CDL??

[Wacky]

You are trying to spin it but not getting it done.

Look, it is in your link. The only spin I see is in your:confused2:.

 

[Diamondpilot]

It may be dangerous but is the law around here. My uncle has farmed 4000 acres for 35 years, no CDL. They have 4 18 wheelers on the farm. My nephew got a CDL because they were hauling over 150 miles and over state lines. He lives 10 miles from the Indiana/Ohio border.

I have worked on farms along with just about everyone I know as some point in our younger days. None of us had CDL's and we all drove big trucks. I was never stopped but some where.

I know its crazy but its the law. You could drive a 18 wheeler at 80,000# without a CDL during the day but not drive a delivery truck at night without a CDL.


There are also exemptions on RV's, Campers, and Boats. If its for personal use you can drive anything you want down any road. Many of the diesel pushers are 65,000# or more and I pull a 25,000# boat. Many of my friends pull around 18,000# or more in a 5th wheel.
Chris

 

[Wacky]

I stand corrected, just asked a DOT officer at the liquor store and he told me that you all are correct. I am sorry if I mislead the OP. You might want to check your state for specifics though I am told. I apologize to you DUFFSTER.:ashamed:

 

[wsp617]

Sorry Wacky, Duffster is correct. A farmer is not required to have a CDL to operate a CMV. As long as he/she is hauling their own agricultural products or machinery, they can drive an 80,000 LB semi unit with just a class 'D' license. They also must comply with the other restrictions, such as the 150 miles limit from the farm. That's coming from a State Trooper with 20+ years.

Getting back to the original poster's (BoFuller) questions. I agree with most others here that the trucks you're looking at will require a CDL. I would suggest that if you have questions, contact the AZ Hwy Patrol. They can answer questions that you have as they are the ones that enforce them in your state.

This issue of whether a CDL is needed comes up on a regular basis. One thing nobody ever seems to suggest is actually getting a CDL. It's not like getting a Master's Degree. If you have it then you don't have to worry about whether you need one or not.....problem solved.

 

[BoFuller]

Sorry Wacky, Duffster is correct. A farmer is not required to have a CDL to operate a CMV. As long as he/she is hauling their own agricultural products or machinery, they can drive an 80,000 LB semi unit with just a class 'D' license. They also must comply with the other restrictions, such as the 150 miles limit from the farm. That's coming from a State Trooper with 20+ years.

Getting back to the original poster's (BoFuller) questions. I agree with most others here that the trucks you're looking at will require a CDL. I would suggest that if you have questions, contact the AZ Hwy Patrol. They can answer questions that you have as they are the ones that enforce them in your state.

This issue of whether a CDL is needed comes up on a regular basis. One thing nobody ever seems to suggest is actually getting a CDL. It's not like getting a Master's Degree. If you have it then you don't have to worry about whether you need one or not.....problem solved.

OK, I've been reading the AZ CDL online. A class B is needed. But it seems you have to have a truck first, as you need to be familiar with and provide your own rig for the test. They give you a 6 month learner's license after passing the written test I believe. Sounds like it shouldn't be too hard. I drove plenty of trucks, including a few 18 wheelers 45 years ago when working on my uncle's farm in Ohio. No license was needed for that, as mentioned by several.
Thanks for all the input!

 

[Duffster]

A class B is needed.

Until you hook a trailer over 10k on it.

 

[Duffster]

Sor One thing nobody ever seems to suggest is actually getting a CDL. It's not like getting a Master's Degree. If you have it then you don't have to worry about whether you need one or not.....problem solved.

It isn't that hard to get, it is to easy really. But why get it if you don't need it. It is a lot of expense and hassle for nothing.

One question for you though. Do you need a CDL to tow a smoke (NH3)wagon?

 

[firedog]

There are also exemptions on RV's, Campers, and Boats. If its for personal use you can drive anything you want down any road. Many of the diesel pushers are 65,000# or more and I pull a 25,000# boat. Many of my friends pull around 18,000# or more in a 5th wheel.

I'm not sure how many states have laws governing that, but Texas and few others do. The law originally targeted the industrial fire service (back in 92ish) and was designed to keep inexperienced brigade members off the highway in large fire apparatus, but it also encompassed everyone on the road (not sure how well it's enforced, though). We have both commercial and non-commercial licenses in A, B & C.
So an over 26,001# RV would require a class B but not commercial. the test is the same but the cost is lower. NOW, since that time, the municipal fire service has lobbied and reduced the requirements, no air brake test, no road rules, just ch.13 out of the standard drivers handbook.

WSP617 is correct, when in doubt, get the license. I've held an A CDL with X endorsement for over ten years.

 

[firedog]

[QUOTEOne question for you though. Do you need a CDL to tow a smoke (NH3)wagon?[/QUOTE]

Depends on who doing the hauling. If you, the farmer are using your truck (or a co-op for that matter) to move fertilizer, ammonia or produce, etc. then no. (wagon or otherwise, but hazmat regs still apply (shipping papers, placards, etc))
If you call me the Ag supplier, and I haul it, then yes.
Kinda scary, huh?

http://www.truckingsafety.org/pdf/guidebook/2011.FarmerGuide.pdf
refer to pages 22 & 23

 

[tractorboy5500]

As I was told, for Texas, anything over 26001lbs single unit requires a class B, and for trailer hauling requires class A regardless of farm use, that came from the TX driver license testing place, thats why I had to get my class A with restrictions for farm use, when doing the farm use I didnt have the air brake questions on my test.
I need to go and see what it takes to have regular class A licences due to I haul no farm items, just havnt got caught yet, I was told in TX, they are coming down hard on this farm tag stuff. Guess they have to pick on someone.

 

[chuckhole]

Even after reading this whole thread and what I could find from the Texas DOT, it is still just as confusing.

I am going to get the license anyway. It certainly can't hurt and it can only help.

 

[Wacky]

Even after reading this whole thread and what I could find from the Texas DOT, it is still just as confusing.

I am going to get the license anyway. It certainly can't hurt and it can only help.

:thumbsup:I think after you learn what is typically required for a class A CDL you will be happy you chose that way. It amazes me that some of the safety requirements are not enforced for farm use. I think EVERYONE who drives a "heavy truck" on public roads should be held to the same safety standards as the next. Even after all this, I still don't understand why you need a drivers license to drive a car, but not a CDL if you drive a "heavy truck", if it is for farm use?:confused2: It is all about safety to me. Don't get me wrong, ALL CDL holders are not safe, but they all have to have the same training to get one. What ever you do just be safe:thumbsup:.

 

[MD09]

I'm looking at some used dumptrucks to use to haul some gravel for my drive and as a possible tow vehicle if I need to take my tractor somewhere.
Several of the smaller trucks (Ford F700, F-800) have listed that a Commercial Driver's License is not required. One I am looking at does not say. It is a dual axle Peterbilt 12yd dump truck. Is a CDL based on the size of the truck or does it matter what the use is? Would this truck require one? If I only use it around the ranch, is a CDL still required? If so, how hard are they to get? I live in AZ.

Check with the loacal DMV. If you are using it as a farm vehicle you need to be a farm or zoned as such. General info is 26,001lbs and over is a CDL required vehicle under is not.

If you are just lookign for a one time case it will be cheaper to have some one bring the stone in. Buying the truck is just one part of the cost... insurance will be another and that will be expensive.

Looking to haul you tractor possibly... sound like there is nto had fast requirement there, again cheaper to pay someone to haul it..

2 cents fromt he cheap seats

 

[QRTRHRS]

Even after reading this whole thread and what I could find from the Texas DOT, it is still just as confusing.

I am going to get the license anyway. It certainly can't hurt and it can only help.

For the non professional driver, probably the biggest issue with having the CDL relates to your personal habits. When you are out to your favorite resteraunt, think twice about having that second glass of wine since your allowable BAC is half.

You are also going to be held to a higher standard so pleading ignorance on some seemingly minor item is maybe not going to fly.

The hazmat endorsement is one cost most can avoid. That figure is all over the place depending on where you live. Not to mention you might have to drive a ways to get fingerprinted and tested.

 

[Duffster]

Even after reading this whole thread and what I could find from the Texas DOT, it is still just as confusing.

I am going to get the license anyway. It certainly can't hurt and it can only help.

I wouldn't be so sure of that.

Now do you need the rest of things that can go with it?

Tank endorsement
Dubles endorsement
Hazmat endorsement
Drug test
Log book
Hours of service
DOT numbers.........................

 

[Duffster]

:thumbsup:I think after you learn what is typically required for a class A CDL you will be happy you chose that way. It amazes me that some of the safety requirements are not enforced for farm use. I think EVERYONE who drives a "heavy truck" on public roads should be held to the same safety standards as the next. Even after all this, I still don't understand why you need a drivers license to drive a car, but not a CDL if you drive a "heavy truck", if it is for farm use?:confused2: It is all about safety to me. Don't get me wrong, ALL CDL holders are not safe, but they all have to have the same training to get one. What ever you do just be safe:thumbsup:.

You don't have to have any training to get one here. Just pass the test.

When CDL's can be "bought" like they could be in IL I don't put much faith in a CDL holder being any safer than anyone else. Search for Swift trucking on Youtube and tell me it really makes any difference.

As long as there are old blue hairs with horse blinder sunglasses on the road driving RVs as big as a house then I don't think it really makes any difference.

 

[Reg]

The ones that they say don't need a CDL most likely could once a trailer, over 10k GVWR, is hooked on.

Right.
Since he said he may want to move his tractor around with it (& without knowing what his tractor's trailer is rated at) even a single axle single rear tire Kodiak could require a CDL.
e.g. if trailer GVW 10,000 and Kodiak GVW 16,500

BTW, more or less off topic;
Teamsters (back when) drove horses and the "rating" for a team of four was 26,000 lbs.
Teams of six or eight required special handling, skills and permits.
So if anyone ever asks you "why 26,000 ?" the answer is "History" (-:

(ain't THAT obscure and useless knowledge to have around ?)

 

[BoFuller]

One truck I'm looking at is rated for 27,500 but somebody told me you can get it downgraded to 25,500 if you want to. Just make sure you never actually exceed the 25,500.

 

[Duffster]

One truck I'm looking at is rated for 27,500 but somebody told me you can get it downgraded to 25,500 if you want to.

Derating is an option. Although it may prove easier to get the CDL.

 

[BoFuller]

OK, I stopped in the AZ MVD today and figured it out. I am getting farm plates and I'm downgrading it from 27,500 to 25,500. I won't have to get my CDL immediately although I still want to pursue that route. I do still have to get a medical, also not immediately. She said all I need is the medical and a DOT # and I'm good to go. For particulars, the truck is currently rated 27,500 GVWR, has air brakes, and is a single rear axle.
When I was at my ranch, I met a neighbor who has a dual rear axle dump truck and has been using it in the area for 4 years and has never even registered it. So even though I'm going through the correct process, I could probably get away with doing nothing.