I currently tow with a kenworth W900 with my CDL. I have been looking into getting a truck that I do not have to have a CDL for. But I am finding out no matter what truck I pull with if the trailer is over 10,000lbs I still need a CDL. Has anyone heard this. Everywhere I read they do not differ between for hire or not. Just the weight. Looking for input

Thanks

From my understanding if what your towing is over 10,000 you have to have CDL's even though combined weight can be up to 26,000 before you need CDL's. Doesn't really make a lot of sense to me.

You only need to have a class A CDL if your GCVWR is over 26,000.

The regulations don't make much sense, until you consider say a Class B dump truck with a small equipment trailer behind it. This does not, and should not require a class A, so all you need is a class B.

If you are towing a trailer over 10,000 with a tow vehicle UNDER 26,001 Lbs, you do not need a CDL as long as you are under 26k GCVWR.

Hope this makes more sense. Obviously you still have to remain within the limitations of your tow vehicle to stay legal.

Turbo, thats what I thought initially until a trooper friend and I looked at the regs and I don't remember the exact wording but it said trailers over 10,000 class A was required regardless of the GVCWR. Now this might be open to interpretation. I hope you are right but I don't have a book with me to give actual wording on the reg.

Here is the reference to the Ohio regs... I always though it was the same nationally, but that may not be the case any more.

http://bmv.ohio.gov/cdl.stm

I checked the NC website, and it is confusing. However, if you look at page 1-1 of the manual, it reads more like the Ohio regs. GCVWR has to be over 26k before the CDL rules apply.

That's the way we have always treated it, and I have never had any problems, but I do hold a valid CDL.

Here's the NC manual...

Also on the Ohio page under "Exemptions"

"Nonbusiness Commercial Motor Vehicle [ - ]

A commercial motor vehicle that is operated for nonbusiness purposes. "Operated for nonbusiness purposes" means that the commercial motor vehicle is not used in commerce as "commerce" is defined in 48 C.F.R. 383.5 as amended, and is not regulated by the public utilities commission pursuant to Chapter 4919., 4821., or 4923.,of the Ohio Revised Code."

I have never seen that one before...

Ok to my understanding if you are running for hire with GCVWR over 26000 you need a CDL if you are, as the gentleman above states, using it for non-commercial purposes, which I am assuming you are, you do not need a CDL as long as you are under 26000 and DO NOT have air brakes!!!! I also believe that you can fall under an RV ruling somewhere along the line!!!!.....My advice though so you do not have to worry is go get your CDL!!!!

I agree, it's a good thing to have when you're hauling big loads.

This brings up an interesting question though...

Could you conceivably take the CDL test with an empty 11k or 12k GVWR 30' boat trailer behind one of the newer 1 tons with a CGVWR over 26k lbs? It would not get you the airbrake endorsement, but it sure would be a piece of cake!

What boat trailer are you pulling that with the boat removed weighs 10,000 LBS???