Understanding Curb Weight, GVWR, Towing and CDL requirements

[aczlan]

I am sorry but that is not the case. Combined 26,001 with a trailer over 10k…. Same in CA as everywhere else.

Nope, Federal (and many states) allow up to 36k GCWR with a 26k GVWR tow vehicle and a 10k GVWR trailer without a CDL:

Drivers | FMCSA

Drivers have been required to have a commercial driver's license (CDL) in order to drive certain commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) since April 1, 1992. The types of vehicles and operations requiring a CDL are outlined below. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has developed...

www.fmcsa.dot.gov

Aaron Z

 

[Hay Dude]

It's still a couple of years until my license is up, so I may just get a DOT physical just to continue having the option. I drove semi, straight truck, truck and trailer, doubles, A-train and truck and pup, none were at all difficult to transition to so I think I could jump into a semi or any other rig and be comfortable within a few miles.
Personally, I think the requirement for a truck driving school is nonsense. A solution for a problem that didn't exist. If a person can demonstrate the necessary understanding of how a truck works and how to safely operate it, that should be enough. (Written and extensive driving skills tests) It seems ludicrous to treat a young person who grew up around trucks, drove them when they could, the same as some kid from downtown Seattle whose sole experience is seeing them drive by on the freeway, as equals.

It’s all to make money. Some money wh*re that knows a congressman tells him to introduce a new law in the name of “safety” or “for the children” to make truck drivers have to spend $5,000 (at his schools of course) to become certified to be a licensed CDL driver.

Anyone knows an experienced driver training a new driver, once he has mastered the basics, is the much more economical sensible way to go.
On the job training is better than classroom education

 

[stumblinhorse]

Nope, Federal (and many states) allow up to 36k GCWR with a 26k GVWR tow vehicle and a 10k GVWR trailer without a CDL:

Drivers | FMCSA

Drivers have been required to have a commercial driver's license (CDL) in order to drive certain commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) since April 1, 1992. The types of vehicles and operations requiring a CDL are outlined below. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has developed...

www.fmcsa.dot.gov

View attachment 793438



Aaron Z

Geez relax. That is exactly what I said.. 26001 combined with a trailer over 10000 is what all that pasting says. Which means a truck of 26k and a trailer of 10000 equals 36000 and guess what no CDL…

 

[ning]

I am sorry but that is not the case. Combined 26,001 with a trailer over 10k…. Same in CA as everywhere else.

You can be sorry all you want, but you're not correct.
See California Code, Vehicle Code - VEH § 12804.9 | FindLaw

 

[stumblinhorse]

You can be sorry all you want, but you're not correct.
See California Code, Vehicle Code - VEH § 12804.9 | FindLaw

Let’s all post links!

Commercial Driver's Licenses - California DMV

DMV issues commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to ensure that drivers meet our high standards for operating commercial motor vehicles.

www.dmv.ca.gov

 

[stumblinhorse]

You can be sorry all you want, but you're not correct.
See California Code, Vehicle Code - VEH § 12804.9 | FindLaw

I see how it reads after reading over and over. That would be pretty amazing. But if that is the case then there is so many violations in CA they wouldn’t have to tax…. Pretty much every horse trailer, many boat trailers are above 10k…. So I will admit I am wrong, but that is ridiculous if true. Why have something so completely not enforced….

 

[ning]

I see how it reads after reading over and over. That would be pretty amazing. But if that is the case then there is so many violations in CA they wouldn’t have to tax…. Pretty much every horse trailer, many boat trailers are above 10k…. So I will admit I am wrong, but that is ridiculous if true. Why have something so completely not enforced….

I agree it's completely ridiculous, and I've verified with a couple calls to the DMV, not that that's true verification - as you can see the reading isn't easy and it would probably depend on the cop and the judge.

I've talked to a number of contractors with obvious >10k dumps pulled by obvious work trucks (some with business names on the side - but not DOT/fore hire numbers which may be the key?) and they all claim to not give a hoot and say they've never been pulled over.

I suspect that the cops here go with the federal spec, tbh.

 

[stumblinhorse]

I agree it's completely ridiculous, and I've verified with a couple calls to the DMV, not that that's true verification - as you can see the reading isn't easy and it would probably depend on the cop and the judge.

I've talked to a number of contractors with obvious >10k dumps pulled by obvious work trucks (some with business names on the side - but not DOT/fore hire numbers which may be the key?) and they all claim to not give a hoot and say they've never been pulled over.

I suspect that the cops here go with the federal spec, tbh.

I have been around a number of Cali ranches and ropings and every trailer there was dual 7k axles. Nobody talked about CDLs.

 

[two_bit_score]

Fast forward to today, and I 1) would need to drop six grand for the training, and 2) the class schedule at the nearest to me CDL driving school has 10-hour classes, 4 days a week, for a month. With a full-time job, etc., I can't even come close to attending classes that way. That's plenty of incentive for me to look for alternate options within the law to move my machine, occasionally.

Another example of the regulation being a barrier to competition than a safeguard for the public. Of course those who are profiting from the excessive training fees are also culpable.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Let’s all post links!

Commercial Driver's Licenses - California DMV

DMV issues commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to ensure that drivers meet our high standards for operating commercial motor vehicles.

www.dmv.ca.gov

It's the same in Washington. Above a certain weight it is considered a commercial motor vehicle, but in Washington, that doesn't mean the CDL requirement kicks in until it is being used commercially. We are limited to a maximum of 26.000 lbs., either as a single unit or in combination. No wiggle room to 36K.