Driving a privately owned Semi

First of all it would not be on FMCSA since they control COMMERCIAL vehicles, and your CDL means COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE. Owning a private NOT FOR HIRE rig and you are not commercial. According to what I can read this varies widely by state, and is not federally controlled--but it is controlled by the state of the origin of the license held by the person who is driving. According to what I have read, if you are commercial you would be carying a DOT number, a private rig would not be. Although most lawyers say that it is a good idea to have a CDL, you are not actaully required to in most states, although in some state you are required to have an endorsement kinda like a RV endorsement. Most of these private semis are actually motor homes, but they are as big as a regular truck that we all drive and are a combo-vehicle. Also, the regulations (FMCSA)specifically state that if you ar a farm truck -not for hire, the driver does not have to carry a CDL if he/she is running no more than 150 miles radius from the base either interstate or intrastate. But like I said this is not controlled federally it it controlled by the states. Check your state regs.

 

The license would be necessary also, since a semi has air brakes.

 

just a thought, if you have nothing to hide than don't try to hide. grab a log book and cross the scales than you know you will be fine, also we are all assuming you are just bobtailing if you are planning to haul a load with you I would deffinatly have all your I's crossed and your T's dotted

 

the class of license you have (along with restrictions, endorsements, etc.) has to do with the weight of the vehicle/rig, NOT whether or not you're driving it for money (commercial/private.) good luck driving a 30,000 lbs. rig with a regular driver's license. also, good luck bypassing weigh stations driving a tractor trailer. (if you're overweight, I'm sure they'll just let you go if you're "private.")

 

My opinion, based on what I've read on Ohio law and FMCSA... You need a CDL period since thats the only way you can get Airbrake and "A" weight class endorsements.

The Logging part I'd say no. Its like "Logs" posted on the 34 hour restart. You're "off duty" when driving a semi as long as you're not under dispatch and FMCSA specifically addresses this in their FAQ, question 25 I believe.

That said... you're driving a vehicle that is very rarely seen in private use. No markings.... plan on lots of time spent in scales explaining why there are no markings on the truck. It may actually help to put some "private use vehicle/not for hire" markings on the truck. Also assuming your story is beleived be prepared for claims that the vehicle itself is still subject to FMCSA equipment standards, so plan on several level 1 inspections.

 

The only way you do not need a cdl is if it is a registered farm truck, emergency vehicle,military.
You need to read a cdl manaul anything over XXX weight the driver must have a cdl with all the proper endorsements to opperate that vehicle.


here is my supporting info came from the colorado cdl manaul which is pretty much the same from state to state.


You must have a CDL to operate:

[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Any motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-ing (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Arial] Any vehicle that is designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Arial] Any vehicle transporting hazardous material and is required to be placarded in accordance with 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 172, Sub-part F. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Arial]The following vehicles are exempt from the CDL requirements. Commercial Motor Vehicle does not include: [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Arial] CMVs operated by military personnel for military purposes. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Arial] Any farm vehicles: [/FONT]

[/FONT][FONT=Wingdings,Wingdings][FONT=Wingdings,Wingdings]�� [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Controlled and operated by a farmer; [/FONT]

[/FONT][FONT=Wingdings,Wingdings][FONT=Wingdings,Wingdings]�� [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Used to transport agriculture products, farm ma-chinery, or farm supplies to or from a farm; [/FONT]

[/FONT][FONT=Wingdings,Wingdings][FONT=Wingdings,Wingdings]�� [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Used within 150 miles of the person's farm; [/FONT]

[/FONT][FONT=Wingdings,Wingdings][FONT=Wingdings,Wingdings]�� [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Not used in the operation of a common or con-tract motor carrier. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Arial] Firefighting Equipment. Necessary to the preser-vation of life and property or the execution of emergency governmental functions; emergency equipment such as a fire truck, hook and ladder, [/FONT]

Exempt Vehicles:

• Recreation vehicles used for recreational purposes.
• Military vehicles driven by military personnel.
• Firefighting equipment.
• Emergency Snow Plowing during emergency snow removal operations.
• Farm vehicle when controlled and operated by a farmer within 150 miles of the person's farm.

[/FONT]

 

By the information you cited, MGassel, he doesn't need the CDL to drive it. I've seen a fair share of semis disguised as RV's.

Some states say for commercial vehicles to enter scales. Some say for vehicles over a certain weight to enter scales.

Even though certain states may not require you to have the CDL to drive the semi disguised as an RV, you have to know the regulations of each state you travel through. Personally, I don't want you on the road if you don't have something saying you know how to drive that. Even when I was driving straight truck or semi on the farm, I had my F (farm) endorsement.

 

The exception is if the rig is registered as an RV. Such as a Marathon Coach or Kingsley Coach.



This rig and a number of others like it, including bus conversion coaches also utilize air brakes but do not require a CDL. It all really depends on what the application is. This is a combo rig, that also is private, that still does not require a CDL.



So, it really depends on how the rig is registered. DO NOT drive one without the proper CDL if the rig has ANY commercial graphics. Such as sponsors. Also do not drive it if you are doing so in exchange for money.

 

Now, I will be the first one to scream that these types of "RV"s SHOULD require a CDL. Because unleashing one of these bad boys to an inexperienced driver would be criminal. But the truth is, these rigs have a very low accident rate.

 

I bought a couple of Freightliner FL70s a few years ago for an industrial application. In going through the literature when putting the order together, the high HP engine (which I needed) was only available when ordered as either a fire truck or motorhome, but not as a commercial/industrial application. Sure, give the shriveled up old guy whose previous "large vehicle" experience was a Taurus wagon, and he has to be boosted up into the driver's seat by his wife the big HP, but not me.