I understand one must acquire a CDL in order to legally drive a five ton truck, but what if you only drive a tractor without a bed or trailer, in other words does the weight reduction by not having either bed or trailer affect weight limitations ect?. Does one still need to get a CDL ? Tanks
From the NC DOT CDL Manual:
http://www.ncdot.gov/download/dmv/handbooks_CDLmanual.pdf
Page 1-2
You do not need a CDL to drive RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, MILITARY EQUIPMENT, FIRE and/or EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT, or CERTAIN FARM VEHICLES. For more information regarding CDL exemptions, see Section 1.8 – Exemptions and Waivers.
Page 1-11
1.8: Exemptions and Waivers
The type vehicles listed below do not require the operator to possess a CDL. However, a non-CDL Class A or B license may still be required:
• Vehicles used for personal use such as recreational vehicles.
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From the NC DOT website:
http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/driver/license/
Class A License
Required to operate any combination of vehicles exempt from CDL requirements with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is greater than 10,000 pounds.
Class B License
Required to operate any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more that is exempt from CDL requirements, or any such vehicle while towing another vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less.