What are the requirements for a trailer under 10,000 GVWR

Wesley Swain

New User
This message is a reply to an archived post by John in La on July 08, 2012 at 11:41:41.
The original subject was "Does a trailer over 10,000 lbs require a CDL".

I have a question about hauling a trailer under 10,000 Lbs. I was told and I found on the internet a while back that there was some kind of exemption from adding the GVW of the trailer to the GVW if the trailer fell below 10,000 lbs. Is this so? It sounded to me like if my truck has a 9,900 GVWR and the trailer was 9,900 then the CGVWR would just be the 9,900 of the truck, but if the trailer was 10,000 then you would add the two together to have 19,900 CGVWR.

I am just really needing to know what I need to do since my pickup is 10,100 GVWR and my new trailer has a 9,990 GVWR.

PLEASE HELP!
 
Notsure of your question. If you are a farmer engaged in farming activities you do not need a cdl or DOT number for that combination. If you are NOT a farmer, or you are using the combination in a NON farming enterprise you may need a cdl and DOT number.
 
You don't need anything unless you are hauling for hire and then just DOT numbers. There's a reason the trailer makers call them a 9990 GVW when they come with two 5200 lb axles which is 10400 GVW. Some states did have the 10,000 rule you are talking about.They stayed under it so they could sell more in those states. It's a false spec. but it works as intended.
 
in ky a trailer under 10000 gvw does not need cdl hooked to any pickup ,over 10000 gvw does require cdl hooked to anything , however farm tags do not I have 5 trailers under 10000. 4 trailers over in my company we get pulled over couple times a month during the summer i learned the law the hard way , breakaway brake box a must ,check chains ,all light working
 
In my wi. commercial drivers manual it says.
When the weight of the combination vehicle is exactly 26000 pounds, it is not a CMV and does not require a CDL. Example: A tractor weighs 16,000 pounds and the towed unit weighs 10,000 pounds NO COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE NEEDED.
IF YOU ARE OVER 26,001 YOU NEED A CDL.

Bob
 
(quoted from post at 08:42:20 02/07/14) In my wi. commercial drivers manual it says.
When the weight of the combination vehicle is exactly 26000 pounds, it is not a CMV and does not require a CDL. Example: A tractor weighs 16,000 pounds and the towed unit weighs 10,000 pounds NO COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE NEEDED.
IF YOU ARE OVER 26,001 YOU NEED A CDL.

Bob

Same here in Iowa. It is the combined weight of the truck, trailer, and cargo that is being addressed. Has nothing to do with the rated capacity of the trailer.

The exception, or maybe I should say the confusion, comes into play when the trailer has a rated capacity of 20,000 pounds or greater. That greater capacity indicates the potential is there for the GCWR to easily exceed 26,000 pounds, and then a CDL IS required.
 
I don't know if this is totally legal or not, but one outfit had one employe that did not have a CDL and they put a lighter tag on the truck so that the license was under 26001 and he could drive it.

Bob
 
If your trailer is over 10000 lbs then you have to combination the truck and trailer for 26000. You trailer gets an NA in the weight box on your registration. Then you don't need a CDL. Also in PA and Md and I don't know about other states but if the trailer is over 10000 you need to combination it or the DOT will give you a over weight ticket for the trailer and what's on it. Had that happen to a friend with an empty trailer in York PA.
 
cdl ONLY applies to commercial hauling. If you use the vehicle for commercial use you need a cdl. You can drive a fully loaded semi tractor trailer to haul your tractor collection to tractor shows without a cdl as long as you never use the rig to make money. If you are in the business of buying and selling old tractors then you need a cdl. That is why you can buy a motorhome with air brakes and diesel motor, hook on a trailer and go where ever you want on a class d license. Vehicle licensing requirements very from state to state tho as well as inspection laws. Different states also consider different things as commercial so you need to check that out as well.
 
(quoted from post at 09:53:36 02/07/14) cdl ONLY applies to commercial hauling. If you use the vehicle for commercial use you need a cdl. You can drive a fully loaded semi tractor trailer to haul your tractor collection to tractor shows without a cdl as long as you never use the rig to make money. If you are in the business of buying and selling old tractors then you need a cdl. That is why you can buy a motorhome with air brakes and diesel motor, hook on a trailer and go where ever you want on a class d license. Vehicle licensing requirements very from state to state tho as well as inspection laws. Different states also consider different things as commercial so you need to check that out as well.

If you do that in Iowa, and get caught, you'll need to sell the farm just to pay the fine.
 
No, it's about whether your state thinks farming is commercial or not. That's where the confusion comes in. Most of you are farmers and some states call that commercial so you need the cdl. If you were a secretary somewhere and wanted to haul a tractor you could even in iowa.
 
(quoted from post at 13:35:56 02/07/14) No, it's about whether your state thinks farming is commercial or not. That's where the confusion comes in. Most of you are farmers and some states call that commercial so you need the cdl. If you were a secretary somewhere and wanted to haul a tractor you could even in iowa.

Better recheck your source of info. If the combined weight, truck, trailer and load, is over 26,000 pounds, you NEED a CDL. Even if you own the truck, and are transporting tractors or machinery that you own, NOT for hire, you still need a CDL.
 
You have been given a lot of conflicting opinions here. I will NOT give you mine; but; will make a few suggestions. FIRST: stop at a truckstop and buy a copy of the Motor Carriers Safety Regulations. Found in the drivers supply area of most larger truck stops. You can use the index and see what the federal regulations are. NEXT: since the federal is MINIMUN requirements; and; states can expand on that; find a phone number of a close vehicle enforcement post; call and make an appointment to talk with the "boss". Do not go in with an "attitude" but; have your questions ready (written); write down the answers; if you get an answer that is not in the federal guide; ask if it is an additional state reg. Get the officers name, badge number, rank and post. THEN YOU KNOW!!!! ( and by the way; I am a 38 year veteran truck driver. I also use a dually and gooseneck to haul pulling tractors. I have had more than a few occasions to speak with enforcement personel. You can talk to them. The officer I spoke with told me he would RATHER do it that way than sitting on the side of the highway.)
 
Dang some of these guys are all over the place on these rules. That is why it is so confusing. Guys start spouting off laws "they think they know" and mislead others. So lets try to straighten it out.

CDL laws are federal. I do not know one state that has laws greater than the federal standard but I will welcome a link if you want to prove me wrong.

1) CDL laws start at 26,001 lbs. If you are under this GCWR GVWR you do not need a CDL no matter what kind of combination you have.
2) 10,000 lb. trailer only comes into play if you are over 26,001 gross combined weight
3) you can be over 26,001 in some cases if the trailer is under 10,000 lbs. U-Haul does this every day. Your truck can be rated for 25,000 lbs. and your trailer can be rated for 9,000 lbs. (total of 34,000) and you do not need a CDL. This is where the 10,000 lb. trailer comes into play.
The link will give you a flow chart to prove my point.
Who needs a CDL
 
jon;
I expected a better answer than that from you.

When we talk about exempting non commercial we are talking about
§ 390.3
(f) Exceptions
(3) The occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation nor in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise;

The problem with thinking that is the CDL rules say.....
§ 383.3 Applicability
(b) The exceptions contained in §390.3(f) of this subchapter do not apply to this part.

You need a CDL commercial or private unless you have a listed exemption in 383.3
This is why U-Haul has their trucks special built to be rated at 25,900 lbs. so they can get in under CDL rules.
 
Well I know that at least in minnesota a farmer can buy a semi grain truck and run it up and down the road all day hauling his own grain and machinery as long as he doesn't cross a state line or go more than 100 miles from home, and do it without a cdl or med card. I also know that there are full semi trucks going down the road with no dot numbers, just a sign that says "Private coach, not for hire". And I've talked to a couple that was driving one and they said they didn't have CDL's because they were just hauling their collector cars. I asked Dart about using my truck to haul my tractors and they said no problem, I just have to cover the Dart logo and dot# with a sign that says Private Coach. They even told me that at that point anyone could drive it as long as they were covered under the insurance. The CDL means COMMERCIAL Driver's license, therefore it's for commercial use. I know some states declare more things commercial than others, but in this case I know I'm right. I'm going to send an e-mail to someone I know in the Mn. dot and ask them. Hopefully I'll have some kind of answer from him early next week. I really hope I don't end up eating my words, but I don't think I will.
 
A farmer is exempt from CDL because 383.3 provides a exemption for farmers within 150 miles of the farm.
These semi's you see with private coach most likely have RV tags. RV's have a exemption.
You can take the Dart DOT number off and use your truck for private use with no DOT number
BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They even told me that at that point anyone could drive it as long as they were covered under the insurance
That is WRONG WRONG WRONG.

I also hope I don't end up eating my words, but I don't think I will.

This is why I do not think I will eat my words.
Straight from the MnDOT site...

Do I need a commercial driver's license (CDL)?

A driver is required to obtain a CDL to operate any of the following vehicles:

A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of more than 26,000 pounds;

A combination of vehicles with a combined GVW of more than 26,000 pounds; with a trailer of more than 10,000 pounds GVW

A vehicle designed to transport 16 or more people including the driver;

Any size vehicle that requires hazardous materials placards; or

Any size vehicle outwardly equipped and identified as a school bus.

A driver is not required to obtain a CDL to operate any of the following vehicles:
A farm truck when it is: Operated by the farmer or immediate family member, or an employee of the farmer:
Used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies, including hazardous materials to or from a farm;
Not used in a contract or common carrier operation; and
Used within 150 miles of the farm

An authorized emergency vehicle of any size
A recreational vehicle operated for personal use


Now show me what line proves what dart told you.
 
John in La. I have a CDL and health card. My daually pickup has a GVW of 13000. The trucks at work over 10000 and have DOT #'s on them require a health card but no CDL. Is that the same for a personal pickup over 10000 or just over 26001 for personal use? Just courious. Ed
 
Ed
While many try to read into the word commerce what they want to hear; commerce is the key word. Then you will have those that will try to play word games because I will not write a book here to try and explain every possible option.

But the jus of it is......

In interstate commerce it is easy. Truck needs a DOT number; driver needs a medical card.

It gets a little tricky in intrastate commerce. Many states do not require a DOT number for intrastate use so I can not say the say thing here because you may not need a DOT number but still need a medical card.

So your work truck is in commerce. You need a medical card.
Your dully is a personal truck. As long as you use it as a personal truck you do not need a medical card using exemption
§ 390.3(f)(3) The occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation nor in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise
You use this same exemption to say your dully does not need a DOT number

Start using your dully in a business; IE.. Lawn care; buying and selling tractors; farm; hauling lumber or bath tubs t a job site; and many more; and you better start hunting a different exemption for a DOT# and medical card because §390.3(f)(3) no longer applies.
 
In my state for non-commercial use: a regular passenger care license is all you need if the towing vehicle is under 18,000 and you don't exceed 26,000. The 10,000 doesn't apply. This is for a standard pumper pull trailer.

If you have a CDL then you need an endorsements to pull a trailer over 10,000 in all cases personal or commercial
 

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