CDL requirements

Let's also take a look at what is legal in one state versus another...

In Cali becuase I'm a holder of an "A" CDL...I can tug my fifth-wheel and tow another trailer behind it....
In AZ and NV....You can do the same with a "Bumper-pull"....
I see quite a bit of "bumper-pulls" with boats behind them in both NV and AZ.....
In Cali...that's a quick way to get cited......

 

lets solve this for you look in the phone book for DMV tag agent highway patrol or whatever they call it there then give them a call, tell the nice fficer on the phone what you want to do and then listen as he explains it. make sure you get his name and badge number if he has one that way when its wrong you can go back and tell him so. not meaning to sound like an ### but that is the only way to get this right and save you many headaches.I grew up in Ca and now live in Ok. and they are miles apart on requirements for this type of stuff.

 

A commercial vehicle engages in COMMERCE. if you are not, you are not commercial. Period.

Ok, Cali is even more screwed up than i thought.

As for the class C thing, I am going by federal law. Apparently cali thinks they are cooler than federal law, but ok. I see now.

I'm getting ready to build a race car. I'm going to be getting a daycab and a 28 foot trailer and converting part of the trailer into a living space, and will use this to transport the car to a race track. Thank GOD i live in michigan. (plus the tracks i will go to do not have scales on the way!)

That's not as bright of an idea as you think it is. That's just like asking a bunch of truckers on the internet. People who work in the DMV are generally totally mis-informed or just dumb. As for cops, they dont know *all* the laws...that's impossible. But most of them just know the ones they use all the time to write citations for. They are just as likely to be ill-informed as a trucker. That's why when i get my personal class A rig i will keep a copy of all relevant regulations in my truck.

That's funny. First of all, in michigan, you have to have a T endorsement on your CDL or an "R" endorsement (Recreational doubles) to do that, and its with a fifth wheel as the front trailer. Now, I'm thinking this business about it having to be a fifth wheel upfront has to do with weight ratings on hitches. Mine is rated for 3,000lb gross trailer weight, it is a class 2 hitch. On pickup trucks, the most common hitch is a class 3, which iirc has a 3500 lb weight rating (the main difference is the tongue weight). Gets pretty easy to exceed those fast...

 

So you are saying if joe popcorn off the street had enough money he could go buy a new prostar and a trailer...and not use it for anything commercial...just for crusing around and looking cool...HE DOESN'T NEED A CDL? I am most positive that you are WRONG. You should notice in my earlier post which is from the state the op lives in does it say anything about commerce. A commercial vehicle is defined by either WEIGHT or transporting passengers. Thats it. No more no less.

 

Well I took a visit to a few state websites and it seems to be the same.

A CMV is defined by weight or passenger capacity - not use, unless for HazMat.

There are a few loosely worded exemptions from the CDL requirements for instance in Michigan a CMV is defined as anything weighing 26,001 pounds or more. However, owners of RVs or "other vehicles" transporting personal property only and not for hire are exempt from the CDL requirement. It doesn't really go into detail as to what "other vehicles" might be.

So I guess you could theoretically cruise a new Pro Star just to go to the store. But it would still be a CMV you just wouldn't need a CDL.

That's neither here nor there though as the OP is from N.M. and we've already seen the info from there.


........... Jim

 

In Michigan, and according to federal law, YES. Apparently in cali you need a special non-commercial class A license. WHICH IS NOT A CDL...

The law says "recreational vehicles are exempt". it does not say what a recreational vehicle is. Also, a commercial drivers license is for commercial vehicles which generally are something that engage in commerce.

Also not for hire is totally irelevant. There are many many commercial vehicles with NOT FOR HIRE proudly displayed on the side. It's just a matter of who owns what's on the truck..

If my tractor trailer is recreational its a recreational vehicle.

My motorcycle is a recreational vehicle too.

And my car too, since i dont drive it to work.

Also i point out that in michigan, if a truck is for farm use during certain times of the year, it can be driven without a CDL with a special F endorsement.I dont know what it takes to get that endorsement....but most of the farm trucks are being driven by old hands that know what theyre doing anyway...


Also, i point out that the truck i mentioned im going to buy. A day cab with a 28 foot trailer. Most pickups pulling campers are bigger than that. Infact, it'll be pretty much the same thing, it'll have a living space in the front so i can be super comfy at the track, and it'll have a garage area in the back for the car. They make 5th wheels for pickup trucks like that too, those are still recreational.

But my setup will be CHEAP. And I like trucks.....

And they dont need a CDL. Sure, you might say it has air brakes, but in michigan, you're exempt from airbrakes licensing requirements in a personal vehicle. And states that dont have that exemption have an endorsement to use them on a personal license, since some big RVs use them.

 

LOL actually here it is a CDL. Bear with me here ......... in Cali, a CDL can be either a "Commercial Driver's License" or ... a "California Driver's License". Which is why you see ads for pizza delivery drivers requiring a CDL.

Michigan still defines anything weighing over 26,000 as a CMV - just no CDL requirement if it falls under the RV exemption.

Actually "not for hire" is relevant in determining the vehicles RV status. Michagan actually uses the "not for hire" qualifier in the CDL exemption for RVs.

True in Michigan ...... but I wouldn't want to get pulled over with a load of produce and try to argue the point with the DOT.

I gotta say that it's a lot easier that way than it is here. Some of those 5th wheel toy haulers require either a class A or class B noncommercial license. Your set up would require a commercial class A and an MC number. Once you get an MC number then you are subject to CARB requirements etc....


So .......... now that we've hijacked the OP's thread..... sorry 'bout that...

........... JIm

 

F carb, i hope i never go back there again. I'd rather go to NYC than CA.

LOL about CDL.

And not for hire is still irelevant. There's a lot of commercial trucks that are not for hire. They aren't RVs.

Cali is #####y like that because they used to have a lot of guys getting RV plates for their trucks and using them to haul freight. ruined it for guys like me.

 

Howdy y'all. Has anyone ever had issues with medical history of ADHD or anti depressants on your record? Say within 5 yrs on your record. Can u get rejected receiving cdl class A?

 

You will have to get a doctors note saying whether you are fit to drive commercially. Alot of companies prefer stone cold (no drug) drivers. Just because that they wont be having issues if they miss their medication. Remember, recruiters at CDL schools will promise you the good life. Yet they cant deliver and will care less of IF you actually will drive.