I just came across this today and because it is a National regulation it would apply to some of the metal and stone artists hauling heavy loads. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and "According to the Department of Transportation, any truck over 10,000 pounds (a dually) must have a DOT number and comply with DOT restrictions. If you have a truck and trailer with a GVW (gross vehicle weight) combined 26,000 lbs. (a four horse or more) you must have a CDL (commercial drivers license). If you are under 26,000 GVW you still must comply with the DOT such as inspections, log books, driver physicals, and insurance." There is more info at www.gohorseshow.com which is about horse hauling but the laws apply to weight. As artists selling work we are commercial.
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I have a number of friends who are professional crafters and tow trailers. Many tow goose neck race car trailers (38ft) full of stock and travel the country. Their tow vehicles range from F350 duallys to Freightliner Sportchassis. I was at a show in NJ this past weekend with some of them, and nobody was talking about this. The Sportchassis site clearly said there was no need for a CDL to drive them as they weighed less than 26,000 lbs and did not have air brakes. I think the air brakes are the key. Any truck with air brakes must have a CDL driver.
Chris, the determining factors are 26,000 pound GVW and commercial activity. Nothing was mentioned about air brakes,but that me be a sub- regulation in some states. I think most people hauling horses in this weight class have pickups with electric brakes on trailers.
Chris Hoyt > Richard L. ShererSeptember 10, 2013 at 12:23pm
According to everything I've seen, the CDL doesn't come into play if the tow vehicle is less than 26,000 pounds. Whether it's a private truck or not, the CDL rules are the same.
Chris, don't know what your source of info is but mine above was quoted directly from Federal regs. 10,000 lb vehicle weight, and 26,000 GVW which is combined vehicle and trailer. Doesn't apply to me but just thought it might save someone an expensive ticket down the road as law enforcement is always looking for new was to boost revenue.
Chris Hoyt > Richard L. ShererSeptember 11, 2013 at 7:21am
The GVW is the tow vehicle only and the GTW is the trailer weight. Two separate items.
The guys I know that tow the large trailers with the Sportchassis have to stop at all the weigh stations across the country and if they needed a CDL they would have been flagged long ago.
The same goes for RV owners. Grandpa doesn't need a CDL to drive his 40 ft motor coach from New York to Florida and back every year.
Ruth, I agree with what you said about recreational trailers. This is a federal regulation that applies to all states and is based on total weight and commercial activity. As applied to horse people who were ticketed, they were hauling horses to shows where they made money. The same weight/commercial activity would apply to artists. Read the web site article. I know it won't apply to most artist pulling small trailers, just those hauling metal, stone, furniture etc.
Richard - some of this depends on trailer type, there are much different rules for those of us that tow RV trailers and each state seems to have a different requirement on when a CDL is required IF you are licensed in that state.
Replies
I have a number of friends who are professional crafters and tow trailers. Many tow goose neck race car trailers (38ft) full of stock and travel the country. Their tow vehicles range from F350 duallys to Freightliner Sportchassis. I was at a show in NJ this past weekend with some of them, and nobody was talking about this. The Sportchassis site clearly said there was no need for a CDL to drive them as they weighed less than 26,000 lbs and did not have air brakes. I think the air brakes are the key. Any truck with air brakes must have a CDL driver.
According to everything I've seen, the CDL doesn't come into play if the tow vehicle is less than 26,000 pounds. Whether it's a private truck or not, the CDL rules are the same.
The GVW is the tow vehicle only and the GTW is the trailer weight. Two separate items.
The guys I know that tow the large trailers with the Sportchassis have to stop at all the weigh stations across the country and if they needed a CDL they would have been flagged long ago.
The same goes for RV owners. Grandpa doesn't need a CDL to drive his 40 ft motor coach from New York to Florida and back every year.
Richard - some of this depends on trailer type, there are much different rules for those of us that tow RV trailers and each state seems to have a different requirement on when a CDL is required IF you are licensed in that state.