I broke the law... a lot!

[LeadPoison]

And didn't even know! I am a bad bad man.

So I was looking over the LA Dept. of Motor Vehichles website last night and it turns out I need a Class A CDL to pull my tractor and trailer. Whoops.

Any trailer that is rated to carry over 10,001 pounds must be pulled with a driver with CDL.

I can honestly say I was a little shocked. My tracotr and trailer weighs in right at about 10K. The trailer is rated at 14K.

I doubt though I will actually pursue a CDL though. I only pull it a few times a year and LA is a very lax state when it comes to these issues.

 

[Thomas]

Morning LP.
Also some states one must have there trailer inspected no matter the size of the trailer.

 

[RayH]

And didn't even know! I am a bad bad man.

So I was looking over the LA Dept. of Motor Vehichles website last night and it turns out I need a Class A CDL to pull my tractor and trailer. Whoops.

Any trailer that is rated to carry over 10,001 pounds must be pulled with a driver with CDL.

I can honestly say I was a little shocked. My tracotr and trailer weighs in right at about 10K. The trailer is rated at 14K.

I doubt though I will actually pursue a CDL though. I only pull it a few times a year and LA is a very lax state when it comes to these issues.

I think you are all right with out a CDL. If you operate it for commerce, you probably need a Chauffeurs "D" though. Contrary to popular believe, the CDL doesnt kick in until the combination is over 26000lbs, doesnt matter what the trailer weight is. So if your trailer gross is 14000, as long as your truck gross is less than 12000, you are fine without a CDL. Heres are a couple LA references that clearly states that.
https://web01.dps.louisiana.gov/OMV...f49e283fc26019e8862564ae00546c22?OpenDocument
https://web01.dps.louisiana.gov/omv...fcac6db89bab526b86256dac00744c7e?OpenDocument

 

[InlineDieselFan]

LeadPoison,

I would look forthe fine print, and exceptions to the rules, a CDL for over 10,000 pounds? Wow how many people tow travel trailers and 5ths wheels that are over 10k? I can't imagine all of those folks have a CDL.

If they do have a CDL I guess we just figured out how you folks are going to come up with the money to fix the Katrina disaster.

steve

 

[Ductape]

I'm with the others here. It is my understanding that if it is for your own personal use, you are exempt. Much like a motorhome or camper. And as long as the vehicle registered to you, and for personal use (i.e. you are not using it for business, such as landscaping) you need not have a medical card and daily vehicle condition reports and such. I think you are all set with just an operators license.

 

[Dirthog]

Not right any trailer over #10,000 you are to have a cdl that is federal law does not matter if it's for your personal use or not campers and travel trailers are under a different law. Here in Pa. don't get stoped or they will red tag your truck, trailer the whole lot and make you let it set as far as a medical card if I remember right you need that whenever you are driving anything over #17,000 gvw and they are talking about lowering the weight on that to I have heard.

 

[RayH]

You dont need a CDL unless the vehicle or combination is over 26000lbs. PERIOD. Doesnt matter what the trailer GVWR is, as long as the trailer and/or truck arent over 26000lbs.
http://www.dot10.state.pa.us/pdotforms/pub_223/section_1.pdf

Straight from PennDot:
Class "A"- A combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26001 lbs or more, provided the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10000 lbs.
Class "B"- A single vehicle with a GVWR of 26001 or more lbs.

The key is 26001lbs. The only reason the 10000lbs trailer is mentioned under the class"A" is to distinguish between class "A" and "B".

You are right that its federally regulated though.

 

[Dirthog]

Ray H if you look at the last page of the chart from Pa. it states the only difference between a class C & B license is the Gvwr is the class C is 26,001 and below the Class B is 26,001 and above the next part is the same for both towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds. The class A licence is for a vehicle being towed in excess of 10,000 pounds. in other words any trailer ove 10,000 you would neet a class A no matter what the tow vehicle GVWR is.

 

[sugarloafguy]

The key to your tow issue is what you are using for a power unit. As long as you do not exceed that 26001 limit you are ok. Say you are towing with a Ford F-450 Diesel and that 10K trailer with your tractor you are ok as long as the manufacturer rates that vehicle for the max load you are pulling and does not exceed 26001.. This is where people get into trouble with pickups and trailers when the DOT has a slow day. If you are pulling it the door decals and the scales better match even on a class C lic. If, however you pull with a heavy unit like an 8100 International you would be subject to a CDL as the power unit would be registered in excess of 26001 and the differnetiating factor would be combination lic (A) if the trailer is over 10K and (B) if it is under like say a Hudson Bros dual axle landscape trailer. There are also specific tie-down proceedures that must be followed to avoid citations.

 

[Marcussen]

I just read an article in the local paper and it talked about farmers getting in trouble over this regulation. It said if you are doing business cross state lines the limit is 10,000 lbs. In state (OK) it is 26,000. Many people around here has farm tags on their trucks since you can qualify for them pretty easily. But I guess the farm tagged truck is considered commercial. Do they rate the truck and trailer as one unit If they do, then I breake the law when I haul my tractor on the trailer, or if I am hooked to my horsetrailer. I may have to let the wife drive, she has a CDL.