Originally Posted by mike38scarab

-->General Applicability of Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Requirements:

A CDL is required if:

• The vehicle has a GVWR or GVW of 26,001 pounds or more; or

• A combination of vehicles (truck and trailer) has a GVWR or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more, including a towed unit with a GVWR or GVW of more than 10,000 pounds.

However, if the vehicle is used for a non-commercial purpose, (i.e., a recreational vehicle, a vehicle transporting horsesand other animals, or cars, boats and similar items to shows and events), the driver does not need a CDL, unless required by the driver’s home State. If an underlying business is not related to the transportation, it is considered non-commercial. This includes any unrelated agricultural business, such as a cattle rancher who owns horses for personal use, unrelated to the ranching business.

Employers and drivers who transport horses and other animals or cars, boats and similar items to shows and events, in a vehicle or combination of vehicles weighing 26,001 pounds or more (GVWR, GVW, GCW or GCWR), must comply with their State’s licensing laws, which may or may not require a CDL.

A State may exempt farm vehicle operatorsfrom its CDL requirements. A farm vehicle waiver is limited to the driver’s home State, unless there is a reciprocal agreement with adjoining States.

How to Determine if a Driver is Required to have a CDL

If a safety official stops a CMV transporting an agricultural commodity (including non-processed foods, feed, fiber, or livestock), FMCSA recommends that the driver explain that the transportation is agricultural related. If it is determined that a driver is engaged in non-agricultural related transportation or the driver does not qualify for an agricultural exemption, FMCSA recommends that drivers use the following questions to determine if they are required to have a CDL:

1 Is the vehicle being used for a non-commercial purpose, such as taking a personally owned animal to a show and there is no underlying business related to the transportation?

If YES, a CDL is NOTrequired.

1 Does the vehicle or vehicle combination have a GVWR, GVW, GCWR or GCW (whichever is greater) of 10,001 pounds or more?

If NO, a CDL is NOTrequired.

1 Does the vehicle or vehicle combination have a GVWR, GVW, GCWR or GCW (whichever is greater) of 10,001 pounds or more, but less than 26,001 pounds?

If YES, a CDL is NOTrequired.

1 Does the vehicle or vehicle combination have a GVWR, GVW, GCWR or GCW (whichever is greater) of 26,001 pounds or more?

If YES, a CDL MAYbe required.

For more information regarding the ELD rule, visit FMCSA’s ELD webpage. Questions can be submitted to [email protected].

Updated: Wednesday, September 26, 2018





Right out of the regulations from Indiana telling you when you need a class A CDL:



When is an Indiana CDL Required

You need an Indiana CDL when you operate the following vehicles:

CLASS A – Applies only to “combination” vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) more than 26,000 pounds, and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is more than 10,000 pounds. A driver with a Class A CDL (plus any appropriate endorsements) can also operate all vehicles included in Class B, C, and D (below)











A boat being towed is considered a combination vehicle.





All states are required to, and currently comply with Federal standards.



1. You operate a combination vehicle that weighs over 26,000 lbs.

2. Read the The Agricultural Exceptions and Exemptions (I have high lighted them).

3. Look at the last yes/no.

4. Now look and see “When Indiana requires a CDL”.

5. You are in a weight class. “Class A”.

6. As such the only way to get a Class A license is to get a CDL because Indiana requires it.



Don’t believe me, Call your BMV and ask. Have you even done that??



I have and have confirmed it for you.



The number is 888-692-6841. Ask them you are pulling a personal boat with a pickup truck that has a combined weight of 32,000lbs. They will tell you need a Class A license. The only way to get a Class A license is to get a CDL.



The State issues the license for the correct class. Class D is passenger up to 16,000 lbs. Hook up a trailer more than 10,000 lbs. and now you need the proper class ratings. Which now becomes a Class A CDL license.



Law enforcement is responsible to enforce the law. They only care if you are properly licensed.



Get caught without the proper license and go directly to jail per federal law.

Originally Posted by AllDodge

Got pulled over by DOT in front of a weight station (didn't pull pull in). I'm in a single axle 26K dump truck with KY horse council plate (38K plate), pulling a 10T tag trailer, and have a Kubota M9540 tractor on it.
DOT - Why didn't you stop?
Me - Never have
DOT - Where you going?
Me - To my fram
DOT - Framing, that's commercial
Me - I have a farm but I don't farm. I just bought the tractor

I told him, I have been filling in a hill side for 11 years and don't do any work which I receive money. I also own a track loader, dozer and backhoe and none are used for pay.

DOT - Are there any 1099 or W2's sent or received?
Me - No

DOT - What your driving sends out red flags because private individuals would not normally have them and not do some kind of work. Your truck has no markings or stickers. Your private only so you can go on your way.
Me - If I come up on a weight station again, should I pull in?
DOT - No, that would just cause more problems. You may get stopped several times before you get home

Well, I made it home and no other stops.

Originally Posted by pookie