Any downsides to getting a CDL?

[Jcoon]

The first and most important question is..

Will u use the truck for personal use? Or will you be in business?

That will determine all of the USDOT things and everything everyone has been talking about.

As far as licensing, It’s way easier for you tell me what your GVWR or Actual weight, of the truck, and the trailer.

 

[RickB]

I’ve always wondered about the business / personal use thing. How does a guy with a truck, trailer and backhoe certify that he has the rig for personal use only? Always seemed to be like proving a negative. Guy driving an RV exempt from all manner of requirements is a master of the obvious. The guy with the deckover & Tractor, not so cut and dried.

 

[Jcoon]

It’s all in the driver interview and investigating skills of the inspector.

Guy with an rv of appropriate weight could just as easily be in business, maybe he’s towing an enclosed trailer full of merchandise that he sells at events? Or maybe he’s transporting something inside of the RV, a decorative piece of art that someone is paying him to haul back from his vacation spot?

 

[RickB]

It’s all in the driver interview and investigating skills of the inspector.

Guy with an rv of appropriate weight could just as easily be in business, maybe he’s towing an enclosed trailer full of merchandise that he sells at events? Or maybe he’s transporting something inside of the RV, a decorative piece of art that someone is paying him to haul back from his vacation spot?

That’s about what I figured. Thanks.

 

[4570Man]

What are your plans for the truck?

Are you EVER going to do any work for anyone for money or exchange of goods?

I am a NYSDOT truck inspector so I deal with this everyday. Your state may have different laws though.

That’s the eventual plan but currently for personal use. And the backhoe, trailer and any truck will be more than 26k. I’m not that worried about getting scaled as long as there’s no other violations. Just driving the backhoe looks better and better. Any ideas on what it takes to do that legal?

 

[bdog]

To all the post talking about a trucking company or full time driver. That’s not what I’m wanting to do. I’m waiting to buy a semi truck that aren’t very expensive compared to a diesel 1 ton to pull my backhoe. If it’s as bad as some of these post say I’ll have to skip the idea and buy a light duty kodiak with hydraulic brakes.

A Kodiak with a trailer capable of hauling a backhoe is almost certainly going to require a CDL as the combo will have a GVWR over 26k and the trailer will be rated over 10k. Hydraulic vs air brakes don't make a difference in the need for a CDL. You can have a non CDL truck with airbrakes I have owned several and you can have trucks with hydraulic brakes that require a CDL.

As Jcoon mentioned the purpose of the hauling has an impact on what all is required legally and I am sure they do some sort of investigation to determine the reason. That being said I think anyone hauling a backhoe around is going to have a hard time convincing the cops that it is for personal use.

 

[bdog]

That’s the eventual plan but currently for personal use. And the backhoe, trailer and any truck will be more than 26k. I’m not that worried about getting scaled as long as there’s no other violations. Just driving the backhoe looks better and better. Any ideas on what it takes to do that legal?

In Texas they issue machinery license plates for driving heavy equipment on the road. No idea about TN.

 

[TMGT]

I didn't go through a school when I got my class A about 12 years ago, wasn't hard. Did the written then did the practical, failed the first for the pre-trip due to a miscommunication, apparently the pre-trip is the most common failure.
I keep my cdl but don't really need it anymore, the every 2 year physical is getting old though.

 

[Doofy]

I didn't go through a school when I got my class A about 12 years ago, wasn't hard. Did the written then did the practical, failed the first for the pre-trip due to a miscommunication, apparently the pre-trip is the most common failure.
I keep my cdl but don't really need it anymore, the every 2 year physical is getting old though.

Most men will not get a physical on their own so being forced to get one may someday save your life.

 

[TMGT]

I just had one by my physician a couple weeks ago so I try to take care of myself.
Paying $100+ every 2 years and sending in the paperwork is just annoying, last time the place screwed up their end and I almost lost my license.
At least the website to submit my side of the paperwork is better now.
Still a pain though.