Another CDL question

Fellas,
Need advice!
I have a 09 Duramax 9200lbs Gvw. Just ordered a 30 ft.gooseneck @ 22400GVW. For total of 31600 GCVW.
I am going in for Class A for this combo .
My question is; the truck has 6500 curb wt. and trailer is 7800 empty. for total of 14300 lbs . Do I need a CDL driver to drive me to DMV.
I am a Farmer will be using this primarily for my Antique tractors to shows.
Tony

Most of us on here were grandfathered in and skipped a lot of it. Others get all the things done threw a school.
But it looks like you want to try it on your own.
This is the way it works.....

Go to the DMV and tell they you would like to apply for a CDL.
They will give you a application form to fill out. It will ask for all your info including if you had a license in another state. You will need a 10 year history of your driving record.
Once you fill out the form you pay the application fee; give them a copy of your medical form (unless you can file exempt) and take any test you need to get the CDL.
You are going after a Class A with a no tractor trailer restriction so you will need to take the general knowledge test and the combination vehicle test. There are many other test but by the info you gave that is all you need.

Once you do all this they will give you a CDL learners permit. With this permit you will be allowed to drive any truck it covers as long as you have a full CDL driver with a license to cover the truck you are driving with you.
This will allow you to practice.

Once you think you have enough practice you schedule a driving test at a approved state test site.
To pass this you need to pass a
Pre-trip inspection test.
Basic control skills test.
Road trip test.

In some states the approved state test sites is not the DMV. It is "usually" a 3rd party approved by the state.
This 3rd party will give you a paper you take back to the DMV.
They will then give you a CDL.

If you fail any of the test above most states give you 3 tries.
If you fail any part 3 times you have to start all over.
Most 3rd party test sites will let you take the test over per DMV rules but charge you each time the test is given.

Forgot to answer your original question.
The truck/trailer combo is rated at over 26,001 lbs so yes you need a CDL to drive it even when it is not loaded.

If you have farm tags on the truck and trailer that may alter the above statement but I will not take the time to get in to that unless you inform me that you need that info because you have farm tags.
In other words no use in confusing you more if the info does you no good because you do not have farm tags.

John in La is right on. CDL is required based on vehicle GVWR; (both units added together); NOT what you are actually weighing or plated for. That is subject for another topic.

John in LA,
Thank you, for info very helpful!
However, I do not understand Farm plates.
My truck is registered to my farm corp.and my current and new trailer will have PTI plates.Registered to the same Farm Corp.
Can you please explain Farm plates.
BTW I am in Calif.The trailer is a 22400 GVW GN Dealer said PTI plates with no weight consideration
Tony
Tony

Tony
It is really not good for me to advise you what plate is good for you as every state has their own rules. But lets generalize.

Under federal law a state is allowed to exempt drivers from CDL rules driving trucks with farm plates. The catch is farm plates are only good for farm use. Driving a truck with farm plates to a off farm job; while it is done every day; is against the law.
Your state may or may not have this exemption. Heck your state may or may not even have farm plates in the first place.
I only mentioned it in the first place in case you have farm plates on your truck already; planed on putting farm plates on your trailer; you may be able under farm rules to pick up the trailer and take it home without a CDL.
But since you are asking about farm plates; I have to assume you do not have farm plates; so my original thought is now mute.

I did do a search of PTI plates in your state. Seems it is the plate of choice if you trailer meets the guidelines. One thing I did notice while reading about it is most thought it was a permanent plate. It is not. Must be renewed every 5 years.
Another thing you will have to check with your DMV about is your truck plate. Lots of states require the truck to carry a weight rated plate to cover the truck; trailer; and load.
In other words your trailer has a "PTI plate with no weight consideration" but the truck has a plate to cover a total of 31600 GCVW.
PTI plates

John,
Thank You so much! I've talked to dealer,DMV,Driving school,Ca.motor freight.
All they say is "You can't,"you can't,"you can't" ,Get a CDL, read the dmv manual which I have wore out.lol.
So, I have ordered the trailer will get it to ranch practice with it take truck and trailer to truck driving school do whatever they require then to the test.
I'm 68 all I want is rated to this truck and GN
I,ve had bumper pulls all my life but never a GN would like to carry little more to antique shows.
A tractor and golf cart or tractor and plow etc.
Thanks for You insight ! There is no substitute for experience.
I'll post a picture and let you know when I get it done.
BTW is 68 to old for CDL ? Do they frown on it? Tony

Being 55 and having a CDL since the CDL came out; I can tell you the hardest part of getting a CDL (other than swallowing the cost) is passing the physical exam. At 68 it may even be harder.

I agree with most all the info given here. The one glitch that has arisen in some areas is hauling tractors to a show for tractor pulling or to be judged automatically takes you away from farm exemptions and into commercial. The other issue is under some of the new regulations is that the manufactured rating of the towing vehicle must meet or exceed that of the towed unit. You are talking way to much trailer for the GVW of that pickup. I know it may pull it but the DOT is looking for revenue. My guess is your tires won't even carry the empty load of that trailer.

Sir, I'm 65 and have been playing with these tractors for a very long time. I have a 13000 GVW dually with a 33ft gooseneck. I'm keeping it for some pulls that I need to take a lot of tractors. But I'm looking at a smaller trailer. The reason is the longer the trailer the harder it pulls. Reason is the wheels are further back and put more weight on your truck. My trailer and a few friends that have long trailers are all the same, meaning they pull hard. Just letting you know from experience. And the trailer your looking at is heavier then mine as mine is only 7500 lbs. Also that is a big trailer for a single axle truck. I've used both and I can tell you it can be done but I went to a dually for a reason. I'm looking at a 16000 trailer with two 8000 lb axles and 26 ft long. Your only able to haul a few more thousand with the bigger trailer.
I'm sure your going to need a health card to get the CDL.

here in PA I highly doubt you would ever get that rig legally registered. Last I checked they didn't rate a 3/4 ton truck at 22K towing capacity and manufacturers ratings are what they go by.

CD1, If we went by manufactures weight we would buy a half ton and leave the hitch off not worth towing.
There is little difference in towing capacities of 09 3500 and 09 2500 Duramax.
Yet, all I ever see on highway is 2500 & 3500, or equivalent, pulling all different size Gn. If we went by manufactures weight we would all be driving 4500,s to pull anything of consequence. Yet, its very infrequent that you see that.
I have a business partner that has a F-250 Diesal
With 22000 gvw Gn hauls 14000 lbs almond shaker all over during harvest season and truck or tires handle for years no problem.
As for me the real true weight I'll be hauling at most will be truck curb weight 6500, Trailer 7800 and most a Farmall "H" 3800 & Farmall "SMTA" 7000 lbs. so, In the real world I am at 25000lbs. I would say that's a pretty basic weight.
I feel pretty comfortable with this its done everyday safely.
If I can't then the hell with it I'll sell it all and buy a Pruis and hire the haul.

Tony

Like it or not cd1 is correct. What you do and what"s legal are two different things. If/when you get stoped the judge will tell you ignorance is not a excuse for breaking the law.

(quoted from post at 05:45:41 01/31/14) Like it or not cd1 is correct. What you do and what"s legal are two different things. If/when you get stoped the judge will tell you ignorance is not a excuse for breaking the law.

Click to expand...

2X what Massey farmer says, except more so. It is not just the judge it is also the lawyer and the jury if there is an accident. I mean ACCIDENT and not necessarily your fault. The question is: Who is living in your house next year?