I was sitting at the DMV waiting to register my truck and got bored. So I was sitting reading anything I could get my hands on and ended up reading the back of my drivers licence. It says I am a class C (M also) and can only tow under 10K. To legally tow something over 10K do I need a higher level licence and what level do I need?

 

I am not sure regarding MD laws but I have noted that commercial laws in Ontario pretty well reflect what is going on in the US because of the constant flow of goods back and forth between us. In Ontario our normal licence class is G which allows you to pull up to 10,000 pounds. That is axle weight NOT total trailer weight. The regulations state that a Class A is required it the towed vehicle weight exceeds 10,000 pounds. That is the same license that is required for tractor trailers. I would think you would be the same. On a fiver you are looking at aroung 12,000 pounds since 20% of the weight is on the hitch leaving just under 10,000 on the axles. In all probability you would never be stopped but if ever in an accident it could become an issue. Even a copy buddy was not aware that the requirement extended to RVs until he checked with the transportation enforcement guys. I think some states have non commercial versions of the upgraded license as well. Best thing would be to check with the enforcement people.

Casey

 

You may want to do some checking. I thought that RVs were exempt from the commercial license requirements. I don't need to worry about that though. I hold a class A anyhow.
Tom

 

Haulin will correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you need a commercial license unless you are over 26,000 pounds, gross combined weight.

DeWain

 

Banana, where does it say you can only tow under 10K on your drivers license?

I'm looking at my MD drivers license and it says "Class C - Noncommercial vehicles weighing 26,000 or less GVW, except motorcycles." Doesn't say a darn thing about towing.

Don't worry about the motorcycle, I've got the Class M too.

Heck, even my son's Class C learners permit says he can drive noncommercial vehicles weighing under 26k or less GVW.

While you were you bored, you should have looked for the State of Maryland driving regulations; its a little paperback pamphlet with all the rules in it. I used to have one laying around here when my older son was going through his learners permit days.

In Maryland, I think the Class C stands for "Crazy driver" and not Commercial.

Curious, whats the registered GVW of your truck? Is it 7000? I think thats the default number they put on non-comm trucks. My old Big Dooley Ford had the same thing. The nice thing about that is that I can include the truck on my EZ pass with the 'Stang and the 'Zook.

 

Yep DeWain has it correct. Anything under 26,000 lbs & your ok. After that you need CDL for more than 26,000 lbs or combination with a gross combined weight of more than 26,000 lbs when the trailer has a gvwr of more than 10,000 lbs.

 

Its actually a Nevada Licences and it says it on the back. I will check it out with NV I guess. Thanks everyone!

 

Varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction but in many places as allready stated a CDL is required ("technically", there are thousands running everywhere without it) for trailer weights greater than 10,000 lbs.

 

Just found the page in the NV Dmv website relating to this:
http://www.dmvnv.com/nvdl.htm#Classes

You have to get an A class just to tow over 10K lbs

 

Here in NC, unless it's an RV, you need a class A if the trailer will be over 10k GVW, even if the total is under 26,001.

IMO, the RV exemption is total BS. Grandpa can put regular, $25 license plates on a 40 foot long commercial chassis bus with air brakes with a 25' trailer behind it and be on his merry way, while I need a Class A license and $350 registration for the truck every year to pull a Gooseneck trailer.

 

CDL required over 26,001# and if you're getting paid to pull a load. RV's have typically been exempt.

There are times when I wish there was one standard (national) for all fifty states. This is one of them.

The other "bug" I have is with transfer of titles from state to state. Here, it's $8 and takes five minutes. In FLA it's $33.75 and takes eight weeks + $100 to import the vehicle! But I digress........

 

Y'All got me curious, so I looked at my South Dakota license. It is a Class-1. On the back, class 1 says Car/light truck/moped. It doesn't say anything about weight or towing. I guess I am OK even if my truck/fiver goes over 26,001??? I am pushing it now at 25,500 rolling weight. It is all private and not-for-hire. We are full-timers so we carry a lot of shtuff with us.

Steve

 

In Manitoba you need a class 3 to tow any 5'ver or gooseneck unless it has farm plates on the tow unit. Our basic licence is class 5 and the big rigs need a class 1A.

 

i dont worry about it either because i also hold a class a but i hear that california is starting to crack down on horse trailers and gooseneck trailers due to weight.i havn't heard anything about rv's either.i think they are exempt.

 

Really? When exactly did THAT come about? Never heard that before. You can't tow a trailer over 4540kg (10,000lbs) behind a class 3 vehicle in MB without a towing endorsement. Or of course a Class 1.
Class 5 will let you tow any recreational vehicle up to 4540kg (10,000lbs) registered GVW behind any vehicle you are authorized to operate. (2 axle veh. under 10,900kg (24000lbs)GVW)

Farm plates or not, only the registered owner of the farm vehicle can operate any class vehicle without the proper class of license. No spouse, child or employee.

I hold a MB 1.6w/air, so if you can license it, I can drive it legally.