CDL to pull your TH

azdryheat wrote:

offtohavasu wrote:

azdryheat wrote:
CDL means COMMERCIAL, as in being paid to pull your trailer. In California a Class C (regular driver's license) is all you need to pull a trailer less than 10,000 pounds. The same Class C and an endorsement is needed to pull 10,000 to 15,000 pounds. The endorsement is a simple written test. For over 15,000 pounds you'll need a NON-commercial Class A, which is NOT a CDL. Just remember that CDL's are for the folks getting paid to drive.

You're right, but the definitions they're referring to, even with a non-commercial Class A is referenced in the CDL handbook, that's why it's still referred to as a CDL. And you will have to do a written, practical, and driving test to get one.

From the CA Non-CDL instructions: "Bring the Noncommercial Class A vehicle with you". Now that's scary. Haven't seen too many DMV lots
that can handle a 44' toy hauler.

I haven't seen many California DRIVERS able to handle one. Watch out if you drive through the Central Valley. We ran a trucking company out of Bakersfield, and people are flight out scared of larger trucks when they get on the freeway.

offtohavasu wrote:

azdryheat wrote:
CDL means COMMERCIAL, as in being paid to pull your trailer. In California a Class C (regular driver's license) is all you need to pull a trailer less than 10,000 pounds. The same Class C and an endorsement is needed to pull 10,000 to 15,000 pounds. The endorsement is a simple written test. For over 15,000 pounds you'll need a NON-commercial Class A, which is NOT a CDL. Just remember that CDL's are for the folks getting paid to drive.

You're right, but the definitions they're referring to, even with a non-commercial Class A is referenced in the CDL handbook, that's why it's still referred to as a CDL. And you will have to do a written, practical, and driving test to get one.

From the CA Non-CDL instructions: "Bring the Noncommercial Class A vehicle with you". Now that's scary. Haven't seen too many DMV lots that can handle a 44' toy hauler.

christopherglenn wrote:

offtohavasu wrote:

Y-Guy wrote:

christopherglenn wrote:
I can find no exemptions for out of state vehicles from California's definition of a commercial vehicle.

Look at the second sentence, "Only California residents may obtain a California CDL."

Correct. As I mentioned earlier, if your state does not require the CDL, you don't need to get one to drive in California as a NON California resident. It falls under License Reciprocity.

As far as License Reciprocity, you are correct!! An out of state Class A CDL - and all licenses and registrations for that matter are recognized in all states. You do not have to register you TV and trailer in all states you are going to drive on public roads in, or have a license in all states you will be driving in. You DO have to follow the laws in the state you are in.

Dumb example, drive north on I81 from Tenn into VA with an active radar detector on your windshield. While legal in Tenn, you will be pulled over and sited in VA. You DO have to follow the laws in the state you are in.

You do have to follow the laws, such as speed limits, lane limitations, etc., but as far as the class of license, it falls under License Reciprocity. As I mentioned before, that's why a vehicle licensed in Arizona visiting California will NOT get a ticket for front tinted windows, because it's legal to have in Arizona. The reason licenses are accepted under license reciprocity is because each time a state would make a new law, you'd have to reclassify your license each time you intend to visit there. As a VISITOR from another state, your license is valid as it pertains to the requirements in YOUR state.

Frankly I do not care what other states want. If or when I move to another state other than Indiana I will have to get a license from that state within a set number of days anyway. Till then I am good to go in all states requardless of the weight of my set-up and that is the question at hand .

christopherglenn wrote:
The question would be is a pickup towing a rv trailer considered an rv

If it's towing an RV it's exempt, no idea if a cargo trailer would be exempt but chances are no. I asked when I had a Toy Hauler was told I was exempt as it was an RV and I wasn't towing commercial. Of interest was told there was uncertainty if the RV had product stickers if it might cross the line into commercial territory.

Y-Guy wrote:

christopherglenn wrote:
You are correct!! You would get a Washington CDL.

No need Washington doesn't have a silly law like this. :)

Have you read Washington's laws?
http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/cdlrequired.html
It would seem if you are towing a trailer over 10k, and the combined gvwr of the tv and trailer is 26,001 or more you do need a class A in Washington.

There is this exemption in Washington,
"•Recreational vehicle (RV) operators are exempt when driving an RV for non-commercial purposes. This exemption includes 2-axle rental trucks and horse trailers"
http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/cdlexempt.html
The question would be is a pickup towing a rv trailer considered an rv, or a pickup towing over a trailer over 10k - because the pickup is not registered as an rv.

Maybe in Nevada but not here in Texas.

You do not need a large truck and trailer. I took the test and got my cdl using a 1ton pickup and trailer that had a gvwr that was over 10k. Doubles and triples endorsement was awritten test.

Any one can apply and be tested for a CDL...but keep in mind for the driving portion you'll be required to do so in a large truck pulling a trailer. If you haven't any previous experience make sure the one you practice with is close to the one you'll be tested in.

christopherglenn wrote:
You are correct!! You would get a Washington CDL.

No need Washington doesn't have a silly law like this. :)