RV/5th wheel delivery

I have seen drive away and that is also an interesting thought. They also do that with motorized RVs, but I think they want more OTR experience for that. I believe they let you use a tow car and certainly using a Saturn would make backhauls way cheaper. Thanks for the idea, I'll look into that.

 

FDOT told me that a CDL is only required if you have a combined weight of 26,001 or are hauling a 10,000 Lb HAZMAT trailer. They told me that if it's just cars or freight it's exempt. What did I miss?

 

OK, here it is. It's been a few years since I did legal interpretation of law, but allow me to put my interpretation below each subsection and please, let me know if you think I've interpreted something incorrectly:
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Subpart F — Vehicle Groups and Endorsements
§383.91 Commercial motor vehicle groups.
(a) Vehicle group descriptions. Each driver applicant must possess and be tested on his/her knowledge and skills, described in subpart G of this part, for the commercial motor vehicle group(s) for which he/she desires a CDL. The commercial motor vehicle groups are as follows:
(a)(1) Combination vehicle (Group A) — Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds).

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A tractor/trailer where the combined weight is 26K AND the trailer(s) weight more than 10K. Simple.
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(a)(2) Heavy Straight Vehicle (Group B) — Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more), or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) GVWR.

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A single vehicle weighing over 26K or a vehicle over 26K towing anything.
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(a)(3)Small Vehicle (Group C) — Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that meets neither the definition of Group A nor that of Group B as contained in this section, but that either is designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or is used in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for the purposes of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and which require the motor vehicle to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR part 172, subpart F).

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Any vehicle carrying 16 or more passengers for hire (incl driver) or carrying hazardous materials.

The above definitions do not include a pickup weighing under 26K and towing a trailer, unless the combied weight exceeds 26K.

Therefore, if I have a Ford F350 weighing 7K lbs and pull a trailer with a gross loaded weight of 18K lbs, that equals 25K lbs and I'm exempt from the CDL. If you can point me to some regulation that states otherwise, please do.

 

Then there's this from Florida DOT's website:

A CDL is a commercial driver license, which is required when you drive the following vehicles:
· Trucks or combinations with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) that exceeds 26,000 lbs. If present, a towed unit should weigh more than 10,000 lbs.
· Trucks with a GVWR that exceeds 26,000 lbs.
· Vehicles transporting hazardous materials in amounts requiring placards, or made to transport more than 15 people (driver included), with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less.

I don't think I need a CDL, however, I believe I can still get a MC#, must keep a logbook, stop at scales and meet inspection requirements. My insurance guy said he understands it this way and has several dozen clients doing exactly this. I've also talked to a couple of RV transport companies that say you do not need a CDL to deliver 5th wheels, as long as you are under 26K GVW. Some said they require it, but that the law does not. Others say they don't require it, as long as you have a clean MVR and some towing experience.

I've got a call in to FDOT to verify all of this, but I think this is correct.

 

WOW! OK, I called the local FDOT Motor Carrier Compliance Office and spoke to a Lt. there. She said that if the trailer has a GVWR or over 10K you must have a CDL A, regardless of compined GVWR. I Told her that was not my interpretation, so we both looked at the statute and their flow chart in the Com Driver Lic Manual. It said what I said, but she still kept disagreeing. I knwew I was right but thanked her. She said she had written multiple tickets for trailers over 10K GVWR where the combined GVWR was under 26K and nobody had fought them. Boy is that a shame.

Next I called the distict office in Lake City and talked to a Sargent who gave me the same answer as she did. I did not get into it with him as deeply as with her.

Then I called the headquarters in Tallahassee and spoke to a Major. I explained the situation as a truck with a GVWR of 7K pulling a trailer with GVWR of 18K for total 25K. He confirmed that no CDL is required and that the 10K rule ONLY comes into effect when combined GVWR is in excess of 26K. I told him I had gotten a wrong answer from two of his field officers and that this is apparently widely misunderstood. He said he would clarify this to his field offices.

I'm guessing once I start doing this I will get ticketed. I will fight it and I will win. The law is on my side.

The following is right out of the Florida Commercial Driver's Handbook. Read it carefully, especially the flow chart. Am I right or what?

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There is a federal requirement that each state have minimum standards for the licensing of commercial drivers.
This manual provides driver license testing information for drivers who wish to have a commercial driver license (CDL). This manual does NOT provide information on all the federal and state requirements needed before you can drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). Information for CMV operation requirements may be obtained from the Florida Department of Transportation, Office of Motor Carrier Compliance, or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
You must have a CDL to operate:

• Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
• A trailer with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds if the gross combination weight rating (GCWR) is 26,001 pounds or more.
• A vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver).
• Any size vehicle that is used in the transportation of any material that requires hazardous materials placards or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR 73.

To get a CDL, you must pass knowledge and skills tests. This manual will help you pass the tests. This manual is not a substitute for a truck driver training class or program. Formal training is the most reliable way to learn the many special skills required for safely driving a large commercial vehicle and becoming a professional driver in the trucking industry.
Figure 1.1 helps you determine if you need a CDL.

Figure 1-1​