I have heard lots of versions of the rules. Does anybody know for sure if I need a CDL in the following senarios?

1. Ford F-350 Pickup. 12,000 lb GVW

2. Above truck pulling 10,000 lb trailer

3. Above truck owned by a company (my company).

I am trying to avoid the hassle of all the regulations that go with owning a "commercial vehical" and having to get (I assume) a Class A license to operate this rig.

Troutly?

no you dont...

No you do not.
Class "A" for for a combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more if the vehicle being towed having a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds. (i.e. tractor trailer).
Class "B" incldes straight trucks, large buses, tow trucks
Class "C" - not inc. in A or B that carries haz mat materials-
bottom line- if you don't need it, don't bother. I have a Class"B" with haz mat, and air brake endorsements. Have to keep current with tests and such...a pain

I have read in the rules that a commercial vehical with a GVW of over 9000 lbs requires a CDL. My pickup falls under this catagory, no?

A commercial motor vehicle is a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
Commercial driver's license requirements DON"T apply to: vehicles operated by persons only for personal use, such as recreational vehicles and rental moving vans.

Ditto, you do not need a CDL.

Unless you are transporting people for hire (small tour bus, etc).

I thought F-350 GVW was around 8200

F350

GVWR 9,900-11,500

If you are transporting people, or goods (i.e. delivery0 as a commercial carrier.

You do not need a CDL for your own vehicle unless it has air brakes or has a GVW over the 26,001 lb limit.

Your local drivers license bureau in your state should have pamplet on the CDL requirements.

Wannabe