ida34
Well-known member
- 4,120
- 35
- 48
- Location
- Dexter, MI
Derby asked me to look up something related to F endorsements to non-commercial driver's licenses. There are two endorsements that apply to private and farm related driving. If you are driving for a farm operation and meet the other requirements you will need an F endorsement for any vehicle combination over 26001 lbs. The five ton is over this so for farm use you need an F endorsement. The only other non-commercial driver's license endorsement is an R which is for any private fifth wheel combination where a second trailer is attached to the back of the first trailer (recreational double). This one was a new one to me and this is why I ask other more experienced people or look it up myself. Again I researched the deuce specifically before this. Air brakes make no difference. If you are driving around a large tractor and fifth wheel trailer with 40,000 lbs of scrap metal then you would have a hard time convincing most officers that you put together 40,000 lbs of metal through personal use. (This is not an attack on the other poster that did this. I will not name names but I think he has a CDL anyway.) 
There is an exemption to the exemption for the F endorsement that involves hazardous material. I did not read through this but can locate it if anyone wants to read it. Below are the links.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(muvjhe3zygdgar55rvvavz3i))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-257-312e
(9) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (10) and (11), this section does not apply to a driver or operator of a vehicle under all of the following conditions:
(a) The vehicle is controlled and operated by a farmer or an employee or family member of the farmer.
(b) The vehicle is used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies, or a combination of these items, to or from a farm.
(c) The vehicle is not used in the operation of a common or contract motor carrier.
(d) The vehicle is operated within 150 miles of the farm.
(10) A person, before driving or operating a combination of vehicles having a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more on the power unit that is used as described in subsection (9)(a) to (d), shall obtain an F vehicle endorsement. The F vehicle endorsement shall be issued upon successful completion of a knowledge test only.
(11) A person, before driving or operating a single vehicle truck having a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more or a combination of vehicles having a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more on the power unit that is used as described in subsection (9)(a) to (d) for carrying hazardous materials on which a placard is required under 49 CFR parts 100 to 199, shall successfully complete both a knowledge test and a driving skills test. Upon successful completion of the knowledge test and driving skills test, the person shall be issued the appropriate vehicle group designation and any vehicle endorsement necessary under this act.
(12) This section does not apply to a police officer operating an authorized emergency vehicle or to a firefighter operating an authorized emergency vehicle who has met the driver training standards published under the fire fighters training council act of 1966, 1966 PA 291, MCL 29.361 to 29.377.
(13) This section does not apply to a person operating a vehicle used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members for nonbusiness purposes.
Here is a link to a simple English pamphlet by the Secretary of State.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/commercial_drivers_license_8574_7.pdf
Bottom line. For non commercial or farm use you do not need any special endorsements for a 5 ton unless it is a fifth wheel tractor with a second trailer attached behind the first one and then you need an R endorsement.
There is an exemption to the exemption for the F endorsement that involves hazardous material. I did not read through this but can locate it if anyone wants to read it. Below are the links.http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(muvjhe3zygdgar55rvvavz3i))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-257-312e
(9) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (10) and (11), this section does not apply to a driver or operator of a vehicle under all of the following conditions:
(a) The vehicle is controlled and operated by a farmer or an employee or family member of the farmer.
(b) The vehicle is used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies, or a combination of these items, to or from a farm.
(c) The vehicle is not used in the operation of a common or contract motor carrier.
(d) The vehicle is operated within 150 miles of the farm.
(10) A person, before driving or operating a combination of vehicles having a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more on the power unit that is used as described in subsection (9)(a) to (d), shall obtain an F vehicle endorsement. The F vehicle endorsement shall be issued upon successful completion of a knowledge test only.
(11) A person, before driving or operating a single vehicle truck having a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more or a combination of vehicles having a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more on the power unit that is used as described in subsection (9)(a) to (d) for carrying hazardous materials on which a placard is required under 49 CFR parts 100 to 199, shall successfully complete both a knowledge test and a driving skills test. Upon successful completion of the knowledge test and driving skills test, the person shall be issued the appropriate vehicle group designation and any vehicle endorsement necessary under this act.
(12) This section does not apply to a police officer operating an authorized emergency vehicle or to a firefighter operating an authorized emergency vehicle who has met the driver training standards published under the fire fighters training council act of 1966, 1966 PA 291, MCL 29.361 to 29.377.
(13) This section does not apply to a person operating a vehicle used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members for nonbusiness purposes.
Here is a link to a simple English pamphlet by the Secretary of State.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/commercial_drivers_license_8574_7.pdf
Bottom line. For non commercial or farm use you do not need any special endorsements for a 5 ton unless it is a fifth wheel tractor with a second trailer attached behind the first one and then you need an R endorsement.
