Trucking: Does my truck require a CDL for HOT SHOT?, vehicle safety inspection, trailer gvwr

Question
QUESTION: I am confused on the CDL requirements, maybe it's just me... I own an 03 F-550 with a gvwr of 17,500

Do i need a CDL to haul loads with this truck?



ANSWER: Drivers license:  A commercial motor vehicle is a vehicle being operated to make money that weighs 10,001 lbs. and more. CDL requirements begin at 26,001 lbs. The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) on the trailer will determine whether you need class A CDL or not. The trailer must be 10,001 lbs and more to fall under Class A CDL.

Example 1: (truck)GVWR 11,000 lbs. + (trailer)GVWR 9,800 lbs. = GCWR 20,800 lbs. NO CDL required {11,000 + 9,800 = 20,800 lbs}

Example 2 : (truck) GVWR 11,000 lbs. + (trailer) GVWR 15,001 lbs. = GCWR 26,001 lbs. Class A CDL required {11,000 + 15,001 = 26,001 lbs.}

Example 3 :(truck) GVWR 17,000 lbs. + (trailer) GVWR 10,000 lbs. = GCWR 27,000 lbs. NO CDL required {17,000 + 10,000 = 27,000 lbs}
(The GCWR is over 26,000 lbs., but the trailer is under 10,001 lbs.)

Important number to watch is the number 1 at the end 10,001 lbs & 26,001 lbs. That 1 lb makes all the difference.

GCWR : Gross Combination Weight Rating (truck + trailer)

A commercial motor vehicle also requires: annual vehicle safety inspection, DOT #, ALL driver qualifications, requires running a log book, and is subject to roadside safety inspection


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

QUESTION: Thank you for your reply Mr. Israel!

OK, I am getting conflicting reports on this.
The Guy I talked to today at the State Police Testing headquartes added it up as the combination of the GVWR of the truck, plus the GVWR of the trailer, as in example #3, but did not say anything about the "trailer under 10K" clause, and i cant seem to find that in any of my online studies either.
I am not saying either of you is wrong, cause i dont know, but i dont want to find out when i get pulled over at a weigh station, lol


ANSWER: That's no problem Tom, I understand exactly what your dealing with. The answers you seek are found in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations book. Just a little back ground on me to help ease your mind. I have two years experience as a compliance officer at a weigh station, 2 years as a compliance manager for a trucking company, and 12 years total in the trucking industry. It's hard to get the same answer from any one person. My rule as an officer is not to enforce anything that I can't show a driver in writing. Everything I told you came straight out of the FMCSRs.

This is the code section where I got my answer.
383.91(a)(1) Combination vehicle (CDL Group A) — Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more ****provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being TOWED is in excess of 10,000 pounds.****

I was trained by the Feds to read and understand the regulations. Read it for what it is. There are key words like EXCESS of 10,000 lbs. That means a trailer with a GVWR of 10,001 lbs. and greater.

You can pull up the Federal Regulations on-line. Go to www.fmcsa.dot.gov, this is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration home page. There will be a regulation search on the home page and you can look at all the rules. Drivers license requirements are section 383 . You should also look through Part 391: Qualifications of Drivers. Part 393: Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation will apply to your vehicle. Remember a commercial motor vehicle begins at 10,001 lbs.

If you have any more questions or want any part of the regulations explained, let me know. I understand what your dealing with. It's not a bother, I'll be glad to help in any way possible. I won't tell you anything I can't show you.


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QUESTION: One last Question; what, if any "door markings" do I need to stay out of trouble with the D.O.T. ? (do i need to have the GVRW displayed on the doors, etc.?)

With the idea that I am *barely* skimming under the CDL/DOT radar with weight, is there anything else I should do/know to keep out of trouble until I get my CDL and my own "authority" ?


Answer
Hey Tom

Three things required:
*Company name
*City and State
*Dot #
Must be on truck, does not have to be on trailer. Everything else is optional. Some guys have magmatic signs that can be put on and taken off. That would be okay.

Glad to help, your not a bother and no question is too dumb. Shoot me a line if you need to.