14K GVW trailers and the laws?

So, I called DMV and they told me that I needed a CDL since I was haling equipment. I explained that I was not for hire and used my trailer to take tractors and engines to shows. That's it...

I also heard that law differ from state to state. I often travel to Ohio, WV and NY.

So, I want to hear from other's that pull trailers in Ohio, WV and especially PA as to what the laws are? I can't seem to find anything...

Since the total weight of the two are less than 26,001 pounds, you are not required to have a noncommercial CDL. You may drive this vehicle with your regular noncommercial class c license.

I plan on carrying a copy of this response from PennDOT with me at all times.

Thanks for all the replys. I learned alot on this subject.

2 years ago my dad went through the same thing. He pulls a 14k gooseneck trailer with a 3/4 ton pickup. It gives him a gross combined weight of 19k. The New York DMV told him a CDL was not necesary since he is below the weight requirements. A DOT registration was also not needed since he does not transport saleable goods or haul for profit.

Anything registered as an RV requires no CDL no mater what size, weight or what kind of brakes it has.

The next thing is that it assumed anything with air brakes has to have a CDL. Also not true. There is no such thing as an air brake endorsement, however there is such a thing as an air brake restriction. If you go take your class A, B or even C CDL in a vehicle without air brakes your CDL will have an air brake restriction on it. I have owned a vehicle with air brakes and 25,000 lb GWR and it required no special license of any kind for anyone to operate it.

The CDL laws are supposed to be uniform between all the states after 1992. The CDL limits start at 26,001 lbs GWR or GCWR.

See, people have it backwards in their mind. Endorsements allow you to do things while restrictions require you or don't allow you to do things.

There's an air brake restriction that stops you from driving an air brake vehicle, but theres no such thing as an air brake endorsement that specifically allows you to drive one. Its really a gap in the law, a loophole... big enough to drive a truck through.

• Do I need a CDL

Trailer size does not matter till your gross weight rating crosses 26,000 lbs.
Once you cross the 26,000 lb mark the trailer size matters to tell if you need a class A or B CDL.

So the question is..... ....
What is your total GCWR????? ??

With a 3/4 ton truck you are in more trouble weighing 26,000 lbs + than just not having a CDL.

Now if you what to really open the can of worms and find the place you are not within the law lets talk DOT #'s because you do weigh over 10,000 lbs gross.

"Commercial driver's license (CDL) means a license issued by a State or other jurisdiction, in accordance with the standards contained in 49 CFR Part 383, to an individual which authorizes the individual to operate a class of a commercial motor vehicle."

The definition of a commercial vehicle is.....

Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle-

(a) Has a gross combination weight rating of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds); or

(b) Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 11,794 or more kilograms (26,001 pounds or more); or

(c) Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or

(d) Is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials as defined in this section.

Now I would like you to show me where it says a truck trailer combo that weighs 20,000 lbs needs a CDL because the trailer weighs over 10,000 lbs.
To help you I will provide a link to the rules.

• CDL rules

Look on the back of your drivers license and check the GVW. It should be 26,000#. If you are not driving for a company or hauling some type of special cargo, that weight will be the total limit of your trailer and truck as if loaded to there limit. (example) The weight of your truck plus the capacity of your trailer. (Note) The tag on your truck must meet this limit also.

The only place you are really going to have problems is crossing state lines with an over 10,000# trailer. At that point you need a USDOT number, but you really don't want to go there. You just need to know the law exist. I have had my USDOT for 4 years, never displayed it and have never crossed a scale pulling my 14,000# Cornpro with my Dually, HD2500 or my Freightliner RV.

"no matter the GVW air brakes require CDL"

Case in point..... ....
Just because your state allows a gross weight over 80,000 lbs does not mean you can run with it in my state.
Try going to Calif using 3" tie down straps that are legal in every state except Calif.

Many many differant laws as you cross state lines. Triple trailers is another.