Georgia CDL Restriction "O" - Tractor Trailer

Hello everybody, my name is Scott, I just got my Class A yesterday, but was placed with an "O" restriction and have a question.

So the scenario is I tested in a 2007 Freightliner M2 Sport Chasis (19,500 GVWR on the sticker) with a fifth wheel / kingpin coupling pulling a 43" enclosed motorsports trailer (16,800 GVWR). The Freightliner is automatic with hydraulic brakes, air system only controls the parking brake and the air bag suspension, so I have an L and E restriction, which is appropriate, not allowing me to drive manual or air brake equipped combinations.

However, they have placed an "O" restriction, which means I tested in a truck-trailer combination and that I cannot operate a tractor-trailer combination.

The issue I have is first, the Freightliner is registered as a Tractor, and according to the US DOT FMCSA Definitions, it meets the definition of a "Tractor";

(c) Semitrailer means any motor vehicle, other than a pole trailer, which is designed to be drawn by another motor vehicle and is constructed so that some part of its weight rests upon the self-propelled towing motor vehicle.
Truck means any self-propelled commercial motor vehicle except a truck tractor, designed and/or used for the transportation of property.
Truck tractor means a self-propelled commercial motor vehicle designed and/or used primarily for drawing other vehicles.

Second, I called the Georiga Motor Carrier Compliance Division and spoke with an inspector at a weigh station who advised that if I was driving the combination that I tested in, which is registered as a tractor, and meets the minimum 26,001+GWVR combination weight minimum for a class A, that I cannot drive it with an "O" restriction, and that restriction needs to be moved.

Third, both of my co-workers tested with the exact same setup at two different offices at two different times, and did not receive an "O" restriction.

So I went back to the DDS office where I tested, spoke with the test proctor as well as the location's manager, who continued to advise that I am not driving a tractor-trailer, as to be considered a "tractor", the tractor itself has to be over 26,001 GVWR, but could not supply where in the CDL manual or Georgia code it stated such. I continued to show them what the US DOT considers a tractor, and that the vehicle is registered as a tractor, as well as the Georgia MCCD Inspector advised me, but all of that information was dismissed.

Does anyone have any advise or shed any more light on this? It's near impossible to find definitions and more details on the "O" restriction.

Thanks for your help.

-Scott

 

Haha, I like my "dinky" truck! I don't plan on running any big rig, this is the biggest I'll be using (It's all I need for towing a 2 car aluminum trailer to race tracks around the country).

Yeah, that has been the hard part - obtaining the definitions of the tractor trailer for the State of Georgia, and getting anything in writing from them to support what they are saying. The first lady I talked to on the phone said it's not a tractor because it doesn't have air brakes and isn't manual, then I asked her where she got that info and I cited the US DOT definition, and she had no response and just told me to go to the DDS office.

The DDS office is consulting the person who oversees all CDL licensing for clarification, as well as speaking with MCCD.

And just for clarification, I did receive my Class A - just with an "O", "L" and "E" restriction.

 

Took it at Milledgeville