Licensing questions

Sounds like this is a registration issue, not a licensing issue - I agree that a talk with a lawyer is in order...

Please be more specific...IF you got a ticket, post the violation section, THEN better answers will follow.

Your SD drivers license allows you to drive in any of the 50 States. It does not allow you to violate any safety laws or regulations. In answer to your question, no you wouldn't need the air brake endorsement although I think the knowledge is beneficial.

As far as your livestock trailer being commercial, then you'll have to tell us the trailer length, what you were hauling and if you had all the required safety equipment. I'm guessing you didn't simply get pulled over because you were tooling along with a single horse trailer at a safe 50mph, minding your own business. Sounds like you stepped in some doodoo and received an attitude adjustment ticket......just sayin' we need more specific information.....Dennis

IOWA DOT
Commercial vehicle - Any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway to transport passengers or property when:

In Interstate Commerce
A single vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight more than 10,000 pounds;
or A combination vehicle has a combined weight rating or gross combined weight more than 10,000 pounds

Commercial Driver’s License Exemptions

Farmers and Farm Helpers
Drivers of commercial motor vehicles under the control of the farmer and used in their farm operation may claim an exception from the requirement to have a Commercial Driver’s License, provided all of the following conditions are met.
• must stay within a 150 air-mile radius of the home farm; and
• must transport supplies, equipment, or products for that farm operation;
and
• must transport from farm site to farm site (sale barn), or to and from the home farm;
and
• may not transport for-hire, but may exchange services with other farmers.

Generally, drivers of farm operated commercial motor vehicles may operate across state lines within a 150 air-mile radius of the home farm, provided the neighboring state recognizes the CDL exception from the state of issuance.
It is advisable to consult with the officials of a neighboring state before crossing a state line.

Lightweight Combinations -
Farmers and Private Carriers of Livestock or Ag-commodities
A motor truck in combination with a trailer or semitrailer, operated by a farmer or private carrier hauling horses, with county level registration or special farm registration may qualify for a gross registration weight exception.

Registration of trailers
Farm Trailers
Unlike implements of husbandry (farm machinery) that by design have an exclusive agricultural purpose, farm trailers are designed and could possibly be used for many purposes, not just agricultural. Bumper-hitch livestock, flatbed, and utility trailers are examples of vehicles that could be considered farm trailers if used exclusively in a farmer’s agricultural operation. When operated as a farm
trailer, they are not subject to registration. However, farm trailers are subject to the same lighting, safety and axle weight regulations as registered trailers.
Semi-trailers and gooseneck trailers may not be considered a farm trailer and must be registered. Bumper-hitch livestock, flatbed, and utility trailers used outside the scope of a farmer’s agricultural operation must also be registered.

Each state must recognize all other states licenses however that does not apply to anything deemed as safety. For example towing double in your state does not allow you to tow double where it is banned, the same applies to max length, speed limits, etc. Now whether that applies to what is designated as commercial I can't say but I suspect that each state can make their own laws on that matter if they say it is a safety issue. I think that you will only get opinions, not facts that would hold up in court on this or any other forum. You might look online for the Iowa MVA or their equivalent and see how they define commercial.

wildtoad wrote:
If you were legal in your home state then you should be legal in all states. Otherwise there could be utter chaos travelling across country. At least that's my opinion.

And that is why there is a federal law that stipulates that each state will honor the licensing requirements of the other states. Sorry cannot quote chapter and verse :)

Here (Iowa motor vehicle code), is the ONLY place to find the correct answer. A short answer is, yes your license is valid in all states subscribing to the interstate motor vehicle reciprocity compact, which is NOT all 50 states. However, the compact does NOT include equipment and if Iowa deems certain trailers as commercial only, then you are into a whole different can of worms. Good luck, but I imagine the officer knew what he/she was talking about.

If you were legal in your home state then you should be legal in all states. Otherwise there could be utter chaos travelling across country. At least that's my opinion.

Police officers (For the most part, there are exceptions) are NOT lawyers, I have met many who thought they knew the law better than I only to find out I had actually read the book when either I pointed out the chapter and verse or defended myself against their charge. Plus one where.. Well, she took no action so there was not much I could do (she claimed my Driver's license was expired on a Saturday, My birthday was the following day (Date on license) and under Mi Law it was thus valid till Midnight the following Monday, I really wanted her to give me a ticket so I could deal with her in court but she declined).

My understanding is that if you are legal with the license you have in your home state, You are legal in all 50 States, DC, and a couple possessions. And at least parts of Canada and Mexico.

But you guessed it. IF you got a ticket, you need to contact an expert (lawyer) and if it turns out my understanding above is correct.. Bill the officer for your time and trouble, and his department as well. There is no excuse for him NOT knowing the law he enforces.

There is no federal drivers license, they are issued by each state. Each state can dictate what goes down the road in their state. And licensing requirements to travel on their roads. Now having said that I suspect the LEO was wrong, but the only way to know is hire a lawyer and fight it.