Moving to Mass, Camper/Dually, Commercial License Required?

[Fuzzy_Bear]

Well after 35+ years of living everywhere but near where we grew up in the northeast the wife and I decided it was time to be around family again. We will be relocating to Cape Cod. On our recent visit I was informed my dually is now classified as a commercial vehicle because the GVWR is over 10,000 lbs. Ok, I don't like it, but will live with it until we decide it's time to go from the camper to a trailer (wife is tiring of the climb into the bed). I have searched all of the online information on the RMV sites and could not find a definitive answer on whether I will also have to get a CDL to operate my truck. So my question to Massachussetts residents is if you have a dually do you also have a CDL? Also, how bad is it going to be to insure the truck versus a SRW? Will they allow me to have a veteran plate too? Just trying to get ahead of things as there is a lot of changes between WA and MA. And yes, it was a hard thought decision, but we are out here on the west coast with no family. Kids have moved elsewhere and with aging parents and siblings now is the time to be there with them.

Doug

[arto_wa]

Inspection?

I recall having heard something like that somewhere!

[slickrock_steve]

Yeah,
I had to get "Handicap" plates on my 3500 Ram, to cut the cost of registration and plates from over $500, to just over $200. Yes, it is my heavy hauler for my TC, and I do tow a Jeep Wrangler behind it, which is a year newer, and only $180.
I do have the placard for parking, and do need to use a cane.

[dakonthemountai]

Kayteg1 wrote:
This is again, comparing to California law, but likely it will be very similar in other states.
You can register any pickup, including dually as an RV (or non-commercial) vehicle when you have camper on it.
I went for inspection with my TC to change the registration, but on daily basis I have camper shell. Having open bed might cost me hefty ticket, but the trick is saving me at least $300 a year on registration weight fee.
Icing on the cake, I can drive with camper shell and legally tow my 18,000 lb equipment hauler while ignoring scales.

I did the same thing with my Silverado, but I actually never take the camper off. My registration went from $303 (and it's 19 years old!) to $146, including an extra $38 for my personalized plates. The clerk at AAA stated "now you know, you can't even haul lumber inside the camper at the risk of a ticket and back registration and fees"... Yeah, I know that. Thanks. Not saying I would or wouldn't, but isn't that ridiculous?

Dak

[Kayteg1]

This is again, comparing to California law, but likely it will be very similar in other states.
You can register any pickup, including dually as an RV (or non-commercial) vehicle when you have camper on it.
I went for inspection with my TC to change the registration, but on daily basis I have camper shell. Having open bed might cost me hefty ticket, but the trick is saving me at least $300 a year on registration weight fee.
Icing on the cake, I can drive with camper shell and legally tow my 18,000 lb equipment hauler while ignoring scales.

[Fuzzy_Bear]

av8rds wrote:
Fuzzy a dually was changed to 'commercial' about 2004...it was done JUST to make more money for the state. It does NOT require a CDL BUT you will pay higher registration, inspection, insurance and toll fees.

Make sure you find an inspection station that knows its not a full on CDL vehicle or they will make you do the full Commercial vehicle inspection. My guy just required mud flaps/chocks/safety kit.

any questions feel free to PM me, I do have a 'little' insight into it.

PS dont forget your beach sticker for Race Point, Sandy Neck, or Nauset. Get out there and enjoy being ON the beach, not just NEAR the beach!!

This is exactly what I was looking for. I have the mud flaps and chocks, I'll pick up the safety kit before I head that way as it is something I should have for the trip. Taxes and fees are not a concern. I was anticipating it. Even Washington adds more for my truck, plus camper has to be titled and registered. That will be a savings until we go to a trailer and smaller truck.

Definitely getting a beach sticker after we get settled. We're big fans of Sandy Neck as family is from the Barnstable area.

See mkirsch, I knew the right folks were out here. And I won't give you a lot of flak as my family is in Rochester so we will be spending more time in that area too.

Doug

[av8rds]

Dog Folks wrote:

av8rds wrote:

mkirsch wrote:
You asked a question on an international forum. The odds of finding someone from Massachusetts, let alone someone with in-depth knowledge of MA's DOT laws, is slim.

We are here!! ;):C

Do you mean you are thawed out already?

It's only August!

(From someone that lived there)

It almost took till July to get rid of the snow!! 😉 It was near record high this year!

[jimh406]

mkirsch, I'm more surprised that someone from NY has a TC. Double bonus to have popup on a DRW. 😉

[Dog_Folks]

av8rds wrote:

mkirsch wrote:
You asked a question on an international forum. The odds of finding someone from Massachusetts, let alone someone with in-depth knowledge of MA's DOT laws, is slim.

We are here!! ;):C

Do you mean you are thawed out already?

It's only August!

(From someone that lived there)

[jimd1050]

av8rds wrote:

mkirsch wrote:
You asked a question on an international forum. The odds of finding someone from Massachusetts, let alone someone with in-depth knowledge of MA's DOT laws, is slim.

We are here!! ;):C

😉

[av8rds]

mkirsch wrote:
You asked a question on an international forum. The odds of finding someone from Massachusetts, let alone someone with in-depth knowledge of MA's DOT laws, is slim.

We are here!! ;):C

[av8rds]

Fuzzy a dually was changed to 'commercial' about 2004...it was done JUST to make more money for the state. It does NOT require a CDL BUT you will pay higher registration, inspection, insurance and toll fees.

Make sure you find an inspection station that knows its not a full on CDL vehicle or they will make you do the full Commercial vehicle inspection. My guy just required mud flaps/chocks/safety kit.

any questions feel free to PM me, I do have a 'little' insight into it.

PS dont forget your beach sticker for Race Point, Sandy Neck, or Nauset. Get out there and enjoy being ON the beach, not just NEAR the beach!!

[Johnnybgood]

(857) 368-8000 This is the number to the South Yarmouth Ma Dept. of motor vehicles. Give them a call.

[Dog_Folks]

Deleted by Dog Folks.

[Reality_Check]

Fuzzy Bear wrote:
I don't want to be rude, but I am not looking for information about any other state than MA. I have read the online documentation, but it was not plainly clear. What is clear is that MA now considers any vehicle with a GVWR over 10,000 to be a commercial vehicle. That is contrary to the federal laws, but it is what it is. What is not clear in all of the online documentation is if a CDL is required due to the commercial registration. The stuff I read mostly referenced 26,000 and above, 15+ passenger and some other things. It was not clear that those operating 10K to 26K had to have the Class C license and in turn the medical certification.

Doug

Don't confuse 'commercial vehicle' definition with CDL requirements. A state can call a donkey a commercial vehicle....but it has no impact on driver licensing requirements.

The link provided earlier by Mike is MA's DOL regurgitating CDL requirements. Simple answer, no... you don't need a CDL.