TL;DR 26,000 lbs GCWR is the max for a regular drivers license.

I spent several hours yesterday racking my brain trying to understand DOT regulations. I eventually emailed the Iowa DOT and they answered my questions. I thought I would share what I learned with the FTE hivemind and hopefully help out others here or coming from google.

Background: I have a 9,000 GVWR pickup and am looking to purchase a dump trailer. My license is a regular class C license. I live in Iowa but from my understanding the laws are mostly federal.

1. Truck GVWR + Trailer GVWR = GCWR
I found tons of conflicting information about these definitions on the DOT website so it was nice for customer support to clear it up.

2. 26,000 lbs is the max GCWR for non CDL drivers
The DOT laws were confusing when it came to what was considered "commerce." From the way the law is worded it seems like the laws are only applicable to "commercial drivers" and a home owner towing for residential purposes would be exempt. Customer support said 26,000 lbs GCWR max, period. No exemptions. (unless your a farmer)

3. 10,001 lbs GVWR is not the limit for a trailer for non CDL drivers
Again, there was lots of confusion on the DOT website about trailer GVWR. It appeared to say that 10,001 lbs GVWR is the max trailer GVWR for non CDL drivers. Customer support said there is no limit on trailer GVWR as long as your GCWR is under 26,000.

These laws really shine a light on how nonsensical and out dated our laws are. For example.
-It is legal to tow a 20,000 lbs GVWR trailer with a 5,000 lbs GVWR Ford Ranger.
-It is illegal to tow a 14,000 lbs GVWR trailer with a 14,000 lbs GVWR 1 ton dually diesel.
Further proof that our law makers are complete morons.

A sensical law would state "Do not exceed the recommended GCVW for your vehicle, up to and including a 1 ton. Trucks larger than 1 ton will require a CDL." Unfortunately the purpose of government has shifted from "protecting people" to "how much money can we skim from people."

 

So it saying total truck and trailer not be over 26K for non cdl.


I agree with your sensical law theory

 

I spent two weeks trying to figure this out. I just got a 2008 F 450 and i have a 22 foot gooseneck. The truck gvwr is 14,500 and the trailer gvwr is 17,500. My tractor weighs about 3,000 I finally got in touch with some one at the TN dmv that said they sell so many farm tags there that i should just get one for 38,000 and put semi tags on the trailer that i already have. I never drive out of atate and if i did i wouldn't be driving it. I just haul my tractor and small back hoe between the two property's is all i wanted. I was told i don't need a medical card for the added A indorsement in tn so if i don't i will get this later. Health issues limit me to medical card

 

You should contact the DMV via email and print out the whole conversation and stick it in the glove box. Then if you ever get stopped you can just show the officer the email.

 

In many states, the rules go on and on and then you get to the line that "exempts Recreational Vehicles from the above stipulations".

 

CDL has ag exemptions. This is from your TN. CDL manual:

"1.5 – Exemptions Exemptions from Commercial Driver License: the following drivers are not required to obtain a CDL in Tennessee: 1. Farmers or nurserymen transporting agricultural products, farm machinery or farm supplies to and from a farm or nursery, as long as the vehicle is operated inside the state of Tennessee within 150 miles of the farm or nursery, and is not used as a common or contract motor carrier."


From this site:
https://cdltn.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/a...he-CDL-Manual-

 

OK, I sent them an email with what i am trying to find out and i will print out the answer and carry this with me and also print out the page from the cdl manual. Thanks'

 

Yeah, the laws there are odd. Some states also have a recreational CDL, I believe Texas does. Something about "personal commercial drivers' license" sounds weird to me. I could pull a gooseneck all day at 33,800 GCWR, as long as I stay under 20,000 combined (my truck's rating) for personal or ag purposes, in Ohio.

Someone tell the RV'ers with their sweet half tons that axle ratings still apply... I see squatted F150s and Tundras riding on the rear bumpstops all the time.

 

You are close. Texas has a non-commercial class A DL (which is not a CDL).

 

Well i was getting the weight for the trailer from the web site for big tex. I double checked the plate on the trailer today and it shows 7954 for the gvwr and not 17,500 like the web page, so i am well under 26,000 lbs. About 23,187 and this leaves plenty of room for my small tractor. Beat my head for two weeks for nothing

 

I called the Nashville CDL office yesterday and I told them the 16,000 GVWR of the truck and 7954 GVWR of the trailer. 23,954 total. They told me the state of TN only goes by the two added together and the weight of what you carry on the trailer is not added to this weight. I was told I DO NOT need a CDL to pull my 22 foot gooseneck.

 

The CDL flowchart needs to be a sticky and read first.

This is federal and all 50 states apply it universally. There are exemptions for agriculture that may be different in each states.

Question 1: Is the vehicle a combination vehicle? A combination vehicle is power unit and trailer.

If you answered yes lets go to question 2.

Question 2: Is the gross vehicle weight rating greater than 26,000 pounds? Not empty weight. What are the ratings are from the manufacturer. With fingers and toes, calculator or abacus add up the two sets of numbers.

If you answered yes go to question 3:

Question 3: Is the weight rating of the trailer greater than 10,000 pounds?

If you answer yes, you need a class A CDL. Now, there are exemptions. Is it a fire truck? Is it a farm vehicle? is it an RV? If you answer yes to those last three the answer is now. Within limits.

Covered farm vehicles apply to your own state and 150 miles from your home place. (Up to 150 miles interstate.)

If the vehicle is a single unit greater than 26,000 pounds and doesn’t meet the exceptions then you need a class B CDL.

A class C CDL is for vehicles under 26,000 pounds to include vehicles carrying hazardous materials requiring a placard or carrying 16 or more passengers including the driver.

 

I agree, I called the CDL office in Nashville and they told me since the GVWR of my truck is 16,000 and the trailer is GVWR is 7945 my total GVWR is 23,187. I ask about the weight of the load and i was told the load don't matter. It is just the truck and trailer total GVWR and since i am under this i do not need a CDL

 

According to this it does not mention any load carried. Just truck and trailer. This is what the CDL office went by when i called.

 

Thread is now a sticky, So much better than repeating all of this time and again.

BTW Maryland also has a non commercial class A.