Georgia is now enforcing the cdl for a trailer over 10,000 even if the combination is under 26,000. Georgia doing that means that Alabama will also as the laws here are a copy of Georgia.

That is a gvwr of 10,000 or more. An acquaintence just received a ticket for a two car hauler that was empty. This has always been the law, but it was hot enforced here.

 

that stinks for youll...must be needed to get some ticket revenue up

brett

 

I asked 2 Alabama DOT officers this question. The first told me that it was a federal law and Alabama didn't enforce it. The second said that they were going to enforce it. I have told several drivers that it wasn't just the 26,000 lb. weight that required a CDL and they don't believe it. Won't be long before they do. I've had more inspections in the last year than in the previous 7 years. They're really tightening down on the small trucks. Too many people think that they can pull anything and haul anything without the proper authority, insurance, and license. Last year I was even pulled over by the Alabama Public Service Commissiion. Never received a warning or citation, but they are really after small trucks. It is probably money more that safety.

 

They are tightening down because there are so many that just run and don't care. Every spring there are all kinds of new car haulers out there, they are going to be rich, by late summer most of them are gone. Georgia is out there with a vengence since new years. Not just small trucks, if you got a truck, they plan on getting you!

 

Well, I will check on this tomorrow. I go by a ground pressure checker in the morning so I can pull in and ask what is the scoupe. Cause I will be in big dog du. My horse trailer is a 31' long box/4 horse LQ with 2 7000lb axles. No doubt they would pull me in a heartbeat if this is true.

 

Its a law in NC too...

 

In many States, if you are using it in commerce, then the trailer limit is 10,000 lbs GVWR before CDL is required.

For private use, the normal GCVW of 26,000 applies. Even in Georgia.

RVs don't need CDL in Georgia according to their CDL booklet.

 

How do state laws apply to out-of-state drivers? I go through Alabama on my way to East Tennessee.

 

That's was I wondering too... and how do they determine if it's for commercial purposes or not, especially when you're empty? (assuming no commercial plates, signage, listed on insurance card, etc.)

 

Yeap, just did the research myself. I agree with nsxt. Here is the online reg.

http://www.dds.ga.gov/Commercial/cdlrules.pdf

If you are hauling cars no doubt you will get pulled because 99% of the time it is commercial. Horse trailer or RV I don't think so from what I have read. Worrying about nothing.

 

I have a friend who races motorcycles and is fully sponsored. He has a 28 foot enclosed trailer that is fully wrapped with team name and sponsor logos. He asked me if I wanted to help with the driving duties, he's based out of Atlanta but the venues are all over the U.S. I told him that DOT was starting to crack down on small haulers, and that if he admitted that he even made one cent racing (he has a couple regional and national championships at the club level so he has made plenty) that he might be considered commercial and a whole new set of rules comes into play. I asked how he would feel leaving a trailer with 60K worth of motorcycles, gear, and tools sitting at the scales.

He's gone through three seasons doing this so he thinks he's invulnerable, and I know this guy and he isn't going to change unless he is stopped. And as much as I'd love to help him and drive the thing I am not going to lie and plead ignorance if I'm stopped, so I'm probably going to turn him down. Unless I misunderstood the minimum he needs is a DOT #, cargo insurance, DOT safety stuff, get DOT physical and maintain logbook and follow HOS.

Final question. If he pulls with a SRW truck, does this minimize the chance of getting stopped or put the rig out of the clutches of the DOT? I suppose there has to be a cutoff point, or every travelling salesman with product in his car would be subject to interstate commerce regulations.

Thanks - Scott

 

First of all we know this is NOT a federal law (yet).

That being said - Can Alabama/Georgia enforce this law on an out-of-state, interstate driver whose licensing state does not require a CDL with a trailer > 10,000 lbs (GCWR < 26001)?????

My thoughts are that they CANNOT enforce this on me. I might be wrong, and worse, I bet they would enforce it, even if they're not supposed to

For example remember (OK I don't remember but I know about it) CDL limit for NY used to be ~18000 lbs ? Now if you were a NJ driver, you could drive a 26k truck into NY and they could not do anything about it.................

 

Exactly right, if you are legal in your license state, you are (or should be) considered legal in other states(for CMV requirements, for traffic laws you are subject to the state/local laws for the area you are operating in). Like I said should be, I am sure there are inspectors and DOT cops out there enforcing state laws improperly. This is NOT a Federal Law, remember the Feds set the standard, the states can make them more strict, not less.

 

Well, from what I have read that is not the Georgia law.

Commercial with truck or truck & trailer > 10,000 lbs you need a CDL.
Recreational vehicle, Horse trailer, & truck > 26,000 lbs you need a CDL.

Farmer- no need for a CDL if within 150 miles of the farm period.

Hope this clears it up. If you have your farm name on your trailer you could be considered commercial hence you will have to follow the 10,000 lb rule. Look at the link I sent you off the Georgia web site. First chapter read the exceptions for needing a CDL.