I got the attached docs from the guy who did our DOT audit. Hopefully they help clarify some CDL questions.

http://www.fortjake.com/fte/IL%20CDL.pdf



Ironically enough, I went to my states DMV with my f250 and a equiptment trailer on back attempting to get a Class C licience. They told me they would not test me as the GVWR of my truck is less than 16k lbs and they do not care how much I tow.

 

bttt <!!!!!>

 

the law say that the vehicle must weigh 26,001 lbs (class B) or more and the trailer has to weigh 10,001 lbs or more(class A).

 

Really? could you point me to it?

 

The best thing to do is to go to your DMV and pick up the latest book. They should be free. At least they are in WI. I got that info off the back of my liscense.

 

Illinois book is online, Seems the law here is GVWR not GVW
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/de...nse_class.html

 

[QUOTE=jake00]Illinois book is online, Seems the law here is GVWR not GVW
QUOTE]

Jake00,

You hit the nail on the head, The CDL requirements (which are set by the federal government and copied by the states) are mandated based on the GVWR or GCVWR (depending on straight truck or truck & trailer combo) the manufacture assigns to the vehicle. The exception to this rule is Farm trucks, RV's and vehicles hauling passengers for hire.
This is why the F350 DRW Tow Boss has a GCVWR of 26000 lbs. If they take it to 26001 or greater then a CDL would be required.

 

but that would only apply while towing right? my reasoning is that if not towing, its a "single vehicle"(straight truck) and GCWR wouldnt apply.

 

jake00,

That is correct, the straight truck is regulated by its GVWR that is assigned by the vehicle manufacture. Therefore if the GVWR is less than 26001 no CDL. If a straight truck is rated at a GVWR of 26001 or greater then you need at least a Class B CDL, and that will let you tow a trailer with a GVWR of less than 10001, if you tow a trailer that has a GVWR (on the sticker from the manufacture) greater than 10,000 with a straight truck that has a GVWR of 26001 or greater then you need a Class A CDL. There are some exceptions to this when dealing with Hazardous, Tow for hire and carrying passengers. Also Farm/Ranch trucks and RV's are exempt (Some states do require additional steps for licensing their state residents that have large RV's, but there is no federal rule requiring special licenses for RV's)

Here is a link to the Federal gov't site with the national CDL requirements.
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registratio...ng/cdl/cdl.htm

Also the illinois website link you posted, has additional requirements for a Class C license for state residents that the Federal regulations do not have. The GVWR 16001 - 26000 lb rule does not apply in Federal standards. Only the hazardous and multipassenger for hire. The Illinois 4 classifications of licenses are similar the the Federal CDL requirements, but since the Class C and Class D have additional requirements they only pertain to state residents, and commercial carriers doing intrastate transport only in Illinois. Out of state residents and Interstate carries only have to follow Federal law and their particular state of residence laws.

Hope this helps

 

I checked with the Florida DMV.yesterday and asked about the Class D license and was told it has been replaced by the Class E license,which I was given the last time I renewd my license. Hayman4353

 

Hayman4353,

A little futher clarification is in order. The license lettering system can become confusing in a hurry do to overlap between the states and the federal government.

The CDL requirements are administered by the Federal government for all commercial motor vehicles (CMV) as defined under federal law. Anyone who falls into one of the 3 categories of the Federal CDL requirements must carry a Class A,B or C CDL. Each state is intrusted to test and issue the federal CDL to there state residents. The states CDL requirements must meet the Federal requirements for the CDL, this covers all Interstate travel.

In addition, each state may also have additional classes of licenses and additional requirements for vehicles not covered in the federal CDL rules. Each states additional classes of licenses covers Only that states residents and Intrastate only commercial carriers.

In the original post and question by "jake00" jake posted the requirements for his state of residency (Illinois). Illinois has rquirements for vehicles with a GVWR of 16,000-26,000 that the federal CDL requirements do not address. Also Illinois has a class D license. These requirements only pertain to residents of Illinois and do not effect non-residents.

Hayman4353 your state of residence Florida has different classes of licenses than the state of Illinois for its state residents. States are not limited on how they name (class of license label) except that the Class A,B & C licenses must meet at least the federal CDL requirements to be named that class. Other name classes of licenses D-Z can be used by the states at there choosing and preference.

This is a long explination of the confusion that arises in the overlap between the Federal CDL Class A,B & C licenses and each individual States classification of licenses. Each states licensing requirements cover only their Residents and Intrastate only commercial carriers. The Federal CDL requirements cover Interstate commercial carriers. The states cannot impose stricter licensing rules on Non-resident Interstate commercial carriers than allowed by Federal CDL requirements.

Hope this helps

 

You don't need a CDL C for your truck but if you want one you’re just going to have to borrow a heavier truck without air brakes to test in. Why did you want this anyway? If you just want to cover your weight then IL has a series of non-CDL licenses that will cover you. There's more classifications available then the ones you've shown us. If I can dig up the info I'll pass it on. Just so you know though, to test for a non-CDL license you still have to be plated for the weight. Is your truck even plated for what you're doing? A high enough plate should exempt you from emissions too but they'll want to know why need such a big plate.

EDIT:
Checked on it Jake. If you are hauling more then you're plated and licensed for then you need to do some upgrading. From what you're saying you don't need a CDL but rather a non-CDL class C. Call or stop in a DMV and ask about the non-cdl info. I'm surprised they didn't mention this to you before but I'm guessing your not even plated heavy enough for what you need. If you're not plated for it, you can't test for it. Good Luck. FYI I went through all this too when I lived in IL.

 

I just figured I'd get a class C for "future needs".

really? the IL dmv website doesnt list them?

 

Yes really. Been there done that. I held an IL class B non-cdl for over a year untill I got my actual CDL. I got my non-CDL out of Morris and my CDL out of Decalb.

 

In Calif I took the test in my 77 F250 pulling my 21 foot 5th wheel.Done this so I could pull my 14' alum boat behind (doubles)
My Class A with a Tripple endorsment is restructed to NO AIR BRAKES ,GVWR LESS THEN 26,001 AND GVWR OF VEHICLES (S) BEING TOWED IS IN EXCESS OF 10,000 LBS.
WORKS FOR ME. Don