Do you need a Class A in order to tow a vehicle over 10,000 lbs

It's is NOT just the actual weight of the vehicles but the Gross Weight Rating and Gross Combination Weight Rating GCWR that determine if the CDL-A is required. The vehicle and the trailer should have a sticker or data plate on them. On that sticker or plate should be listed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or Gross Combination Weight Rating, the maximum the manufacturer certifies can be carried. If the truck CAN pull 10,001 pounds or more, OR if the combined CAPACITY of the truck and trailer can weigh 26,001 pounds or more then a CDL-A is required. The DOT watches like a hawk for those over-loading non-CDL trucks/trailers. So you both have to pay attention to the actual weight and the GVWR and Gross Combination Weight Rating. If you overload a non-CDL truck or trailer, you trigger the CDL-A requirement. If you drive a truck and trailer combination, either if which have the rated capacity over 26,000 (truck) or 10,000 trailer you trigger the CDL-A requirement. There are plenty of shady hotshot drivers using non-CDL trucks or trailer and trying to pull CDL loads. The DOT is looking for them at weigh stations, both permanent and temporary.

 

It doesn't go by weight

Look at the weight rating (GVWR)

 

Two Scotts posting at the same time

What are the odds...

 

ha ha

 

I've ventured into the snake pit of answering this very question more than once. I've given up.

I've been called an idiot with no education, an imbecile, and any other name you can imagine. I've provided the regulations as they are written, and was called a liar.

But I will say this. I was running a '95 F350, single rear wheel pickup towing a 24 foot gooseneck trailer, rated for 14000 pounds. I was hauling a John Deere compact tractor which weighed about 6000 pounds, and got stopped by PA DOT.

I was put out of service for no log book, given a bunch of tickets for the truck not being registered properly for the weight I was hauling, and told I needed a Class A to run it ( I had that going for me at least). According to the cop, any trailer over 10001 pounds GVWR places you into Class A territory. I argued that because the truck was registered for 8500 and the trailer was 14k, and my total gross weight was nowhere near the combined 22500 GVWR, I shouldn't need a Class A, because the combination was under 26001lbs. He educated me that day on HIS interpretation of the law. Showed me the door sticker with the maximum GCVWR. Said the truck needs to have a combination license, which it didn't. So I was given a ticket for being overweight. He said with the truck registered as it was, at 8500, I was probably overweight with just an empty trailer.

Long story short, I ended up calling my boss (who got me in this mess to begin with), he comes with the tractor trailer, we loaded the gooseneck trailer on the lowboy (with the compact tractor still on the gooseneck mind you) and made the 3 hour drive home. Thank God I was in the pickup by myself because I probably would be in jail if I'd had to ride back with him.

 

I think the answer to this question can be found in 383.91 (a).

(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:

(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).
(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.
(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 hazardous materials as defined in § 383.5.

I fail to see anywhere in (a) that is vague.