Big Enough Truck?

[Builder]

But no trailer for the Class B testing, right?

If you wanted to pull a trailer over 10K with a straight truck that is over 26K then you would need a Class A like you say.

As long as the trailer is under 10,001 lbs, you would only need a class B CDL. IOW, if you wanted to pull a 10K trailer behind an 80K tri-axle, all you need is a class B, but if that trailer was 10,002lbs, then you would need a class A.

 

[Builder]

You can take the Class A CDL test in any combo vehicle that requires a Class A

Several people I know took there test with pickups pulling 20k trailers

Some then took there air brakes test with a straight (class B) truck

After that they could drive a semi

IN PA they will not allow this and rightly so. Most licensing centers require you to show up in a truck similar to the one you intend to drive.

There is a difference in air brake management skills of a single truck with airbrakes and a semi with airbrakes. There's more equipment knowledge since there's 2 systems.

Anyone who thinks they can safely drive a airbraked truck & trailer after taking only the class A test with a pickup & large trailer, then taking the class B test in a single truck with airbrakes is going to be in for a big surprise-probably a catastrophe.

Let me tell you, a pickup with a gooseneck ain't no semi. It ain't even like my dump with an Eager Beaver backhoe trailer, so DON'T DO IT.


Please people, DO NOT ask questions on open internet forums about safe driving requirements. Talk to your DOT office or a truck driving school. None of us are really qualified here to give this sort of advice and have it taken seriously or as anything more than heresay.

Public safety is at stake here. We have no idea what qualifications the person answering the questions has, me included.

 

[Duffster]

IN PA they will not allow this and rightly so. Most licensing centers require you to show up in a truck similar to the one you intend to drive.
.

How do/can they stop you from using a pickup/trailer and a straight truck?

Do they have a Restricted Class A that says you can't drive a "Big Rig"?

Please post a link to such a restriction if there is such

I can kinda see your point about safety but the written test for air brakes is the same wether you are applying for a A or a B

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

There is now a restricted Class A licence in Ontario that has been implemented recently to address that problem.

 

[Harold_J]

...Please people, DO NOT ask questions on open internet forums about safe driving requirements. Talk to your DOT office or a truck driving school. None of us are really qualified here to give this sort of advice and have it taken seriously or as anything more than heresay.

Public safety is at stake here. We have no idea what qualifications the person answering the questions has, me included...

There's a lot of truth in what you say, but the internet is the internet. Your last sentence sums it up; we have no idea how qualified the responders are so I never take advice given as gospel without some additional checking on my part.

But like I said the internet is the internet, you see questions asked and advice sought on everything from applying pesticides, doing your own 3-phase wiring, troubleshoot/repair of air brake systems on trucks or treating a child's medical symptoms. These activities and many others have the potential to be dangerous to yourself and others if performed incorrectly, so in the end we have to be responsible for are own actions. It's difficult to say if we shouldn't even be asking these questions in the first place.

 

[Duffster]

There is now a restricted Class A licence in Ontario that has been implemented recently to address that problem.

Thanks Heywood

But that seems to be the same thing we have now

We can get a class A with a air brakes restriction, for example I need a Class A to pull a 20k trailer, I can take my drivers test with that truck and trailer but would have a Class A with a Air Brakes Restriction

I can go back at a later date and take the Drivers test in any CDL vehicle with air brakes to have the restriction lifted

 

[powerstroke444e]

IL sec of state police are cracking down here, in the last month I have lost count of the # of tickets in the paper for no CDL & overweight vechiles for pickups with 9,600 gvw on the door and 20,000 gooseneck trailers which trigggers the CDL ticket and most didn't have the right plates on the truck most have B plates and they are only good for 8,000 lbs.

It is nice to see them keeping the public safe. I would agree with builder that just because you can legally do something don't mean you can do it safely.

 

[Builder]

Getting your CDL with a pickup & gooseneck then taking the airbrake test in a straight truck, then taking the wheel of a big rig with no training is just plain STUPID and if someone was involved in a serious accident from doing something so moronic, they would be convicted of negligence.

Please duffer, explain to all of us how even suggesting anyone perform such a stunt, whether legal or not, is considered making a responsible contribution to the general public?

And I'm sorry I'm not being "politically correct" here, but just because you CAN do it doesn't mean you SHOULD do it.

 

[Duffster]

Getting your CDL with a pickup & gooseneck then taking the airbrake test in a straight truck, then taking the wheel of a big rig with no training is just plain STUPID and if someone was involved in a serious accident from doing something so moronic, they would be convicted of negligence.

Please duffer, explain to all of us how even suggesting anyone perform such a stunt, whether legal or not, is considered making a responsible contribution to the general public?

And I'm sorry I'm not being "politically correct" here, but just because you CAN do it doesn't mean you SHOULD do it.

Wouldn't you think there would be a restricted Class A if this is as moronic as you think it is

I would be very interested to see this restriction in Penn like you say there is so please post a link

"Negligence" your hilariuos

ps Just a quick question. What did you take your Class A test in?

 

[Builder]

I can be of no further help in this thread.

All I can say is, good luck fellas.