CDL requirements per state

[TurboMustang370]

Here is a new thread to avoid the "What do you tow PIC Thread" thread from being locked/closed.

Let the yelling begin lol

New Jersey:

Commercial driver license (CDL)

Class A includes
-Tractor trailers
-Any truck and trailer combination with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds – provided that the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is more than 10,000 pounds
-Any vehicle in B, C or D categories, if you have qualified for the proper extra endorsements

Class B includes
-Any vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds
-A vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds towing a trailer with a GVWR of less than 10,000 pounds
-A bus with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including driver)
-Vehicles in Class C and D categories – provided you have qualified for the proper extra endorsements

Class C includes
-Any vehicle with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds used to transport hazardous material (with mandatory placard)
-Any bus designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver) and with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds
-School vehicles designed for 15 passengers or less (including the driver)
-Any bus or vehicle used for hire and designed to transport eight to 15 passengers (including the driver)

[Truknutt]

In Pennsylvania we have Non-commercial and, of course, Commercial Class A, B, & C licenses.

PENNDOT Class of Driver's Licenses

[44magnum]

I put in my 2 cents, In Iowa I know this much, IF the GVWR of the truck and trailer (assuming the trailer is over 10000GRWR) combined exceed 26000 you need a CDL, IT does not matter if it will be used commercial or not! EXEMPTION if it is an RV! But if the trailer is under 10000GVWR the truck can have a GVWR up to 26000lbs. But if the trailer is over 10000GVWR you cant go over 26000GVWR. Clear as mud right? Ok here is an few examples, you can use your f450 to tow your 40ft camper which together has a GVWR of 30000lbs without a CDL. Or you can use your F550 @19k GVWR plus a 8K GVWR trailer for a total of 27k doesn't need a CDL because the truck isn't over 26k and the trailer isn't over 10k. BUT you cant use your f250 to tow a 30' flatbed with a combined GVWR of 26001lbs, that would need a CDL. Does it make sense to me? No but thats the way it is. Is this a law thats enforced? I don't know, all I know is that I wont pull anything with a gvrw over 16000lbs (my truck has a 10000gvwr) unless I get my CDL. Go to the iowa DOT website and on the right hand side of the page click on "Manuals and study guides" and Read the "CDL in a manual". here is a link to the dot website Iowa driver's manuals and study guides - Iowa Motor Vehicle Division

[Spudman]

Originally Posted by 44magnum

I put in my 2 cents, In Iowa I know this much, IF the GVWR of the truck and trailer (assuming the trailer is over 10000GRWR) combined exceed 26000 you need a CDL, IT does not matter if it will be used commercial or not! EXEMPTION if it is an RV! But if the trailer is under 10000GVWR the truck can have a GVWR up to 26000lbs. But if the trailer is over 10000GVWR you cant go over 26000GVWR. Clear as mud right? Ok here is an few examples, you can use your f450 to tow your 40ft camper which together has a GVWR of 30000lbs without a CDL. Or you can use your F550 @19k GVWR plus a 8K GVWR trailer for a total of 27k doesn't need a CDL because the truck isn't over 26k and the trailer isn't over 10k. BUT you cant use your f250 to tow a 30' flatbed with a combined GVWR of 26001lbs, that would need a CDL. Does it make sense to me? No but thats the way it is. Is this a law thats enforced? I don't know, all I know is that I wont pull anything with a gvrw over 16000lbs (my truck has a 10000gvwr) unless I get my CDL. Go to the iowa DOT website and on the right hand side of the page click on "Manuals and study guides" and Read the "CDL in a manual". here is a link to the dot website Iowa driver's manuals and study guides - Iowa Motor Vehicle Division

..............

[Spudman]

For all practical purposes the CDL requirements are the same for all the states except one.

[TurboMustang370]

Originally Posted by Spudman

For all practical purposes the CDL requirements are the same for all the states except one.

Hawaii or Alaska?

[Spudman]

Originally Posted by TurboMustang370

Hawaii or Alaska?

Commnifornia.

[Spudman]

Oh.............

There is no such thing as an air brake endorsement on a CDL.

Just thought I would through that out there.

[EastTexasF250]

What about if you are hauling hay? Are there exemptions for farm use? I have seen farmers hauling 26 round bails on a goose neck before, do they have to have a cdl. I guess that would 13000 lbs of hay plus ever how much the truck and gooseneck weighs?

[Spudman]

Originally Posted by EastTexasF250

What about if you are hauling hay? Are there exemptions for farm use? I have seen farmers hauling 26 round bails on a goose neck before, do they have to have a cdl. I guess that would 13000 lbs of hay plus ever how much the truck and gooseneck weighs?

Most states have a farm exemption. It is only good for 150 miles from "home".