Just don't go too heavy/ DOT issues.

In South Carolina the usual exemptions from having a CDL apply BUT, we also have a class E and class F license that are the Non-Commercial equivelents of a CDL B or CDL A. For example, if your RV motorhome weighs over 26,001# then you don't need a CDL but you DO need a class E. Same with an RV combination (truck and 5th wheel over 26,001# GCWR) then a class F must be in the wallet.

No big deal right! Not so fast, the E and F have the exact same written, practical, and medical requirements as the CDL's. And they cost the same. My question is that if someone can pass all the requirements then why not get the CDL?

Makes no sense to me that RV dealers will sell a 45,000 gvw motorhome to an old couple and tell them that they can drive it with a regular license. Happened to a friend of mine and I don't have the heart to tell him this....and he has heart problems. I guess that it's just as well that his wife will not let him drive it.

CaptRon

Group A - Requires a class A CDL
Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Group B - Requires a class B CDL
Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.

Class C - Requires a class C CDL
Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that meets neither definition of Group A nor Group B, but is designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or is used in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous which require the motor vehicle to be placarded. This includes any quantity of chemical or biological material or agent posing a threat to national security including toxins.

CDL Endorsements.
T - Double or triple trailers
H - Hazardous materials
P - Passenger Vehicles
S - School Busses
N - Tank vehicles
X - Tank and Hazardous Materials

Who needs a DOT number?

ANY VEHICLE that transports passengers or property AND:

A) The vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combined vehicle weight of 10,001 pounds or more.

B) The vehicle is designed to transport more than 8 passengers.

C) The vehicle is designed to transport designated hazardous materials.

This means that anyone who does not have a US DOT number displayed on his/her vehicle must now display one. The marking requirement applies to ALL:

A) For hire carriers of passengers or household goods.

B) Intrastate and/or interstate private carriers of property.

C) Other carriers of property who are otherwise exempt from certification. Examples of "otherwise exempt carriers" include armored cars and vehicles used for carrying certain agricultural products.

I think we can dig out the rule and it will also say "in commerce". A 1 ton with a private own boat is not under the rule. John Doe with his dump bed trailer hauling dirt to his yard is not under the rule.
You need to be making money.

Now a lot of guys think they can own a single axle dump truck and when stopped just say they are hauling dirt to their yard. Yea Right. Who is going to buy a truck like that for personal use only.

The key words you need to know in this situation are... (dot rule 383.3d) "A State may, at its discretion, exempt individuals identified in paragraphs"
With that said I find it hard to believe N.M. does not have a farm exemption.

Note that individual states may impose stricter rules, so I can only speak for Colorado as far as what is and is not required. We had a presentation at a club meeting from an instructor for enforcement officers in Colorado, and what he told us is consistent with the Colorado CDL manual. For PRIVATE (not farm, that's a different set of rules) vehicles, there are no requirements for a CDL, nor are such vehicles required to stop at weigh stations. In fact, Colorado has even stopped issuing new truck plates for private vehicles. My F-350 crew cab dually has a GVW rating over 11,000 lbs, but is registered as a passenger vehicle.

One other thing to check is the definition of a recreational vehicle. Most people think of the motorhome/travel trailer type definitions, but in fact in some instances the term 'recreational' refers to any vehicle used for private, non commercial purposes.

May be worthwhile to look up the actual rules and keep a copy of them with you.

Keith

The CDL rules start at 26,001 lbs; and apply to everyone; does not matter if you are making money or not. The DOT has written some exemptions into the rule. RV vechicals and farm trucks are some big ones.
Let me try to explain this with a question.....
If the CDL rules only apply to people involved in "interstate COMMERCE".....
Then why did the dot take the time to exempt firefighters; emergency response vehicle drivers, and drivers removing snow and ice?????

Now if Colo. does not enforce the rules; then more power to you. Go for it.

I HAVE read the rules, and I know that if the vehicle weighs 26,001 pounds or more, you are required to have a CDL. It makes NO difference if you are being paid to drive it, or just hauling your own stuff to the local tractor show.

If your rig has a GCWR of 10,000 lbs or more and you make a penny from the truck moving you are under DOT rule.
You can be exempt from some of the rules if you fit into the farm exemption. If your neighbor states honor this farm exemption you can also go into another state. There are mileage limits for some of the farm rules.

Now if your rig is bigger than 26,000 lbs GCWR you move into another class and a CDL is also required. Some exemptions apply to this rule; such as the owner of a farm truck; and RV's. If the trailer is rated at 10,000 lbs or more you move into another class where a class A CDL is needed. There are other classes above this but most on this board do not use them. Doubles; HazMat; Tankers.

Everything you said may be true - for your state. In the state of WI, I can run a 10,000# truck with a 16,000# trailer and don't need a DOT number, CDL or anything.

I can even use it to deliver stuff and get paid for it. In WI, it's not concidered "commercial" and does not fit the CDL rules.

Search the WI DOT web site for a document titled
"cdl-vol1.pdf"

Page 4 CDL & CMV Guide
CMV and CDL Guide
(Examples)
1. A combination vehicle 26,001 or more pounds is a Class “A” CMV only if the trailer being towed has a gross
vehicle weight rating, registered weight or actual gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds.
2. When the weight of the combination vehicle is exactly 26,000 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.
3. When the towing vehicle is 26,000 or less pounds and the towed unit is 10,000 or less pounds, it is not a CMV
and does not require a CDL. Example: A tractor weighs 25,500 pounds and the towed unit weighs 8,000 pounds.
4. A CDL with an “N” tank vehicle endorsement is required only when the capacity of the tank is 1,000 gallons or
more and the vehicle fits the description of a CMV.
5. A CDL with a “P” passenger endorsement is required when the vehicle is designed to transport or is actually
transporting the driver and 15 or more passengers.

This is one confusing subject, every state can be different. No wonder there is a lot of misunderstanding about what is legal and what is not.

jb

I looked at the WI site and it follows right along with the federal law.

First we need to separate DOT rules into 2 parts. Part 1 is the truck and part 2 will be the driver.

Part 1
If a truck weighs 10,000 lbs or more (gross weight truck trailer and load) it CAN fall under DOT rule. The thing that makes it a CMV is based on if money changes hands and you cross a state line. If you stay in the state your state may have differant intrastate laws but if you cross a state line Federal law is now enforced.

Part 2
A driver's law starts at 26,001 lbs gross weight. So yes if your truck has a total weight of 25,500 lbs you do not fall under the law. (example 3)
But lets go back to your example of a 10,000 lb truck and a 16,000 lb trailer. That is a total of 26,000 lbs so you are 1 lb under the CDL rule. But wait your trailer is over 10,000 lbs so you now need a CDL.
WI law
Page 4 Vehicle examples #2

Straight from the WI sight..... ..
Commercial driver licenses (CDL) are required to operate vehicles that:

Weigh over 26,000 pounds, determined by the highest of the following weights: manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) manufacturer’s gross combination weight rating (GCWR) actual weight registered weight

SO as you can see you do not have to weigh 26,001 lbs to fall under CDL law. If you have a truck that is capable of hauling this weight by the manufactures weight rating you are under CDL law.

Interesting.

Your part 2, I understand and agree with.

Your part 1, is new to me. Seems like every SUV, 1/2 ton, 3/4 and 1 ton should come from the factory with a DOT number if they have a trailer package.

jb

Pulling a tractor home that you bought for personal use on your property is exempt. BUT pulling a tractor home that you bought and plan to use cutting hay with is not exempt.

The differance is making money. You cut the hay; feed it to the cows; and sell the cows. You made money from the use of the tractor.

Link to Wis law. read page 3

• Wis law