Air brakes do not require a CDL even in commercial use.
DOT and non comercial traffic
- Thread starter Soundguy
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Air brakes do not require a CDL even in commercial use.
dcyrilc
Super Member
They do in Washington State. Class B commercial for air brakes. Doesn't matter the weight. If it's commercial and has air brakes, Class B license required.
OP
Soundguy
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Got a link?
It is a very common misconception that air brakes need a CDL.
It mentions nothing here.
http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/cdlguide.pdf
Bird
Rest in Peace
I don't know whether such still exists or not, but many years ago, there was a company that made an RV on an 18-wheeler semi. I know there are some big fifth-wheel rigs that use big trucks now, but they're usually single axle trucks. The one I'm talking about looked like any other 18-wheeler, but with windows in the trailer and was a high dollar rig that I'm sure never sold many. They advertised that it would be delivered with porterhouse steaks in the refrigerator.:laughing:
Another RV idea that hardly got off the ground was when Winnebago worked with Sikorski to build a helicopter motorhome. I think they only built 2 or 3 of them.:laughing:
dcyrilc
Super Member
Looks like it has changed since I got my CDL. "An air brake
endorsement is only required if your vehicle needs a CDL."
dcyrilc
Super Member
I got my CDL right after being pulled over and ticketed for no CDL on a 24K fixed load vehicle with air brakes years ago. The judge, when we took it to court, said "Weight didn't matter if it had air brakes.". He gave me 90 days to get my CDL and suspended the ticket when I provided proof I had aquired a CDL.
Taylortractornut
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Most of the big coaches have air brakes. Tiffin uses them in all the pushers. THey even have IFS on some of the larger ones. I hear alot of people say they dont like air brakes that they are trouble but I see them as safer, easier to maintain. Tiffin has Cummins in their buses I think a few run MB engines. They used to use Cat to but Cat has dropped thier Truck motors. Mr. Tiffin told dad last year that he was on his last two Cat motors one morning.
I like the days at the landfill when its slow and I get to do parking lot maintenance, meas you get to look around at the bus chassis and such. Its really neat to watch one buss get made. When we first were bought by them we got to follow a bus from frame to finish in a 10 hour day.
On the CDL requirements you have to have a CDL to deliver but dont to own and drive one. THe only one I know of that has had trouble was a fella that had a welding shop built into a 30 foot trailer on the back.
I like the days at the landfill when its slow and I get to do parking lot maintenance, meas you get to look around at the bus chassis and such. Its really neat to watch one buss get made. When we first were bought by them we got to follow a bus from frame to finish in a 10 hour day.
On the CDL requirements you have to have a CDL to deliver but dont to own and drive one. THe only one I know of that has had trouble was a fella that had a welding shop built into a 30 foot trailer on the back.
dcyrilc
Super Member
I was just challenged to look up the rules and in the Washington book it says, "Recreational vehicle (RV) operators are exempt when driving an RV for non-commercial purposes. This exemption includes 2-axle rental trucks and horse trailers."
Don't feel bad, I know of a few LEO's that still don't know about the change in the law. :confused2:
ModMech
Platinum Member
Contrary to popular impression and much DIS-information by unscrupulous leasing, rental and sales places, Air Brakes does NOT require a CDL no matter the vehicle. Vehicle type and weight are the only two factors after you have crossed into "commercial" territory (for hire, profit etc).
When I worked for the leasing company, we actually had a framed letter from the Federal Department of Transportation clarifying this point because everything we owned had air brakes, even the "non-CDL" weight trucks. Most customers were hesitant to rent/lease them because they had been told or believed the drivers needed a CDL because of the air brakes, even though the truck was 25,500 in GVW (box truck). When you can show them an official LEGAL LETTER stating that the type of brakes has no impact on CDL requirements, it makes things a LOT easier. We even placed copies of the letter in with the units documents.
Diamondpilot
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In Indiana you do not need a CDL to operate air brakes. If it falls into CDL category you then need a Air Brake endorsement.
My neighbor got his CDL in a Ford Van pulling a generator cart for the phone company. He then got assigned to a bucket truck and had to get a air brake endorsement due to it having air brakes but no additional test.
Chris
Technically there is no "air brake endorsement". If you take the drivers test in a non air equipped truck you will get a Restriction.
Diamondpilot
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Yes, you are right. Its just a limitation. In my example he had to go back and get that lifted.
Chris
dcyrilc
Super Member
Same in Washington.
Bedlam
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Did you spill ya coffee? 
Sabretooth
Silver Member
I cannot believe I just read this entire 14pg thread alas you forgot one general endorsement that is if you take your test in a tractor with Auto that's all you can drive but if you take it with a manual you can do both (at least that was the way when I got mine back in NY in 90')I just had to add something since it looks like this thread just keeps going going going maybe by the end of it we will rewrite the guidlines for them. I haven't driven a real truck in 10 yrs(Texas does not pay enough for me to get behind the wheel) but kept the classA I keep reading the fees are going up when I moved to TX it was $60 for a little less than six years because it renews on B-day. When I lived in AZ it was just about same but gf payed $18 for her license and was good till she turned I think 65 or 70
I think Everybody should take a road test like the CDL test and fill out a logbook/inspection even just to drive KIA at least it would teach someone to check their vehicle before just jumping in and go. Maybe it would save a few of our lives I know you cant stop people from just being dumb but maybe it would at least give them some of the tools not to be I pull off the road sometimes with the crap I have seen here in Dallas and wait or just go a different way. I know his will start another debate but at least (knock on wood) I have been ticket/accident free for over 15yrs.
I think Everybody should take a road test like the CDL test and fill out a logbook/inspection even just to drive KIA at least it would teach someone to check their vehicle before just jumping in and go. Maybe it would save a few of our lives I know you cant stop people from just being dumb but maybe it would at least give them some of the tools not to be I pull off the road sometimes with the crap I have seen here in Dallas and wait or just go a different way. I know his will start another debate but at least (knock on wood) I have been ticket/accident free for over 15yrs.
The "I wonder why THAT one is pulled over" is as common as
"Where ARE they now and why doesn't one come by and put THIS guy out of service ?"
Example;
Last week a landscape trailer in the breakdown lane of the interstate doing maybe 35 MPH.
The front had rail road ties stacked high enough to support the railroad rails overhanging the back of the truck and almost dragging on the ground WAY behind the trailer (with no overhang flag).
The front of the trailer was weighing down the back of the truck so much that he had to have seriously light steering.
Don't know much about railways, but I think they might have been 40ft lengths.
Point is that trailer was WAY overloaded and there was way too much load on the hitch for the truck to be stable.
My other guess is that they were stealing the ties and rails, "just cause" ?
I think SO.
"Where ARE they now and why doesn't one come by and put THIS guy out of service ?"
Example;
Last week a landscape trailer in the breakdown lane of the interstate doing maybe 35 MPH.
The front had rail road ties stacked high enough to support the railroad rails overhanging the back of the truck and almost dragging on the ground WAY behind the trailer (with no overhang flag).
The front of the trailer was weighing down the back of the truck so much that he had to have seriously light steering.
Don't know much about railways, but I think they might have been 40ft lengths.
Point is that trailer was WAY overloaded and there was way too much load on the hitch for the truck to be stable.
My other guess is that they were stealing the ties and rails, "just cause" ?
I think SO.
radioman
Super Member
SO anybody who is a MR.Mom or stay at home mother providing taxi service for the kids gotta fill out a log book between the hectic schedule with the kids in a kia sendona van ?! oooo boy! I can see alot of angry parants on this one! :laughing:
MikeD74T
Veteran Member
Eight Important Questions for Hobbyists
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p525.pdf
Maybe you could under withold on this years income & send the trophies to IRS next April??? :laughing: MikeD74T
Here are some similar links:
