CDL to pull your TH

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.

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."

You are correct!! You would get a Washington CDL.
Regardless of usage, California defines all trailers over 10k as commercial - with an exception for 5th wheel rv's between 10k and 15k.

This is my most favorite topic to read about on all the forums. Sometimes i wonder why when people try to explain this,…why they don't word Non-CDL as an "upgraded license?" We all know that we're not commercial, right? I just don't understand why "we" forget that the federal law set the ground rules,…and that each state can make them more stringent. If I'm wrong, someone please chime in. The Non-CDL license that is required in some states, is what allows us to legally drive vehicles or tow trailers over a certain weight rating that would normally be considered commercial in others. I, myself, am licensed in Texas. If you drive an RV that has a GVWR of more than 26k, and is registered in Texas, then you need at least a Class B Non-CDL. When i got my motorhome, I initially got stopped for speeding by a Texas Commercial Vehicle Enforcer. I knew that i needed the upgraded license at the time, but that was the chance that I took while driving to Arizona. He told me about the Non-CDL, but all I could do was play dumb and act like I was interested in his schooling on the side of the road. He also said that at that time, a lot of highway patrolman didn't even know about upgraded requirement. Needless to say, he let me go with just a warning. Another question that I have,…is if your state requires it, then why not consider it as cheap insurance? If you get involved in an accident, a government employee may not know his head from his tail at the scene of an accident, but i bet an attorney will know everything in between, standing before a judge.

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.

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.

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.

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."

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/cdl_htm/sec1.htm

Who Needs a CDL?

To operate commercial vehicles, you must apply for a CDL. Only California residents may obtain a California CDL. Residency is established by any of the following: registering to vote here, paying resident tuition at a public institution of higher education, filing for a California homeowner's property tax exemption, obtaining a license (such as a fishing license), or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents. You need a CDL if you operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles which requires a Class A or Class B, license or Class C license with endorsements.

This handbook will help you pass the written and skills tests. However, this handbook is not a substitute for a truck driver training class or program. Formal training is the most reliable way to learn the many special skills required for safely driving a large commercial vehicle and becoming a professional driver in the trucking industry.

A commercial motor vehicle is a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles that:
•Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
•Is a combination vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, if the trailer(s) has a GVWR of 10,001 or more pounds.
•Tows any vehicle with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
•Tows more than one vehicle or a trailer bus.
•Has three or more axles (excludes three-axle vehicles weighing 6,000 pounds or less gross).
•Is any vehicle (bus, farm labor vehicle, general public paratransit vehicle, etc.) designed, used, or maintained to carry more than 10 passengers including the driver, for hire or profit, or is used by any nonprofit organization or group.
•Is any size vehicle which requires hazardous material placards or is carrying material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR part 73.*
•Transports hazardous wastes (Health and Safety Code §§25115 and 25117).*


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

christopherglenn wrote:
Look up "driving out of class". That is what you will be sighted for. If your combination requires a higher class license then you have, you get to park the offending parts, and pay a fine.

IF you are a California resident driving in California.

Look up "driving out of class". That is what you will be sighted for. If your combination requires a higher class license then you have, you get to park the offending parts, and pay a fine.