Texas CDL Laws and Regulation Questions..

[Wingate]

Wantin to purchase a new GN trailer for my personal use only. Been trying to verify the Texas rules and regulations to make sure I am legal. Havent found a decent source thats written in english!
I am wanting a dual tandem GN similar to the 32 ft version of this
http://www.loadtrail.com/detail.cfm...ck Low-Pro 24,000 Lb w/12" 19 Lb I-Beam Frame

My truck trailer CGWR will be beyond 26000 but its personal use, does it require a CDL?
I dont want to register it Farm Use as that brings on its own set of issues.

 

[Killgore]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I am almost positive that you will be required to get the CDL. The Republic of Texas unfortunately has to enforce the same rules and regs that the Feds mandate for all the rest of us. You should be able to take the driving test with your truck/trailer combination, and probably not have to take the airbrake portion of the written test, but make sure when you show up that you have a CDL driver bring your rig over to the testing facility.
- Ed

 

[jhenderson]

I think you'll find Texas has a DL for non commercial towing of heavy trailers and or trucks. A CDL is a federal lic regulating commercial drivers. If this is for personal use, not involving the exchange of money or barter for goods, you should not require a CDL.Thats why you see trucks placarded with Not For Hire on the door.

 

[RustyJC]

If your combined rig will have a GCWR of 26,001 lbs or more with a trailer GVWR of 10,000 lbs or more, you will need either a non-commercial (exempt) class A (per Section 521 of the Texas Transportation Code) OR a commercial class A (per Section 522 of the Texas Transportation Code). The determining factor is whether or not your rig is engaged in commercial activity.

Rusty

 

[Wingate]

no commercial activity, just personal use. I looked at a dual axle single wheel trailer, but they are 14K rated, so Id still be beyond the 26000 combined. Im thinking if I gotta get a CDL of any kind, might as well get a trailer that maximizes the capacity of my truck.

 

[Bill Stockard]

That's a lot more trailer than you need to haul your Kubota... :-laf

Bill

 

[RustyJC]

You do recognize, of course, that if you get a CDL when you don't really need one (i.e., an exempt [non-CDL] class A will suffice), you will open up a can of worms with medical cards, lower points for license revocation, lower limits for DUI, etc. If you don't need a CDL because you're not engaged in commercial activity, I wouldn't get one just to have one - go for the non-CDL class A.

JM2CW....

Rusty

 

[Killgore]

And, it is a can of worms. Here in Alabama we no longer carry the old health card. If and when you pull over for a license check or otherwise, your medical history and status pops up on the officer's computer along with your personal information, driving history, etc. Somebody was smart enough to tie the two data banks together.
- Ed

 

[RVTRKN]

I got my CDL for RV transport, but learned real quick it's just not worth hauling RV's for pennies on a dollar profit. I have kept up my CDL with all the endorsements up to date, and I know the DUI and points are tougher for CDL's not to mention the hassle of maintaining them, but I'm not some dumb punk that doesn't know how to drive. I was told by a large trucking company owner, when I was fixing his air conditioner, that the hazmat endorsement is very valuable, and I could easily get a job driving one of his trucks.

 

[jhenderson]

I got my CDL for RV transport, but learned real quick it's just not worth hauling RV's for pennies on a dollar profit. I have kept up my CDL with all the endorsements up to date, and I know the DUI and points are tougher for CDL's not to mention the hassle of maintaining them, but I'm not some dumb punk that doesn't know how to drive. I was told by a large trucking company owner, when I was fixing his air conditioner, that the hazmat endorsement is very valuable, and I could easily get a job driving one of his trucks.

Have you kept up your medical cert? What about belonging to a random drug testing program? Either of these missing and you are in violation. Get caught speeding with a minor in your vehicle ( CDL required for that vehicle or not) and you may be charged with child endangerment.Plus many others. If I didn't need one I wouldn't have one.

 

[RVTRKN]

Yes, and I don't speed or at least so much over the speed limit that it would bring attention to that kind of issue or drive while drinking, and I don't do drugs, and random testing is normally from the trucking companies.

 

[Wingate]

That's a lot more trailer than you need to haul your Kubota... :-laf

Bill

yep... but last time I pulled 17 round bales with the 3/4 ton... I was SURE glad I had enough trailer although I didnt have NEAR enough truck!

 

[Wingate]

You do recognize, of course, that if you get a CDL when you don't really need one (i.e., an exempt [non-CDL] class A will suffice), you will open up a can of worms with medical cards, lower points for license revocation, lower limits for DUI, etc. If you don't need a CDL because you're not engaged in commercial activity, I wouldn't get one just to have one - go for the non-CDL class A.

JM2CW....

Rusty

Medical card isnt an issue as I have to have a DOT physical every 2 years for work....company may be going CDL in the near future so it may be a mute point... but if they dont, I was wondering what my options were.
I like the sound of NON commercial Class A... what, if any limitations vs CDL?

 

[Wingate]

And, it is a can of worms. Here in Alabama we no longer carry the old health card. If and when you pull over for a license check or otherwise, your medical history and status pops up on the officer's computer along with your personal information, driving history, etc. Somebody was smart enough to tie the two data banks together.
- Ed

They can check my medical all they want, only thing they will find is an extreme case of AWESOME! hahaha...

 

[Wingate]

Yes, and I don't speed or at least so much over the speed limit that it would bring attention to that kind of issue or drive while drinking, and I don't do drugs, and random testing is normally from the trucking companies.

Speeding may b an issue for me.. I speed everywhere! my normal cruise altitude is somewhere north of 85mph... stupid cruise wont engage though!

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Have you kept up your medical cert? What about belonging to a random drug testing program? Either of these missing and you are in violation. Get caught speeding with a minor in your vehicle ( CDL required for that vehicle or not) and you may be charged with child endangerment.Plus many others. If I didn't need one I wouldn't have one.

I'm not challenging you here, but I've had a CDL for 20 years and in those years I've been pulled over for speeding probably 5-6 times with my minor child in the vehicle and none of the officers have ever said anything. A few of the tickets were 20+ over the limit. Is that a nation wide CDL thing or just certain states?

 

[jhenderson]

Its 15 + over and As far as I know it's federal law. As we all know, enforcement is left up to the individual officer. How is his day going and does he think you looked at him funny. Same with drug testing. He or she may or may not ask for proof of enrollment in a random program. If you drive for your employer, they take care of it under fed statute, BUT if you are self employed you are responsible for being part of a program. It's all up to the officer you deal with on that day.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Gotcha. I drive for an employer, not self employed. I've always known the laws are more strict for CDL HOLDERS, but I never knew about the speeding issue. You learn something new every day.

 

[mfurrh55]

If you drive for yourself just for personal reasons you don't need a medical card with a CDL, I have a Class A CDL and the state of Texas sent me a card asking if i was driving over the road for a company, or just for personal or Farm use, said i didn't need a medical card for personal or farm use, so i don't have a medical card and i haul hay and everything else for myself, never been asked for the card, Monte

 

[jhenderson]

It must be a state by state sort of thing. In RI if I dont show up at the DMV every 2 years with a current med cert for them to copy and hold on file,my lic will be suspended. That's suspended, not down graded. Without any warning.