kennedy

http://www.in.gov/dor/mcs/pdf/cdl.pdf

Go to Page 46.
I know a guy that hauled campers, and since it was being done for profit he did have to have a CDL. Its not regularly enforced though, and they turned a blind eye at FEMA haulers for awhile.
If you are hauling your personal traveltrailer for recreation only then you are exempt from a CDL, however, as soon as you haul for commercial/profit, or competition purposes you must have a CDL.

RickG

I appreciate you posting the reg but my computer wouldn't pull it up . You must be misinterpeting something . There are thousands of expeditors out there running vans without CDLs . I hauled campers myself and transport companies do not require contractors to have CDL's . I have been in the office and heard dispatch ask for a CDL driver for huge triaxles that would result in a GCVW of over 26,000 lbs .

TRCM

not if you are hauling your stuff. that is commercial only.

That is based on the fcmsa book, the dot guys at the weigh station I stopped in and asked about it, AND the fact that when I was stopped for no inspection sticker on the loaded trailer (14k rated), I didn't even get asked about a cdl.

They all say if I am hauling my own stuff, I don't need one.

If you find out otherwise, please get the proof to me, so I can get one.

danram11

I think that's where most people get confused, you normally have many more requirements for commercial, and very few if any for recreational use.

Riverman777

I started transporting RV's for a carrier in IN, with a Class D (FL) license. But in order to haul the bigger RV's, the carrier required a Class A CDL, whenever the combined CGVWR (truck/trailer) exceeded 26,000 lbs.

waltnono

When I was in question I called up the Sec of state here in Illinois and they transferred me to the commercial div. I told them what I wanted to do which was haul cars with my one ton pickup. The only question that they ask me was the GVWR of the power unit and the GVWR of the trailer. I have an 01 GMC which is 11,400 pds and my trailer has been tagged for 14601 pds even though I was 3 7K axels. I was told that I do not need a CDL, the only time I would need a CDL is if the combination of the two was over 26001 pds. If anyone is in question just call up your Sec of state and they will point you in the right direction. I thought that this was federal law but hearing other people from different states, it seems to be some confusing around this subject. I'm not sure who's right or wrong but I would make the phone call to be on the safe side of things.

Patrick Campbell

Not to be nit picky, but it a CDL is required if the combination of the GVWRs is over 26000, not over 26001.

That is the federal law... Other states can be more strict than the federal but not more lax. I am not sure exactly how you will be treated if going through a state with more strict laws if your home state follows the base federal rules.

BTW my truck is at 12000, trailer 14000.

ajpulley

License classes refer to the weight limits. Under federal law, it is up to each state to define this. Your state's statutory law for vehicles and roadways will have the limit pertaining to the 10,000 pounds (as you referenced above) defined; usually it is associated with the class of license a driver must maintain. Generally, it paraphrases as:

Class A license:
Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more,
if the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the towed vehicle or vehicles exceeds 10,000 pounds.
GVWR means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle.

Class B license:
Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, a single vehicle with a
gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating
of 10,000 pounds or less.

These are weights that the trailer is rated for or will reasonably fit if no GVWR is indicated, not that is actually on it at the time.

And guys, Ive gone round with a few of you on this. You only need a CDL, unless your state dictates otherwise, if you are for hire or engaged in business while driving/towing. Title 49 CFR, part 383 reads, "Drivers must hold a CDL if they operate in interstate, intrastate or foreign commerce and drive a vehicle: With a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight (GCVW) of at least 26,001 pounds or; Designed to transport at least 16 passengers including the drivers; or transporting a quantity of hazardous material requiring placarding. Because the CDL is a state-issued license, you should check with appropriate State officials regarding particular license classes and specific exemptions."

hammerjammer

You only have to be iegal in one state.The one in which the truck is tagged.

RickCJ

Your truck and trailer must be registered for the weight of each or less if you want and a CDL is needed if the total of the 2 is over 26,000 lbs.
Your 2500 is rated for 8800 lbs. and your trailer is what 20,000? So this would be 28,800 lbs. YES you need CDL! If you are hauling anything to make money you must have DOT also.

You can drive an RV as big as you want!

GAmes

The mistake you and others are making is you think a class A is automatically a CDL. Not so. Some states require a Class A license for certain trailers and combos, but a CDL is a COMMERCIAL drivers license and the requirements to have one are the same in every state.

As for registered weight, Oregon, and possibly other states, register pick-ups as passenger vehicles with no weight specified. When I stop at the scales in Wyoming (the only state I operate in that seems to care about what RV transporters GCWRs are) they look at my registration and wave me out the door.

12valve@heart

Understanding that none (or at least most) of you are not lawyers and that I need to contact my local state DMV or other appropriate agency for an authoritative answer, - let me ask this question:

I'm currently building a GMC 3500HD (approx. 15K GVW, 19.5" wheels, etc. and yes, I plan to make it Cummins powered ) that I plan to use to pull a 35' bumper-pull travel trailer. I will also be using it at times to pull a single-vehicle, tandem-axle car hauler hauling for my own personal use only - no commercial, contract, or for-hire hauling.

What license, tags, inspections, etc. should I plan to get to stay legal?

RickCJ

You just need proper weight license for you truck and both trailers! Whatever OK does for inspections. If you are just for fun nothing else applies.

1320

It goes by the state its registered in. In NV we have class A non cdl licensing. Thats what I have. It does not require a physical. I am legal to drive anything, doubles, triples etc....as long as its not for PROFIT. The contents I have to own and be personal property.

Remeber that your actual weight is not what counts, its what you are tagged for, if your trailer is 15k gvw and your truck is 11001 your over unless you have a class a. RVs for some reason seem to have different /no rules at all due to manufacturer lobbing.

wv smoker

Thought I would throw in my 2 cents on this one. Federal law mandated the states to administer, license, and enforce CDL's, and they have all done so, and not all the same. One post said you have to be legal in the state you are licensed, that is probably the only thing you can do to be legal. If I were you guy's hauling heavy with these pickup trucks, I would be more concerned about the liability aspect of it. If you get in an accident or any type of liable situation that involves law enforcement, the first thing they look at around here is the GCVW rating label that is required by the manufacturer. If you are found to be overweight in this situation you are usually going to pay and your insurance company is not obligated to... Had a dually a while back, don't remember what the GCVW was, but probably not over 21k?..Something to think about guys in this day and time.........