class c is a regular dl

 

nope in colorado the reg lisence is a non cdl class r

 

There seems to be a lot of confusion on this subject matter ; not only on this site but a few other sites I visit. Eastern parts of the U.S appears to be worse than others.

I've been trying to find out what I need when I go south to pick up the odd project for myslef. I can tell I've spoken to at least 5 different folks from U.S DOT and its been a nightmare trying to get a consistent answer.

My truck is a 93 Dually with a single car hauler, 3 have told me I need a CDL and the other two indicated I didn't. I'm not a commercial carrier; I haul projects back for myself.

Members from the other sites also state the highway patrol is another story when it comes to enforcement. Huge fines are levied and if you don't anti up as an out of towner you're screwed.

 

I know the frustration with regards to what is needed.

I suggest you pull into the scales, roll across and if they ask you to report, plead your case with some documentation of the different stories you were told and tell them that is why you pulled in as opposed to driving by. You want to know what you need. A few years back when I was hauling my own stuff I did this wherever I went and all of the DOT folks at the scales where real nice about it. I had to pay a few permits and some just cleared me through. Some did an inspection of my equipment and enlightened me on what I should have and what was not needed. I was not logging but it was suggested by all that I do because a paper trail does help if there is an accident etc. Its always good to show that you have insurance for the trailer and your cargo...private or commercial. If you are commercial in the sense that you are hauling for anything...fuel, money, etc...you will have to abide by the rules/laws of the commercial hauler [which will be interpreted differently pretty much everywhere you go]. Its pretty obvious to the DOT especially if you are dodging the scales or running secondary highways...its a big mess trying to explain yourself if they know their job.

For the odd trip with your own stuff...stop at the scales and have your paperwork in place. The DOT are helpful if you are honest and not making any effort to circumvent their laws.

I have been researching how to have my truck set up so that I can haul for hire when the need arises and I finally got the answers from a very helpful commercial agent here in Saskatchewan. Simpler then I thought...more money annually to be registered and 18 months of possible inspections wherever I go even if I had an inspection in the prior state that same day.
From what I learned you have a probation period in the USA and Canada of 18 months if you have a new USDOT number. Theres a bunch more information and other costs involved...too much to post and like anything...it would be discussed, dissected and interpreted differently. I went right to the source for my province and then they went right to the source for the federal side of things for me.

Sorry I wandered off a bit...looking at the posts its easy to do with all the different opinions and suggestions etc.

Scotty

 

Why don't you just get the CA RV license and take the airbrake test for the air brake endorsement?? As long as you are NOT commercial, that would solve your problem or answer your question.

Here in New Mexico we have the class E DL for non-commercial use, it solves the weight problem, and all that's needed if you have air brakes is the air brake endorsement.

If you ARE commercial, then you HAVE to go the CDL route.



CD

 

Most of my recent experience is with Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. I don't own a trailer anymore as I just rent a U-haul. With that back there, you are pretty well ignored. At least as long as your equipment looks safe. The Motor Carrier Enforcement officers (State DOT inspectors) can stop you but generally don't. Illinois will also look you over and if you look okay, go on by. Kentucky is a little more stringent. The Vehicle Enforcement officers can stop anything from a full size 18 wheel rig to a car loaded with kids. If you are hauling more than one car, you can expect scrutiny. If stopped, it's a good idea to have "Not For Hire" on the side of your truck and you MUST have the title to all the cars on your trailer.

I ran a salvage yard near the Ohio river from 1980 to '84. Kentucky didn't have titles until 1984 and it was a car thiefs paradise. Chop shops were common near the river. I know of one case where a car was stolen and 6 months later, showed up at a car lot across the street from where it was stolen. In Kentucky, prior to the title law, you could steal a car and slip your cousin Bobbie Sue $20 to get a bill of sale. Then you sell it to a cohort back and forth a few times getting a bill of sale each time. After 4 or 5 sales, it was so muddled, it was usually never sorted out. Then you sell it to another state and a title gets issued. Stolen cars show up from time to time that were stolen in the 60's and 70's, were recently restored and when it came up stolen, are returned to the original owner. So Kentucky is really strict on documentation. Sorry to ramble on but in some states you want to make sure all your T's are cross and your I's are dotted.

 

ok i have a question for this whole CDL thing. You have an 80 year old grandma and grandpa driving there 40 foot beaver coach with air brakes, yet they dont need a CDL. Why is this? but if i go out and buy a truck to haul my fifver according to these comments i need a CDL.

 

the best answer is to ignore forum suggestions and go with your local DOT regulations

 

There is NO air brake endorsement . If you take a CDL test on a vehicle without airbrakes you get a restriction to non-air brake vehicles only . The big International pickup has air brakes but they set the GVWR at 25,999 so no CDL would be required .

 

That vehicle and trailer would not require a CDL . You are well under 26,000 lbs. GCWR . What you might need to worry about is medical card , log book , and dot inspection on the vehicles . If you make money from the projects you are commercial . It doesn't matter if it's only your stuff .

 

There is no air brake endorsement , only a restriction if you don't pass an air brake test when testing .
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d06/vc15260.htm
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d06/vc15278.htm
Here is the straight scoop on license classes with no mention of air brakes .
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/cdl_htm/license.htm

 

the letter classifications vary from state to state. it makes following a thread like this very confusing. bottom line is no matter what you decide to do, you are at the mercy of the law in the area they are passing through.
i talked to the DOT in Washington, D.C. and their representative in Sacremento, three different people, three different opinions. so i have a DOT # which i may need or not need. AZ state line check station said i needed it charged me about $60 bucks, NM said they didn't know why i had it but since i was there it cost me $6 bucks.
in getting my CA # i talked to 9 different people in Sacremento. Got everything from just leave the form blank, sign it and we'll bill you to full blown fees and inspections, to i didn't need one. that include a couple of supervisors. so i have a CA # for hauling my own belongings and tools in my daily driver. my daily driver between state and fed fees is over $1200 dollars per year.
never haul anything over 26k.
i tow a utility trailer over 10k, that requires a class A commercial here in CA. if you pull a utility trailer over 10k with a car you need a CDL in good old put it to you CA.