Can a class B drive a tractor if it's bobtail

That's true for the tractor but not the trailer. The trailer just has to be under 10k, not rated under 10k. But doesn't matter too much anyway since semi trailers weigh more than 10k empty.

 

Drivers

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.

 

Whichever is greater

 

I stand corrected! Thanks Street Beater

 

It's all good! Gotta be careful with the dot. They dont play the "i thought that ment...." game

 

The trailer has to be under 10,000 GVW, and tag trailers that you pull behind a dump truck weigh less than 10,000 pounds Particularly those rated under 10,000 GVW, that's a pretty small trailer.

 

Key word is "rating". If it is RATED to haul more than 26k or whatever, you need a class A. Doesn't matter what it weighs. My bobtail weighs like 17k. But you need a class A to drive it because the rating is significantly higher than 26k

 

Nope. A the only diffrence in class a and class b is class a allows a trailer over 10k gvwr to be pulled. Any single unit a class b works. Heck you don't even need a class b until 26k lbs gvwr.

 

Our dumptrucks are 68,500 and you need a B, no combination no A.

 

The way I read this, and the way the question is asked, you are able to bobtail a class 8 tractor with only a class b license.

The class A requirements say "a combination of vehicles" with the GWR exceeding 26,001lbs OR a towed unit weighing more then 10,000lbs.

A tractor alone does not meet those requirements. It does meet the class b requirements, same as 68,000lb dump trucks for one reason. NO TRAILER.

Class B license says any single vehicle exceeding 26,001 lbs OR any such vehicle towing a vehicle not exceeding 10,000lbs

A bobtail tractor or a 68,000lb dump truck do fall in to the description for class B.

Lets confuse the situation a little though. You must also have a class a license to drive a pickup truck (dually) if you have a trailer exceeding 10k, and the entire combination is under 26,001lbs. Why? the trailer exceeds 10k. I know this because I was flown from Ca, to Mo to pick up such a truck when the driver was inspected and had only a class b license.

Hope that helps clear that up.