Do you need a CDL for a 5 ton

[mikester]

The title says it all guys. Just curious. Ive been seeing a 17 year old boy driving around town with a 900 series truck. Just wondering if hes legal.

 

[ryan77]

In Illinois you do!!!

 

[Csm Davis]

Not in most states, not sure about NY

 

[motorolanut]

Use the search function as this topic has been discussed and

 

[emmado22]

In NY a truck with full airbrakes = CDL. http://www.dmv.ny.gov/broch/cdlmanual.htm

Only exceptions I know of are firefighters and farmers.

 

[Krink545]

So M939 series yes in NY

 

[pctrans]

Any truck over 26K GVW with air brakes. That's Federal DOT regs.

 

[nf6x]

Any truck over 26K GVW with air brakes. That's Federal DOT regs.

Is the requirement based on GVW or GVWR? The GVW (actual gross vehicle weight) of an unladen M9xx cargo truck is around 21k, but its GVWR (maximum rated gross vehicle weight) is around 31k.

BTW, CA requires a CDL for un-bobbed deuces, even, due to their weight and third axle.

 

[Blind Driver]

Geez, not this again

 

[pctrans]

The EMPTY weight of a 923 is 21,600. GVW is 31,600. GCVWR is 46,600. At the minimum, a Class B CDL is required.

 

[M813A1]

If it is used for farm use most state will allow a person to drive a truck with air brake if it is being driven from the farm to the market !!!

 

[tie6044]

Pretty sure he needs a CDL

 

[nf6x]

The EMPTY weight of a 923 is 21,600. GVW is 31,600.

That is not quite correct. GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) is the actual weight of a vehicle at any given point in time. GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle. So, the GVW of a non-overloaded M923 could be anywhere between 21,600 and 31,600, while its GVWR would always be 31,600. The distinction between GVW and GVWR is important, because some laws use the actual weight (GVW) while others use the maximum rated weight (GVWR).

At the minimum, a Class B CDL is required.

According to Commercial Drive's License Program (CDL/CDLIS) - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (emphasis added):

Drivers are required to obtain and hold a CDL if they operate in interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce if they drive a vehicle that meets any of the classifications of a CMV described below.

Classes of License:

The Federal standard requires States to issue a CDL to drivers according to the following license classifications:

Class A -- Any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

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

Class C -- Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is transporting material that has been designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and is required to be placarded under subpart F of 49 CFR Part 172 or is transporting any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR Part 73.​

Just having a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds doesn't trigger the federal CDL requirement if the vehicle is used non-commercially (as well as not carrying hazmats, not being a bus, etc.). Many states have more stringent requirements, though. For example, CA requires a Class B (or A) CDL for any vehicle with more than two axles and a GVW (not GVWR) of at least 6,000 pounds, without regard to how the vehicle is used.

 

[emmado22]

Once again, a truck with full airbrakes needs a CDL, regardless of weight issues in New York...

 

[Squirt-Truck]

I do not think there is any reference to air brakes in the fed requirement for CDL. If so please show us.
Some states have those requirements, and some just ignore the non-commercial trucks.

 

[chevyCUCV]

I do not think there is any reference to air brakes in the fed requirement for CDL. If so please show us.
Some states have those requirements, and some just ignore the non-commercial trucks.

This is exactly why everyone should do their own research on their state's laws.
Not ask a bunch of people from across the country

This thread sucks, just like every other one about CDL's

 

[Sephirothq]

Yes or No Take your pick on the answer to suit your needs.

This question has come up so many times.
It depends on the state,
technically is the GVW is over 26,001 lbs you need a higher weight class in most states.

 

[052]

nf6x is correct regarding the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The applicability of the regulation is based upon GVWR. It is up to individual states for specific requirements for license classifications. For example, Nevada does not require anything other than a normal license for an M35, as the GVWR is 26,000 or less, nor does Nevada have any air brake endorsement requirment.

 

[nf6x]

Is the horse really dead if it keeps jumping up and trying to eat our brains?

 

[m16ty]

Any truck over 26K GVW with air brakes. That's Federal DOT regs.

There are some exceptions. In TN if it has farm tags and operated within 150 miles from home, a CDL is not needed.