General CDL questions for those that have 'em

[newbury]

I suspect I am like many CDL holders in that we know a good amount about what the rules are for what we haul but little about hauling something quite different. Check:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

We were required to carry the FMCSA handbook. It was a bound book 4" x 3" x 1" in small print stuffed in the bottom of our permit book pouch. That way you have no excuse to not know the rules. These rules apply to all CDL drivers (except for the exceptions...)

Vehicle rules vary from state to state. Check out:

Download CDL Manuals and DOT Physicals From CDL Truck Leasing For Your Road Testing

Nice links, but I looked at the second site and they don't have Mississippi

HOWEVER!
Alabama has a flow chart which may clarify!!
But the forum is hosed so I can't post the attachment.

http://www.cdltruckleasing.com/manuals/Alabama.pdf page 8.

/edit

 

[sandman2234]

There are many different interpetations of the laws, and variations of the laws from state to state, and different enforcement levels of those laws from state to state, with different amounts of enforcement applied to different groups of people. We have some "experts" who know a lot, and the people who enforce these laws are supposed to "know a lot". However, there is only one way to KNOW you are not going to break any laws concerning needing a CDL or not...... and that would be to ride a bicycle. (yeah, I drive for a living, been there seen it all when it comes to law interpetation and enforcement)
David from jax

 

[oandhsales]

Here is a copy of the new Hours of service rules


Summary of Hours-of-Service (HOS) Regulations

Who Must Comply

Most drivers must follow the HOS Regulations if they drive a commercial motor vehicle, or CMV.

In general, a CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business and is involved in interstate commerce and fits any of these descriptions:

Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
A vehicle that is involved in Interstate or intrastate commerce and is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards is also considered a CMV

I agree with sandman2234. This is one of the reasons I no longer drive

 

[Mud Mechanik]

For example I just drove 14 hours from Mississippi, but on occasion with bad weather etc. it's taken 17 hours.

Did you just deliver my Massey?

 

[newbury]

Here is a copy of the new Hours of service rules


Summary of Hours-of-Service (HOS) Regulations

Who Must Comply

Most drivers must follow the HOS Regulations if they drive a commercial motor vehicle, or CMV.

In general, a CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business and is involved in interstate commerce and fits any of these descriptions:

Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
A vehicle that is involved in Interstate or intrastate commerce and is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards is also considered a CMV

I agree with sandman2234. This is one of the reasons I no longer drive

Do you have a link for that?

 

[sandman2234]

I agree with sandman2234. This is one of the reasons I no longer drive

So you converted over to the bicycle? Thinking about that myself, just can't figure out how to make money at it,lol.
David from jax

 

[oandhsales]

FMCSA Content - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
should find everthing you should know here

 

[Duffster]

Here is a copy of the new Hours of service rules


Summary of Hours-of-Service (HOS) Regulations

Who Must Comply

Most drivers must follow the HOS Regulations if they drive a commercial motor vehicle, or CMV.

In general, a CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business and is involved in interstate commerce and fits any of these descriptions:

Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
A vehicle that is involved in Interstate or intrastate commerce and is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards is also considered a CMV

I agree with sandman2234. This is one of the reasons I no longer drive

Most of that is for interstate commerce. Intrastate it depends on whether or not your state has adopted that section of the FMCSR or not.

 

[newbury]

FMCSA Content - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
should find everthing you should know here

Thanks, so, for example - since per Ford's web site specs EVERY F150 has greater than (>) 10,001 GCWR they all require a CDL if used in interstate commerce.

or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more

Is that correct?

Even at least 1 Ford Explorer would qualify.

 

[Duffster]

Thanks, so, for example - since per Ford's web site specs EVERY F150 has greater than (>) 10,001 GCWR they all require a CDL if used in interstate commerce.

Is that correct?

Even at least 1 Ford Explorer would qualify.

2 things.

A CDL isn't needed at 10k.

The GCWR in the ford specs isn't the same GCWR in the FMCSR.