CDL requirements

[Fieldman12]

I keep getting different stories on if I need a CDL or not. According to a chart my dad had when he took his CDL I would not need one if the trailer is over 10,000 lbs and as long as the combined weight is not over 26,000 lbs. Is this correct or does the law change if a person is doing it in a business.

[Smitty58]

That is correct. Under 26000 you don't need cdl, over you do.

[qps]

I keep getting different stories on if I need a CDL or not. According to a chart my dad had when he took his CDL I would not need one if the trailer is over 10,000 lbs and as long as the combined weight is not over 26,000 lbs. Is this correct or does the law change if a person is doing it in a business.

even under 26000 your suppose to have a dot health card, roadside reflector kit and fire extengisher in your truck...and it doesn't take much to get over 26K when you add up the truck and trailer combined...a F450 with a 7 ton trailer would need CDL...

[backhoe1]

It certainly wouldn't hurt to have one. just get it and you don't haveto worry anymore.

[Dirt Digger2]

the back of my license says "Class A- Combination > 26,000/Tow > 10,000"...take from that what you will, but to me it means if you are towing more then 10,000 you need a class A

[BIGBEN2004]

In Maryland you need one if the GVW of the truck exceeds 26,000 pounds or you are pulling a trailer weighing more than 10,000 pounds. I know the DOT has field days now with any truck pulling a skid steer since most of the time the trailer and skid loader together weighs more than 10,000 pounds.
Also Dirt Digger2 my Maryland license class A CDL on the back states : Any combination of vehicles with GCW 26,001/more pounds, towing trailer(s) 10,001/more pounds. Any single vehicle, EXCEPT motorcycles (Endorsement Required for Passenger Vehicles).

So it is pretty much the same as your state.

[Smitty58]

This is straight from the website dot.gov

Classes of License:

The Federal standard requires States to issue a CDL to drivers according to the following license classifications:

Class A -- Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Class B -- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.

Class C -- Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials.

[oakhillslandscaping]

mass is the same if you have a 650 with hydro brakes and your pulling a ten ton trailer your over wieght and thats empty if your going to get you CDL whether you get A or B get the air brake indorsement otherwise its not worth it that way if you ever up grade or work somewhere else your completely covered and never have to go back other then a renew

[ksss]

Like someone said it is best just to get the Class A with air brake endorsement and be done with it. It is not that big of deal. At some point you are going to need it. If your going to progress in this business you need a CDL with about the same importance as you need a dirt bucket.

[Fieldman12]

Here in Ohio everyone says it is a pain to get your cdl. My dad said it was a pain to get his along with many others that have told me that. According to this if I understand it correctly I dont need it.

WHEN DO I NEED A CDL INSTEAD OF MY REGULAR OHIO DRIVERS LICENSE?

A CDL is required if you operate any of the following CMV's . . .

* A vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 lbs.
* A vehicle towing a unit with a manufacturer's GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs. when the GCWR exceeds 26,000 lbs.
* A vehicle designed to transport 16 or more persons (including the operator) or any vehicle carrying children to or from school and home regularly for compensation.
* A vehicle of any size that carries hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding.

[Smitty58]

I guess it depends on what you are planning on doing. I have a class a although I am not a truck driver currently. It is nice to have though. I don't know where New Vienna is but there is a place in Wooster Ohio that is a testing center. You can use their truck and even have an instructor ride with you if you want. I think it cost like $400. When I got mine I just got the book ,studied and took all the written tests. Then I had a buddy let me drive a few times with him. Then I went to a local testing center and used their truck to take the test.

[YellowDogSVC]

It's not hard to have a GCWR over 26k if you have a new F350 and a tandem axle gooseneck. 2005 or newer F350 GCWR 13k; typical dual axle gooseneck (single wheels) 14k GCWR added together is 27k. You would need a CDL.

I have an F350 flatbed and use a 12k bumper pull trailer. I put my implements on the back and pull just the Bobcats. My GCWR is 25 but I am probably closer in actual weight to near 26k. I wish I would just get my CDL and be done with it as KSSS has said. I am always trying to save a few pounds here and there and it is a source of frustration and anxiety when I pass by DPS though I have added everything up and I am under weight.

[joesimoes2]

I keep getting different stories on if I need a CDL or not. According to a chart my dad had when he took his CDL I would not need one if the trailer is over 10,000 lbs and as long as the combined weight is not over 26,000 lbs. Is this correct or does the law change if a person is doing it in a business.

You can not tow a trail over 10,000 ponds with out a cdl.

[CLARK LAWN]

i have my class a and im from ohio, had no problemsw at all. i got my class b when i was 19 and then got my class a a few years after that. Yellowdog a CDL is based on the weight rating ov your vehicle not what you acually wiegh.If your combo has a GCWR of 27k then you need to get a CDL even if you drive around empty all the time your still illeagal.

[Fieldman12]

I dont see getting a CDL at this time. I use to drive farm trucks hauling grain but don't do that much any more. For farm use it is not required anyway. I dont plan on getting a bulldozer at this time. If I see business is taking off then I will invest some money in getting a CDL license. Im getting mixed answers on here if it is legal or not . Some say it is and some say it is not. There is clearly a miss understanding in the law if this many people is divided on if it is legal or not.

[janb]

The law is pretty clear... if you have a commercial towed unit (trailer) that has a GVW over 10,000 # you need a Class A CDL (there was a fed DOT site that was referenced last time we had this discussion)

If you have a commercial vehicle (or combination) with GVW over 26001# you need a CDL (class B if bobtail... no trailer)

If you have air brakes you need an endorsement.

AND.... if you have a CDL you need to have a DOT health card AND be in a random drug testing program for EACH employer and a testing program (consortium) for independents if you are one of them...

I use Trucksafe.com, cheapest I found ~ $50 / yr + testing costs ($134 last week for piss&breath). The requirements upon notification are very strict... like drop everything and go get tested... next thing you know, we will be carrying breathalysers and GPS tracking.

I was a unaware of this till I over-heard an ole independent log truck driver complaining about his $1,000 ticket ... I, like him, figured my semi-annual drug test at DOT physical was adequate... wrong...

But... getting caught without a CDL or a Card or clean drug data would not be good, I don't find the DOT guys too 'forgiving'

[janb]

<sorry - this should read>
The law is pretty clear... if you have a commercial towed unit (trailer) that has a GVW over 10,000 # and GCVWR of 26,001... you need a Class A CDL (as per referenced DOT site)

remember this is weight rating, not weight carried... so even empty you need the CDL to legally operate a combination or single of 26,001, AND an A if the towed unit is rated over 10,000# (you could drive your 3 axle Kenworth around towing your 3/4 ton pickup (8,500GVWR) with a class B)

We call the DOT guys "the Butcher's" i.e. axe murder's, as they can really tune up your checkbook and readjust your maint schedule

[ksss]

Actually I think the DOT guys are closer to Nazi's than anything else.

[john_bud]

You can not tow a trail over 10,000 ponds with out a cdl.

That might be true in your state, but most states it is not correct.

If you are combined over 26,001 = CDL IF IF AND ONLY IF the trailer is over 10,000.

So if the truck is 26,000 and the trailer is 10,000 you DON'T NEED the CDL even though the combined is over 26,001.


If the combined is over 26,001 AND the trailer is 10,001 or more then you need a CDL in all states (except for some farm exclusions)

clear as mud.

jb

[qps]

Actually I think the DOT guys are closer to Nazi's than anything else.


That's no lie....depends on what day of the week it is on how they interpret the "law"....I went to court once to fight a ticket, the prosecutor called me and the officer up to the rail.....ask if I really wanted to argue my side with the judge...I said yes...he then turned to the trooper and said " See if you wrote all these as tickets instead of one ticket and three warnings these guys wouldn't fight them", I wanted to jump over the rail and choke him...they now changed the law here that if you fight a ticket and lose, the fine I believe's doubles:dizzy:

[Scag48]

WA state law says that if your trailer is rated for over 10,001 AND your combined GVWR with truck exceeds 26,001, you need a class A CDL.

So, truck rated for 13K, trailer is 12K, you're at 25K, good to roll without a CDL here in WA. But, truck rated for 15K and trailer for 12K, 27K puts you in the weight class.

[ksss]

Some states do not require you to have a class A CDL if your trailer GVWR is over 10,000. WA is one of those states. My dad can tow around his 12K rated trailer all day without a CDL legally with his F350, at least here in WA. I know some states that if your trailer is rated for over 10,000, regardless of whether it's loaded or not, you need a class A CDL, which is freakin' stupid. I have checked my CDL guide for WA state and that rule does not apply here, unless they've changed it in the last 6 months but I highly doubt it. How about the State Patrol crack down on ******s towing boats in excess of 8,000 pounds with a Ford Expedition, talk about unsafe.

The rules should be the same across the Country I think. How about the guys pulling a triple axle gooseneck with a boat behind that. Total experience pulling anything zero. How about the 80 yoa retired guy driving a diesel pusher that he cant see over the steering wheel. Prior to the pusher he drove a Camry. DOT would much rather dick with us.

[YellowDogSVC]

i have my class a and im from ohio, had no problemsw at all. i got my class b when i was 19 and then got my class a a few years after that. Yellowdog a CDL is based on the weight rating ov your vehicle not what you acually wiegh.If your combo has a GCWR of 27k then you need to get a CDL even if you drive around empty all the time your still illeagal.

Yes. I was stating that my setups are at 25k GCWR but many guys around here routinely run a 14k gooseneck and a new Ford f350 which has GVWR of 12k which puts them at 27k and in the range of a CDL

try this little test out;

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/lw/cmvlaw/cdl/cdlmain.asp