Any downsides to getting a CDL?

[Jcoon]

Too everyone out there, as far as FMCSA and NY goes, and I知 sure it痴 every other state also, when your in a NON commercial vehicle you are treated the same way as everyone else on the road, regardless of your license, all these stricter rules only apply when you are operating a CMV.

You MIGHT get out of a ticket or two for having a CDL, because you are looked at as a professional driver, but then, if being professional what are you being pulled over for? Lol



4570Man, the best advice I can give you.... if u are not going to be moving the backhoe much, find someone with the proper equipment, become friends, and have them move it for you for a small fee!

 

[4570Man]

I have access to a diesel dually that does the job. I was thinking of going into part time backhoe work next year, and needed to do a little better on the transport vehicle.

 

[Jcoon]

Then it sounds like you are going to be in business. You will definitely need to follow FMCSA regulations, I advise you to go to their website and start doing the research now, it wouldn’t hurt either to stop to a local truck inspections site and talk to one of the officers about what you need because your state May have other rules and regulations you need to follow also.

The problem with discussing this on the forum is that unless someone here is an enforcement officer from your state giving you your answers no one can know all of the rules and regulations you have to abide by in Tennessee which is why I think it would be best if you stopped and talked to one of the commercial vehicle inspectors in your local town or area.

 

[4570Man]

There isn’t a truck inspection place in town that I know of.

 

[Jcoon]

There isn’t a truck inspection place in town that I know of.

There is one somewhere, nearest highway or throughway? Stop at the nearest truck/diesel stop and ask a over the road driver, they’ll know lol

 

[bdog]

I have access to a diesel dually that does the job. I was thinking of going into part time backhoe work next year, and needed to do a little better on the transport vehicle.

A diesel dually pulling a backhoe most likely needs a CDL to drive as well.

 

[4570Man]

Definitely over 26k but currently it’s for private use and I’m not worried about it.

 

[gsganzer]

If you're only hauling your own stuff, could you just get a non-CDL Class A or B, like the folks that drive RV's do? I just started to research this myself as I have a 3500 Crew/Chassis with a GVWR of 12,300. If I hauled a 14K gooseneck, I'd be over the 26,000 combined rating.

 

[4570Man]

But I’m wanting to buy a single axle semi and go into backhoe work next year. The truck idea isn’t looking very practical.

 

[LD1]

I think ultimately, a truck and trailer rated for a full sized backhoe is gonna be CDL A territory. Don't matter if it's a dually one ton or a semi.

12-14k backhoe on a 16k + trailer behind a dually. Even that's over the 26k.

The ONLY difference is if it's behind a dually pickup, you are more likely to go un-noticed and pass right by most LEO's.

But if towing on a semi and lowboy...you look the part of a commercial hauler