Do I need my cdl?!?!

Remember, it's not just under 26K in weight, but 26K in weight ratings. That means if that dually has a gvwr of 12,001 and the trailer has a pair of 7K axles for a 14k rating, you'll need a class A CDL even if you're running down the road with only a load of sailboat fuel.

 

Classes of License and Commercial Learner's Permits (CLP)
Pursuant to Federal standards, States issue CDLs and CLPs to drivers according to the following license classifications:

Class A: Any combination of vehicles which has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) whichever is greater.

Class B: Any single vehicle which has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 11,794 or more kilograms (26,001 pounds or more), or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight that does not exceed 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds).

Class C: Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is transporting material that has been designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and is required to be placarded under subpart F of 49 CFR Part 172 or is transporting any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR Part 73.

 

ca will also look at that tire rating too.

 

The 26k is the GVWR or GCWR...that's the maximum the manufacturers say the vehicle or vehicle plus trailer can safely run down the road, vehicle plus load. Has zero to do with your ACTUAL weights, only where the manufacturers say you can max out at with your combination.

And yes, a class B license will let you run over 26k, but that is a single vehicle or towing a trailer below 10k. If you're over 26k and the trailer is over 10k, then you're a combination and require a class A.

 

Someone already told you.. class b is single vehicle only. Won't include a trailer

 

And the fact you are hauling commercially. Freight that you do not own personally. That's a CDL for interstate or intrastate commerce.

There is no upper weight limit for class B, theoratically a 95 foot frame with maybe 10 axles can carry a lot of weight as long it is one vehicle. Strictly one vehicle by itself.

When you hitch one vehicle to a trailer = Combination vehicle = Class A.