I'm looking at buying a '90 F-800 to haul our tractors to shows and pulls. GVWR on this truck is 28,000. I can't find a straight answer on whether I can do this without a CDL. The MO CDL Handbook (p. 14-3) says this case would be exempt from requiring a CDL: "Any person driving for personal use, a commercial motor vehicle while transporting personal property, such as household goods of his/her own or another." That seems pretty clear, but I've heard too many horror stories about dealing with the DOT, and I don't expect Barney Fife to wait around on me while I look up the handbook. Does anybody have experience with this? Any suggestions? Would obtaining and maintaining a CDL be all that bad?

 

Any motor vehicle with a GVW 26,001 or higher requires a class B CDL to operate. Any trailer with a GVW of 10,000 or higher requires a class A CDL.

If the said vehicle is registered as an RV, then you do not need a CDL, UNLESS it has air brakes, then you are required to have a CDL.

Most DOT officers don't recognize the no CDL thing and they'll give you a hard time and tickets to fight in court. (which you will win) but it's a hassle nobody wants.

 

Air brakes don't require a CDL. Nor do trailers over 10k alone require class A's.

 

Well, when I got my CDL, if you operated a vehicle with air brakes, you HAD to have an air brake endorsement on your license. ......and the trailer thing was IN ADDITION to the 26,001 pound GVW truck. ie: if you operate a truck with a GVW of 26,001 pounds with a trailer with a GVW of 10,000 pounds or greater, YES you absolutely HAVE TO HAVE a class A CDL.

 

At least I tried to answer him. If you knew, why keep it to yourself?

 

And there is the problem: no straight answers to be found. I think Crete might be right if everything is kept under 26K. Not that that really applies to me.

So, let's just say DOT is the merciless bunch of jerks we all think they are and I HAVE to get a CDL. Do I have to go through truck driver training and all that or can I study the manual a bit and show up for the test in a Super Duty? Do I need a physical? Really, I don't know much about this. Walk me through it.

 

Get on the phone, call you local license/DMV place and just ask them to explain the on line regulations. Do not just take internet advice, we will not be there in court with you....get a name of who you talked to when you ask questions, face to face is a better way to do it IMO.

Have a idea on what you are wanting to drive (F-800) for "personal use", weight capability wise (GVRW 28,000) and they should be able to tell you what you need CDL wise.

Carthage License Office info‎
407 South Garrison Avenue
Carthage, MO 64836
(417) 358-6800

Or stop by and ask the what looks like a local/state truck driving testing place across from the Mid-America RV/Sutter trailer place right off US -71 on the east side and outer road.

Daniel welcome to the Mo chapter, I am in Carthage all the time. I was there last Sat and will be there this sat...Stop on by the monthly chat BS thread.

Not trying to be the bad guy here, just the in all actuality guy, cause it's those peoples JOB to help you.

 

Thanks, I'm just going to have to find somebody who knows what's up. I may stop by the testing facility sometime and see what they have to say. It's funny you mention that place...I work a mile from there and I live 3 blocks from the DMV.

Will you be in town on Maple Leaf day? We'll be at the tractor show in Central Park, look for the dyno

 

If the vehicle was certified as an RV by its manufacturer (or a later conversion company) you do not need a CDL whether or not it has airbrakes or pulls a heavy trailer.

If you are involved in some type of emergency, government, or military use of a commercial vehicle, then again, no CDL needed.

But if the vehicle was originally certified as a commercial vehicle either by title or registration, and the GVW is over 26,001 pounds, you will need a CDL if none of the above exemptions apply.

If you use it to cross state lines, you WILL fall into the federal CDL standards(including medical exams, self certification, and drug tests)...if operating in-state only, then you are only subject to the laws and rules of your state, and probably no medical will be required. Keep in mind that a CDL license holder cannot 'mask' traffic tickets by taking a driving safety course, nor can you hold more than one driver license. You will also be entered into several federal databases and your driving record is now almost public information. Also, your CDL can be suspended for certain speeding tickets, reckless driving, past child-support delinquency, and several other infractions, including much lower BAC levels after consuming alchohol. If you have high-blood pressure, diabetes, missing limbs, history of seizures, or any type of criminal record...things get interesting.

(Dont even get me started on the rules and regs for a CDL holder with a HAZMAT endorsement!)

In most states, you only have to pass the written, vision, medical, and skills test, to get your class A or B CDL. You will not need to take a 'truck-driver' school course.

Of course, these are guidelines and your state DMV will be your final go-to source.

I have had a Texas CDL license for 35 years, although before the CDL it was called Chauffeur License in Texas.

Hopefully you are slightly less confused. Go by your local DMV and see what they say.

 

What truck do I look for at the Dyno?

 

Brian, that does help some. I'll have to stop by the DMV.

Rich, I'll be walking in, not very far for me. You'll probably see my dad's rig somewhere nearby:




This contraption is the dyno, can't miss it. (That's me in the brown jacket at the operator station)




If you have something you consider show worthy, hop the curb and park it in line somewhere. We'll have our deuce-and-a-half there, too, so it won't be all stuffy car people. See this page for more info.

 

Cool looking dyno, not what I thought it was...but still real cool. I'll look you up if we get to stop by there.

 

TX2STURGIS Is spot on ! although 1 more exemption would be farm ,at least it was in my home state of Indiana ,if you had farm business you could plate truck as farm and your exempt .
I would maybe check that at your DMV if by chance you have working farm ?

 

Yep I forgot about the farm exemption, I think in Texas the range is 150 miles to and from the farm, hauling farm loads only...equipment, crops, and supplies. You still need a non-CDL Class A or B if the vehicle is over a certain weight: 26,001 pounds.

 

Yea things have changed since I drove farm trucks I didn't even have a Chauffeur License never got bugged heck it was 1994 before I had to get
CDL for commercial when I started drivn refer tractor trailer .
One more thing nothing scares them dudes in the chicken coupe's more than you caring a DOT rule book ,,get book !(PURCHASE AT ANY PETRO PILOT FLYJ TA TRUCK STOP) when they call you in, they think ya been studying
And if you have rule book you are one up on them then ,atleast you can look up what they are writing you up on and that's FEDERAL not just state.
Just some food for thought .it tells all the rule's ya need to know, TX2STURGIS would agree I'm sure he caries his to.