First off, welcome to FTE!
CDL requirements do vary from state to state which makes it confusing. What state are you in? Somebody on here might be able to help you out on that. Personally, horses I think are agriculture. A farm tag on your truck should exempt you from any requirements I would think. Transportation for hire does open up another are though. I would think at the most you might be required to get would be a DOT number on your truck and a medical card. If you get a DOT number, and you don't leave the state, get it for the state you live in only, and have it put on a magnet. Put it on your truck when hauling for hire, and take it off when it's your personal vehicle. If you've been operating for a while and no one has questioned you, I personally wouldn't change what I'm doing without first talking to your circuit clerk, or whoever does the licensing in your state. Don't get it if you don't need it.

 

I'm in Texas and I'm not concerned about trailering my OWN horses, but am concerned about charging to haul others.

 

I didn't bother with all 7 pages, but this is true.

In MI, you'd need a class A license, but not necisarily a CDL.

There may be some sort of farm exception too in many states.

generally you are safe with a regular license if under 26,000.

 

Call your state patrol and ask them.

 

My 9900 GVW F350 with a trailer 16,001 GVW will not need CDL, 16,002 GVW or more will if it is used as a business. Been pulled over by DOT and to court. In Ohio. For personal use I can put whatever GVW trailer I want behind it. The DOT in Ohio look for pickups and trailers that appear to be business related, landscapers with duallies and trailers of any kind or singles with tri-axle or tandem duals. Easy money for the state.

 

As stated, requirements are different in each state, but generally you will not be bothered as long as you do not have a business name or business graphics on the truck or trailer.

 

Be more concerned about liability insurance - this is not legal advice - reporting experience - if you are even just getting "gas money" for transporting something you might need commercial insurance on your vehicle- most policies have disclaminer's in the first few items that they will not pay if the vehicle is being used "for hire" and AAA insurance company says even if you are just getting "gas money" for towing or moving or hauling someone else's property you need commercial insurance.

 

You need to see how your policy reads...

 

I agree completely - need to read and fully understand you own individual insurance policy - being properly covered insurance wise might be more of a concern towing your friends horses than if you need a CDL or not.

Most people do not consider the insurance ramifications of towing, many insurance companies consider "cost sharing" as towing for hire. I was amazed when I found this out - something as simple as one guy with truck and trailer going from NJ to Daytona Bike week with 5 of his friend's bikes in a trailer - has an accident - is honest with the trooper and when asked who's bikes they were - tells the trooper that he is bringing them down for his friends and they are paying for his gas. Trooper has no concerns about a CDL but includes that the bikes were not stolen they were being transported by a friend for "gas money". The trooper includes this in his accident investigation report.

Insurance company picked up on that and refused to pay.

So I am not preaching - not saying it's this way all the time 100% of the cases. Just sharing - insurance coverage might be more of a concern than a CDL.

 

Better not get pulled over...

 

I have a CLASS B - NON CDL to drive fire equipment > 25,999 pounds....Chester is correct, I see where he is going. I can also get a Class A NON-CDL to drive a Tiller (Hook and Ladder) but don't have a need.

OP asked if he needed a CDL, not if he needed a class A or B.

Cheers....

 

I've done better than that. I've been through weigh stations on I-75 without a commercial license. Passed random inspections without CDL, log book, etc.


In fact I've gotten tickets at those weigh stations for being overweight (1 for over 80,000lbs and several for over weight on an axle) (we don't have scales on the farm, gotta guess how to load the trailer) but never been cited for lack of a CDL, or any other matter.


The state of GA gives folks some slack if they are not hauling for hire. Makes it a lot easier and less expensive for people to own their own RV's and haul their own equipment/produce.