Trucking: cdl required for gooseneck?, class c license, trailer gvwr

Question
QUESTION: I am considering the purchase of a single axle dually gooseneck trailer with a rating of 15000 lb for strictly personal use. I intend to pull it with 2500 ram (weight 8800 lb). Am I correct in my understanding that in Texas a class C license will be sufficent up to 26000 combined weight? Does that weight range vary depending on if its single, tandem or triple axle? Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Jeremy,

As long as you're using it for personal use, you are NOT required by federal law to have CDLs. If you plan to move freight for anyone and make money, then you would fall under federal guidelines for a commercial vehicle. If you ever get stopped, just tell the officer it's yours and it's a personal move. I will give you some examples of what CDL is required and remember CDLs are for commercial vehicles only. Commercial vehicles are vehicles used for profit.


As long as your trailer GVWR does NOT exceed 10,000 lbs. and your truck GVWR does NOT exceed 26,000 lbs., you will NOT be required to have a CDL.

Example 1: truck GVWR 26,000 lbs + trailer GVWR 10,000 lbs. = GCWR 36,000 lbs.        NO CDL

Example 2: truck GVWR 16,000 lbs + trailer GVWR 10,001 lbs. = GCWR 26,001 lbs.       CDL REQUIRED (Class A)

Example 3: truck GVWR 26,001 lbs + trailer GVWR 10,000 lbs. = GCWR 36,001 lbs.       CDL REQUIRED (Class B)

Take notice of the 1 lb. added to examples 2 & 3. That 1 lb. makes all the difference. Class B license begins at 26,001 lbs. for the truck. If the trailer is 10,001 lbs. or more and the combination of the 2 together are 26,001 lbs. or more, then a Class A license is required. You will notice in example 1 a gross combination weight rating of 36,000 lbs., the truck falls 1 lb. short of a Class B and the trailer falls 1 lb. short of a Class A. NO CDLs required for this operation and is the maximum weight you can get by with without CDLs. I can back up my answers with code sections out of the Federal Regulations if I need to. I understand how easy it is to get different answers, but I can prove it if I need to.


I hope this answers your questions. If you need me to clarify anything or just ask another question, shoot me another line.

God Bless, Israel


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: if the trailer is registered as farm equipment does the cdl requirement change any? Also, if its tagged farm, can it be occasionally used for personal or will they stick it to ya for say hauling a car to the muddrags once every couple a months?

Thanks

Answer
Hi Jeremy,

I don't think you'll have a problem. Farmers get a lot of exemptions. I'm pretty sure, with all the goose neck livestock trailers in Texas, Texas probably has it's own exemption. I wouldn't worry about it, just stick to the "it's my personal trailer and my equipment" story. It's all about knowing how to answer the questions right. Law Enforcement must ask questions in order to determine if you are required to follow certain regulations. They can't just look at you vehicle and say what you must do. Example: I stopped a man driving a large dumptruck one day. The truck had a company name, DOT #, and for hire commercial tag. The driver did not have a logbook or anything. Well, after I asked a series of questions, the driver was borrowing the dumptruck for personal use and therefore was exempt from the regulations(True story). Law Enforcement is more interested in tractor trailers, most officers don't really know how to apply the law to trucks pulling goosenecks and 5th wheel trailers.


God Bless, Israel