Legal limit?

[PatrickCampbell]

Not sure how I am supposed to get a CDL when MY rig does not require a CDL according to the FMCSA and according to my home state. Like I said, if I tried to get a CDL with my rig, my state would not allow it. My truck is legal in my licensing state sans CDL, then it is legal anywhere in the USA as far as I have ever experienced. Even in Kalifornia. I might be wrong and maybe I have just been lucky. This is one of those issues to which nobody seems to know the correct answer.

 

[klenger]

I confused. A CDL is an operator's license, not a vehicle license. To say that you can't get a CDL is like saying that you can't get a driver's license if you don't own a car.

 

[tdrpass1215]

If you are not commercial you can pull any combo (truck & trailer) at any weight as long as you don't exceed the GVWR of the truck or trailer, the axle ratings or the weight ratings of the tires. If you are commercial and the GVWR of the trailer is more than 10,000 and the combined GVWRs total more than 26,000 you need a CDL. If you have a CDL then you can not exceed the GVWRs. In addition to that there are registration weights that vary state to state. For instance, in Oregon pick-ups are registered as passenger vehicles and have no weight restrictions, where as a lot of eastern states allow you to register for a multitude of weights depending on how much you are willing to pay. Clear as mud???? Check with your local DMV, but be aware that if you are not commercial then probably the only time you will have a clash with DOT is if you have a wreck. Oh, I am just a driver, not a scumbag lawyer. Opinions may vary.

For the benefit of those who don't know (including me) what is a CDL?

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

A CDL is a commercial drivers license. It has nothing to do with your vehicle. The class of license you obtain determines the size, weight restricting and number of units, of vehicle you can drive. Anyone can obtain a CDL, if you pass all the tests.

 

[MMeier]

What if the weight totals are over the manufacturer or DOT limits?

They are not concerned about manufacturers "limits", just make sure you do not exceed your tires limits,as stamped onto the tire itself, or your axles limits. Believe it or not , alot of DOT people can tell without actually looking at your trailer. A month or so ago I loaded up a boom truck, sitting on a 67 Chevy C50 (or 60) chassis, just decided to plop it up on the scales for S's & G's, whole rig came in at something like 32,980#, yet the trailer was not overloaded, nor were the truck axles! Have the slip in the truck somewhere so I can show people that don't quite understand how it works.

 

[PatrickCampbell]

I confused. A CDL is an operator's license, not a vehicle license. To say that you can't get a CDL is like saying that you can't get a driver's license if you don't own a car.

A CDL is a commercial drivers license. It has nothing to do with your vehicle. The class of license you obtain determines the size, weight restricting and number of units, of vehicle you can drive. Anyone can obtain a CDL, if you pass all the tests.

I am just playing advocate saying, "am I really supposed to pay a driving school / rent an 18 wheeler to get a CDL so I can drive my setup that doesn't even require a CDL as determined by my licensing state and the FMCSA?"

 

[Silver600]

Ca requires a class A CDL for my 14k GVWR flatbed trailer because it is over 10K GVWR and they say it could possibly be used commercially (mine is for private use). For my 5th wheel they require a non-commercial class A because it has a GVWR over 15k. I plan on getting the CDL by taking my test with my truck and the 25 ft flatbed, since it needs a commercial license it should be ok to take the test in this vehicle. The part I don't understand is then all I need is an airbrake endorsment and I can drive a semi, seems kind of like a dangerous loophole to me.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I am just playing advocate saying, "am I really supposed to pay a driving school / rent an 18 wheeler to get a CDL so I can drive my setup that doesn't even require a CDL as determined by my licensing state and the FMCSA?"

I guess the best thing for you to do is contact your DOT and/or highway patrol and ask them the rules/regulations. Then ask if they transfer from state to state while you're traveling.



On the CDL thing, I was just throwing out ideas.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

The part I don't understand is then all I need is an airbrake endorsment and I can drive a semi, seems kind of like a dangerous loophole to me.

If you pass the combination written and driving test in your truck, you're correct, all you have to do then is the air brakes test. It's a written and skills test. You'd need a truck with air brakes to do the skills part. Piece of cake. But if you ever plan on driving commercially, you'd also have to obtain a medical card.

 

[Silver600]

I already have a medical card for my ambulance license and you need it for both the commercial and non-commercial class A. I don't plan on running commercially but I don't have a choice which license to get since I have the flatbed that they say could be used commercially. The airbrake portion could be done in a class b with airbrakes so I could still be licensed to drive a semi without ever taking a test in one if I wanted to skirt the system, thats the part I see as dangerous.

 

[MikesCTD]

For instance, in Oregon pick-ups are registered as passenger vehicles and have no weight restrictions, where as a lot of eastern states allow you to register for a multitude of weights depending on how much you are willing to pay. Clear as mud???? Check with your local DMV, but be aware that if you are not commercial then probably the only time you will have a clash with DOT is if you have a wreck. Oh, I am just a driver, not a scumbag lawyer. Opinions may vary.

GAmes you are somewhat incorrect about Oregon pick-up registations Yes they are registered as passenger vehicles, but if the trailer (I have a 14K dump trailer) is over 8,000# GVWR (this excludes RV's) in oder to tow it with your PU you have to register it by weight. I just went throught this process. The trailer is classified as a heavy trailer (over 8000# GVWR) is registered permanently but in order to tow it legally I have to change the registered weight of the truck. Here's the website Oregon DMV Heavy Trailers I can't believe how confusing registering a trailer is in this state.

 

[AClayton]

The best way to understand the whole issue is this... . If you are over-weight and you know it;provided your tires and axle weights are good,than just be careful on the highways. If your truck feels unsafe,you will subsequently feel unsafe driving it,and either slow down until you feel safe or unload or even upgrade tow vehicle. Most members on this forum tow for a living or everyday... we are experts at what we do and know when it is unsafe. Just drive your vehicle in a safe manner depending on the load your hauling. Most trailer accidents are caused by traveling too fast... Just slow down if you feel unsafe.

 

[RVTRKN]

Ca requires a class A CDL for my 14k GVWR flatbed trailer because it is over 10K GVWR and they say it could possibly be used commercially (mine is for private use). For my 5th wheel they require a non-commercial class A because it has a GVWR over 15k. I plan on getting the CDL by taking my test with my truck and the 25 ft flatbed, since it needs a commercial license it should be ok to take the test in this vehicle. The part I don't understand is then all I need is an airbrake endorsment and I can drive a semi, seems kind of like a dangerous loophole to me.

You should find a school for cheap $ (mine was $1500) and just go all the way, then you will never have to worry about any changes in the law. That price included Doubles, tanker and hazmat endorsements except for the DMV & medical card fees when testing and getting your permit. I can drive Semi's now if I want to and did drive for Swift for a couple of weeks until I found the reason for the high turnover in drivers. Don't forget if you drive in a commercial application then you also need to keep logs, and there very strict about it, and have large fines if caught illegal.

 

[PPineda]

Ca Requires An Endorsment #41. May Tow Fifth Wheel Recreational Trailer Between 10,001 And 15,000 Pounds Gvwr. Just A Written Test No Cdl Required.