CDL for Trailers over 10,000
 

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... :helmet:

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???

In Jersey you can operate a MV with air brakes under 26,001 w/o a CDL.
Not sure about towing though. I drive a 21,000 lb bucket truck with air and never had a problem.

When I lived in North Carolina I remember reading the back of my standard driver's license, it specifically says "not legal for towing over 10,000 lb". Who ever reads the back of their license? :rolleyes: . It was very clearly stated right on the driver's license. You had to apply for a different license (CL-A ??) which I think was a non-business CDL. Never saw that on an OH or PA driver's license.

I have a class A cdl out of Illinois. A class A is needed to tow over 10,000 with a 36,000 gvw truck. You do not need a cdl to tow over 10,000 with a dually pickup.

I am glad I am not the only one not understanding. What has started this was my son and I talked about letting him take the boat to the local lake ( hr away ) using a legal 1 ton or more. But we are reading he needs his CDL's too. We are wanting to do everything right just trying to figure it out. He just might have to get his CDL's.

As many have posted, the rules are confusing. If you are towing a 10,000lb trailer, you only need a CDL if your GCVWR is over 26,000lbs. As sean posted to, there are other exceptions for RV's. I also agree with Sean, just get the CDL. It can save you a lot of headaches if a cop with a headtrip decides to keep you on the side of the road because they misunderstood the rules to.

I went through this all last year here in Pa. If the trailer is over 10000 rated you need a class A. There is a non comercial class A. It wasnt anywhere in the book that i found but if you type it in a search you should find something on it. You can take the test with your boat trailer and your truck. I would assume all the weights and capacities would have to be correct. Check into that.

what the hell is that alien thing on my post
Dave

Pa's laws are based on the Federal regs. You only need a Commercial Drivers License if the GCVWR is over 26,000 lbs. There is a non commercial CDL, but I never met anyone that had one.

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms.../section_1.pdf

In Illinois, you need a class A CDL if the trailer you are towing weighs more than 10,000 lbs. and you are towing for hire or commercial purposes. You also need a CDL if the combined weight is over 26,000 lbs. or has air brakes.
If the combined weight is under 26,000 lbs. and you are towing for personal use, you do not need a CDL;however, in one of the towns in Illinois with access to Lake Michigan, the local police department is misinformed. Several years ago, I got a CDL to avoid any problems. I had to drive a semi for the test. The above requirements are clearly stated in the manual used to study for the written test.

The way I understand the law is you do not have to have a cdl over 10,000 but you do have to carry a med card. I got that from a group of DOT guys in a meeting I attended.

As said earlier...Just get your CDL if you tow a big trailer... What's the big deal????
Getting it is incredibly easy...
The biggest pain is remembering to get your med card done every year...

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.

cdl for trailers over10000
 

Don't forget logs for that day and last seven days plus long form physical ,11 hrs driving 10 hr brake.Bill of lading, Plus others.Once you commit to CDL FORMAT TECHNICALLY you have subjected yourself to all the rules. That's why to NOT get them . I was stopped in Seymore IN pulling my boat with my semi across scale and ask to pull around back and come in. Lady DOT wants to know who's boat Mine I say ,she wants proof. I tell her run the registration number. Didn't want to or couldent. After a little BS about paper work she let me go butt could have been Detained at best

I just got off the phone with an Illinois State Police Staff Sargent. These guys live and die by the Illinois Vehicle Code (IVC). He told me a few help full hints:

1) CDL stands for Commercial Drivers License, not the ability to drive a truck.
2) If you are not making money at the lake with you boat your are privet and not for hire. Therefore NO CDL is required.
3) If you exceed the weight/length restrictions of your rig/boat and trailer you will need to get a Class A, B, or C, non CDL. Otherwise know as a class A, B, or C, license as he so eloquently stated.
4) If you are using a Towterhome with air brakes titled as an RV you DO NOT need an air brake endorsement, all you need is the correct license classification. Also, if you pull though a scale you will most likely piss off the cops working the scale as you are not required to stop and now holding up the line of drivers that are required to stop.

I have a 41' Renegade with RV plates and carry a non-CDL class B. The two times I pulled through the scales I was verry sternly advised to bypass the scale next time.

He ended the conversation by saying most other states should be the same as these laws are DOT laws and not just IDOT. But I should check with the states vehicle code that we would be passing through before embarking on a interstate journey.

If you are going to the trouble of getting a different license for an upgraded class, why not get a class A CDL and be done with it?

Here is the wunderful state of california we have a Recreational A. It allows driving school and standard points for a ticket, however boats do not qualify as a rv! The term "carrier" applies to your trailer and the CHP does not care if it is a boat sitting on it. I have told the scales to pull me over and ticket me. I will have a great time illustrating to a judge that my wife and my chihuahua will not be travelling across country filling out logbooks and stopping at scales. Its been two years since this took place and no ticket. I will get a non commercial A, no sweat but never a commercial, too many rules

Driver License Confusion
 

Let me help you out folks....
Two categories of Driver license
1. Commercial driver license-required when operator is driving a vehicle defined as a Commercial Motor Vehicle:
A. single unit GVWR or combined (power unit + towed unit GVWR in excess of 26000 lb. GVWR or actual weight or
B. required to display Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods placards or
C. carrying 16 or more passengers (including driver).

2. Non-CDL

Classes of CDL and Non-CDL and authorized vehicle(s) types:
Class A: power unit + towed unit (GVWR 10000 lb. or more) with combined GVWR or actual weight in excess of 26000 lb.; class B vehicle; class C vehicle.
Class B: power unit + towed unit (GVWR under 10000 lb.) with combined GVWR or actual weight in excess of 26000 lb., single unit with GVWR or actual weight in excess of 26000 lb., class C vehicle.
Class C: any single unit or combined unit with GVWR or combined GVWR under 26000 lb.

When determining the difference between CDL and non-CDL, you must ask "is the vehicle operated in commerce?" The typical recreational boat puller is not in commerce. therefore, a non-CDL of appropriate class is required. Commerce is defined as: "Am I trying to make a buck (ex. ABC racing, ABC marine boat sales, etc.)?

The downside for a recreational boater to maintain a CDL is:
1. you may be subject to drug/alcohol testing program
2. you may be subject to DOT medical certification requirements
3. you cannot attend a driving safety course for ticket dismissal purposes.

Recreational boaters should check with your home jurisdiction to determine if you qualify for a class A non-CDL.
I hold a Texas class A non-CDL to satisfy the GVWR and actual weight requirements using a F350 and trailer with GVWR of 15000 lb.

I hope this information is helpful to all......