How much weight can I legally haul in Virginia without CDL.

[RandyT]

When I read about CDL requirements, they talk about GCWR's, Gross Combined Weight Ratings, not actual weights. By my understanding, it wouldn't matter if the trailer was empty.

Let me put it another way. My nephew has a F250 with 12,000 pound plates so he can legally tow a trailer with 14,000 pound plates without a CDL.

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

IF It's not for Commerce (making money) it doesn't matter, no CDL required.

 

[George2615]

So I have a 14k# GVWR trailer on order. In MI, my understanding is that I don't need a CDL as long as I'm using it to haul my own stuff and not for business purposes. What if I wanted to take my tractor to my sister's place in VA? Am I OK since I have a MI driver's license, or do I need a CDL because that's what VA wants?

I don't know the laws in your state and only read what bcp posted for license requirements for Va.

I do know NY goes by the magic GCWR numbers of 26K and below or 26001 and above. 26001 and up requires a CDL. It does not matter if its for business or not. I would guess if a regular DL in your state allows you to tow a 14K trailer you should be legal to tow across state lines. I would check with your local DMV (instead of here) and ask if your license would allow you to legally tow your 14K trailer across the state lines. I know many NY guys that have regular DL's that tow 14K and larger cross state lines. They are legal here but I don't know if they are legal in another state. Some have received speeding tickets while towing out of state but never a ticket for driving out of class.

And no, I don't know how the laws read pertaining to farm tags in any state.

Obviously you can't get a separate license in each state. I have my CDL and haven't had a regular license in over 40 years so it's not a concern to me if I tow any of my trailers across state lines. I wish I could give you a more definite answer. Check with your DMV.

 

[RandyT]

IF It's not for Commerce (making money) it doesn't matter, no CDL required.

Can you provide documentation of that, because I have never seen a non commercial exemption.

 

[Parkanzky]

Can you provide documentation of that, because I have never seen a non commercial exemption.

I believe it's the case in MI:

Exemptions

The following people do not need a CDL:
Active Duty Military (including National Guard): With military licenses operating military vehicles.

Police Officers and Firefighters: Meeting approved training standards and operating authorized emergency vehicles.

Farmers: Operating vehicles within a 150 mile radius of their farm.
An F-endorsement is needed by farmers operating combination vehicles whose towing vehicle has a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. A knowledge test, but no skills test, is required to obtain the F-endorsement.
However, farmers who carry hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding while operating combination vehicles whose towing vehicle has a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, need a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement.

Individuals: Operating motor homes or other vehicles used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members, for non-business purposes.

That final line makes it sound like I could tow anything I want as long as it's mine and I'm not being paid for it.

 

[George2615]

I believe it's the case in MI:



That final line makes it sound like I could tow anything I want as long as it's mine and I'm not being paid for it.

That's what the final line sounds like to me also but to be safe check with your DMV. Apparently all state licenses are not created equal.

NY differs from your state on RV's. They go by weight here, under 26K no CDL, over 26K requires a class A or B CDL. If the over 26K RV is towing a trailer a class B is required if the trailer is under 10K, Class A required if trailer is over 10K.

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

Actually if you read the CDL (commercial which most of us aren't ) chart you'll see first thing anything under 26001 lbs. is none CDL in Virginia

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

Actually if you read the CDL (commercial which most of us aren't ) chart you'll see first thing anything under 26001 lbs. is none CDL in Virginia

Cropped image from bcp post,from Va. DMV literature

 

[FatTire]

Where you can get tripped up even if you don't need a CDL is by exceeding the GCWR. On an F-350 the GVWR could be 11,800 with 14,000 tow rating (this is for 4x4 crew cab diesel). But the GCWR for this model is 23,500. If you load the truck to 10000 and tow a trailer rated at 14k loaded to capacity, you'd be under 26,001 lbs but over the GCWR by 500 lbs. Then if for some reason they decide to weigh you, you get a ticket for that but not for any violation of CDL. Also there is always the questions of "what is actually safe?" which depends on a lot of individual circumstance.

 

[HHR]

Where you can get tripped up even if you don't need a CDL is by exceeding the GCWR. On an F-350 the GVWR could be 11,800 with 14,000 tow rating (this is for 4x4 crew cab diesel). But the GCWR for this model is 23,500. If you load the truck to 10000 and tow a trailer rated at 14k loaded to capacity, you'd be under 26,001 lbs but over the GCWR by 500 lbs. Then if for some reason they decide to weigh you, you get a ticket for that but not for any violation of CDL. Also there is always the questions of "what is actually safe?" which depends on a lot of individual circumstance.

I have never seen a the manufacturer's GCWR enforced. If it was that critical, it would be listed on the door jam next to the axle capacity and tire specs.