Any downsides to getting a CDL?

[Jcoon]

X2

Nothing personal against a dot officer just doing his job. He don't make the rules. Just enforceses them, as stupid as they may be.

30-40 years ago these rules pertaining to CDL probably made alot of sense with the given selection of trucks on the road.

Modern times.....pushing tow ratings of a regular pickup, and 10x safer than a few decades ago, and gvwr's alot higher.....times have changed.

Several decades ago for the most part, the only people that had sizable equipment were farmers or construction contractors. Modern times....that has changed. The scut, cut, and ut tractor boom. Everyone is wanting a way to tow one. And as sweet as modern diesels are, and as smooth and stable as duallys are...it's hard to resist. But now pushing north of 14k gvwr....pretty soon we aren't even gonna be able to tow a single axle landscape trailer with a lowly one ton pickup.

Don't know the rules in other states, but in Ohio it's clearly spelled out that CDL only applies or commercial or commerce. And there is a clear exemption for personal or recreational use. Which is probably why a dually towing a tractor or similar equipment goes unnoticed here in Ohio.

Which leads back to my other point...why is someone who wants to tow with a dually and 14k trailer have to go through the same testing, schooling, fees, licensing, dot numbers, physical, etc as someone who drives an 18-wheeler? Seems a pretty big jump to me.

And in Ohio with a personal exemption, or farm exemptions....and untrained, and unlicensed (class d only) can jump behind the wheel of a semi and hook to a 60,000# grain trailer, or lowboy to haul a dozer around as long as it's for personal or farm use. But the small business guy wanting to do some.landscaping and light tractor work with a 3500 truck and a 14k needs a CDL-A.....come on. We need a revamp of these laws desperately

That is definitely a Ohio thing, here the only person that gets the CDL exemption is campers also known as RV, other than RVs if you are over the CDL rating you need a CDL.

 

[newbury]

That is definitely a Ohio thing, here the only person that gets the CDL exemption is campers also known as RV, other than RVs if you are over the CDL rating you need a CDL.

Even if you are not towing for commercial purposes?

 

[LD1]

That is definitely a Ohio thing, here the only person that gets the CDL exemption is campers also known as RV, other than RVs if you are over the CDL rating you need a CDL.

And there is a possibility that I am interpreting the laws wrong too?? And have been wrongly informed by others??

Since you are in law enforcement.....whats your take?

State of Ohio BMV

 

[Jcoon]

Here in NY, the ONLY people exempt from CDL is RV users.

There’s some farm that is exempt, but hey now, that’s a whole different chapter!

personal use, still needs proper licensing.

 

[Jcoon]

And there is a possibility that I am interpreting the laws wrong too?? And have been wrongly informed by others??

Since you are in law enforcement.....whats your take?



State of Ohio BMV

Looks like your good in Ohio for personal use, they didn’t adopt the licensing part of 49CFR, which is where the CDL regulations comes from.

 

[LD1]

Here in NY, the ONLY people exempt from CDL is RV users.

There’s some farm that is exempt, but hey now, that’s a whole different chapter!

personal use, still needs proper licensing.

Did you read the list of exemptions on the Ohio BMV website I linked?

Don't personally know anyone in law enforcement, so would like your unbiased professional opinion?

In Ohio, if one owns a 14k truck and 14k trailer and is towing for non-commercial purposes.....how do you interpret?

 

[LD1]

Looks like your good in Ohio for personal use, they didn’t adopt the licensing part of 49CFR, which is where the CDL regulations comes from.

Looks like I was typing while you were.

Thanks for your input

 

[Jcoon]

I can tell you though, if I was a inspector in Ohio, we would be having a deep discussion at the time of inspection to prove to me your not in commerce, lol cuz I’m sure a lot of guys use this excuse.

 

[joefromga]

Maybe they should build trailers out of titanium to get people below the 26k mark but allow them to carry the heavy loads.

 

[LD1]

Maybe they should build trailers out of titanium to get people below the 26k mark but allow them to carry the heavy loads.

How would that work???

As we have been discussing, its not about how much (or little) the trailer weighs. Its about how much its "rated" to weigh.