Do you need a cdl with airbrakes to drive 35gvw in California?

Answer 1

At 35,000 lbs. GVWR, you are at a point where that vehicle requires a CDL if it is being used on a for-hire basis, or if the operator of that vehicle operates on a for-hire basis. That's in any state. If the vehicle is equipped with air brakes, then you must not have an air brake restriction (there is no air brake endorsement - if you don't complete the written Air Brakes test and do your road test in an air brake equipped vehicle, you get an air brake restriction).

Certain vehicles are exempt from CDL requirements, including:

• Recreational vehicles, operating on a private use basis
• Registered farm vehicles, under the condition the operator be the farmer, immediate family members of the farmer, or direct employees of the farmer, and that the vehicle is used solely in support of farm operations, and is not used on a for-hire basis
• Military vehicles, when operated by military personnel
• Firefighting and other emergency vehicles, when operated by such personnel

Answer 2

The presence or absence of air brakes has absolutely zeroimpact on whether or not a vehicle requires a driver with a CDL to be legally operated. A vehicle which doesn't require a CDL with hydraulic brakes doesn't require one with air brakes. Likewise, a vehicle with air brakes which requires a CDL would still require one whether it had air brakes, air-over-hydraulic brakes, hydraulic brakes, or the braking system used by the Flinstones.

CDLs are required for commercial use vehicles which fit certain criteria. There are three classes of CDL:

• Class A: Combination vehicles in excess of 26,000 lbs. in which the vehicle in tow (i.e., the trailer) is in excess of 10,000 lbs.
• Class B: Single vehicles in excess of 26,000 lbs. or combinations in excess of 26,000 lbs., provided the vehicle in tow is not in excess of 10,000 lbs.
• Class C: Single vehicles or combinations not in excess of 26,000 lbs. (explanation to follow)

When I say, "In excess of 26,000 lbs.", this is in reference to the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) - also known as the loaded or laden weight. This is the determination for whether or not a vehicle requires a CDL. If a vehicle weighs 15,000 lbs. empty but has a GVWR of 33,000 lbs., it requires a CDL whether loaded or empty.

A tractor-trailer combination requires a Class A CDL. A Ford F650 (which by itself does not require a CDL) towing a trailer with a weight rating of more than 10,000 lbs. would also require a Class A CDL, as that would be a combination with a Gross Combination Weight Rating in excess of 26,000 lbs. in which the vehicle in tow has a weight rating in excess of 10,000 lbs.

Had the trailer behind that F650 been rated at 8,000 lbs. (or any other weight rating 10,000 lbs. or below), then it would require a Class B CDL. Likewise, a tandem axle dump truck without a trailer would require a Class B CDL, as it is a single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating in excess of 26,000 lbs.

Single axle trucks can be a bit ambiguous in this regard - for example, the Ford F750 actually has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating between 31,000 and 37,000 lbs. (depending on the model year). However, if it's registered with the DMV as a 26,000 lb. GVWR vehicle, then it doesn't require a CDL - however, the vehicle must remain within that weight range of less than 26,000 lbs.

A Class C CDL is for vehicles with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less - these normally do not require a CDL, unless being operated under the following conditions:

• They are carrying a quantity of hazardous materials which requires hazmat placards to be displayed. Such vehicles require a CDL with hazardous material endorsement, regardless of weight rating.
• They are a bus designed to transport more than 15 persons (including the driver). This is not limited to commercial use buses - church buses and buses belonging to non-profit organisations typically require a CDL. These vehicles require a CDL with passenger endorsement regardless of the vehicle's weight class. However, some states do allow certain exceptions - for example, in Florida, buses transporting farm workers between the farm and their living quarters qualify for an exemption to CDL requirements.
• The State of New York requires all intrastate commercial use vehicles with a GVWR in excess of 18,000 lbs. to be operated by a driver with a CDL.

This applies to commercial use vehicles, which are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. There are certain types of vehicles which are exempt from requiring a CDL under the FMCSA. These include:

• Registered farm vehicles: Vehicles registered and plated as farm vehicles do not require a CDL, regardless of weight class. They must be operated by the farmer, immediate family members of the farmer, or direct (W2, not 1099) employees of the farmer. They must be operated within a 150 mile radius of the farm it is based out of (outside of this radius, a CDL is required is the vehicle is of a weight class which would normally require one). The vehicle may only be used for purposes supporting that farm, and may not be hired out on a third party basis.
• Military vehicles: Military vehicles do not require a CDL when they're operated by military personnel in the course of their duties (this includes members of the National Guard, Reserve, and State Guard forces).
• Firefighting and first response vehicles: Fire engines, ambulatory, and police vehicles do not require a CDL under the federal regs, when they're operated by authorised personnel in the course of their duties. States or individual departments, however, may require vehicles operators to obtain a CDL.
• Recreational vehicles: Vehicles registered as recreational vehicles do not require a CDL so long as they are not operated on a for-hire basis or by a driver working on a for-hire basis.

In these cases, individual states develop their own licencing requirements. In a state such as Florida, which is overrun with seniors who wield great political influence, you can drive the largest motorhomes without a licence upgrade. California, however, does not play that game. I won't delve too deeply into that, since I don't know what type of vehicle you intend to operate.