DK45S/10k Trailer

These Pa laws are so hard to figure out, I guess I was under the assumption that 10,001 and over a guy need a CDL or atleast a medical card?

But atleast im sure if I left it a 12K I would need a combo reg for my truck like a class 8? Right now I have a class 3

Any ideas?

tinman955 said:

These Pa laws are so hard to figure out, I guess I was under the assumption that 10,001 and over a guy need a CDL or atleast a medical card?

But atleast im sure if I left it a 12K I would need a combo reg for my truck like a class 8? Right now I have a class 3

Any ideas?

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I can't comment on your registration requirements but the CDL doesn't kick in until the Gross Combined Wieght Rating hits 26,001 lbs. ( Except CA)

As far as DOT & Medical requirments, they typically start at GCWR of 10,001. So if you add the GVWR to your truck to the GVWR of the trailer it wouldn't matter if you had the 12k over the 10k

In July 2005 NYS made drivers license changes below allowing for anyone with a regular class D to tow any trailer as long as the combined weight is below 26,000 lb. Please check with your own state dept. of motor vehicle laws to see if they have also changed.


The NYS driver license classes include:
Operator, Class D: Issued to drivers age 18 or over, or to drivers age 17 with Driver Education. Valid for passenger cars and trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 lbs. or less. A Class D driver can drive a vehicle that tows another vehicle (for example a trailer) that has a maximum gross weight of 10,000 lbs. or less.

""A Class D driver can tow a vehicle with a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs only if the combined weight rating of the two vehicles is 26,000 lbs. or less.""

See the important information about changes for Class D drivers that result from a law that eliminates the Non-CDL Class C license.
Changes for Drivers with Current Class D Licenses. A driver with a Class D license can now operate a passenger vehicle, a limited use automobile, or: A truck with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 lbs. or less. (Before, a Class D driver could only operate a vehicle with a GVWR of 18,000 lbs. or less.), and A truck with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less that tows another vehicle, and the other vehicle has a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less, and A truck with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less that tows another vehicle that has a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs., but the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of the two vehicles together must be 26,000 lbs. or less.
A driver with a Class D license can now operate a personal use vehicle (for example a rental vehicle or a recreational vehicle or RV) with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 lbs. or less that tows another vehicle that has a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or more, but the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of the two vehicles together must be 26,000 lbs. or less.
Note: The requirement for an "R" endorsement (Class D or Class E license) to operate a recreational vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more remains in effect.
Changes for Drivers with Current Non-CDL Class C Licenses or Specific CDL Licenses. If you have a Non-CDL Class C license or a CDL Class C license with a "W" restriction that restricted you to operate vehicles with a GVWR of 18,000 lbs. or less, the restriction is no longer in effect.
If you have a CDL Class A license, or a Non-CDL Class C license with an "F" endorsement, that has a "02" restriction (vehicles with a GVWR of 18,000 lbs. or less), the restriction is now the same as a "01" restriction (no vehicle with a GVWR of more than 26,000 lbs.).

NYS DMV - The Elimination of the Non-CDL Class C License

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/mv_forms/mv-70S.pdf

What Class of Driver's License Do You Need?
In Pennsylvania, driver痴 licenses are issued specifically for the class and type of vehicle you operate. Therefore, the class of driver痴 license you should have depends specifically upon the type of vehicle you operate. Generally speaking, the majority of applicants for a Pennsylvania driver痴 license will be operators of regular passenger vehicles, pick-up trucks or vans.

Classes of Driver's Licenses
Non-commercial Driver's Licenses
CLASS A (minimum age 18): Required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, where the vehicle(s) being towed is/are in excess of 10,000 pounds. Example: Recreational Vehicle, when the towing vehicle is rated at 11,000 pounds and the vehicle towed is rated at 15,500 pounds (total combination weight of 26,500 pounds).
CLASS B (minimum age 18): Required to operate any single vehicle rated in excess of 26,000 pounds. Example: Motor homes rated at 26,001 pounds or more.
CLASS C (minimum age 16): A Class C driver痴 license will be issued to persons 16 years of age or older, who have demonstrated their qualifications to operate any vehicles, except those requiring a Class M qualification, and who do not meet the definitions of Class A or Class B. Any firefighter or member of a rescue or emergency squad who is the holder of a Class C driver痴 license and who has a certificate of authorization from a fire chief or head of the rescue or emergency squad will be authorized to operate any fire or emergency vehicle registered to that fire department, rescue or emergency squad or municipality. The holder of a Class C driver痴 license is also authorized to drive a motorized pedalcycle (a motor-driven cycle) or a three-wheeled motorcycle equipped with an enclosed cab, but not a motorcycle.
CLASS M (minimum age 16): A Class M driver痴 license will be issued to those persons 16 years of age or older who have demonstrated their ability to operate a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. If a person is qualified to operate only a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, he/she will be issued a Class M driver痴 license. If your motorcycle is less than 50 CCs, an ? restriction will appear on your driver痴 license. This restriction prohibits you from operating a motorcycle 50 CCs or larger.


Commercial Driver's Licenses - Classes A, B or C
CLASS A (minimum age 18): A Class A license is issued to those persons 18 years of age or older who have demonstrated their qualifications to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. The holder of a Class A license is qualified to operate vehicles for which a Class B or Class C license is issued. Where required, appropriate endorsements must be obtained.
CLASS B (minimum age 18): A Class B license is issued to those persons 18 years of age or older who have demonstrated their qualifications to operate any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more or any such vehicle towing a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating of not more than 10,000 pounds. The holder of a Class B license is qualified to operate vehicles for which a Class C license is issued. Where required, appropriate endorsements must be obtained.
CLASS C (minimum age 18): A Class C license is issued to those persons 18 years of age or older who have demonstrated their qualifications to operate any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of not more than 26,000 pounds or any combination of vehicles, except combination vehicles involving motorcycles, that does not meet the definition of a Class A or Class B vehicle. Where required, appropriate endorsements must be obtained.
NOTE: You must be 21 years of age or older to operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle on an interstate (traveling between two or more states). This applies to ALL classes.

In addition to the CDL classes, there are also special endorsements and restrictions that you must have to drive certain types of commercial vehicles. They are:

Endorsements/Restrictions
Endorsements The following authorizations are required when operating vehicles of the type listed:

H - Required to drive a vehicle with hazardous materials placards (you must be 21 years of age).
N - Required to drive a tank vehicle.
T - Required to drive double and triple trailers.
P - Required to drive a vehicle designed to carry 16 passengers or more including the driver (buses).
S - Required to drive a school bus. Designed to carry 11 passengers or more, including the driver.
X - Represents a combination of the hazardous materials and tank vehicle endorsements (you must be 21 years of age).

Restrictions The following restrictions prohibit you from operating certain type vehicles:

L - Restricts the driver to vehicles not equipped with air brakes.
B - Passenger endorsement restriction cannot drive Class A buses.
C - Passenger endorsement restriction cannot drive Class A or B buses

This is my point exactly. Note the differences between my previous post for NY State and Tinman955's PA State posts. Not all states are the same.

Our Pa licenses dont really explain what you can or cant do. DOT cops say alot of different things when it comes to vehicle codes. I wish it was spelled out what a class C guy like me can or cant do when it comes to trucks and towing.

Do we have any PA DOT guys here to set us straight? lol

George2615 said:

This is my point exactly. Note the differences between my previous post for NY State and Tinman955's PA State posts. Not all states are the same.

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I don't see any differnece in CDL requirements between the two states.

I always consider the RV world. You see old guys with one ton duallies towing 5th wheel RV trailers with triple axles and slideouts, you know that trailer is rated well over 10,000 lbs, really well over 14000. The littler toy hauler trailers weigh well over 10,000#.

Duffster said:

I don't see any differnece in CDL requirements between the two states.

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In my post for NY (in quote marks) anyone with a class D (regular drivers license), or B license can haul a trailer over 10K providing the combined vehicle weight is less than 26,000. When towing and the GCVWR is over 26,000 a class A license is required.

In the PA post it says a CDL A is required for towing a trailer with more than 10K. Even their class B CDL is limited to no more than a 10K trailer.

George2615 said:

In my post for NY (in quote marks) anyone with a class D (regular drivers license), or B license can haul a trailer over 10K providing the combined vehicle weight is less than 26,000. When towing and the GCVWR is over 26,000 a class A license is required.

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Your previous post does not mention a Class B anywhere.

New Yorks new rules now fall inline with the Feds standard (You can't pull a 10k+ trailer with a "B" size truck with a Class B license) just like PA does.

George2615 said:

In the PA post it says a CDL A is required for towing a trailer with more than 10K.

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Only if the GCWR is over 26k (just like every other state but CA)

These two states CDL requirments are the same as the Feds now.