I need to get a trailer. The price for a gooseneck 14 vs. 22 gvw trailer is not significantly different. I am in PA and wondering about registration. If I get a non-commercial Class A then I would still be able to tow either. Is this correct. I would like to stay away from a CDL if I can.

Also, what is the definition of non-commercial? If I do this for a small start up company (which I own a significant percentage of) but do not tow-for-hire, is this considered non commercial? What are the downsides of getting a CDL? Towing WILL NOT be the core business.

 

Boy, you just opened a can of worms, maybe a six pack.

First, what are planning to haul? what kind of weight?

Second, never heard of a non-commercial class A. I'm not saying it doesn't exist, I've just never heard of it. Before you buy the trailer, decide on the weight you want to haul. After that, call the local DMV that has a CDL testing center and ask them about the licensing for you using the gross weight you're thinking about.

 

Yeah, the Non-CDL Class-A in PA is a big old mystery.... My Dad and I have a truck and trailer registered in PA, he lives there and has a PA driver's license and I lived in another state (MO) that has no restrictions. We tried very hard to get an answer for him to be legal towing our non-commercial 40 foot gooseneck trailer (about 13-15k loaded). We talked to at least 10 different people at the DMV/PennDOT, people at several driver's license centers via phone and in person, several state troopers, AAA, and just about anyone who could have any info. Every single person we talked to had a different answer. Everything from "You have to have a non-CDL Class A to drive that at all" to "I have no idea what that is". The only consistent thing we heard was that if you are not commercial, then you don't have to stop at weigh stations and likely will never have a problem. We did find a guy at a driver's license center who actually dug up a booklet and test on it, but then we were unable to schedule a test for my Dad because they did not know what should be on the test. the booklet/test appeared to basically be the CDL test but without the loading and HAZMAT stuff. In summary - it is a cluster, and nobody (including the State Police and DMV/PennDOT) know anything clear on it. I just moved to CA, which has a VERY clear policy on the Class-A, and will be taking the CA Non-CDL A test in a few weeks. Good luck!!!

 

texas has a non cdl A. its usaully used by farmers and ranchers and rv people. If your making money with the equipment your hauling then technically your commercial. If your combined weight is over 26k then basically figure you are a class a canidate. Theres some minor things like if the truck is a certain gvw and the trailer is under 10 then its not a class a. Remember its not what your hauling, but what you CAN haul that they go by.