Wacky
Veteran Member
Look, it is in your link. The only spin I see is in your:confused2:.You are trying to spin it but not getting it done.
CDL??
- Thread starter BoFuller
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Diamondpilot
Super Star Member
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- Jinma 254/284 Ford 861 Powermaster at work
It may be dangerous but is the law around here. My uncle has farmed 4000 acres for 35 years, no CDL. They have 4 18 wheelers on the farm. My nephew got a CDL because they were hauling over 150 miles and over state lines. He lives 10 miles from the Indiana/Ohio border.
I have worked on farms along with just about everyone I know as some point in our younger days. None of us had CDL's and we all drove big trucks. I was never stopped but some where.
I know its crazy but its the law. You could drive a 18 wheeler at 80,000# without a CDL during the day but not drive a delivery truck at night without a CDL.
There are also exemptions on RV's, Campers, and Boats. If its for personal use you can drive anything you want down any road. Many of the diesel pushers are 65,000# or more and I pull a 25,000# boat. Many of my friends pull around 18,000# or more in a 5th wheel.
Chris
I have worked on farms along with just about everyone I know as some point in our younger days. None of us had CDL's and we all drove big trucks. I was never stopped but some where.
I know its crazy but its the law. You could drive a 18 wheeler at 80,000# without a CDL during the day but not drive a delivery truck at night without a CDL.
There are also exemptions on RV's, Campers, and Boats. If its for personal use you can drive anything you want down any road. Many of the diesel pushers are 65,000# or more and I pull a 25,000# boat. Many of my friends pull around 18,000# or more in a 5th wheel.
Chris
Wacky
Veteran Member
I stand corrected, just asked a DOT officer at the liquor store and he told me that you all are correct. I am sorry if I mislead the OP. You might want to check your state for specifics though I am told. I apologize to you DUFFSTER.:ashamed:
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Sorry Wacky, Duffster is correct. A farmer is not required to have a CDL to operate a CMV. As long as he/she is hauling their own agricultural products or machinery, they can drive an 80,000 LB semi unit with just a class 'D' license. They also must comply with the other restrictions, such as the 150 miles limit from the farm. That's coming from a State Trooper with 20+ years.
Getting back to the original poster's (BoFuller) questions. I agree with most others here that the trucks you're looking at will require a CDL. I would suggest that if you have questions, contact the AZ Hwy Patrol. They can answer questions that you have as they are the ones that enforce them in your state.
This issue of whether a CDL is needed comes up on a regular basis. One thing nobody ever seems to suggest is actually getting a CDL. It's not like getting a Master's Degree. If you have it then you don't have to worry about whether you need one or not.....problem solved.
Getting back to the original poster's (BoFuller) questions. I agree with most others here that the trucks you're looking at will require a CDL. I would suggest that if you have questions, contact the AZ Hwy Patrol. They can answer questions that you have as they are the ones that enforce them in your state.
This issue of whether a CDL is needed comes up on a regular basis. One thing nobody ever seems to suggest is actually getting a CDL. It's not like getting a Master's Degree. If you have it then you don't have to worry about whether you need one or not.....problem solved.
OP
BoFuller
Veteran Member
OK, I've been reading the AZ CDL online. A class B is needed. But it seems you have to have a truck first, as you need to be familiar with and provide your own rig for the test. They give you a 6 month learner's license after passing the written test I believe. Sounds like it shouldn't be too hard. I drove plenty of trucks, including a few 18 wheelers 45 years ago when working on my uncle's farm in Ohio. No license was needed for that, as mentioned by several.
Thanks for all the input!
Until you hook a trailer over 10k on it.
It isn't that hard to get, it is to easy really. But why get it if you don't need it. It is a lot of expense and hassle for nothing.
One question for you though. Do you need a CDL to tow a smoke (NH3)wagon?
firedog
Gold Member
I'm not sure how many states have laws governing that, but Texas and few others do. The law originally targeted the industrial fire service (back in 92ish) and was designed to keep inexperienced brigade members off the highway in large fire apparatus, but it also encompassed everyone on the road (not sure how well it's enforced, though). We have both commercial and non-commercial licenses in A, B & C.
So an over 26,001# RV would require a class B but not commercial. the test is the same but the cost is lower. NOW, since that time, the municipal fire service has lobbied and reduced the requirements, no air brake test, no road rules, just ch.13 out of the standard drivers handbook.
WSP617 is correct, when in doubt, get the license. I've held an A CDL with X endorsement for over ten years.
firedog
Gold Member
[QUOTEOne question for you though. Do you need a CDL to tow a smoke (NH3)wagon?[/QUOTE]
Depends on who doing the hauling. If you, the farmer are using your truck (or a co-op for that matter) to move fertilizer, ammonia or produce, etc. then no. (wagon or otherwise, but hazmat regs still apply (shipping papers, placards, etc))
If you call me the Ag supplier, and I haul it, then yes.
Kinda scary, huh?
http://www.truckingsafety.org/pdf/guidebook/2011.FarmerGuide.pdf
refer to pages 22 & 23
Depends on who doing the hauling. If you, the farmer are using your truck (or a co-op for that matter) to move fertilizer, ammonia or produce, etc. then no. (wagon or otherwise, but hazmat regs still apply (shipping papers, placards, etc))
If you call me the Ag supplier, and I haul it, then yes.
Kinda scary, huh?
http://www.truckingsafety.org/pdf/guidebook/2011.FarmerGuide.pdf
refer to pages 22 & 23
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tractorboy5500
Gold Member
As I was told, for Texas, anything over 26001lbs single unit requires a class B, and for trailer hauling requires class A regardless of farm use, that came from the TX driver license testing place, thats why I had to get my class A with restrictions for farm use, when doing the farm use I didnt have the air brake questions on my test.
I need to go and see what it takes to have regular class A licences due to I haul no farm items, just havnt got caught yet, I was told in TX, they are coming down hard on this farm tag stuff. Guess they have to pick on someone.
I need to go and see what it takes to have regular class A licences due to I haul no farm items, just havnt got caught yet, I was told in TX, they are coming down hard on this farm tag stuff. Guess they have to pick on someone.
