Vehicle with Air Brakes under 26,000 GVWR

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by Flying Dutchman, May 28, 2015.

  1. Flying Dutchman

    Flying Dutchman Road Train Member

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    I have a scenario that some of you on here may be able to shed some light on:

    Where I work (in California only), we have a Ford F800 dump truck used to deliver landscape materials to homeowners, small job sites, etc. The delivery radius of this truck does not include any DOT scales nor has it encountered a roadside inspection ever, it is only subject to Highway Patrol and local LE if the driver were to be pulled over for a traffic violation. Specs as follows:
    26,000 max GVWR
    6 spd manual trans
    air brakes
    2 axles - steer axle and drive axle


    Primary question: Is there any level of commercial license/air brake endorsement needed to operate this vehicle legally in California?

    Other info: a truck of this size can be rented from U-Haul or United Rentals any day of the week with a regular Class C license due to the GVWR, however, those vehicles do not have air brakes. Do the air brakes on this particular vehicle require the need for an air brake endorsement on your license? In the past (10+ years ago), we were told a company-administered air brake knowledge test on file would be sufficient with no modifications to your actual license from the DMV. Extensive googling has yeilded no information to support that claim.
     
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  3. truckon

    truckon Swamp Thing

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    What does the California DMV/DOT say?
     
  4. RSQ20

    RSQ20 Medium Load Member

    Hey! that like going to the mother lode...

    ... Philip
     
  5. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I wouldn't bother asking the DOT out there. Ask 10 different cops and get 10 different answers. Go to the DMV and talk to them. Air brakes is not an endorsement on a CDL. If you don't have it it will be listed as a restriction. Like having to wear glasses when driving would be a restrtiction. I know that in some cases Ca requires a class "C" CDL. I had to have one many years ago when I drove a delivery van for a package delivery company. Delivered Hazmat sometimes so I had to have a Class C Commericial with the Hazmat endoresement.
     
  6. Flying Dutchman

    Flying Dutchman Road Train Member

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    I understand that airbrakes is not an endorsement, but it is a test given when you apply for a CDL. Should a driver for this truck be prepared to obtain a Class C CDL with air brake test completed? Or since the GVWR is under 26,000 (which is the max allowed under a standard Class C license in CA) are the airbrakes overlooked?

    I agree with the 10 cops/10 answers statement, that is what sparked this whole conversation at work. There is no info regarding this in any DMV handbook, it is simply not addressed.
     
  7. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    I always thought, if the truck has air brakes you need to have air brake endorsement on your license to operate that vehicle. If you have to get a CDL to have a license to get that endorsement. That is what you need to do.
     
  8. Ntrdr101

    Ntrdr101 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 13, 2015
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    Hello,

    The current California DMV Truckers Handbook states 26,000 gvwr and above requires CDL, anything less and with only 2 axles regardless of airbrakes is a class c.

    Hope that helps.
     
    truckon Thanks this.
  9. Ntrdr101

    Ntrdr101 Bobtail Member

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    It is addressed in the California DMV Truckers Handbook.
     
  10. Flying Dutchman

    Flying Dutchman Road Train Member

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    Thanks Ntrdr101 I must have overlooked it in both handbooks.
     
  11. ITS62

    ITS62 Light Load Member

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    Any class C driver can drive that truck in CA. There is NO air brake endorsement required for a vehicle under 26,000lbs GVW.

    Any commercial vehicle over 10,000lbs GVW IS subject to log books however and current medical IF they have a commercial class A, B or C. Technically you are reaquired to have a medical for ANY commercial vehicle over 10K GVW, commercial CDL or not but all our guys that have non CDL never get pestered on that.
     
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