Funny note on "If you get paid to haul anything, I needed a CDL" ...

In the NJ DMV it says verbatim "If you drive a commercial vehicle, you need a CDL" which is 100% untrue...at least in New Jersey where I've driven for 3 different fedex divisions without a CDL... anyway

Yes I think I need a CDL afterall.

Now what can I do to be able to take the test in a pick up truck and not an 18 wheeler?

Got my permit already.

 

RustyJC, You are right on the race car trailers. I talked to a guy north of the weigh station on I-95 North of Jax, FL and he had driven by the weigh station, was stopped by one of the chase cars there, brought back, weighed, fuel checked and fined for no CDL. He was towing a tri-axle enclosed trailer that looked about 40 feet long. He was pretty angry.

In Georgia, RVs are exempt from the CDL requirement (>10,000). Other towing applications are usually ignored but according to a DMVS major I talked to, the law can be enforced. They will look at the issue in case of an accident or unsafe load/driving.

Hauling in Dixie is as accurate as you can get with his comments. I have been stopped and checked on weight towing a flatbed. They were really looking for offroad fuel violation but the license was checked non the less.

 

This answers all the questions and leaves no room for debate: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsrhome.htm

 

No, that is definately not true. That is the Federal minimum standards and if checked by a Federal agent it is the law. Each state has the option to make the regulations tougher but not lesser. And they do.... Most states are tougher on CDL regulations. This is the reason for the debate, so far as CDL, get one and you are safe. It is real expensive to find out the state you are in has a stricter law.


About the only one that stands out that they cannot mess with is the semi length limits which demands that a 48 foot trailer and any length of tractor is legal in the 49 states. (Conus) This is why you will see from time to time a long nose with a 24 foot or longer sleeper unit, pulling a max size trailer. All states now allow the 53 foot trailer. This is why I have no pickup bed and am registered as a tractor, Tennessee and Florida do not bother me... These federal length laws do not apply to "trucks" and trailers which fall back to the state regulations. It only applies to "tractors"

Yes Virginia, even in California.

 

Mods can lock this, sorry to open up a can of worms again! I do need my CDL in fact, for a few of those states.