Getting Caught Driving without a CDL.....What happens????

I don't know what would happen if they were stopped without a CDL. I guess a lot depends on what type of equipment we're talking about. The boss needs to run the business right. If he requires CDL equipment, he needs CDL drivers that have been hired with the legal background checks done, etc. He can hire someone to do this, but he has to conduct business properly. If there's ever an injury or death accident, I'd say he will be forced into business and personal bankruptcy if a neglect and willful illegal operations are discovered as they no doubt will be.

I suspect law enforcement would have the vehicle impounded otherwise to answer your question.

 

If the gross weight is 26,000 or less no cdl is needed.

 

true unless its air brakes

 

Nope Penske rental trucks have air brakes and I've seen soccer moms driving them.

 

Unless it has airbrakes.

 

First, you have to determine if the vehicles you're talking about actually require a CDL. Here are the exact guidelines:

If the vehicles are required to be operated by a CDL driver, then there can be some heavy penalties if they are caught.

Driving without a CDL, or suspended CDL, incurs a civil penalty of up to $2,500 or, in aggravated cases, criminal penalties of up to $5,000 in fines and/or up to 90 days in prison. An employer is also subject to a penalty of up to $10,000, if they knowingly permit a driver to operate a CMV without a valid CDL.

 

They also go by the GVWR on both truck and trailer. They use actual weight if the driver is cdl. If not they use GCVWR.

 

No again. Unless being used for hazmat or transporting 16 or more passengers.

 

Yeah, air brakes are not a determination of a CMV. It all goes on weight.

So, if your boss is running straight flatbed trucks that don't weigh more than 26,001 lbs, they don't even require a CDL. It really all depends on the exact equipment.

EDIT: Let me kinda rephrase that. The GVWR is the declared weight of the vehicle assuming its loaded to capacity or legal limit. So if the trucks he's using are designed to carry more than 26,001 lbs, they need a CDL. He can't get past the requirement by only loading 25,000 lbs on the truck. Just wanted to be clear on that.