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AR15.COM
5/9/2013 5:06:35 PM EDT
I was under the impression that you needed a CDL to drive a vehicle with a GVWR 26,001 pounds or greater.   However, on the DPS website it says


CDL Exemptions

Individuals who operate any of the following vehicles are not required to obtain a CDL but must have the correct type of driver license for the vehicle they are operating:

 1  Military or commercial vehicles when operated for military purposes by military personnel,
  2 A vehicle controlled and operated by a farmer, used to transport agricultural products, machinery or supplies within 150 miles of the individual’s farm,
  3 Fire-fighting or emergency vehicles necessary to the preservation of life or property or the execution of emergency governmental functions whether operated by an employee of a political subdivision or by a volunteer fire fighter,
  4 Recreational vehicles driven for personal use (although a CDL is not required, individuals may need to obtain a Class A driver license), and
  5 Straight trucks used exclusively for transporting an individual’s tangible personal property not for sale.



The statement of "You don't need a CDL for any of the following types of vehicles but you must have the correct type of license for the vehicle you're operating" and number 5 is what I'm wondering about.

For starters... that statement doesn't seem like it makes alot of sense.   If I want to buy a milsurp 5 ton truck (which clearly has a gvwr over 26001 pounds) do I need a CDL if I only ever use it for "transporting my personal property not for sale?"   Or am I not exempt because it's gvwr breaks the 26,001 pound limit and I need a CDL for that type of vehicle?   The first clause of that sentence and the second clause seem to be at cross-purposes.

I'm not interested in becoming a trucker.  I just want to pick up a 5 ton for airshows and parades.   While they're still relatively affordable.
5/9/2013 5:11:17 PM EDT
[#1]
They're talking about a noncommercial class A or B license basically, the correct class of license to match the vehicle but without the commercial aspect to it.
5/9/2013 5:27:34 PM EDT
[#2]
Thanks, that makes sense.

Yeah, I see that stuff under "classifications" now.
5/9/2013 9:04:32 PM EDT
[#3]
I've been battling DPS on this for a while. I have 900 series 5 ton tractor that we want to use for hauling personally owned armor with. Every DPS person insists that I have a Commercial endorsement and will not let me just get a class A or whatever it is. As of now its registered as a former military vehicle and I'm goin to be using it for "parades".
5/10/2013 3:36:25 AM EDT
[#4]
You can just get the CDL you know... Non-commercial use is still exempt from most of the regs whether you have a CDL-A or a non-commercial-A. The NHTSA guide to hours of service even has a section covering non-commercial use with the example of moving your own household stuff and noting it's exempt from hours of service log requirements. In this hinky economy, having the CDL isn't a bad thing either.
5/10/2013 4:18:40 AM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
You can just get the CDL you know... Non-commercial use is still exempt from most of the regs whether you have a CDL-A or a non-commercial-A. The NHTSA guide to hours of service even has a section covering non-commercial use with the example of moving your own household stuff and noting it's exempt from hours of service log requirements. In this hinky economy, having the CDL isn't a bad thing either.




No drivers ed for speeding

.04 drinking limit instead of .08  So even one or two beers at a festival driving a non cdl vehicle can get you a dwi

Physical required now .  So far I have not had to get one.

5/10/2013 5:02:55 AM EDT
[#6]
I don't speed and I barely drink, so not issues for me. I do need to do the physical thing at some point this year. I like having the CDL since it provides an extra level of "Plan B" in this hinky economy to keep the mortgage paid.
5/10/2013 7:09:19 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
Quoted:
You can just get the CDL you know... Non-commercial use is still exempt from most of the regs whether you have a CDL-A or a non-commercial-A. The NHTSA guide to hours of service even has a section covering non-commercial use with the example of moving your own household stuff and noting it's exempt from hours of service log requirements. In this hinky economy, having the CDL isn't a bad thing either.




No drivers ed for speeding

.04 drinking limit instead of .08  So even one or two beers at a festival driving a non cdl vehicle can get you a dwi

Physical required now .  So far I have not had to get one.



The police state crap is partly why I am not interested in getting an actual CDL.


So... where would I go to rent a truck to take the driving test?  How much would that cost?   I'm guessing I need someone from the truck rental place to drive me to the test?

I guess I could wait until I get one of these trucks and risk it, but the whole point of getting the correct license was to minimize risk...
5/11/2013 5:33:35 AM EDT
[#8]
can't renew or change adress of CDL online. Expensive to renew CDL. If you dont need it, dont get it. I'm about to get rid of mine.