I think it varies state to state, I have a semi and race trailer, which the law here in NV states I only need a non-commercial Class A to drive, but when it came too no one at DMV could advise how to obtain it, despite having the study manual online. I ended up just getting a CDL, but that came with additional liability, and regulations, lower DUI limit, the need to stop at scales etc.

For my previous trailer which was 15,000 lbs gross towing with a one ton I needed a J endorsement.

Here's the NV DMV page that explains the NV licensing and endorsements;

http://www.dmvnv.com/nvdl.htm#classes

This is the most confusing BS ever. I'm glad I have a CDL. LOL. Also has anyone else been getting confusing letters in the mail about maintaining current DOT physicals even if you don't operate for hire? They have been telling me I need to submit my physical or my license will expire. I currently hold an FAA First Class medical, and the Ohio BMW said this was not acceptable. Morons. When I drove for hire, I can assure you the CDL physical was no where near what the FAA physical was. (they are both pretty basic; but the CDL one makes sure you are breathing, that's about it!)

Keep in mind, that if you hold a CDL, and drive your personal car, and have a few beers and get stopped, all the rules change.

If you're driving your personal vehicle, with a CDL, .04 is the limit. Anything over and it's a DUI. If you're driving a commercial vehicle, its .0000. Mouthwash will get you a DUI.

Right off the back of my NC license:

Class C: Any noncommercial single vehicle with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds. A vehicle towing a vehicle which has a combined GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds operated by a driver 18 yrs. or older.

If I got pulled over and the cop wanted to argue about trailer weights etc, I'd just tell him to read the back of my license :)

The back of my old CA license says: CLASS: C-Veh w/GVWR <26000

Perhaps the back of other state liscenses also has what to show the kind officer should you need to.

The trailer weight does not matter, just the GVWR of the trailer.

I got one for you bro.....We were coming back from a race in Florida with Toterhome and raceboat.....on the side of toterhome in BIG BLACK LETTERS it has the phrase "Private Carrier Not For Hire" so we go cruising past the weigh station at about 80 and low and bwhold we see blue lights a flashing....they pull me over with a CDL I mind you and the cop in his best Sheriff Buford T. Justice or Sheriff J.W. Pepper (Live and Let Die) accent asks did you not see the weigh station boy?...

My reply...I got your boy in the back....we are a private carrier therefore we do not need to scale and any body knows we are far from being over weight!!!!

His reply....Is this not a truck??? Where are you from????

My reply .....Here we go!!!!!! Can you not read the name on the side of the boat that is in great big phucking letters that says "DICK SIMON RACING DANA POINT, CA"????

his reply....oh we got us a California boy here!!!

my reply...What the phuck ever Buford!!!!

Well that cost me like $500 and a few hours while my **** got ripped apart and they wanted to run a dog through to which I replied....If he f's up my leather couches I am going back with the most expensive stuff I can find on your dime and I have a lawyer and he is such a good lawyer that he will reach up your a$$ and pull every collard green you ever ate since you was young out every orfice....BOY!!!!

That was worth another $500 and another hour!!!!

At the end Buford had the balls or stupidity to ask for a hat....

My reply... I got plenty they are $1000/ea have a nice night Buford!!!


The moral of the story is just have a CDL and run through the weigh stations when you have anything remotely questionable and bring plenty of hats....they like hats or T-shirts....and don't be like me and answer stupid questions with stupid smart a$$ answers!!!!!!

It's every 2 years now Tim.......

If you dont have a truck to do the test in with all the stuff you will need go to a truck driving school and inquire how much to use their truck for the test....Thats what I did

it cost me $650 for 2 days of refresher course as to the pre trip and in cab inspection and the road test using their truck!!!!! Plus they will let you slide on a lot of stuff when it comes to the pre trip or at least they did for me to finish everything up!!!!

Like I said 90% fail the pre trip or in cab before they even get to the road test!!!

In Cali it was basically the same deal the dmv was dumbfounded when it came to the non commercial A license and it was just easier to get the commercial one!!!!!

Not Ohio :rolleyes: The back of my driver's license says the following:

CLASS: D license is authorized to operate as an operator vehicle (WTF ???)
ENDORSEMENTS: M - Motorcycle
RESTRICTIONS: B - Corrective Lenses

and that's it !



Here is what was on the back of the NC license:

Class C: Any vehicle with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds that is exempt from CDL requirements and is not towing a vehicle with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds.

I think that says I can't pull a 12000 GVWR Myco tandem axle trailer (that was under my 35 Lightning), legally.

I have a ticket on my desk that has been there for several years to remind me of how good life was without a CDL. I now don't even think about a beer while boating since there is a zero tolerance while towing my boat home. Living in California, which is the land of laws, I was sited for being overwidth, overweight and no CDL and parked along the road. Not a good day! I now belong to the BIT program which inspects my Kodiak and boat trailer and my 48 ft. enclosed car trailer every 2 years for which I must pay $270.00 for the priveledge. I have to belong to a drug testing program which I pay $150.00 per year.I was tested twice last year. $90.00 for a annual wide load permit for CA. Ca. law states that any trailer that is over 20' long or over 10,000 gvw requires a CDL. This is seldom enforced but the CHP is now parking outside of horse shows and rodeo events to bust the horse people. The big boat crowd is next but I would resist getting a CDL until forced. I would check with your insurance company to check your coverage if you require a CDL and don't have one, maybe they won't cover the claim.