I keep reading about fines and such for hauling a trailer with a GVW over 10 without a CDL lic. I am in MA anyone know for sure without me calling the registry?

I always thought the CDL was for GVW weight over 26,001K?

If it were GVW over 10K on the trailer, then there are a whole bunch of us in the wrong and I don't think that is the case.

Here in AZ, I have a trailer rigged up for potable water that I use commercially for drinking water when we have a forrest fire. I have to pay more for the tags for the weight on the plate...but that is different that a CDL. Maybe it is the commercial weight of the trailer you are referring to?

Techprof

In California, you need a Class A license to tow a "trailer" that is 10,001 pounds or greater (GVWR). There are two categories of Class A licenses in Calif. (Commercial and Non-Commercial). Either of the two categories will allow one to legally tow a "trailer" that has the GVWR mentioned above. The standard "Class C" license that everyone has for driving the basis truck allows one to tow "trailers" with GVWR of 10,000 or less. (Note: in CA, for 5th wheels you can tow up to a 15K GVWR with a normal "Class C" license, but you need an endorsement once your above the 10K pound limit).

Not sure for MA, you may want to visit your states Department of Motor Vehicle website (or equivalent). I would imagine each state is different.

I looked at your pics of your truck. Where can one buy air ride seats for a 4500?



I always thought the CDL was for GVW weight over 26,001K?

If it were GVW over 10K on the trailer, then there are a whole bunch of us in the wrong and I don't think that is the case.

Here in AZ, I have a trailer rigged up for potable water that I use commercially for drinking water when we have a forrest fire. I have to pay more for the tags for the weight on the plate...but that is different that a CDL. Maybe it is the commercial weight of the trailer you are referring to?

Techprof

I always thought the CDL was for GVW weight over 26,001K?

If it were GVW over 10K on the trailer, then there are a whole bunch of us in the wrong and I don't think that is the case.

Here in AZ, I have a trailer rigged up for potable water that I use commercially for drinking water when we have a forrest fire. I have to pay more for the tags for the weight on the plate...but that is different that a CDL. Maybe it is the commercial weight of the trailer you are referring to?

Techprof
Colorado requires a CDL Class A (trailer truck restricted) any time you are towing a trailer above 10k GVW by tag weight (not even actual weight) or when truck and trailer go above 26k combined.

USFS/BLM also require a CDL because that is the Federal standard, are you contracted to the state or a federal agency?

I don't understand way you would need a CDL let alone a class A. The driving concept is the same but you’re not commercial nor do you have air brakes. I would be pissed if I had to get a class A CDL and a DOT phy. just to pull a trailer above 10k. What does a class B cover?

Class B in colorado is any straight truck over 26k

Class A is a combo vehicle.

Class C is ??? I forget

I have a class A with a "N/TT" restriction, meaning I can tow a trailer over 10k, but my power unit (c5500) is under 26k GVW. I did for the fun of it get haz-mat, tanker endorsements. I got the air endorsement by taking the air written and bringing two trucks to the driving test, I brought the 5500 with a 20k dual tandem trailer gooseneck and a truck from work (firetruck):h ) with air brakes. Kinda stupid that I can drive a fire truck that weighs 40klbs without a CDL.

The Fire department has two semis on order, a Hazmat truck and a Decon truck. Departmental policy only is forcing everyone to get CDLs Class A without any restrictions.

These weights are NOT scale weights, but weights by GVW tags. Fines are $1 per lb over.

Howard

You only need a CDL for trailers over 10,000# if your GCWR is also over 26,000#. As long as your combined weight rating is less that 26,000# then you can tow a trailer over 10,000# without a CDL. Here is a link to the NHTSA web site listing the requirements for different CDLs: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/enforce/cvm/CMV_license.html All the states adopted these guidelines back in 1992.

MJB - What you post may be the case for Commercial licenses across statelines, but each State appears to have different licensing requirements for their residents. I have copied info below from the California DMV website. Clearly, I as a CA resident need at least a Class A license to tow a 10,001# or larger trailer in CA. I have a feeling that in CA at least, there are a lot of people pulling Toy Haulers with the wrong class of license.

So, each person needs to understand what their State requires and then blend that with the rules you posted above. And there is a distinction between commercial and non-commercial (which is my case).

From the CA DMV website:

************************************************** ***

LICENSE CLASSES in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:State><st1:place>California</st1:place></st1:State><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Tell DMV the type of license you need. The ten license classes are defined as follows:<o:p></o:p>

NOTE: Class M1 or M2 is added to any other class license after passing law and skill tests. <o:p></o:p>

Class A Commercial**<o:p></o:p>

You may drive any legal combination of vehicles, including vehicles under Classes B and C. <o:p></o:p>

You may tow: <o:p></o:p>

any single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than 10,000 lbs. ,<o:p></o:p>

any trailer bus, with endorsement ,<o:p></o:p>

more than one vehicle, with endorsement ,<o:p></o:p>

any vehicle under Classes B (an additional endorsement may be required) or C <o:p></o:p>


Class A Fire Fighter**<o:p></o:p>

You may drive only Class A and Class B defined combination fire fighting vehicles and all vehicles listed under Class C. <o:p></o:p>

You may tow a single vehicle with a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Class A Non-commercial<o:p></o:p>

You may drive any of the vehicles under Class C. <o:p></o:p>

You may tow travel trailers weighing over 10,000 lbs. GVWR or 5th wheel travel trailers weighing over 15,000 lbs. GVWR when the trailers are not used for hire (pay or other compensation). Study material for this class of license is contained in the Recreational Vehicles and Trailers booklet. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Class B**<o:p></o:p>

You may drive: <o:p></o:p>

any single vehicle with a GVWR of more than 26,000 lbs., <o:p></o:p>

a 3-axle vehicle weighing over 6,000 lbs. gross,

any bus (except a trailer bus), with endorsement, <o:p></o:p>

any farm labor vehicle, with endorsement <o:p></o:p>

all vehicles under Class C, <o:p></o:p>

You may tow a single vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Class B Fire Fighter**<o:p></o:p>

You may drive only a Class B defined single fire fighting vehicle and all the vehicles listed under Class C. <o:p></o:p>

You may tow a single vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Class B Noncommercial <o:p></o:p>

You may drive: <o:p></o:p>

any vehicles listed under Class C. ,<o:p></o:p>

a housecar over 40 feet but not over 45 feet, with endorsement., <o:p></o:p>

You may tow any vehicle listed under Class C. Study material for this class of license is contained in the Recreational Vehicles and Trailers booklet. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Class C<o:p></o:p>

You may drive: <o:p></o:p>

any 2-axle vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less., <o:p></o:p>

any 3-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 lbs. or less gross. ,<o:p></o:p>

any housecar, 40 feet or less., <o:p></o:p>

a vanpool vehicle, designed to carry more than 10 but less than 15 persons including the driver. The driver must have a valid medical report on file with DMV and carry a valid medical card.. The driver must also have a signed certification stating he/she has not been convicted of reckless driving, drunk driving, or hit-and-run in the last five years. (VC Section 12804.9[j] ). ,<o:p></o:p>

a motorized scooter. ,<o:p></o:p>


A farmer or employee of a farmer may drive: <o:p></o:p>

any combination of vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,000 lbs. Or less if used exclusively in agricultural operations and it is not for hire or compensation. ,
<o:p></o:p>
You may tow: <o:p></o:p>

a single vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. Or less including a tow dolly, if used. ,<o:p></o:p>

a boat trailer provided the GCWR does not exceed 26,000 lbs. when the towing is for recreational purposes or repair, is not used in commerce or contract carrier operations, or in business, is not for hire, and doesn't require an oversize permit (VC Section 35780).

<o:p></o:p>
With a vehicle weighing at least 4,000 lbs., you may tow a: <o:p></o:p>

trailer coach or 5th wheel travel trailer under 10,000 lbs. GVWR when towing is not for compensation.,

5th wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 lbs. but under 15,000 lbs. GVWR, when towing is not for compensation and with endorsement.,<o:p></o:p>

You only need a CDL for trailers over 10,000# if your GCWR is also over 26,000#. As long as your combined weight rating is less that 26,000# then you can tow a trailer over 10,000# without a CDL. Here is a link to the NHTSA web site listing the requirements for different CDLs: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/enforce/cvm/CMV_license.html All the states adopted these guidelines back in 1992.
Not all states have intereperted them the same. Colorado and California for sure require CDLs for trailers over 10,000lbs. Maybe in NY it is not needed, but not here. If you look in the Colorado CDL drivers manual, it even has illustrations of a pickup towing a trailer over 10klbs and indicates the need for a CDL.

I would check your state laws and make sure you follow them, the fines are expensive.

Howard

Interesting. The NY DMV website has essentially the same information that the NHTSA site has. Here is a link to the document if anyone is interested: http://www.nysdmv.com/forms/cdl101.pdf (http://www.nysdmv.com/forms/cdl101.pdf) The Class D license is the standard non-commercial class. I assumed that since the NHTSA stated that all the states have adopted the same license classes that the rules would be consistent from one state to another. Apparently not all the states agree.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Definately interesting. My curiosity let me to call DMV. Disregard my previos post as I was wrong...Ohh I hate saying that. I'll post a clarification later after I get another Q answered. I think I'll be taking a trip to DMV for a class "A".

OK AZ is a Class A CDL only if your GVCW exceeds 26000 or if your trailer weighs more than 10K. The fine is AZ is $3 per pound. So, I will be getting my Class A CDL.-:t

Ask them if they have a Non-Commercial Class A license (like they have in CA). You do not need the medical check-up and the testing is easier. (Assuming your GCWR is less than 26,000#)