Do I need a CDL for the Take 3 Ultra Light 48 in CA if I stay at/under 26k?

The CA scale signs that say "no pickups" is what's causing confusion?

Yes, trailer over 10k or combination over 26 is CDL territory.

 

Your only hope is to put "Not For Hire" in big letters on the trailer.

 

The officer is correct. In California if the trailer has a gvw of 10,001 lb or greater you are required to have a class A license. And regardless if you go through the scales or not, you would get caught. The DOT/CHP also does roadside inspections, traffic stops, and let’s not forget about when you’re called for your DOT audit. The auditor without a doubt would catch this. Putting not for hire on the side of a truck here in California will not protect you, in fact it’ll make them want to look you over even more.

 

Ok so yes. But make the load your property and not for hire on side. That is only way.

 

Sorry I missed the question originally.

Here is a link the the CDL manual in California. It's on page 14. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/web/eng_pdf/comlhdbk.pdf

Is the GVWR.GVW 26,001 lbs or more? No
Is this a combination vehicle? Yes
Is the GVWR of the trailer/towed unit 10,001 lbs or more? Yes
Is the GCVWR 26,001 lbs or more? Yes needs Class A. No needs Class A with Restriction "88"

So yes, you will need a Class A for any trailer over 10,000. All keeping it under 26,001 gains you is the ability to to test and acquire a Class A with the rig you will be towing with.

NOTE: If an applicant performs the skills test in a Class A combination vehicle with a GCWR of less than 26,001 pounds, the CDL will be restricted to the operation of combination vehicles with a GCWR of less than 26,001 pounds (Restriction 88).

 

That still does nothing to get you around the CDL requirements. All it does it relieve you from having operating authority. If the property you are moving, even your own, is for business purposes then you must comply with all the same DOT regulations as a for-hire fleet. The concept is called private fleet, otherwise groups like Wal-Mart and Nestle Waters would not have DOT numbers and all the other bs that goes with operating a trucking company.

Also, California like some other states, have non-commercial class A & B license requirements as well. So, even if not for hire worked -which is doesn't, he still may need a class A license. See this excerpt from the California DMV website.
Driver License (DL) and Identification (ID) Card Information
A Noncommercial Class A DL is required if you tow:

• A travel trailer weighing over 10,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) which is not used for hire.
• A fifth-wheel travel trailer weighting over 15,000 lbs. GVWR which is not used for hire.
• A livestock trailer that is not for hire, weight over 10,000 lbs. GVWR but not over 15,000 lbs. GVWR, and is operated within 150 miles of the farm by a farmer to transport livestock.

A Noncommercial Class B DL and endorsement is required if you operate:

• A housecar over 40 feet but not over 45 feet.
  
  Exemptions: Holders of a Commercial Class A or B DL, a Noncommercial Class A DL, and all DL classes with a firefighter endorsement.