Illegal or just confused...

FaC · Oct 8, 2007

HunterRidge farm is correct. I have a Regular Class A NC license. You have to have this if the trailer is rated for 10,001 or higher. The combined weight must be 26,000 or less. In my case I have a F250SD and a 14K goose. You will have to take a short written test (not the full out CDL test) and take a driving test with the trailer.

Before you go I would make sure that the brakes and all of the lights work on the trailer and also make sure that the trailer has working breakaway brakes and safety chains.

Edit - Your examiner needs to re-read the book or call Raleigh. I took my driving test with the above rig (F250 SRW & goose).

FWIW - Frank

shaley · Oct 8, 2007

I would think you could have the trailer de-rated to 10k gvwr. Just as if you had built the trailer, the state police issues you a trailer placard. Tell them you put lighter springs on it and you want a smaller rating. They allow 5% overweight during an inspection anyway.

Mahana79 · Oct 9, 2007

shaley said:
Holy Cow man. I'd be scared to drive in Carolina.

alot of states are this way. Texas is another. Getting a Reguler Class A isnt really a big deal. go ahead and get a non-CDL class a and you will be good for anything you will ever tow as long as it isnt for commercial use.

Skyco · Oct 9, 2007

This is all very confusing. I tow a dump trailer grossing around 14k frequently in NC. My driver's license is from SC, my residence. SC does not have a Class A license other than a CDL. I am not commercial. In SC the class D license, which is what most have, states-

"Class D
Passenger vehicles and all non-commercial vehicles that do not exceed 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight"

Nothing is mentioned about trailers.
So- the big question is- am I legal in NC when towing there? I think I should be since I'm running on my home license and of course cannot obtain a NC one.

The whole term of Commercial Drivers License seems inappropriate since many states are dinging non-commercial drivers for not having one

em14 · Oct 9, 2007

Everytime I think that I've got this mess figured out up jumps another look and I start all over again. I don't exceed the 26K number but I sure as the dickens exceed the 10K number and I'll bet there are lots of folks doing that ... just look at the number of large round bales of hay on goose-necks. With a empty trailor weight of about 5-6 k and a large round bale weighting about 1200 it doesn't take much to jump beyond a 10k limit!
Leo

SnowRidge · Oct 9, 2007

Is there some central authority of association that defines these classes? I just looked at the Tennessee laws, and they are just as confusing.

A class A would be required for towing a trailer grossing more than 10K. For towing less than 10,000 lbs, it appears to be a class D by elimination, except for when the tow vehicle itself requires a class B.

It would be nice if they were more specific about trailers. You almost need to be a lawyer to figure this stuff out.

In Tennessee, classes A, B, and C seem to be considered CDLs, and they have their own DL manual.

Tennessee DL Manual page attached.

sandman2234 · Oct 9, 2007

If you guys think pulling a trailer and staying below the 26,000 magic number is hard, you ought to see what the guys with the "over 26,000" have to put up with. I am currently unemployed since the end of May, and am not employable in the trucking industry for doing something that if I had have a non CDL license, I would still be driving. I am still driving but the threat of loosing my license still looms in the horizon. If I am convicted of the ticket, I loose my license and career. For now it is just on hold while my case works it's way thru the courts.CDL's are easy to get but before you jump into one of them, consider the increased penalties when you do something wrong, since you are now considered a "professional driver". If I didn't make my living with one, I would not have it.
David from jax

On Edit:
I have a clean driving record, not even a parking ticket for the last 7 years, and have never even scratched a truck that was my fault. Consider that before you jump into a CDL.

Dozernut · Oct 9, 2007

em14
Not to cloud the waters but you are talking about two separate issues. Most states have adopted the federal interstate commerce regulations. The last time I checked all but about three states have adopted the federal regs, Ca. NY and and the 3rd I don't remember. The sticker on the driver side door will give you the GVWR of the towing unit. The tag on the trailer will give you the GVWR of it. Total them and if you are under 26001 lbs. then you are not considered a commercial vehicle, ""EXCEPT"" if the towed unit is over 10001 lbs GVWR. Some states have made provisions for the 10000 lb towed unit but a lot have not. So if you live on the state line and cross over to the neighboring state to go to the mill, you might have some issues. Where the confusion is coming in is when you have a 10000 lb GVWR trailer but you have a load that exceeds the 10000 lb. GVWR limit. This does not kick you up into the CDL range but you are overweight on registration. The fines can get hefty and unless your state has an agriculture exemption, (if caught) you will be ticketed and parked until you remove enough of the load to meet your registration limits. There are no exemptions for interstate commerce IE you are hauling your equipment to do a job. You can be within all of the mentioned GVWR limits and be alright there but then the Ole bridge law sticks it's head up. The bridge law is simply that you are allowed only so much weight per axle, exceed them and again a hefty fine and parked until load gets legal.

Rara Avis · Oct 9, 2007

sandman2234 said:
If you guys think pulling a trailer and staying below the 26,000 magic number is hard, you ought to see what the guys with the "over 26,000" have to put up with. I am currently unemployed since the end of May, and am not employable in the trucking industry for doing something that if I had have a non CDL license, I would still be driving. I am still driving but the threat of loosing my license still looms in the horizon. If I am convicted of the ticket, I loose my license and career. For now it is just on hold while my case works it's way thru the courts.CDL's are easy to get but before you jump into one of them, consider the increased penalties when you do something wrong, since you are now considered a "professional driver". If I didn't make my living with one, I would not have it.
David from jax

On Edit:
I have a clean driving record, not even a parking ticket for the last 7 years, and have never even scratched a truck that was my fault. Consider that before you jump into a CDL.

Good luck...hopefully this too will pass...

Seven new provisions in the regulation address the following: disqualification for driving while suspended, disqualified, or causing a fatality; emergency disqualification of drivers posing an imminent hazard; expanded definition of serious traffic violations; extended driver record check; new notification requirements; masking prohibition; disqualification for violations obtained while driving a noncommercial motor vehicle (CMV).

Safety Programs - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Highbeam · Oct 9, 2007

How about all of those RVs being towed all over heck and gone that weigh over 10,000? I suppose those drivers all need Class A licenses too. Many many RVs weigh more than 10k.

I own a 10k rated equipment trailer and since Dexter makes 5,200lb axles instead of 5000 lb axles, my trailer tag actually lists 10,400 as the GVWR. Dang it, I guess I am illegal again with my standard driver's license.