Cdl for towing

papi · 12-04-2016, 08:52 PM

Do you need to have a CDL license to tow a 38 ft FW with a 3500 DRW? I believe the answers no but, I would like to know what you guys know.

**chuckster57** · 12-04-2016, 09:10 PM

CDL isn't based on length, it's based on weights.

Ken / Claudia · 12-04-2016, 09:16 PM

Not by US DOT rules and not by Oregon's state rules if you live here. You do not list your state.

xrated · 12-05-2016, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia

Not by US DOT rules and not by Oregon's state rules if you live here. You do not list your state.

He lives in Aurora, IL according to his profile page.

mosquitoman · 12-05-2016, 04:21 AM

CDL is weight related but also you need to be towing "in commerce" meaning towing as a business or advertising. When I was doing DOT inspections we discussed the large bass boats with the sponsors on the sides. The combination of the tv and boat weighted over 10,001 and with the sponsors technically meant they fall into CDL requirement but for some reason they are not required to get them. So no campers are not required to have CDL. I'm surprised the large bus style with "air brakes" aren't required due to the "air brakes" alone.

bagged123 · 12-05-2016, 04:32 AM

only if you're getting paid to tow the TT or 5'er no matter on weight or length (hot shot, transporter from dealer to dealer, etc), otherwise no

**chuckster57** · 12-05-2016, 05:55 AM

If you live in a state that is like Ca. You would need a non commercial CDL to tow a fiver over 15,001 GVWR.

Not all states have the same rules for private use, and yeah out here a plain Jane license will let you drive a Class A RV up to 40' long, with air brakes.

Papi: check with your state's motor vehicle department for your requirements.

notanlines · 12-05-2016, 03:16 PM

"You must obtain an Illinois CDL if you operate: •Any combination of vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, providing the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
•Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
•Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
"
Now you know.

Outback 325BH · 12-05-2016, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notanlines

"You must obtain an Illinois CDL if you operate: •Any combination of vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, providing the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

•Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.

•Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.

"

Now you know.

You failed to mention the RV exception. You are required to get different class of license for those categories, but if it is av RV the license is a non-CDL. I'm speaking IL here. Other states can vary of course.

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bagged123 · 12-05-2016, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notanlines

"You must obtain an Illinois CDL if you operate: •Any combination of vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, providing the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
•Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
•Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
"
Now you know.

this is common in a lot of states even for RV's but is rarely enforced for RV unless it's a hot shot.

Outback 325BH · 12-05-2016, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bagged123

this is common in a lot of states even for RV's but is rarely enforced for RV unless it's a hot shot.

That isn't even true in IL for RV's.

https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/p...s/dsd_x142.pdf

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papi · 12-05-2016, 08:25 PM

I looked into it and this is what I found on the IL DMV,

Recreational Vehicle Operators — Illinois waives CDL requirements for drivers of a recreational vehicle operated as family/personal conveyance for recreational purposes. This includes motor homes, travel trailers and other recreational vehicles. Recreational vehicles being operated in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise are NOT exempt (Ex: Teams with sponsorships, Individuals or groups participating in shows/festivals where business is being conducted and other similar activities).

I take I don't need to worry about it. Now what happen when you travel to another state? Or should I ask is there any state that required a CDL for RV?

notanlines · 12-06-2016, 03:46 AM

My bad! When I highlighted the info I inadvertently left out the "in pursuit of commerce" phrase.

**chuckster57** · 12-06-2016, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papi

I take I don't need to worry about it. Now what happen when you travel to another state? Or should I ask is there any state that required a CDL for RV?

When you travel out of state your only required to meet the licensing requirements of the state you live in.

Outback 325BH · 12-06-2016, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

When you travel out of state your only required to meet the licensing requirements of the state you live in.

I wonder how true that is? That seems like a very gray area that is simply honored. But is that a law somewhere? It would be up to the states, no?

Not knocking you... I have always been curious how this is ACTUALLY & LEGALLY address... if at all.

Seems like something the states have just done, but don't know if they actually had to.

There are other types of licenses that one could have that aren't honored in other states. My statement isn't a back door into another discussion... it just raises the issue on what obliges a state to honor another's DL.

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**chuckster57** · 12-06-2016, 01:25 PM

According to Wikipedia, states recognize each other's licenses for temporary visitors. I would put the link but I'm on my dumb phone and a link doesn't show using the app.

Ken / Claudia · 12-06-2016, 03:56 PM

Hers the deal. Look at your driver's license. My guess every one of you will read somewhere on it SAYS resident of Your state. So, you are resident of state A. You travel to and thru 47 other states. Unless you become a resident of any of them you follow what your resident state license requirements are. Does that make sense. I am a Oregon resident, I travel thru CA. They can require their resident's to get any other form of license they want. But, I cannot get a CA license or endorsement unless I become a resident. At some point in the future CA could require all entering CA to buy a permit to be able to travel thru CA with anything they want. Will they?? I doubt that. You must obey about every traffic law of any state except licensing of you and your vehicle. That is done by your resident state.

allmi01 · 12-09-2016, 10:44 AM

X2 on that. I will note the exception of CA CARB requirements on diesel engines. This kind of falls under the full faith and credit clause of the US Constitution however that is a layman's belief not fact. I hope one of our members is an attorney and can help explain this.

Mike

dcg9381 · 12-10-2016, 04:35 PM

Saying this another way - you probably DONT need a CDL but you may need another license type. In my state, that Class-A license is a sub-set of the CDL written and driving tests.

Barbell · 12-11-2016, 06:15 AM

Full Faith and Credit clause of the US Constitution requires the states to give "full faith and credit " to each other states' laws. If legal in your state of residence, legal in any other state.

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