CDL Requirements for 5 Tons (m934)

[toomanyprojects]

New to the forum and thought I'd be new to the 5 Ton club! I'm finally ready to pull the trigger on a 1985 m934 that I planned to convert to a camper. I've done all the leg work and ready to purchase it, somehow misunderstood that a CDL wasn't required. In NY, I'm told a CDL is required for anything over 26k. The m934 lists 29,280 empty. Does anyone know of any way around needing a CDL to drive this beast? I'm assuming not, but thought I'd ask in a last ditch effort before I toss the idea and go back to an m34a2 project of some kind. Thanks in advance!

 

[simp5782]

New to the forum and thought I'd be new to the 5 Ton club! I'm finally ready to pull the trigger on a 1985 m934 that I planned to convert to a camper. I've done all the leg work and ready to purchase it, somehow misunderstood that a CDL wasn't required. In NY, I'm told a CDL is required for anything over 26k. The m934 lists 29,280 empty. Does anyone know of any way around needing a CDL to drive this beast? I'm assuming not, but thought I'd ask in a last ditch effort before I toss the idea and go back to an m34a2 project of some kind. Thanks in advance!

No CDL is required for a motor home in New York. You however must have an R endorsement added to your class D or E license.

 

[toomanyprojects]

No CDL is required for a motor home in New York. You however must have an R endorsement added to your class D or E license.

That's brilliant!! I never considered this thing a motor home but it makes perfect sense. Thanks!!

 

[msgjd]

In NY, I'm told a CDL is required for anything over 26k.

Technically, it's 26001# and over .. I know, heard it before, "dee tails, deet shmails so what?" You will need the specific endorsement that covers the air brake situation, but they cannot "CDL" an RV .. It doesn't hurt to have decals "Private Coach" on your doors

 

[simp5782]

You will have to pass a skills test with the truck.

View Document - New York Codes, Rules and Regulations

govt.westlaw.com

.

 

[zebedee]

... and you also might want to check on permanent features of an "RV" that qualify as such.

 

[Tow4]

The truck will typically have to be registered as an RV.

 

[KN6KXR]

It wasn't that hard. I crammed a bunch of YouTube and took it in my M936A2. They gave me a CDL class B with airbrake and auto trans. Whatever I just want to be legit driving my truck. The test guy had a good time I'll bet he remembers that for awhile.

 

[simp5782]

It wasn't that hard. I crammed a bunch of YouTube and took it in my M936A2. They gave me a CDL class B with airbrake and auto trans. Whatever I just want to be legit driving my truck. The test guy had a good time I'll bet he remembers that for awhile.

You have to go to truck driving school for an A or B CDL now. Period.

 

[G744]

Too bad you don't live in AZ. 25 years or older is eligiable for Historic Vehicle status and therefore is not commercial in terms of curb weight or GVW.

Worked for my big MV's for over 35 years. I carry the legal statute paperwork in the truck, but have never been pulled over even going thru weigh stations like a sedan on state borders.

Do insure the crap out of them, as one never lnows what will happen driving them today.

DG

 

[toomanyprojects]

Thanks everyone! I've got my "R" permit now and just need to schedule the road test once I have the beast (picking it up on Friday). Interestingly, my local DMV had no clue what the "R" endorsement was until looking it up. She got some help from another lady who explained very few people actually get the endorsement or know it exists. She figures they've had 5 in as many years (pretty busy DMV, only one in the county). Apparently enforcement is lax to nil. Anyway, I'll follow through regardless. If I were a trooper, I'd probably pull me over just to check out the truck so I'll play it safe!

 

[msgjd]

...In AZ. 25 years or older is eligiable for Historic Vehicle status and therefore is not commercial in terms of curb weight or GVW.

Is a good route to go, and NY does have Historical plates , done it on some trucks in the past but it was too restrictive for the wide range of things we were doing at the time.. There are restrictions on useage such as no hauling loads, no trailers, (but hauling people in parades apparently okay), no commuting, no everyday driving, and some other things. Of course, math class taught us that altercations are directly proportionate to enforcement

 

[HDN]

I was recently looking at the NY DMV laws for 26000 lb+ vehicles and the State Police website mentioned something about a personal use endorsement for vehicles that big. I believe that should work for any 5-ton and maybe FMTV with historical plates. But it depends on what you want to use the truck for too.

As for air brakes, the State Police website doesn't mention anything about them, but I really don't see what the problem is with them. I'd feel safer if my daily drivers had air brakes on them

 

[simp5782]

I was recently looking at the NY DMV laws for 26000 lb+ vehicles and the State Police website mentioned something about a personal use endorsement for vehicles that big. I believe that should work for any 5-ton and maybe FMTV with historical plates. But it depends on what you want to use the truck for too.

As for air brakes, the State Police website doesn't mention anything about them, but I really don't see what the problem is with them. I'd feel safer if my daily drivers had air brakes on them

That is the R endorsement

 

[zebedee]

... and NY does have Historical plates , .... There are restrictions on useage such as no hauling loads, no trailers.....

Interesting - I just got off the phone with the folks in Albany that are the arbiters for 'younger than 25 years' applications for historical tags - all others are dealt with by 'special plates' dept. I was checking that I can register my semi trailer, an '89, that is the correct trailer to go with my '95 M916 A1. I was told to go ahead and post in the application, including photo of age relavant plate (Liberty style) [recently aquired from flebay] to get a Historic regn for the trailer.

 

[HDN]

Interesting - I just got off the phone with the folks in Albany that are the arbiters for 'younger than 25 years' applications for historical tags - all others are dealt with by 'special plates' dept. I was checking that I can register my semi trailer, an '89, that is the correct trailer to go with my '95 M916 A1. I was told to go ahead and post in the application, including photo of age relavant plate (Liberty style) [recently aquired from flebay] to get a Historic regn for the trailer.

@msgjd perhaps you're thinking of insurance requirements? I think Hagerty frowns upon historical MVs towing trailers, but other folks in the local club seem to do it without issue.

 

[G744]

A tactical without a trailer is like pants without any pockets.

Not so handy....

DG

 

[toomanyprojects]

A tactical without a trailer is like pants without any pockets.

Not so handy....

DG

Agreed! My Hagerty policy had an option for military OR historic. I didn’t see anything in the military vehicle policy about towing restrictions.

 

[Karl kostman]

Sometimes I think we have it to easy in ND (I am not complaining) but I have all my heavy trucks M920 and 977 HEMTT registered as farm trucks they still need the 2290 HVUT but other than that nothing else. The only restriction is I cannot be further than 400 miles from my home address with the truck and that has never been a problem!

 

[HDN]

Sometimes I think we have it to easy in ND (I am not complaining) but I have all my heavy trucks M920 and 977 HEMTT registered as farm trucks they still need the 2290 HVUT but other than that nothing else. The only restriction is I cannot be further than 400 miles from my home address with the truck and that has never been a problem!

That's a thing in NY too except one has to prove they're a farmer to get that kind of registration.