no one can know all of the rules and regulations you have to abide by in Tennessee which is why I think it would be best if you stopped and talked to one of the commercial vehicle inspectors in your local town or area.

 

[4570Man]

There isn’t a truck inspection place in town that I know of.

 

[Jcoon]

There isn’t a truck inspection place in town that I know of.

There is one somewhere, nearest highway or throughway? Stop at the nearest truck/diesel stop and ask a over the road driver, they’ll know lol

 

[bdog]

I have access to a diesel dually that does the job. I was thinking of going into part time backhoe work next year, and needed to do a little better on the transport vehicle.

A diesel dually pulling a backhoe most likely needs a CDL to drive as well.

 

[4570Man]

Definitely over 26k but currently it’s for private use and I’m not worried about it.

 

[gsganzer]

If you're only hauling your own stuff, could you just get a non-CDL Class A or B, like the folks that drive RV's do? I just started to research this myself as I have a 3500 Crew/Chassis with a GVWR of 12,300. If I hauled a 14K gooseneck, I'd be over the 26,000 combined rating.

 

[4570Man]

But I’m wanting to buy a single axle semi and go into backhoe work next year. The truck idea isn’t looking very practical.

 

[LD1]

I think ultimately, a truck and trailer rated for a full sized backhoe is gonna be CDL A territory. Don't matter if it's a dually one ton or a semi.

12-14k backhoe on a 16k + trailer behind a dually. Even that's over the 26k.

The ONLY difference is if it's behind a dually pickup, you are more likely to go un-noticed and pass right by most LEO's.

But if towing on a semi and lowboy...you look the part of a commercial hauler