CDL for 33K# Cabover?

[4Papa]

Hello from New England. I'm considering buying a used cabover chasis truck rated at 33K GVWR for private use and I don't plan to tow trailers with it. Am I correct in assuming I still need a CDL? If so, would the CDL driving test be taken in this truck and the license restricted to "no trailers" or would I have to take the driving test in a tractor/trailer combo even if I never intended to tow anything heavy enough to require a CDL? Thanks in advance.

 

[RickB]

You need a CDL B.

 

[Rock knocker]

You need a CDL B.

Not so fast. I suggest that the OP read the regs. Recreational, farm and non-commercial completely private use is exempt from CDL requirements in many states

 

[4Papa]

Thanks guys. I'm in MA and my (admittedly) brief online read of the MA RMV (Registry of Motor Vehicles) does seem to give an exemption. There are "Farm" plates and I dig deeper to see if therein is the exemption. I was surprised, a few years back, when I looked into farm plates at my insurance agent for a pickup that the insurance rates were more expensive. Bizarre given the truck would never have been on public roads to cause liability mayhem.

 

[Rock knocker]

Not from Massachsetts, but a common excemption.

Recreational Vehicles. When used for recreational
purposes a motor home which truck or motor
home is used exclusively for pleasure, enjoyment,
other recreational purposes, or family
transportation of the owner, lessee, or occupant
and is not used to transport cargo or passengers
for profit, hire, or otherwise in any business or
commercial enterprise.

 

[big lar]

I am from Mass. and also have a CDL so I have some knowledge on this subject: As noted above, you do not needeed a CDL for that vehicle if its used for personal or recreation use. Farm use also allows for an exemption,no CDL regquied if used for farm purposes; there is a certain mileage retriction (100-150 miles, I am not sure, you'll have to check with farm bureau or the rmv.)
Whether you haver a farm plate or commercial plate, that farm exemption still applies, I believe.

On the issue of farm plates, this farm has had farm plates since they were initiated in Mass 50+ years. However, I have had to re-apply with name change (death). Thet are VERY hard to get now. You need to file copies of your section F tax return, andfd an affidivid from your assesors office if you are under 61A or 61B, or if you are under 5 acres, show your product (greenhouses) ,$ volume. You will also get an inspection by a Registry official (state police) to verify you are indeed a farm, whole paperwork process takes about 6 months. Cost is $100 per registration and $20 per plate (you need a seperate insurance policy for each plate) There are advanatges and disadvatanges of a farm plate.

Most insurance agents/companies don't know how to write farm plate policies and thats why your quotes are high.Farm Family insurance has the absolute cheapest rate for farm plate insurance and even commercial plate insurance if farm related. You do however have to have your farm property insurance with them too. Depending where you are in central mass. there is a office in Northboro, soon to move to Marlboro, but there are offices throughtout Mass.

 

[RickB]

Proving personal use vs. commercial use is a sticky wicket indeed. If this truck isn't a recreational vehicle as normally recognized, or does not qualify for a farm registration, sooner or later somebody with a badge will expect you to have a valid CDL to legally operate that truck.

 

[madmax12]

When u r moving yourself or friends, u can rent a class b truck with no truck experience at all. Ryder, u haul... Perhaps u could ask them a few questions and compare your new truck ratings with the ones they rent out to college kids.

 

[tcartwri]

When u r moving yourself or friends, u can rent a class b truck with no truck experience at all. Ryder, u haul... Perhaps u could ask them a few questions and compare your new truck ratings with the ones they rent out to college kids.

They get away with this by registering the trucks for a max of 25999 lbs, even though mechanically they can carry more.

 

[Martian]

If you could get a residential exemption, you would definitely have to have a 'not for hire' located somewhere on the truck.

Personally I would just get the CDL. It's not very expensive compared to a stickler cop that wants to hit you with a huge fine should the law be 'interpreted wrong'.