Understanding Curb Weight, GVWR, Towing and CDL requirements

   / Understanding Curb Weight, GVWR, Towing and CDL requirements #121  
A CDL wasn’t previously that big of a deal to get. Idk why people go through significant trouble and expense to avoid getting one. Even the current requirements of going to truck driving school isn’t that bad compared to basing your entire operation around not having one.
Well, yeah, depending on how long ago "previously" is. I passed all the written tests for Class A, B, Bus, HazMat, etc. and, therefore possessed a CDL. Piece of cake.

Then one day I received mail from the Ohio BMV stating that they had a new law, and I would have to take a driving test to retain my CDL unless I could produce log books proving that I had driven a rig X amount of miles. I had no experience and therefore no log books, so my CDL was revoked.

Fast forward to today, and I 1) would need to drop six grand for the training, and 2) the class schedule at the nearest to me CDL driving school has 10-hour classes, 4 days a week, for a month. With a full-time job, etc., I can't even come close to attending classes that way. That's plenty of incentive for me to look for alternate options within the law to move my machine, occasionally.
 
   / Understanding Curb Weight, GVWR, Towing and CDL requirements #122  
So in Ohio you have to fill out log books even if your driving intrastate? In MI and WI and over 20 yrs ago in CA fortunately in my case you do not, driving intrastate anyway. Individual state laws vary so freaking much in the case of a CDL only making it more confusing to try and maintain one.
 
   / Understanding Curb Weight, GVWR, Towing and CDL requirements #123  
Well, yeah, depending on how long ago "previously" is. I passed all the written tests for Class A, B, Bus, HazMat, etc. and, therefore possessed a CDL. Piece of cake.

Then one day I received mail from the Ohio BMV stating that they had a new law, and I would have to take a driving test to retain my CDL unless I could produce log books proving that I had driven a rig X amount of miles. I had no experience and therefore no log books, so my CDL was revoked.

Fast forward to today, and I 1) would need to drop six grand for the training, and 2) the class schedule at the nearest to me CDL driving school has 10-hour classes, 4 days a week, for a month. With a full-time job, etc., I can't even come close to attending classes that way. That's plenty of incentive for me to look for alternate options within the law to move my machine, occasionally.

Huh, never heard that before. I would think you’d have to pass the driving test the same time you took your written test to get you CDL.

Here in PA, you can take the written test anytime you want, but until you pass the driving test, you are NOT given your CDL.

Less of a “piece of cake” here in PA.
 
   / Understanding Curb Weight, GVWR, Towing and CDL requirements
  • Thread Starter
#124  
A CDL wasn’t previously that big of a deal to get. Idk why people go through significant trouble and expense to avoid getting one. Even the current requirements of going to truck driving school isn’t that bad compared to basing your entire operation around not having one.
Unless you have a regular job and don't have access to a large truck to practice with. I can't take six or eight weeks off from work and go get a CDL. I'm just exploring options and making sure I understand the rules.

As a new, small, two-person operation, I want to make sure I know the rules so I can make strategic plans. Either we plan around not needing CDLs or plan around spending the time and money to go get one (or two) and maintain the CDL. So that's the genesis of my question. Do I need a CDL to make the early phases of this business work? If not, what are the hauling rules I need to work within to stay legal? If so, what size truck/excavator/trailer/skid steer should I be thinking about to do the work we want to do.

If and when we get big enough to need CDLs, we'll go get them.
 
   / Understanding Curb Weight, GVWR, Towing and CDL requirements #125  
Unless you have a regular job and don't have access to a large truck to practice with. I can't take six or eight weeks off from work and go get a CDL. I'm just exploring options and making sure I understand the rules.

As a new, small, two-person operation, I want to make sure I know the rules so I can make strategic plans. Either we plan around not needing CDLs or plan around spending the time and money to go get one (or two) and maintain the CDL. So that's the genesis of my question. Do I need a CDL to make the early phases of this business work? If not, what are the hauling rules I need to work within to stay legal? If so, what size truck/excavator/trailer/skid steer should I be thinking about to do the work we want to do.

If and when we get big enough to need CDLs, we'll go get them.
To answer that question, we would need to start a new chapter called
“your scope of operations”.

If you are going to be digging foundations and septic systems, then I would suggest a CDL.
If you are going to be doing residential landscaping, light excavating, then I wouldn’t think a CDL is necessary.

I got my CDL so I could do or grow into whatever I want.
 
   / Understanding Curb Weight, GVWR, Towing and CDL requirements #126  
To answer that question, we would need to start a new chapter called
“your scope of operations”.

If you are going to be digging foundations and septic systems, then I would suggest a CDL.
If you are going to be doing residential landscaping, light excavating, then I wouldn’t think a CDL is necessary.
Thats the difficult part right now. Because to be able to do landscaping and light excavation.....alot of guys like to run a 14k behind a dually. And 20 years ago that was fine as most duallys were under 12k. Different story today. Newer version of the SAME truck and all the sudden you need a Class A to tow the SAME trailer and equipment.
 
   / Understanding Curb Weight, GVWR, Towing and CDL requirements #127  
Thats the difficult part right now. Because to be able to do landscaping and light excavation.....alot of guys like to run a 14k behind a dually. And 20 years ago that was fine as most duallys were under 12k. Different story today. Newer version of the SAME truck and all the sudden you need a Class A to tow the SAME trailer and equipment.
That’s unfortunate.
Maybe switch to a 2500-3500 HD SRW?
 
   / Understanding Curb Weight, GVWR, Towing and CDL requirements
  • Thread Starter
#128  
To answer that question, we would need to start a new chapter called
“your scope of operations”.

If you are going to be digging foundations and septic systems, then I would suggest a CDL.
If you are going to be doing residential landscaping, light excavating, then I wouldn’t think a CDL is necessary.

I got my CDL so I could do or grow into whatever I want.
Right now, my scope of operations is doing research and writing a business plan while working full time and maintaining 17 acres and three houses. I'm sure there's a CDL in my future but maybe not within the next year or so. It'll be a while before we're digging foundations and septic systems for clients...

I really appreciate your insights, @Hay Dude !
 
   / Understanding Curb Weight, GVWR, Towing and CDL requirements #129  
Right now, my scope of operations is doing research and writing a business plan while working full time and maintaining 17 acres and three houses. I'm sure there's a CDL in my future but maybe not within the next year or so. It'll be a while before we're digging foundations and septic systems for clients...

I really appreciate your insights, @Hay Dude !
Sure.
If you need any advice on CDL, dump truck, trailer, excavation, etc. just let me know. I want to ”pay forward” knowledge as other did for me decades ago.
 
   / Understanding Curb Weight, GVWR, Towing and CDL requirements #130  
Unless you have a regular job and don't have access to a large truck to practice with. I can't take six or eight weeks off from work and go get a CDL. I'm just exploring options and making sure I understand the rules.

As a new, small, two-person operation, I want to make sure I know the rules so I can make strategic plans. Either we plan around not needing CDLs or plan around spending the time and money to go get one (or two) and maintain the CDL. So that's the genesis of my question. Do I need a CDL to make the early phases of this business work? If not, what are the hauling rules I need to work within to stay legal? If so, what size truck/excavator/trailer/skid steer should I be thinking about to do the work we want to do.

If and when we get big enough to need CDLs, we'll go get them.
20+ yrs ago I got my training for CDL driving done with a school in Southern California In the evening after work, might want to check local tech schools if there's any around offering evening classes, you did have to take the DMV driving test during the day. I understand times have changed though. Good luck.
 

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