Combination Plates

Jason1Pa

Member
I'm going to be getting a Class "A" Non-Commercial license so when I haul my tractors around this summer I'll be legal. I've been illegal since 2003 and didn't know it.. Anyway I also need to get combination plates before I even take the driving part of the test. I have to have everything registered properly or they won't allow you to take the test so I'm told. So my question is how do I go about this? What is it exactly? My pick up is 13,300 GVW and the gooseneck is 14,500 GVW. So on my truck registration will it now read 27,800 (combined weight) of both vehicles? I live in Pennsylvania and I'm sure different states do different things just thought I would throw this out there. This whole Class "A" thing has been an adventure. I have come to the conclusion that know one knows whats going on. Even the DMV. I've visited them and called them many times and I get different answers
 
Federal law requires a CDL for all vehicles over 26001 GVWR. Cdl requires a medical card (physical). I do not know what a "non-commercial" license is. On your truck: I would not license over 26000. If you have a weight on both units; stay 26000 total or less. Vehicles over 26000 (licensed weight) are supposed to have fuel permits, file quarterly road and fuel reports; and may have to have an IRP registration if you cross state lines. You can plate whatever weight you want. Do not have to max out your GVWR. Just be sure not to get caught overweight on your tags or the cops can write you a book of tickets. Here in Ky.; we have a "genric" plate on the trailer and the GVW is on the truck plate.
 
Non-Commercial is just what it says. Non-Commercial... I'm not making any money with it. Did you ever see trucks (even Semi's) with the words "Private Coach" or "Not for Hire" that is what i'm talking about here.
I didn't even have to take a writen test for Class "A" Non-Commercial permit that I have right now on me. I only need a driver with me that has this licence (or CDL) to drive down the road. Just like when your 16 and starting to drive. I don't need a phyisical or anything like that. My permit is good for a year and the guy at the DMV says when I'm ready to go on I can call a number to make a appointment at the scales. What will take place I have no clue???


I would think I would want to register the max that I'm allowed. Why drive around in fear of being not registered for the correct weight even though I am not over loading the truck or trailer? I get close to the max sometimes,but never over,but its better to be safe then sorry..
 
I live in PA, and I never heard of a "non-commercial class A." It is also my understanding that if the combination weight is over 26,000 or the trailer weight is over 10,000, you need a CDL to be legal. At the same time, I see RVs that are basically converted buses being driven by blue-haired old ladies. The whole thing gets really confusing with the exemptions, loopholes, and exceptions that keep popping up.......
Good luck with your quest. If you are anywhere near SE PA, I have a class A CDL.
 
Your trailer is tagged over 10,000# you need a cdl and must stop at all scales. Also don't register your truck over the manufactures rated towing capacity. The police love to write tickets for "exceeding manufactures recommended weight rating" If you get scaled at 27000 and are combination tagged for 28000 and the manufactures towing capacity is 18,000 you are 9000# overweight. Just went through a DOT rules class in Pa last week..... This is the way the DOT officer explained it to our class.
 
Thanks for your reply. I had all intentions on getting a CDL. Even got the book and read threw it... Called the 1-800 number they have on the CDL book for some questions I had. As soon as I said I'm not driving this truck for business they are the one who said its ok to get a Class A Non-Commercial..

I'm not doting you that that is what your learned in your class,but I've also ready where they could care less about manufactures rating. They simply go by your weight and what your registered at.. I have a hard time believing this.... Like I said before there is just so much gray area.. Who knows what to do when the people your calling for answers don't even know....
 
I never heard of it either. It's not in the CDL book you get at the DMV... I was told at the DMV that even for this Non-Commercial licenece I would still need to study the CDL book. So I did. Went to take the writen test and the guy at the desk said I didn't need to take the writen test. Said give me 5 bucks and i walked out with a Non-Commercial Class A permit...Don't ask me?? LOL I'm about ready to give up! LOL

I'm in South East Pa as well (Westmoreland Co) My dad has CDL so I'm ok. thanks for the offer
 
The law requires a class A license not necessarily CDL if you are hauling ONLY your own equipment. It is not real common and many drivers license facility"s are not familiar with one because almost everyone that gets a class A gets the CDL version. It varies state to state. Some states still require a log book and med card.
 
(quoted from post at 23:43:59 04/04/14) Your trailer is tagged over 10,000# you need a cdl and must stop at all scales. Also don't register your truck over the manufactures rated towing capacity. The police love to write tickets for "exceeding manufactures recommended weight rating" If you get scaled at 27000 and are combination tagged for 28000 and the manufactures towing capacity is 18,000 you are 9000# overweight. Just went through a DOT rules class in Pa last week..... This is the way the DOT officer explained it to our class.

This is complete BS. They dont give a hoot about the recommended towing capacity and if you encounter any DOT officer that does, he/she should be fired.
They care what your licensed for, and what the rig is registered for.
If they cared about Manufactureres -Recommended- towing capacity, there would be alot of people in the hot shot business under arrest.
 
I was curiuos, so I dug around in the PA DOT website and this is what I found;

Non-commercial Driver's Licenses
CLASS A (minimum age 18): Required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, where the vehicle(s) being towed is/are in excess of 10,000 pounds. Example: Recreational Vehicle, when the towing vehicle is rated at 11,000 pounds and the vehicle towed is rated at 15,500 pounds (total combination weight of 26,500 pounds).
CLASS B (minimum age 18): Required to operate any single vehicle rated in excess of 26,000 pounds. Example: Motor homes rated at 26,001 pounds or more.
CLASS C (minimum age 16): A Class C driver’s license will be issued to persons 16 years of age or older, who have demonstrated their qualifications to operate any vehicles, except those requiring a Class M qualification, and who do not meet the definitions of Class A or Class B. Any firefighter or member of a rescue or emergency squad who is the holder of a Class C driver’s license and who has a certificate of authorization from a fire chief or head of the rescue or emergency squad will be authorized to operate any fire or emergency vehicle registered to that fire department, rescue or emergency squad or municipality(emergency use only). The holder of a Class C license is authorized to drive a motor-driven cycle with an automatic transmission and cylinder capacity of 50 CCs or less or a 3-wheeled motorcycle with an enclosed cab.
CLASS M (minimum age 16): A Class M driver’s license will be issued to those persons 16 years of age or older who have demonstrated their ability to operate a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. If a person is qualified to operate only a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, he/she will be issued a Class M driver’s license. If you test on a motor-driven cycle, an "8" restriction will appear on your driver’s license. This restriction prohibits you from operating a motorcycle. If you test on a 3-wheeled motorcycle, a "9" restriction will appear on your driver’s license. This restriction prohibits you from operating a 2-wheeled motorcycle. Pennsylvania Motorcycle Operator’s Manual (PUB 147) or the Mopeds, Motor-Driver Cycles and Motorcycles Fact Sheet located on PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website in the Motorcycle Information Center.
 
The whole CDL deal is one more gov. cluster f---k just one more way of extorting money and NOBODY knows nothing . and to be 100% compliant ya need a law firm that has ten names behind it to keep you out of trouble everyday. Now they see all these pick ups and trailers running around and it is OH BOY look at the bucks we can get out of these YA WHO's . Couple years back the portable scale were set up about a mile south of me one fall day on a Saturday nailing each and every pick up that had a load of fire wood on it . and oh yea way back when all the Independent truckers wanted DEREGULATION and wanted to do it with out all the gov B/S this is what they got MORE REGULATIONS . This whole deal needs major changes and the weight thing needs to upped to 30000 LBS BEFORE you fall under the BIG truck laws. But they are afraid you might go out and make ten bucks that they won't know about .
 
[i:654c4848f0]This is complete BS. They dont give a hoot about the recommended towing capacity and if you encounter any DOT officer that does, he/she should be fired.

They care what your licensed for, and what the rig is registered for.[/i:654c4848f0]

So let me get this straight.
You think I should be able to put a 40,000 lb tag on my Toyota Tacoma (that has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs) hook a loaded gooseneck trailer on the back and be legal as long as I stay under 40,000 lbs.

If you honestly think that you have no idea how weights and standards works.
 
Years ago I drove an F-350 dually service truck in my work for a large company. The trucks were DOT licensed for a combined weight of 36,000 lbs and it was printed right on the door with the company name and DOT number. We routinely rolled through weigh stations in excess of 25,000 lbs (sometimes way over that) without a problem even though at that time Ford's maximum rating for that chassis was only 20,000 GCWR.
 
Just curious: Those of you saying the cops go by "manufactures tow capacity"; how is that determined? There is nothing on the door jam that shows that (just truck only rating). I took a look in my owners manual; and; there were 16 pages of towing capacity stats based on 2x4 or 4x4; srw or drw; various engine and transmission combinations as well as axle ratios for each combination. AND: MY TRUCK , ENGINE AND AXLE WAS NOT LISTED!!! I AM SURE THE COPS DO NOT HAVE A BOOK THAT COVERS ALL SPECS FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS. If you try to put a 40 ft. gooseneck on a Ranger it wont pull it. Some degree of "smarts" has to be used. That is not to say that some cops in some areas may not be exploiting the situation in an effort to write tickets. With so many different ratings; how can they know exactly what the rating is for every vehicle produced? I do not know about every area in the country; but; vehicle rated towing capacity around here is NOT a factor. Get stupid and you can be cited for something. (unsafe equiptment; obstructing traffic; overweight on tire capacity rating; etc... but have never heard anyone being cited for over tow capacity. Tow capacity can vary by changing axle ratios.
 
(quoted from post at 23:14:04 04/05/14) [i:0941720fdf]This is complete BS. They dont give a hoot about the recommended towing capacity and if you encounter any DOT officer that does, he/she should be fired.

They care what your licensed for, and what the rig is registered for.[/i:0941720fdf]

So let me get this straight.
You think I should be able to put a 40,000 lb tag on my Toyota Tacoma (that has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs) hook a loaded gooseneck trailer on the back and be legal as long as I stay under 40,000 lbs.

If you honestly think that you have no idea how weights and standards works.

You are the one who doesnt know what their talking about. Cops dont care about recommended towing capacity. They can bag you on equipment. IF your hitch is only rated for 5000lbs trailer and you have an 8000lbs trailer, that's a ticket. But the hitch has its capacity on it, and thats not a recommendation either.
My truck has a GVW of 8800, and my trailer has a GVW of 17000. That means I could get a ticket if I put too much pin weight on my truck and threw it over 8800.
If they somehow cared about recommended towing capacities, alot of people in professional hauling would be screwed.
 
I think I have proved several times on this forum I do know what I am talking about. Have even had a DOT officer tell me I was wrong till he went and checked the law himself.
In fact rather than telling you that you do not know anything I only asked a simple question.

Do you feel I should be able to pull what every trailer I want no matter how small the truck is.

We can re-word it to read.......
Lets say we took the bed off your pickup. We will assume it is a 1/2 ton truck.
If I install a 5th wheel made for a 80,000 lb tractor on your frame rails do you think it should be OK for you to pull a semi trailer loaded down.
We will use your figures....
8800 0n steer and drive axle so your truck is legal and 34000 on the trailer axles.
That's grossing 42800 with a 1/2 ton pickup and still not over axle anywhere or over hitch rating just way over gross for the GCWR.
Lets stretch it a little more....
8800 on the truck and a set of pups. Pups can carry 20,000 per axle and with a dolly axle that's 60,000 lbs + 8800 so you would be grossing 68,800 lbs with a 1/2 ton pickup and not be over axle of over hitch rating.

So answer the question rather than giving sonorous where if I used this hitch or these tires or this size engine it would not be legal.

If you really think you could get away with this I challenge you to pull into any scale with a setup like described.
If you think I am going overboard then I have to ask where do you draw the line. At 50; 40 30; 20,000 lbs; and what gives you the right to supersede manufactures recommendations to draw the line where you feel fit.

Patiently waiting for your answer or explanation of the rules because I am always willing to learn something new.
 
If your trailer is 10001 lbs you have to combination it and as long as your truck and trailer is under 26000 you don't need a CDL. On your comment about combination your truck for more than the trucks limit, I was told buy a PA DOT guy that you would get a safety violation not on overweight ticket. If your over 10000 and don't combination it then yes your whole trailer is overweight in PA. Had that happen to a friend. Most guys that I know that have been pulled over and weighed are check for the combination on the registration. They can't even keep the rules straight how the hell are they going to know what the truck is allowed to haul.
 
John, your example doesn't work. A truck weighing 8800 lbs and a trailer for 34000 won't be legal. The truck will be over on the rear axle. I have a dually with a 20000 lb trailer and have to watch how I load or will be heavy on the rear axle and I have a 13000 lb truck. And in my state you can't get your truck registered for something that's out of line. When I registered mine a supv had to approve my combination. And the DOT officer told me to combination the truck and the trailer for the amount of the truck plus the amount of the trailer. And my opinion is if its elegal then the DMV shouldn't give plates out for that amount...
 
All the stories about any GCWR doesn't work here in PA. When I conbi tagged my L-8000 wrecked I needed a paper with the FACTORY GCWR to go along with the other papers to DOT in Harrisburg. Mine was 60,000 GCWR but I kept it under 54,000 to get past the annual heavy duty road tax. Lawn care guys and building contractors are the ones that get nailed around here for no combi tags on their trucks.
 
Virginia DMV says: (Item #1 is key)

Operators of vehicles having a manufacturer’s gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more or a combination of
vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR)
of 26,001 pounds or more if the vehicle(s) being towed has
a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds are required to hold a
valid CDL permit.
The following situations exempt operators of certain
vehicles from the CDL requirements.
1. Operation of a vehicle for personal use only, such as
a recreational vehicle or truck to move your personal
belongings.
2. Operation of a fire truck or other emergency vehicle.
3. Operation of a farm vehicle that meets all of the
following conditions:
 Controlled and operated by a farmer.
 Used to transport agricultural products, farm
machinery or farm supplies to and from a farm.
 Strictly for farm use and not used in the
operation of a common or contract motor carrier.
 Used within 150 miles of the vehicle owner’s
farm.
4. Operation of a vehicle for military purposes while the
operator is on active duty
 

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