OK, I'll take ONE MORE TRY at adding clarity - not the kind that politicians do the day after they have been caught in "conflicts of differing truths" (-:
My posting was based on FEDERAL regulations, which set MINIMUM standards for commercial vehicles. States may and DO add to those.
The Massachusetts CDL manual states;
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You must have a CDL to operate;
A single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 pounds.
A trailer with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds if the gross combination weight rating is more than 26,000 pounds.
A vehicle designed to transport more than 15 persons (including the driver).
Any size vehicle which requires hazardous materials placards.
(Your State may have additional definitions of CMVs)
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Note: I take that last parenthetical statement as an indicator that this is a re-print of the Federal CMV licensing manual with a Massachusetts cover sheet on it.
My point is "Gross Vehicle Weight RATING " is the determinant for license classes, not actual weight across the scales.
Also the trailer over 10,000 is a conditional "IF" with the 26,000 pound combination GVWR.
How much MORE restrictive California is would be best answered by THEIR DMV, but the minimum Fed requirement is as above.
I suggest a visit to the CAL DMV and request a copy of their CDL manual, which will probably be the federal requirements with whatever State addendum they have added.
.....and just before submitting this post I opened another tab to look 'em up.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/cdl_htm/sec1_a.htm#who
I think this says it all;
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Who Needs A CDL?
To operate commercial vehicles, you must apply for a CDL. Only California residents may obtain a California CDL. Residency is established by any of the following: registering to vote here, paying resident tuition at a public institution of higher education, filing for a California homeownerç—´ property tax exemption, obtaining a license (such as a fishing license), or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents. You need a CDL if you operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles which requires a Class A or Class B license or Class C license with endorsements.
A commercial motor vehicle is a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles designed or used for either the transportation of persons for compensation or property and:
* Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
* Tows any vehicle with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
* Tows more than one vehicle or a trailer bus.
* Has three or more axles (excludes three axle vehicles weighing 6,000 pounds or less gross).
* Is any vehicle (bus, farm labor vehicle, general public paratransit vehicle, etc.) designed, used, or maintained to carry more than 10 passengers including the driver, for hire or profit, or is used by any nonprofit organization or group.
* Transports hazardous materials requiring placarding.*
* Transports hazardous wastes (Health and Safety Code ｧｧ25115 and 25117).*
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Again, it is about Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, i.e. CAPACITY, not actual weight across the scales.
Now the "designed or used for either the transportation of persons for compensation or property and:"
COULD be confusing.
Various combinations of the "ORs" could except or include you.
e.g. You may or may not be USING it for compensation, but if it was DESIGNED for transportation for compensation - they can classify it as a commercial vehicle.
I really don't know how well a claim that a 12K trailer is "designed" for recreation use would hold up.
YEAH if it were a BOAT trailer,
DOUBTFUL if it is an equipment trailer.
Sorry, I guess this post muddied the waters even more.
Just like a politician's "Clarification" (-:
