Needed CDL?

[ChrsDrn]

I have read many threads about truck and trailer options where people warn of going over 26k truck and 10K trailer would require getting a CDL license. But you only need a CDL if you use your truck for comercial reasons. if this was not true you would need to carry a DOT medical certificate every time your combined truck trailer weight was over 10K. All the private owner needs to do is not overload your truck/trailer and legally you should be fine. these are federal regs so they should not vary from state to state.
Chris

 

[john_bud]

I have read many threads about truck and trailer options where people warn of going over 26k truck and 10K trailer would require getting a CDL license. But you only need a CDL if you use your truck for comercial reasons. if this was not true you would need to carry a DOT medical certificate every time your combined truck trailer weight was over 10K. All the private owner needs to do is not overload your truck/trailer and legally you should be fine. these are federal regs so they should not vary from state to state.
Chris

You are giving bad advice.

Please research the topic before you post incorrect information that can get people in $$$ trouble $$$$ with the law.

jb

 

[LBrown59]

I have read many threads about truck and trailer options where people warn of going over 26k truck and 10K trailer would require getting a CDL license.
1*But you only need a CDL if you use your truck for comercial reasons.
if this was not true you would need to carry a DOT medical certificate every time your combined truck trailer weight was over 10K. All the private owner needs to do is not overload your truck/trailer and legally you should be fine.
2*these are federal regs so they should not vary from state to state.
Chris

1*And just what is comercial and personal ?
2*A state can make rules that are more stringent than the fed laws so your statement is not correct.

 

[deereguy]

I take Chris's OP as a question, not as a fact. He is asking do you need a CDL if you are using the truck/trailer for a personal use not for commerce.

An example I am thinking of... Horse farmer has a under CDL 16' dump truck (ie Ford F650) and a 10K (25' Deckover) and purchases his hay (50 miles away) for his horse boarding facility... does he need a CDL?
He uses the truck for hauling manure to a local farm, gravel, etc and is registered as a farm truck. Now what does he need for license?

 

[JB4310]

Not sure but if he's farming for profit sounds like commercial, typically personal use does not come under all the scrutiny.

Look at all the RVers going down the road heavier than some construction company truck/trailer combo's.

This topic could have it's own forum, for all the confusion out there.
I've got a top DMV's official in my Rolodex, his primary function is this subject, I call him on occasion with questions and after I get off the phone with him I'm still not sure what he just explained to me, or how it relates to my situation

 

[Secret Squirrel]

But you only need a CDL if you use your truck for comercial reasons.

Not true.

All the private owner needs to do is not overload your truck/trailer and legally you should be fine.

Not true.

Rusty

 

[ChrsDrn]

My post was more of a ? than a statement... I talked with a NH-DOT inspector once he said CDL is for comercial only... see lots of peoples trucks with stickers "not for hire"... if individual state can make their laws more strindgent how do actual truck drivers stay legal.
Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

I take Chris's OP as a question, not as a fact. He is asking do you need a CDL if you are using the truck/trailer for a personal use not for commerce.

An example I am thinking of... Horse farmer has a under CDL 16' dump truck (ie Ford F650) and a 10K (25' Deckover) and purchases his hay (50 miles away) for his horse boarding facility... does he need a CDL?
He uses the truck for hauling manure to a local farm, gravel, etc and is registered as a farm truck. Now what does he need for license?

He does not need a CDL because there is a exemption for farmers. He can travel within 100 miles of the farm without a CDL.

Recreational Vehicles, RV's, Boats, and other personal property if not for hire do not fall under the rules. Now if you are taking a tractor to a friends house to do him a favor then that is considered for hire because the assumption is you will be getting a favor back in return at some time.

The statement you made about not overloading is the key phrase. Most trucks fall at 24K GCWR unless you step up to a F-450 sized truck so you will always be under the 26K rule if loaded legally. For example my F-350 has a 24,000# GCWR and weighs 7,600# so I can legally tow 16,400#. Obviously that is over 10,000# but under 26,000# but either way I am not for hire.

Chris

 

[MarkV]

For example my F-350 has a 24,000# GCWR and weighs 7,600# so I can legally tow 16,400#. Obviously that is over 10,000# but under 26,000# but either way I am not for hire.

Chris

Chris are you sure? I understood it to be that if the trailer were over 10K, or the truck/trailer combination over 26k, or the truck by itself loaded over 26k, you needed a CDL. Is that wrong?

MarkV

 

[Skyco]

The over 10k trailer varies by state, I live in SC and do not need any special license to haul a trailer over 10k as long as my total is under 26k. I have property in NC that if I lived there I would need a special license (I think it is a class A "cdl") to haul a trailer over 10k, even if just for personal use, which it is.

 

[dieselfuelonly]

I would need a special license (I think it is a class A "cdl") to haul a trailer over 10k, even if just for personal use, which it is.

I heard that NC recently changed this, and you don't need a CDL as long as your GCVW is below 26klbs for personal use.

 

[George2615]

Here is the NY State info for a standard class D regular drivers license. You can have a truck with a GVWR of 26,000 or less and to another vehicle that has a GVWR of more than 10,000 lb but the combined GCWR must be less than 26,000 lb. The CDL requirement is only required if you drive for hire or go above 26,001 lb. GVWR or GCWR. There are separate required "R" endorsements for motorhomes greater than 26,001 lb. This info is from the NYS DMV site. Most if not all states have recently changed their rules on when a CDL is or is not required. As stated by Chris a farm license is exempt as well.


http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/license.htm

Changes for Drivers with Current Class D Licenses. A driver with a Class D license can now operate a passenger vehicle, a limited use automobile, or:

* A truck with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 lbs. or less. (Before, a Class D driver could only operate a vehicle with a GVWR of 18,000 lbs. or less.), and
* A truck with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less that tows another vehicle, and the other vehicle has a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less, and
* A truck with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less that tows another vehicle that has a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs., but the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of the two vehicles together must be 26,000 lbs. or less.

A driver with a Class D license can now operate a personal use vehicle (for example a rental vehicle or a recreational vehicle or RV) with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 lbs. or less that tows another vehicle that has a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or more, but the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of the two vehicles together must be 26,000 lbs. or less.

Note: The requirement for an "R" endorsement (Class D or Class E license) to operate a recreational vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more remains in effect.

Changes for Drivers with Current Non-CDL Class C Licenses or Specific CDL Licenses. If you have a Non-CDL Class C license or a CDL Class C license with a "W" restriction that restricted you to operate vehicles with a GVWR of 18,000 lbs. or less, the restriction is no longer in effect.

If you have a CDL Class A license, or a Non-CDL Class C license with an "F" endorsement, that has a "02" restriction (vehicles with a GVWR of 18,000 lbs. or less), the restriction is now the same as a "01" restriction (no vehicle with a GVWR of more than 26,000 lbs.).

 

[Skyco]

I heard that NC recently changed this, and you don't need a CDL as long as your GCVW is below 26klbs for personal use.

Note I didn't mention a CDL but a "special license" for example the class A in NC. A regular driver's license is a class C there.
All very confusing to be sure.

Class A: Required to operate any combination of vehicles exempt from commercial driver license (CDL) requirements with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is greater than 10,000 pounds. Also required for operating any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds, if the vehicle being towed has a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds.

from-
NCDOT Division of Motor Vehicles: Driver Handbook: Chapter 1

 

[stoneyfork]

This requirement in NC for a Class A Non CDL to tow trailers rated in excess of 10,000 lbs for personal use changed on 9/1/08 to allow "Class C drivers license holders over the age of 18 to tow non-commercial combined loads (truck-and-trailer) of up to 26,000 pounds. Previously, a Class A license had been required if the trailer was rated in excess of 10,000 pounds"

See the link below for more info

North Carolina Sportsman - Towing regs revisited: Where do we stand?

 

[newbury]

OT -
Could someone just make one of these CDL threads a sticky/faq please?
A lot of the repeated bandwidth seems to be started by members who have not bothered to read other threads. There are 68 threads on this forum alone dealing with CDL.

 

[GreenWannabe]

OT -
Could someone just make one of these CDL threads a sticky/faq please?
A lot of the repeated bandwidth seems to be started by members who have not bothered to read other threads. There are 68 threads on this forum alone dealing with CDL.

Part of the problem with this is that each state has different laws, and not all agree with the Federal regulations. Also, as seen in this thread, those laws change over time. Of course, some posters might be able to find their answers by using the search feature, but then it doesn't hurt for all of us to be reminded of the requirements periodically either.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I take Chris's OP as a question, not as a fact. He is asking do you need a CDL if you are using the truck/trailer for a personal use not for commerce.

An example I am thinking of... Horse farmer has a under CDL 16' dump truck (ie Ford F650) and a 10K (25' Deckover) and purchases his hay (50 miles away) for his horse boarding facility... does he need a CDL?
He uses the truck for hauling manure to a local farm, gravel, etc and is registered as a farm truck. Now what does he need for license?

Since you had not mentioned it, I am going to "assume" that this farmer like most has farm tags on his truck. The hay and manure part are part of a normal agricultural operation.

Per the DOT: "(d) Exception for farmers, firefighters, emergency response vehicle drivers; and drivers removing snow and ice. A State may, at its discretion, exempt individuals identified in paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) of this section from the requirements of this part. The use of this waiver is limited to the driver痴 home State unless there is a reciprocity agreement with adjoining States.

(d)(1) Operators of a farm vehicle which is:

(d)(1)(i) Controlled and operated by a farmer, including operation by employees or family members;

(d)(1)(ii) Used to transport either agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies, or both to or from a farm;

(d)(1)(iii) Not used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier; and

(d)(1)(iv) Used within 241 kilometers (150 miles) of the farmer痴 farm"

The gravel and "etc." part are not part of normal agricultural operations. Hence, he may not need a CDL for an F650 depending on the state but he may need a med card and the farm tags would be an issue.

 

[tommu56]

Pa reg
from link PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services - Classes of Licenses

Non-commercial Driver's Licenses

* CLASS A (minimum age 18): Required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, where the vehicle(s) being towed is/are in excess of 10,000 pounds. Example: Recreational Vehicle, when the towing vehicle is rated at 11,000 pounds and the vehicle towed is rated at 15,500 pounds (total combination weight of 26,500 pounds).
* CLASS B (minimum age 18): Required to operate any single vehicle rated in excess of 26,000 pounds. Example: Motor homes rated at 26,001 pounds or more.
* CLASS C (minimum age 16): A Class C driverç—´ license will be issued to persons 16 years of age or older, who have demonstrated their qualifications to operate any vehicles, except those requiring a Class M qualification, and who do not meet the definitions of Class A or Class B. Any firefighter or member of a rescue or emergency squad who is the holder of a Class C driverç—´ license and who has a certificate of authorization from a fire chief or head of the rescue or emergency squad will be authorized to operate any fire or emergency vehicle registered to that fire department, rescue or emergency squad or municipality. The holder of a Class C driverç—´ license is also authorized to drive a motorized pedalcycle (a motor-driven cycle) or a three-wheeled motorcycle equipped with an enclosed cab, but not a motorcycle.
* CLASS M (minimum age 16): A Class M driverç—´ license will be issued to those persons 16 years of age or older who have demonstrated their ability to operate a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. If a person is qualified to operate only a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, he/she will be issued a Class M driverç—´ license. If your motorcycle is less than 50 CCs, an ? restriction will appear on your driverç—´ license. This restriction prohibits you from operating a motorcycle 50 CCs or larger.


Commercial Driver's Licenses - Classes A, B or C

* CLASS A (minimum age 18): A Class A license is issued to those persons 18 years of age or older who have demonstrated their qualifications to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. The holder of a Class A license is qualified to operate vehicles for which a Class B or Class C license is issued. Where required, appropriate endorsements must be obtained.
* CLASS B (minimum age 18): A Class B license is issued to those persons 18 years of age or older who have demonstrated their qualifications to operate any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more or any such vehicle towing a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating of not more than 10,000 pounds. The holder of a Class B license is qualified to operate vehicles for which a Class C license is issued. Where required, appropriate endorsements must be obtained.
* CLASS C (minimum age 18): A Class C license is issued to those persons 18 years of age or older who have demonstrated their qualifications to operate any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of not more than 26,000 pounds or any combination of vehicles, except combination vehicles involving motorcycles, that does not meet the definition of a Class A or Class B vehicle. Where required, appropriate endorsements must be obtained.

NOTE: You must be 21 years of age or older to operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle on an interstate (traveling between two or more states). This applies to ALL classes.

In addition to the CDL classes, there are also special endorsements and restrictions that you must have to drive certain types of commercial vehicles. They are:
Endorsements/Restrictions

Endorsements The following authorizations are required when operating vehicles of the type listed:

H - Required to drive a vehicle with hazardous materials placards (you must be 21 years of age).
N - Required to drive a tank vehicle.
T - Required to drive double and triple trailers.
P - Required to drive a vehicle designed to carry 16 passengers or more including the driver (buses).
S - Required to drive a school bus. Designed to carry 11 passengers or more, including the driver.
X - Represents a combination of the hazardous materials and tank vehicle endorsements (you must be 21 years of age).

Restrictions The following restrictions prohibit you from operating certain type vehicles:

L - Restricts the driver to vehicles not equipped with air brakes.
B - Passenger endorsement restriction cannot drive Class A buses.
C - Passenger endorsement restriction cannot drive Class A or B buses.


Confusing CDL-B = PA. non CDL-A

Non CDL=B any weight but no combination

Clear as mud must I say.

tom

 

[newbury]

Part of the problem with this is that each state has different laws, and not all agree with the Federal regulations. Also, as seen in this thread, those laws change over time. Of course, some posters might be able to find their answers by using the search feature, but then it doesn't hurt for all of us to be reminded of the requirements periodically either.

My point was that if a mod made it a sticky it wouldn't necessarily be popping up several times a week. Nowhere in this thread did I see a good list of links which have popped up in other disparate threads on this and other forums. Though there are some links to various states.
Another good starting place is dmv.com
I'd just like to see the signal to noise ratio increased.

 

[Builder]

If you have cancer, do you go onto a webMD type website and ask for advice, or do you go to an oncologist and get the right answers?

I'm a Class A CDL license holder for over 20 years. I've driven a lot of different trucks over the road. Take it from me, there is far too much bad information being given, bad advice and downright dangerous tips for breaking towing laws and safety limits of their trucks.

For the safety of others who share the road, get the answers from the people who make/enforce the laws, not from guys who tow recreationally or like to talk macho truck talk on websites.

Best place to start is your state dept of motor vehicles.

Be safe.