$590.00 fine yesterday for not enough license

[HBarlow]

I have no idea, of course, what the conversation between your aunt and the trooper was about but perhaps your aunt had her truck registered only for shipping or empty weight. The trooper's warning may have been that she should go in and reregister her truck for its rated weight or GVWR because she was over her registered weight when pulling her trailer. That is what happened with Cumminz who started this thread. She or the DMV clerk may have got it wrong and she bought a commercial license plate instead of an ordinary license plate with a higher registered weight.

 

[AMink]

So, what I'm getting here is that you don't register the truck at what it's weight limit is, you register it and whatever else you'll be pulling? That's kind of weird because I register my trailer too. That means that DMV is getting extra on the trailer because, in essence, it is registered once but paid for twice. Once on it's own and once on the truck. So next time I register the truck, it should be registered at 26,000#, thus taking it legally to what I can legally pull if I get a class A, non-commercial license. Am I heading in the right direction here?

 

[AMink]

From the Nevada Class A-B, non-commercial handbook.

Non-Commercial Vehicle Classifications

Class A May drive any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 10,000 pounds; or



Any combination of vehicles not exceeding 70 feet in length with a gross combination weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less so long as the gross combination weight rating of the towed vehicles does not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating of the towing vehicle.



Class B May drive any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, or any vehicle which is towing another vehicle which does not have a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds.



Class C May drive any single vehicle or combination of vehicle that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B. May include a low-speed vehicle, moped or a tri-mobile.

According to what I'm reading, I don't need an "A" because I'm not over 26,001#(first part) and my trailer has a higher GVW than my truck (second part). I don't need a "B" because I'm not over 26,001# and my trailer is over 10,000# GVW.



That leaves "C", any other vehicle or combination. Is that correct?



EDIT:

Nevada Class C Vehicle Endorsements

R May tow a combination of vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 10,000 pounds and do not exceed 70 feet in length. NAC 483. 110. 3(c)

J May tow a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds. NAC 483. 110. 3(b)*

The R & J endorsements are for recreational use only.

Looks like, technically, if you're pulling something, you need one of the endorsements. Is hauling a load of fence posts for your yard that you're going to have to dig holes for considered "recreational"?:-laf

 

[QWaller]

Seems to me that NC has had the authority to fine many people for a long time. State caufers are down so they start enforcing the laws that make revenue now. I know I have seen a great increase in the state Tahoe SUVs pulling trucks over in my area of NC over the past 2 years.

 

[AH64ID]

So let me make sure I understand this. .

You can pay for plates based on different weights?(We only have 1 plate in ID) (and if so why did you buy a plate that only gives you 1K or so pounds for passengers, fuel, cargo. . especially when the GVWR of the truck is over 12K lbs?)

It seems to me that you tried to save a few bucks by under registering your truck on purpose??

A Class C is all you need, unless your commercial, and under 26K.

Driver License
CDL (Commercial Driver License) is required if combined weight of truck and load carried
or towed is 26,001 pounds or more.

 

[steved]

So, what I'm getting here is that you don't register the truck at what it's weight limit is, you register it and whatever else you'll be pulling? That's kind of weird because I register my trailer too. That means that DMV is getting extra on the trailer because, in essence, it is registered once but paid for twice. Once on it's own and once on the truck. So next time I register the truck, it should be registered at 26,000#, thus taking it legally to what I can legally pull if I get a class A, non-commercial license. Am I heading in the right direction here?

That varies by state... in PA each "vehicle" has its own GVW, and is treated as such. The trailer is registered at its own maximum weight. The truck towing the trailer then must be within its own GVW when connected to the trailer... and again, is separate from the trailer.



In my case, the truck has a GVW of 9k, and I own a 10k equipment trailer... I am theoretically legal at a combined weight of 19k (although this is well over the manufacturer weight of 13,320#s).

 

[DodgeWarlock]

So I did some checking today to at least update for Alabama and here is what I found... .



For registration... .

WHEREAS, Act 2006-XXX allows pick-up trucks “used for person or agricultural use and which is not operated for commercial purposes” to be registered based on the gross weight of the truck only; and



It clearly states that here we can register personal use p/u's at the empty weight without regard to load either on the truck or towed by it.

But here is the clincher... . as long as the GVW is less than 12,000 lbs(sorry dually owners).



For the Driver's license... .



I went back to the Trooper post that does all local testing and issuing for licenses locally(including CDL's). He clarified that in Alabama as long as the vehicle does not exceed 26,000# , or 26,0000# with a trailer up to 10,000# that no CDL is required for private use. He further clarified that a trailer over 10,000# did not require a CDL as long as the tow vehicle did not exceed the previous 26,000#. This applies only to private use.



He specifically said that it was a mistake to up-weight registration because this would place you under the CDL licensing requirements.



As a side note, A,B,C classification is CDL only in Alabama.



He also thanked me for coming in to ask because, so few do. He said they had all sorts of enforcement headaches with people who do not research Alabama's requirements.

 

[Bigiron]

Here is my thought on it all. MN does not have a non CDL A or B. The law says if you have a " Combination of vehicles in which the gross combined weight is more than 26,000 pounds and the towed unit has a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds Class A is required. Minimum age 18... A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds Class B required. In MN we tag our truck for the GVW, and the trailer for it's GVW. Now for the money making part for the state, the state only has weight ratings in the 6,000 9,000 12,000 15,000 lb,,,etc... So we are most of the time tagged heavier than the rated load of the trailer so they go back to the hitch, ball, reciever, gooseneck, or whatever the weakest rating is. And I don't even want to get into the tire part of it all. Basically I was told by our local DOT inspector to keep it clean, level and looking safe and most of the time you will not be bothered. He says there are enough bumper draggers to get the attention of the Inspectors. The RV'S are on the hot seat here already so it will get to the point that everyone will have their day. Everyone be safe and good luck.

 

[GAmes]

One guy here that I argue with all the time pulls a 14,000 GVWR trailer with 2 pulling tractors on it with his 8800# GVWR 1998 Ram 2500. He truly thinks that he is legal in the state of PA because the #'s don't add up to 26,000.

And he is correct. Re-read the reg that was posted. You can not drive a combo rated over 26,000 if the trailer has a gvwr over 10,000 without a class A license. A class b allows you to drive a vehicle with a GVWR up to 26,000 and tow a trailer under 10,000 GVWR. Some states do not offer a non-commercial class A so a CDL-A is required whether or not you are commercial. I have been towing trailers with GVWRs up to 15,500 with my 10,500 GVWR duelly commercially for nearly 6 years and have been inspected by DOT on several occasions. The only ticket I've ever got was for my log book not being current. Because I don't have a CDL the company I lease to will not assign a trailer to me with a GVWR over 15,500 because me getting a ticket goes on their record.

 

[MAllen1]

The best thing to do if you want some questions answered, without getting ticketed, is get a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations book. This book will will answer 90-95% of your questions, depending on how old it is. Most truck stops will have this book in pocket size so you can put it in your glove box.

 

[Newf Limo]

There is also a key word here that seems to be overlooked.



GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight "RATING".



As a class C driver, you are not allowed to operate a commercial vehicle With a Class A rating, regardless of the fact that at the time you are operating it, it actually weighs less than the rating.



There is also Registered Weight. If I have a vehicle that has a GVWR of 15K and say for the purpose of saving money I registered it at 10K... . At 11K actual weight, I am over weight by 1000lbs.



Do i not have this correct?



I guess i could dig out the ol 49CFR, just not in the mood since I am trying to clear my head of any work related stuff until next Tuesday aftor Labor day :grin:

 

[DodgeWarlock]

There is also Registered Weight. If I have a vehicle that has a GVWR of 15K and say for the purpose of saving money I registered it at 10K... . At 11K actual weight, I am over weight by 1000lbs.



Do i not have this correct?

You cannot exceed the GVWR and be legal for safety reasons. That applies everywhere.



The minimum guidelines for a CDL are Federal therefore universal, but your state could have tougher state guidelines.



But different states have different regs for registration. Some states apparently require you to register by max load to be carried(or that can be carried). Some states only require the dry weight(empty weight) to be registered. Registration falls under state's jurisdiction, so the regulations may differ state to state. To cover yourself, simply register correctly for your state and carry a copy of your states regulations, in case your stopped in another state.

 

[Newf Limo]

But different states have different regs for registration. Some states apparently require you to register by max load to be carried(or that can be carried). Some states only require the dry weight(empty weight) to be registered. Registration falls under state's jurisdiction, so the regulations may differ state to state. To cover yourself, simply register correctly for your state and carry a copy of your states regulations, in case your stopped in another state.

I kind of thought that I was saying the same thing, I guess i should have been a bit clearer. Been breathing to many bleach fumes from house cleaning today:-laf

 

[HBarlow]

This discussion has been very helpful. Most of us are now saying the same things. For every poster who participates in a long-running thread like this one there are probably 10 to 50 others who just quietly read and learn.

Registration is often just a matter of taxation within each state. Sometimes the rules are antiquated and haven't kept up with the vehicles and activities that they are capable of.

 

[Mark31]

Cumminz, a "buncha" years ago, a local farmer went over to NC (from SC) with a load of wheat and got stopped. He had a Ford 650 or maybe 750 with a 20 ft box and 4 ft sides. The tale was that he had to sell the wheat and put money with it to pay the fine!! Mark

 

[jelag]

JJ Keller & Associates INC
800. 558. 5011
Safety And Regulatory Compliance, DOT And OSHA Workplace Safety Regulations - J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.

Federal Motor Carrier SAFETY REGULATIONS

007-ORS-A 4" x 6" Pocket book $3. 69 each plus postage...
017-HSP 8 1/2" x 11" spiral Bound $15. 99 plus postage...

They update this publication monthly... . I guess mine is a year old...

 

[Andersonville]

I am a CDL A Hazmat license holder with over 10 years and more than a million miles driving 18 wheelers. My 06 Dodge has a 26k plate on it. $480 year. I renewed my CDL last Oct. I had to do a computer retest and Hazmat retest and pay for a background check and fingerprinting. 2 years ago I got my Passport so I could deliver in Canuck land. I paid $97 for fingerprinting and a back ground check. This past April I got my TWIC card for which I paid $110 and got fingerprinted and background checked. I just delivered a "Port" load to Jacksonville. They asked for my driver's license!!!!!!!!!!
Does anyone think it is NOT about the money????? To deliver RV's over 26' in length,one must have a CDL and correctly tagged truck to pull it. The non CDL people where I am contracted to can get into a 70' Motorhome and drive it off the lot without a CDL! What's wrong with this picture?
Different states have different rules: Iowa; if you have the driver windows tinted you will get a ticket. Minnesota requires a MN Transporter plate or you get a ticket. ID and NV now require a transport/trip permit $60 ID,$46 NV. NM and AZ require trip permits,fuel permits and if there is an awning on the RV,an overwidth permit which is $360 but is good for a year. BC requires a transport/trip permit as does Saskatchewan.
Alberta says "RV's Exempt" on the signs before their scales. RV deliverers are NOT exempt. $160 fine for bypassing a scale that is open. So most of the guys take their signs off before going into AB and other areas. The fine for getting caught is $500 and you will likely lose your job. All right,I get off the soapbox now and turn it back over to Harvey.

 

[HBarlow]

Andersonville,

I agree with the things you said. In a couple of cases the permit requirements have apparently increased such as ID. ID was $30 last time I pulled a trailer across the state, now $60. When I was pulling into Canada, Alberta wasn't interested in RVers and told me not to stop at scales. I've heard thousands of RVs are going into AB so I guess they decided to grab some revenue.

I think you meant a CDL is required to pull a trailer that creates a combined weight or rated weight of over 26k pounds, not over 26' in length.

 

[CUMMINZ]

As for the old folks climbing into 70' rigs I suppose with no training. WELL #@$%!



I would think if you use blue hair dye I would think you can drive??

 

[Andersonville]

Harvey: To DELIVER a TT or 5th whl over 26' in length. I haven't looked in the FED DOT rulebook but that is what Quality requires. ID doubled their fee in July. NV just started their
tax and requires you to finish your delivery within 24hrs or buy another permit. I don't pull any combined weights over 26k. My truck with full fuel tank and me is 9700lbs. We have bigger trucks for that. I have been at 25,800lbs pulling monstrous toy haulers or VIP potties but not over the limit. I have 410k on my truck right now.