Advantages of hotshot

Honestly, in my opinion, the only real advantage is the barrier to entry is a lot lower. Insurance is cheaper, you can easily finance the equipment.

 

Lower operating cost

 

In some state's, if 26,000lbs or less GCVW no CDL is required.

 

Which states require a cdl for under 26k?
What happens if a driver from a state that doesn't need a cdl for 26k drives through a state that does require a cdl?

 

My home state does not require CDL for under 26,000 lbs. every other state has to honor that.

 

FL also does not require cdl A at 26k lbs & less. Truck & trailer GVWR's when added together must not exceed 26k in order to be legal..

To my understanding, all other state's must honor your license if legal in your home state..

I don't believe any state requires cdl (maybe hazmat?) for under 26k with a lone truck, or a trailer that is 10k lbs or less..

 

California is the only state that does. Doesn't matter the total weight, if the trailer is 10,001 or more a cdl is required.

 

I'm going to use the NY class D as an example,
D Operator Age 18 or over, or age 17 with Driver Education.

• Passenger cars and trucks with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,000 lbs. or less.
• A vehicle that tows another vehicle (for example a trailer) that has a maximum gross weight of 10,000 lbs. or less.
• Can tow a vehicle with a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs only if the combined weight rating of the two vehicles is 26,000 lbs. or less.
• Limited Use Motorcycles (mopeds)

3rd point contradicts the 2nd point and says you can tow more than 10k if the combined is 26k or under. Assume I drive a hotshot with a combined rating of 26k into california, do they cite me and put me oos for not having a cdl or do they honor my states driver license laws and leave me alone?
Does the second point mean I can drive a 26,000 lb rated truck and in addition tow a 10k trailer and still not need a cdl?

 

In California they do not want pickup trucks in the scales. If that helps.