Upgrading private equipment so need CDL

are you sure u need class a? a vehicle over 26001 pounds?

 

pretty sure you need the air brake endorsement to get the cdl license. i think you're better off finding a non cdl option.

 

OMD, its possible to get a class A w\o air brakes.

 

I would go ahead and say you could use your own set-up.

 

hmm, i didnt know that. seems kind of pointless since every truck has air brakes or almost everyone at least.

 

its private use so you do not need a cdl necessarily. and it is possible to get one with an air brake restriction. even if you pass your written test with air brakes, but test in a vehicle without them, you will be restricted. And I know its been discussed before, but you may have a manual transmission restriction on you cdl if you test in your automatic.

 

A private motor carrier does not define if a vehicle is a CMV or not. Under the FMCSR's § 390.5 definations a private motor carrier is a unit that is not for hire. For example a Chevron truck is not going to be hired out to haul someone's product. They are exclusive to themselves. What defines a CMV is if that vehicle (since he's gone over the weight requirements) is involved in any commerce. If he takes his race car to the track and wins $100 then the unit that hauled it there is a commerical motor vehicle and is under all the FMCSR's. Which means he needs a CDL.

What I feel is needed is a better definition of commerce. We've had this discussion before and there's been a couple of LEO's that say commerce could be a trophy or a discount on parts for showing that parts manufacturer decal on the car.

If it were me I'd check it all over very carefully and maybe have a letter from the DMV if he wants to go the non-CMV way. The best way to find out is to ask the others that are doing the same thing. Ask more than one just to make sure you get a good understanding.