It is difficult if you do not have access to a road tractor, now you have to go to a formal school. I have been there done that in the 90s when I had my permits, with endorsements, put in a year of off/on practical driving with friends that were in the business and was going to get my CDL at that time but could not nail down a tractor for the drive test. I do not want to deal with it again and / or have to pay and attend a school for once twice a year hauling materials. I do not drive for a living nor care to anymore.
I’ll agree
if classroom school is required that it’s become an onerous burden. Otherwise, it’s a written test and a checkride with a state inspector. I’d inquire more closely before calling it closed. The penalties aren’t just money.
The “problem” with a CTD is that it’s
very easy to get above 30k, be scale house legal, and all seems well.
Being at 26.5 wouldn’t worry me if that’s lightest I can get same exact equipment moved every time. (Special plea).
The gooseneck flatbeds we used in the oilfield were steel pigs weighing far more than they should have had they been of quality design & manufacture. Weren’t many state scales in hotshot work.
It was the new generation of portable scales carried by DOT was the problem.
Better have a CAT Scale ticket in hand from the commencement of that move. Every time.
I wouldn’t buy
any trailer without first putting it on a scale. It’s my first trip in any vehicle new to me to head to the truckstop, fill it, and put it on the CAT Scale. Too much rides on knowing true numbers, not just weight violation problems. TARE weight.
“Right” trailer will be of alloy or aluminum that weighs less and is stronger. Just have to pay for that. My son about had a heart attack I pointed him at
EBY brand manufacture for a 14’ tilt/dump. Said, “do a line-by-line comparison” as one needs to start from top to understand “best”.
Then he saw that savings on a cheaper brand wasn’t quite true.
The days of running around the scale houses are gone as the routes are well-known. Sensors everywhere.
Repeated bypass will catch up to that guy.
And just because the scale is closed doesn’t mean the computers are asleep. Or that the bypass routes aren’t now festooned with 10T Load Restricted bridges. (Etc).
Repeated pattern of violations is what gets truck firms into hot water. State & Federal score cards.
— Avoiding CDL because don’t want to have to maintain Medical and give up boozing, ‘mokin dope and “borrowing” the kids Adderall for a long day don’t cut it.
Pattern of CDL avoidance AND avoidance of medical can turn into jail time real quick.
If result of an accident it won’t matter who was at fault.
Whether or not one “agrees” with licensure & restrictions is moot.
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Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
