Do you need a CDL?

[Scott Maentz]

I recently learned that I need to obtain my commercial driver's license (CDL) in order to lawfully drive our rally rig. Yes, it's true. Any not for recreation vehicle pulling a trailer with a GVWR of over 10,000 lbs where the COMBINED weight RATING of the truck & trailer is over 26,000 lbs is considered a Class A commercial vehicle. This is a federal law and it applies in all 50 states. Oh for the good ol' days when ignorance of this law was bliss.

Fortunately my driving record is clean and I'm not a convicted felon, so I should be able to get through this process and get legal. Not only do I need my CDL to be legal, but I also need to register my 3500 dually with an "apportioned" tag due to the fact that I will be driving outside my home state of Tennessee. Of course this can't be done at the local county clerk's office. One needs to travel to Nashville (~3 hours away) in order for the privilege of paying more road taxes than we already pay.

The Law
As I said above, if the combined weight RATING of your truck & trailer exceeds 26,000 lbs and the trailer itself is rated for over 10,000 lbs, you are driving a commercial vehicle. The operative word term here is GCWR, which means what the truck & trailer together are RATED to carry, not what that actual load weight is.

In my case my 3500 Dodge dually pickup has a GVWR of 12,200 lbs. My 3-axle 36' gooseneck trailer is rated for 15,500 lbs. Therefore, the trailer rating is over 10,000 lbs and the GCWR of the truck and trailer is 12,200+15,500 = 27,700 lbs. That's more than the 26,000 lb limit so I'm driving a vehicle that requires a CDL. It's that simple.

The Process
Getting your CDL and apportioned license plate is really not that tough, although it does require some research to be sure you have everything you need to get it done.

Getting the CDL is a relatively simple process. it involves passing a written test of 50 multiple choice and true/false questions and a pre-trip vehicle inspection test as well as parking and driving tests. You can pick up a study guide at your local drivers' license office.

Medical Card
The very first thing you must do is get a physical exam from your family doctor. I paid $125 for a quick checkup and a urine test. I received my "card" (it's cardboard) immediately and now carry it in my wallet. You can't take the written test without a medical card.

Written Test
Very straightforward with a couple of trick questions. There were 50 multiple choice and true/false questions. I didn't test on air brakes, as my rig doesn't have them and I won't be taking my drivers test with them. I passed this test quite easily. I believe you can get up to 10 questons wrong before you fail.

Driving Test
I take this one on Monday. In Tennessee you can only take this at one of the larger drivers' license offices, Chattanooga being the closest to me. However, there is a little known provision where you can hire a private examiner for a fee of $75. In my case she is much closer to home and it will just be the 2 of us, rather than a large crowd staring at me while I make the maneuvers. To me it's definitely worth the extra $75. I'll let you know how I do on Monday.

Apportioned License Plate
Oh, there's a couple more things. You see the federal government has set up laws that require commercial vehicles to pay taxes to each of the states the vehicle travels through. Oh yes, it's true. You can cover this in 1 of 2 ways:

1. Purchase an apportioned tag. You submit your driving plan for each state you will be passing through and pay the taxes up front in the price of this special license plate. Yeah, it's special alright. I have to travel to Nashville to purchase it, bringing with me several documents to prove the existence of my business, business phone listing, lease agreements, etc.

I'm told that the driving plan you submit is only for your commercial trips. I will not have to pay taxes on out-of-state trips with the truck when we drive to Wisconsin to see the kids & grandkids without the trailer. At these times the vehicle is not considered a commercial vehicle from an apportionment perspective.

2. Purchase special stamps or stickers from each state each time you travel through. Not for me.

Weigh Stations & Driving Logs
The last thing you need to learn about as a commercial driver is the keeping of your log and pulling through the weigh stations. That's right, you'll need to do everything the big rigs do when it comes to the laws of the road, including driving no more than 11 hours in a 24 hr period of time. Yeah, it may a bit of a hassle in regards to record keeping, but I really don't see it as a problem. And as far as driving 11 hrs a day, well that's as much as I can handle anyway.

What About You? Do you need a CDL?
Is your trailer rated >10,000 lbs with your truck & trailer rating combined over 26,000 lbs? If so, you'll need your CDL. If the GCVR is <26,000 lbs you're cool and don't need it.

or,

Is your motor vehicle a motor home? If so, you don't need a CDL, just a regular driver's license.

Stay tuned for updates as I complete this process this month. Ciao!

[Ed Hughes]

Glad to be a part of your creation. You all seem to be great people.... Thanks again

[Tim Minor]

I have had a cdl for over 10 years and the best way to get around this is not to have any writing on trailers and only put signs on when you get there. you also do not have to have one if you are driving a 200 mile radius aroung your shop

[Scott Maentz]

I took my "practical" CDL tests today which include a complete pre-trip inspection of the vehicle with the inspector, a driving test and a parallel parking test. I missed a few odds and ends during the pre-trip inspection and forgot to put my parking break on during the emergency stop portion of the driving test. All in all it wasn't too bad. I had a very nice inspector. I'm sure that helps.

My advice if you find yourself needing a CDL is to study the manual, walk through the complete vehicle inspection a few times prior to the test and practice your parking. You may not have to parallel park, depending on how your state manages the test. I know someone in North Carolina who had to do a 45 degree parking maneuver. You just need to inquire when you schedule the test.

All that's left to do with the CDL is to go to the drivers license office, pay them some more money and get my license.

Then I have to go to Nashville for my apportioned license plate. More documentation to gather before making that trip.