any rumors of Ms. requiring CDL for duallies?

[newbury]

Did a search on Mississippi (Ms.) and nothing turned up.
Situation -
Retiring to Mississippi, want to get a dually and a 5'ver, have a 5K Hudson equipment trailer (in my sig,) with which I tow my ride.

My brother-in-law (BIL) in Ms. has a GM dually and has been telling me that Ms. is talking about enacting a law that all duallies will require a CDL. This is just for driving a dually, regardless of whether it is being used commercially.

Any confirmation to this rumor? It seems totally out of whack, but lawmakers do those things.

My BIL is a medical Doctor who has a penchant for helping relatives transport "stuff" bought at auctions for personal use (furniture, farm equipment) and has been stopped a few times for looking like he needed a CDL. The BIL has always gotten out of it, but is concerned.

I'm concerned because I don't want to dump 20 to 50K on a truck to find out I need to get a CDL just to drive my ride.

So - any rumors of a need for a CDL in Mississippi JUST because the truck is a dually?
thanks in advance (TIA).

 

[kennyd]

I could see DOT certification if the GVW is over 10k...but not a CDL.

 

[aczlan]

I would be surprised if it passes. Think of how many dual wheel pickups (pulling travel trailers, horse trailers, stock trailers, etc), motorhomes there are out there.
Such a bill would have the RV industry, the horse crowds, etc against it and would not be likely to pass.

Aaron Z

 

[Duffster]

Sounds to me like someone is confusing the USDOT registration requirements with CDL requirements.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Sounds to me like someone is confusing the USDOT registration requirements with CDL requirements.

yep
this

do a search, there's a lot of info even here on CDL requirements.

 

[Renze]

But would they really base it on the number of wheels on one axle ? Heck, there are 19 ton offroad trucks on singles !

In Europe, you need a commercial drivers license when a van is over 3.5 ton GVW. The next size up is 5 ton dually, which would need CDL.
85% of all 5 ton GVW trucks are sold with 3500kg registration and are loaded over 5 ton

If the law passes, i think you'll see the same practice over there... What you also see here, are 3.5 ton vehicles towing a CGVW of 12 ton, because the only limitation is a practical test at the DOT test center: if your vehicle can pull off from a 12% slope, 5 times in 5 minutes time, it passes for the given CGVW... Some folks tag a van to 15 ton, and replace the clutch afterwards, just to sell their customer a 5th wheel trailer with 10 ton payload, (powered by a way underpowered 3 liter 170 hp engine) that doesnt need CDL..
New European rules are coming in 2013 that state that any vehicle isnt allowed to tow more than 1.5 times its own GVW, which means 8.75 ton CGVW for a 3.5 ton vehicle... I think that will make the road a lot safer...

Over here, they are pruning the loopholes in the law, because of the practice certain builders serve themself of... I guess it wont take long before you guys get more restrictions too, as pickups are allmost as powerful as big rigs these days, which tempts people to tow way more than an inexperienced rookie can safely tow with a relatively light towing vehicle....

 

[Soundguy]

just talking out loud here...

so if MS DID require a cdl for otherwise private / non commercial DRW trucks, then I assume any non MS residents driving thru would also have to have them? ( that would sure cut my trips to tecas from florida a tad short.. )

and what's the deal with the DOT #... who needs it? non com/private don't need it right? just me ion my personal truck haulin my personal stuff...?? comments?

soundguy

 

[Duffster]

so if MS DID require a cdl for otherwise private / non commercial DRW trucks, then I assume any non MS residents driving thru would also have to have them? ( that would sure cut my trips to tecas from florida a tad short.. )

No, Once you cross a state line you are under federal law instead of the state.

and what's the deal with the DOT #... who needs it? non com/private don't need it right? just me ion my personal truck haulin my personal stuff...?? comments?

soundguy

Not necessarily. It depends on the interpretation of "commerce".

 

[newbury]

Thanks guys, I'm just throwing it out to the more knowledgeable forums.

Like I wrote, it was a rumor. That was a few months ago and I hope it's gone away.

 

[schmism]

what i do know is cash strapped states are looking for any way to generate revenue that isnt specifically called a "tax"