Do I need a CDL?

[Morse]

I just bought a snub nose, single axle semi to pull my truck to events. It has a box on the back with a bathroom, sink, microwave, and bed in it. . It was a retired Penzoil Racing truck that was used to tow their race boat. I'm supposed to fly from Fort Meyers, FL to Phoenix, AZ tomorrow night to pick it up. Then it's just a short 2,224 mile drive back home. . Do I need a CDL since it has a bathroom? Do I need a Not For Hire sticker on the side. . Thanks. .

 

[bmoeller]

If the events that you will be taking the truck to, involves hopefully winning a purse, you WILL need one anyways. If licensed for over 26k, you will need one.

 

[Morse]

I wonder if it would be considered an RV. My fathers RV weighs more than 26,000, and he isn't required to have a CDL. Is there a loophole for those that drive an RV? I had that conversation with someone that had been pulled over a while back pulling his drag car. He told the officer it wasn't for a business, it was for pleasure. He said he was hassled about it while driving through Georgia.

 

[The patriot]

I would think that the answer would lie in the name of the license.

Commercial Drivers License.

That may be using too much common sence... .

 

[bmoeller]

Might not need a class A. Just depends on the total weight loaded. Might be able to get away with a Class B, and air brakes endorsement.

 

[jelag]

Motor homes and trucks towing travel trailers for fun are exempt... . if you pull these for hire..... delivering them to the dealer and you get paid... . you need the license... . in the same respect, if you use the new truck for winning a purse your in a for profit enterprise... and need the license as mentioned above.....

I've been there.....

 

[R_Painter]

In some states if it is a combination vehicle over 26,000 lbs you need a cdl class a

 

[MMeier]

That may be using too much common sence... .

You said it !!

 

[Dieselram]

Motor homes and trucks towing travel trailers for fun are exempt... . if you pull these for hire..... delivering them to the dealer and you get paid... . you need the license... . in the same respect, if you use the new truck for winning a purse your in a for profit enterprise... and need the license as mentioned above.....



I've been there.....

Not if you use it for your "hobby" Which for me is racing. we have ours registered as an RV.

 

[MMeier]

Not if you use it for your "hobby" Which for me is racing. we have ours registered as an RV.

For the time being you do... DOT is out to get anyone they can, and that includes racers. Buddy of mine was pulled over in Az. a few months back taking HIS car, in HIS trailer, behind HIS pick up, to the chassis shop.

 

[GAmes]

Rather than ask us, why not go to your state's DMV and ask them. The requirements for a CDL are standard in the U. S. when you drive for hire. Different rules apply when driving for fun, and each state is different. For instance, as RustyJC will point out, TX has a non-commercial Class A for those who drive combos over 26,000, RVs included. Some states allow you to register for a given weight, say 26,000 even, and will issue RV tags. You don't need to satisfy us, you need to satisfy your home state.

 

[MMeier]

You don't need to satisfy us, you need to satisfy your home state.

... and the states you'll be travelling through.

 

[GAmes]

... and the states you'll be travelling through.

Untrue, due to reciprocity if he is legal at home, he is legal everywhere. If that were not the case all of us RV transporters would have to get a CDL to haul trailers out of CA, the larger ones anyway, and the out of state vacationers who pull large R. V. s. would have to get non-commercial class As to visit CA. I'm sure there are other states with non-standard laws as well.

 

[staarma]

I'm pretty sure in MT if you are the owner then you don't have to possess a CDL to drive your truck. I agree though, why not check your local DOT/DMV.

 

[Prairie Dog]

If it's an RV then no CDL.

 

[PC12Driver]

If it's an RV then no CDL.

Unless it's used to make money. And this is where the grey area comes in. If you're using it to pull your competition vehicle, and you are sponsored or use it to promote a business, that could be considered a form of compensation. Then you cross the line into being a commercial vehicle and the rv thing doesn't apply (providing that you're over 10k lbs). You'll need a medical and appropriate license for the weight category, and the vehicle will have to be inspected annually. This was the exact scenario that a DOT inspector explained to me last spring. The inspector would really have to be looking for something to do, but it can apply.



Talk to two different inspectors and you'll get two different stories. But nonetheless, you'll want to talk to your local DOT enforcement about it.

 

[DRadzierez]

If the truck says rv on the registration you do not need a cdl period. If it does not and the gross weight is 26001 or greater you do. All the rest is BS. I have had this discussion with DOT cops and the fed. law states 10,000 or more #'s is going to be in the comercial class no-matter how it is registerd unless it is registerd as an rv.

 

[MMeier]

If it's an RV then no CDL.

Definition of an "RV" nowadays varies by the hour, let alone the DH with a badge that thinks he knows all.

 

[GAmes]

Rather than ask us, why not go to your state's DMV and ask them. The requirements for a CDL are standard in the U. S. when you drive for hire. Different rules apply when driving for fun, and each state is different. For instance, as RustyJC will point out, TX has a non-commercial Class A for those who drive combos over 26,000, RVs included. Some states allow you to register for a given weight, say 26,000 even, and will issue RV tags. You don't need to satisfy us, you need to satisfy your home state.

After all these responses I rest my case.

 

[DRadzierez]

As I stated before,its easy to define RV------it says it on the registration or it dont.