Cdl ?

Bob Verwold · 01-31-2012, 11:13 AM

I have a FL60 Freightliner rated at 21,000 (no air breaks but registered as commercial) and a 44' L.Q. trailer rated at 18,000 registered as a travel trailer. I can see where I might need a CDL but, can I take the skill part of the test with my truck and trailer or do I need to rent a road tractor and big trailer. Tried calling around and can't find out anything...........Thanks for any input

63corvette · 01-31-2012, 04:53 PM

Bob, when you say the truck is registered Commercial I think a CDL is required.
If it was registered as an RV you could get by with a class A or possibly even a class C.
Good Luck with whatever you decide to do as the driver license people are sometimes a real bear to deal with.
Just My 2 Cents and that is all it is worth.
Rick Cates

jim powers · 01-31-2012, 05:50 PM

it used to be you take the road test with the piece of equipment you will be driving as far as i know

Keith 944 · 01-31-2012, 06:12 PM

i know you are in a diff. state but in MD they measure what combination you bring and adjust the skills course from there. 3 parts to cdl. pre trip, skills, and road drive w/ officer. takes about 2 hours. and this is just the license part. you also have to pass air brake and any other "written test" on computer now....let me add, it is not as easy as one may think, go to dmv and get a book, best place to start. even if you don't need a cdl, its still nice to have and you will learn a thing or two . also if you do need a cdl, then you may need a medical card. i have mine done same time as my nhra physical is due, most docs will do them at the same time, for $10 or so extra. just a few of my thoughts....

Bob Verwold · 01-31-2012, 08:03 PM

Well, I did pick up the CDL booklet and have been reading this. I'll be sure that I know everything in the book before taking the test. I was just wondering if I could take the driving test in my truck or if it had to be theirs (if they rent them)
Another thing, if this is NOT for profit are they really mandatory. And if they are do ya need a DOT #.

The lady at the DMV told me that a CDL was not needed because the truck was under 26,000lbs but because of the GVW it gets registered as a commercial truck. The truck isn't the problem it's when I hook up the trailer and the weight goes up to 39,000 that I get worried. Tried the RV route but she had no part of that........

Thanks for the reply's.

Keith 944 · 01-31-2012, 08:28 PM

is this mandatory? ask 10 people you will get 10 diff. answers, lot of grey area, better safe than sorry. best bet is ask weigh station personnel in your state, still gonna get diff answers. and yes you SHOULD be able to take the test in your truck/trailer. it does not have to be traditional over the road type tractor trailer. sorry, all i can offer...

01-31-2012, 11:13 AM	#1
Bob Verwold Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fayetteville Ohio Posts: 656 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cdl ? I have a FL60 Freightliner rated at 21,000 (no air breaks but registered as commercial) and a 44' L.Q. trailer rated at 18,000 registered as a travel trailer. I can see where I might need a CDL but, can I take the skill part of the test with my truck and trailer or do I need to rent a road tractor and big trailer. Tried calling around and can't find out anything...........Thanks for any input

01-31-2012, 04:53 PM	#2
63corvette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canyon, Tx Posts: 538 Likes: 120 Liked 297 Times in 90 Posts	Re: Cdl ? Bob, when you say the truck is registered Commercial I think a CDL is required. If it was registered as an RV you could get by with a class A or possibly even a class C. Good Luck with whatever you decide to do as the driver license people are sometimes a real bear to deal with. Just My 2 Cents and that is all it is worth. Rick Cates Last edited by 63corvette; 01-31-2012 at 04:55 PM.

01-31-2012, 05:50 PM	#3
jim powers Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: manville nj Posts: 356 Likes: 183 Liked 14 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Cdl ? it used to be you take the road test with the piece of equipment you will be driving as far as i know

01-31-2012, 06:12 PM	#4
Keith 944 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dela-where? Posts: 2,124 Likes: 1,015 Liked 1,661 Times in 526 Posts	Re: Cdl ? i know you are in a diff. state but in MD they measure what combination you bring and adjust the skills course from there. 3 parts to cdl. pre trip, skills, and road drive w/ officer. takes about 2 hours. and this is just the license part. you also have to pass air brake and any other "written test" on computer now....let me add, it is not as easy as one may think, go to dmv and get a book, best place to start. even if you don't need a cdl, its still nice to have and you will learn a thing or two . also if you do need a cdl, then you may need a medical card. i have mine done same time as my nhra physical is due, most docs will do them at the same time, for $10 or so extra. just a few of my thoughts.... __________________ KEITH MAYERS 2 X somebody many X nobody

01-31-2012, 08:03 PM	#5
Bob Verwold Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fayetteville Ohio Posts: 656 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Cdl ? Well, I did pick up the CDL booklet and have been reading this. I'll be sure that I know everything in the book before taking the test. I was just wondering if I could take the driving test in my truck or if it had to be theirs (if they rent them) Another thing, if this is NOT for profit are they really mandatory. And if they are do ya need a DOT #. The lady at the DMV told me that a CDL was not needed because the truck was under 26,000lbs but because of the GVW it gets registered as a commercial truck. The truck isn't the problem it's when I hook up the trailer and the weight goes up to 39,000 that I get worried. Tried the RV route but she had no part of that........ Thanks for the reply's.

01-31-2012, 08:28 PM	#6
Keith 944 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dela-where? Posts: 2,124 Likes: 1,015 Liked 1,661 Times in 526 Posts	Re: Cdl ? is this mandatory? ask 10 people you will get 10 diff. answers, lot of grey area, better safe than sorry. best bet is ask weigh station personnel in your state, still gonna get diff answers. and yes you SHOULD be able to take the test in your truck/trailer. it does not have to be traditional over the road type tractor trailer. sorry, all i can offer... __________________ KEITH MAYERS 2 X somebody many X nobody