When do I need a Iowa CDL instead of my regular Iowa Drivers License?
A Iowa CDL is required if you operate any of the following CMV's . . .
1. A vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 lbs.
2. A vehicle towing a unit with a manufacturer's GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs. when the GCWR exceeds 26,000 lbs.
3. A vehicle used to . . .(a.) carry 15 or more passengers (excluding the driver), or (b.) carry (15) or less people (including the driver) when carrying children to or from school and home regularly for compensation.
4. A vehicle carrying hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding.
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THIS IS BASICALLY THE SAME LAW ALL OVER!!!

There are 4 conditions that could require a person to hold a CDL when operating a particular vehicle. #1 does not apply because the truck's GVWR is not over 26,000 by itself. #2 does not apply because the dodge 2500 GVWR alone is 8,800 -- under 10k, and when pulling the 45ft Pace, the GCWR is 24,300lbs, under 26k (8800 truck + 15500 trailer). #3 does not apply because you would not be carrying passengers, and #4 does not apply because we do not haul HAZMAT.

The only condition we are even close to meeting is #2 and I have explained why we do not meet those requirements on either prong a) the truck is not over 10,000lbs GVWR alone, b) nor is it over 26,000 GCWR combined with the trailer. The regulation for CDL is based on GVWR and not GVW, there is a difference. Most people do not understand the difference between GVW, GVWR, and GCWR, and there lies the problem.

GVWR is manufacture rating and GVW is actual scale weight. GCWR is determined by adding both the truck and trailer's GVWRs together, and again, is set only by the manufacturer, an individual rating for each item. There is also GVRW which is Gross Vehicle Registered weight that is totally different from GVW, GVWR, and GCWR, and it is the weight that you choose to pay for when registering the truck for apportions (IRP) tags.

GVRW is the amount the weigh stations look at, i.e., the amount you are allowed to scale up to without being considered overweight at the weigh stations.


I HOPE THIS CLARIFYS IF YOU NEED A CDL OR NOT!!!

goodluck trucking!!

 

Have been involved in North Carolina and Kentucky. The simple version might add: difference between commercial and personal use. If you get paid or trying make a profit. Once you get a DOT # you will be hard pressed to convince a officer of no need for CDL Still it is good ideal to have dot safety items (fire ext, signs, kit, ect) and a current med card. JMHO

 

dozer hit the only thing needed: for profit; hire to carry. anywhere.many people cannot even pass a CDL with medical exam but climb into the big ol' one ton with everything and a handicapped permit. do you really think they know to check the securing hitch pin in the fifth wheelplate?
how about the tire pressure moving through different climates....

a CDL SHOULD be required but AARP has the industry, lawmakers on the books...

how much is your life worth? about 65 bucks.

take it upon yourself to be as proactive and calm as you can with your towed/driven vehicle. think of the others out there! eek....

 

Different climate makes a big difference and what some folks are not aware of is if you checked tire pressures last month, it does not mean its the same, even a day later. I check mine at the start and end of each trip...sometimes [If I am bored] I check more often as I have found it never stays exact. Even the torque load on the tires allows some air loss as they slip on the rim...they do slip...very VERY slightly and that was cool to learn. Doing this can add a lot more miles to the tires.

Whats a CDL? LOL We do not have that UP HERE but we do have to have a Class 1 and an A endorsement for air brakes if you have them to run big rigs. I do a medical every year. Anyone that hauls their RV privately that is over 10000 pounds here MUST have to take a driven test which was a Class 1G and now changed to a Class 5 with the overweight endorsement...otherwise, they are illegal. Thats in Saskatchewan and it applies to the SK driver anywhere they go. Its not a well known regulation and some folks have learned the hard way. No insurance. I know a few of the examiners and its pretty scary how many folks have failed at least once taking this driven test.

Scotty

 

Sorta related to this one, today I made an apparatus to automatically equalize the tire pressures on both sides of an axle. It's just an air hose with two clip-on tire chucks at each end.

I'm quite **** about tire pressure, and this satiates my OCD.

JH

BTW-- Hi Scotty!

 

Not true. Those are the rules that affect commercial drivers, U.S. wide. There is no need to convince an officer you don't need a CDL as long as the 26,000 pound gvwr and gcwr limits are not broken. If you unlucky enough to live in CA however you need a CDL to pull a cargo trailer over 10,000 gvwr, even if not commercial.

I'm just wondering what the purpose of the original post is. Get a ticket Joe?

 

Plus to get a CDL you need a truck that meets those requirements. A 1 ton truck does not have a high enough truck or tow weight rating to be used for a CDL license test.
I wish they would change the laws because there are way too many people driving RVs or towing them that should not be allowed to drive them. Especially those that insist on pulling a 34+ foot 5ther and a second trailer, it should be required that those who want to pull doubles get a CDL with a doubles endorsement.

 

a 1 ton does qualify if you have a trailer with that has at least 20k gvw that will put you in a class a which is the same as a big truck classification. thats why hotshotters with daul tandems and triple axles have a class a

 

UP here you need to take the driven test for Class 1A...our version of a CDL with a full class 8 and trailer, manual trans and dual tandem...otherwise you get restrictions on your drivers for whatever you did not show up with. They also ask where the driver is that brought you. Some guys were driving the rig to the test themselves.

Scotty

 

Yup, in fact a 16k gvwr trailer would do it. The only restriction would be air brakes.

 

.. they get you for not having a license also??? ****, how much did that trip cost ya'?

 

To pull a double you DO have to have an RV endorsement if you don't already have a CDL. The first towed vehicle must be a 5th wheel and not to exceed 60ft bumper to bumper.


Be careful about "not for profit" definitions. If even $1 is transacted, it'll probably be considered "for profit". Even if it's just a friend giving you gas money to hall a load and you aren't makeing anything from it.

It's not just AARP and retiree's being an influence. Some of the GVWR laws were relaxed for other groups too. Landscapers for example, were having issue with temporary hires being required commercial licenses to hall landscape equipment with pick-ups. Either not finding legally licensed employees, or losing them to better paying driving jobs. Not a lot of college kids working for the summer, holding CDL's.

 

That is in MI. In TX, no special license is required for recreational doubles. Any combo is allowed, i.e. gooseneck, ball, 5er and 65 ft is the max. NM allows up to 75 ft I believe, same combos. CA requires a CDL for recreational doubles. Point being, there is no standard so you can't make across the board assumptions.

 

Sometimes you also have to watch other definitions, such as here in Florida a "truck tractor" carries no "cargo" on its bed, and uses a "fifth wheel connection".

Florida does not mention goose neck hitches. So if you have an otherwise "truck tractor" using a G/N, you are a "straight truck" in Florida, and different length rules apply when towing a trailer.

Some DOT's are really cracking down on the "cargo" issue, and if you have a one ton with a pickup bed, you have the ability to carry "cargo", and they start messing with you, which is why you see some guys with no bed at all.

Also, Florida DOT uses the term "in furtherance of a business enterprise" - no mention of profit, etc. Gives a wide berth for interpretation.

Best advice is to read your home state MV laws (rules of the road, insurance,
definitions of "commercial", etc) and also see if they have a copy of their DOT officers handbook available on line (Florida does). Check the DMV site for definitions of motor vehicles (like trucks, tractors, recreational). Some states have statutes defining "use". Then also check out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Admin site. Be prepared to see conflicts and confusion and a lack of clarity.

I comply with my home state requirements. My trucks are correctly tagged for weight and definition, and carry the required correct insurance. I have an over-length annual permit for Florida (as required). I carry copies of the statutes in my truck, as well as correspondence from the DOT in Florida, and the DMV in Florida. I have the correct Class A CDL, and my use is "private, not for hire, not commercial". I am not required to operate under FMCSA regulations, but my trucks/trailers will pass any inspection, are correctly loaded and secured (weight and distribution) with my own stuff (with proof of ownership). I cross scales and inspection stations with green lights, and the few times I have had to produce paperwork, I am shortly on my way.
If I know I am making a multi-state run (I know my home state regs by heart), I spend some time checking out their rules about weight, length,any nuances particular to their state - I attempt to comply (in advance) and anticipate, so at least I can show I tried if I get inspected or queried. Also, my equipment (tires & inflation, lights, chains/binders, etc.) are in operational condition, and I try to keep my rigs clean. I have found that so far, this works in my situation.

As a former LEO, I think that if your rig "looks like a problem" going down the road, you increase the chances of getting stopped. If you look properly loaded, and you have met the external visual inspection (at 65 MPH), then you may not have an issue.

 

As I've said in another thread, not every rule, every section or every sub-part is shown on the FMCSA site. To see ALL the rules you need the big printed book. But even with the book, it's no less confusing sometimes!

All great advice!

chaikwa.