Getting a CDL drive my own truck to haul my own stuff

Look into self certification in your State. If you have a business license and a UBI#, you might be able to self certify with your state. This means you can sign of for yourself/employees that you have received the amount of training equivalent to going to a certified school. You can also sign off on employees. You and your employees will still need to complete the States skill tests to obtain your certifications. This being said, you and/or your employees will still need to know how to drive the vehicle. If you can take one guy and get the training done so you know what you are in for in the future, you will be able to train others and still use the non school Self Cert. Read the requirements. They arent strict at all.

Check on the Motor Carrier requirements on interstate regulations.
I deal with import/export freight, intrastate, so I pay no FED/State taxes other than Heavy Use.

You should be able to find some border line equipment out there for relatively cheap. Shoe string legal, and will last long enough to upgrade to a better set after a year. Then upgrade again to something that is not necessarily pretty, but will get the job done for 5 or 6yrs. After that, there should be enough revenue to buy a serious road machine that will last for a decade. The Port runners do this all the time here in Seattle. One thing is for certain though, only rent or lease if you have no other choice. Find a good mechanic that wont rape you and your good.

I dont know your business requirements, But start at a small sleeper with a 48' trailer. Extended liftgate (6') and a roll up door. Next size down is a 32 footer, then 28'.

G/L!

 

You may also need to hire an interpreter if you intend to ask advice from some stranger on the intardwebz.....

 

Also, on topic...If you currently need a DOT/MC # for your smaller vehicles, you will definitely need the same for a semi/Class A upgrade. Someone posted earlier that if you are just hauling your own equipment you don't need it; That is ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY FALSE! Especially if you are hauling heavy/large/oversize equipment like you describe....You may not be selling it, BUT you ARE using it to engage in business, so it cannot be considered "recreational/not for hire".
I agree, get someone to train you and 1 or 2 of you employees (if just as backup in case something happens to you). Also, make sure that if you are going to be getting into oversize/overweight you know exactly what rules/regulations you need to abide by, as well as what extra gear you will need (ie- strobes, flags, chains-what size/lengths, how many, etc)
Good luck on your endeavor!

 

Step one: find someone you know with some experience driving tractor trailer, and explain what your plan is, and ask them to teach you what you need to know.

Step two: go to DMV, find out what you need to take the CDL test, gather the proper books from them, and read them.

Step three: go take your permit test and pass it.

Step four: call up your buddy from step one, find a truck ( rent a truck if needed), learn the pretrip, and practice driving with your 'trainer'.

Step five: once you've gotten comfortable enough to pass the test, go take road test. Pass road test, get CDL, pay your 'trainer' for his or her time, and get to work.

It really is as simple as that. Its the way I did it when I started driving, and I've helped others do it as well. The myth that you 'must' attend some kind of school is just that, a myth, sold by the schools to increase business.

I dunno if it would be legal or not to run your truck, hauling your own equipment without a CDL, but why risk it? Getting my CDL cost me about a hundred bucks. The fine if caught is much higher I would guess.