At what point do you need a DOT# and a CDL?

[John DiBartolomeo]

It will always be a can of worms...

http://dragracingedge.com/latest-new...iler-licensing

[HR9121]

Originally Posted by 7423

If the trailer has a 10,000 or more GVW, a CDL is required, doesn't matter if you are pulling it with a Yugo. Or maybe that's just west coast rules. Any typical racecar trailer with 3 axles is over 10K GVW.

Wrong. We are in the trucking business so I deal with this stuff all the time. The only way you need cdl is if the combination of the truck and trailer is 26,001 or more unless transporting hazardous materials. So you would be fine with the Yugo Charlie or most any dually or 3/4 ton truck.

[7423]

Originally Posted by John DiBartolomeo

It will always be a can of worms...

http://dragracingedge.com/latest-new...iler-licensing

Yep, ask 50 racers and get 50 different answers, very gray area subject. And every one of those 50 people think they are right. The DOT officer has that last word and even most of them do not know the real truth.

[HR9121]

Originally Posted by 7423

Yep, ask 50 racers and get 50 different answers, very gray area subject. And every one of those 50 people think they are right. The DOT officer has that last word and even most of them do not know the real truth.

Now that is the truth, a lot of the DOT officers use a lot of interpretation into something they don't always know.

[Tony Janes]

Charlie every thing is by west coast rules, NHRA is in Glendora Ca part of the west coast

[D. Hake 4459]

Thanks for the help. Looks like I have some reading to do. I checked and the truck is 10,500lbs gross and the trailer is 12,000lbs gross. It is confusing. It's like it is all up to the state you're in and the officer. Thanks again. Derek

[Jeff Blanchard]

Jeff Teuton had some good information on this subject in another thread not too long ago. He referenced a section of the FMCA manual (Federal Motor Carrier something or other) that pertained to transporting personal property for other than commercial purposes. That thread dealt with the concerns mentioned here. It would be a good idea if you can find it in search. It was very informative from a person who knows. If you just try to figure it out on your own, chances are you will only get more confused.

[jmantle]

I was hoping someone would bring up the motorhome thing. I have a CDL with an air brake endorsement, what we call a class 3 so that means any straight truck towing a trailer not over 10,000 lbs. I'm legal in BC but always wonder if I'm legal when I travel south. Our motorhome has what is basically a passenger car plate.

Jim Mantle V/SA 6632

[Bernie Cunningham]

What I would recommend is a Non Commercial Class A licence, non CDL.

I have one after taking the test with my own equipment, using a GVWR over 26K combined. Borrow one to get it done if ya must.
There is also a requirement for a GVWR of over 16K combined that also puts you into Class A, just pick where you need to be. More is better here.

Along with the Non Commercial Class A you can get an Air brake endorsement.

There's also a bunch of confusion with all of the huge motorhomes going down the road these days. Now you have retired folks driving with lot's of weight and air brakes and a driver that holds a class C who thinks they're legal, they're not ! This is where the 16K thing came along years ago but that could be obsolete by now.

[Bernie Cunningham]

I should have mentioned that when I did this, the DMV personnel went into a tail spin because they couldn't figure out what written test I needed to take.
I took one and passed but then I had to take another of lesser value to conform on that particular day. HUH !

I still reckon it's the safest way to go to cover your ***. Ca.only requires a non doctor form every two years and that takes away the commercial interrogation on the road.

BTW. I have never gone thru a scale and I have never been pulled over, I drive fast !. He He

Hope this helps