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That depends on the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of the vehicle you're driving, or the Gross Combination Weight Rating of the truck and trailer you're operating, if operating a combination vehicle. Other factors come into play, as well, such as if it's a registered commercial vehicle or a registered farm vehicle.
The empty weight of a vehicle is the total weight minus the net weight. This is used to determine the cost of things that pay by weight.
That depends on the nature of the vehicle (commercial or personal use) and the Gross Combination Weight Rating of the two vehicles. If it's a commercial use vehicle, and the Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings of the two vehicles combined come out to a Gross Combination Weight Rating in excess of 26,001 lbs. or more (e.g., you have a pickup rated at 15,000 lbs. and a gooseneck trailer rated at 20,000 lbs.), then a CDL will be required.
When you're operating...A commercial vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of more than 26,000 lbs.A combination vehicle used for a commercial purpose which has a Gross Combination Weight Rating of more than 26,000 lbs. (so, even if the two vehicle itself doesn't require a CDL, if the weight rating of the combination is over 26k when the trailer is attached, a CDL is required)Commercial buses of any weight class which are designed to transport more than 15 persons (including the driver)Any vehicle of any weight class which is transporting quantities of hazardous materials which require the display of hazmat placards under the FCSRAlthough exempted from requiring a CDL under the federal regulations, many states and individual fire departments require their vehicle operators to possess a CDL.
If it's a commercial use vehicle and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of the tow vehicle and of the trailer combine to make a Gross Combination Weight Rating in excess of 26,000 lbs., then yes, a CDL is required.
Volume inside of a container or transportation vehicle. If the weight of the container or vehicle is known, you can weigh it and determine the weight of the load.
Any bus designed to transport 16 or more persons (including the driver)Any vehicle carrying a quantity of hazardous materials which requires the display of placards in accordance with CFR49.Any commercial single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating in excess of 26,000 lbs.Any commercial combination vehicle with a Gross Combined Weight Rating of more than 26,000 lbs. when the tow vehicle exceeds a single vehicle GVWR of 26,000 lbs.Any commercial combination vehicle with a Gross Combined Weight Rating in excess of 26,000 lbs., when the trailer has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of more than 10,000 lbs.Any vehicle which meets the criteria of 3 - 5, but which falls under a category exempt from requiring a CDL, if its operation does not meet ALL of the criteria listed under that exemption (e.g, farm vehicle, military vehicle, emergency vehicle, recreational vehicle).
The type of brakes used in a vehicle does not determine whether or not the vehicle requires a CDL.A commercial use vehicle requires a CDL when:It is a single vehicle or combination vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or Gross Combination Weight Rating of more than 26,000 lbs.It is transporting quantities of hazardous materials which requires the display of hazmat placards, regardless of the vehicle's weight rating.It is a bus designed to transport more than 15 persons (including the driver), regardless of the vehicle's weight rating.If your vehicle matches any of the above criteria, then you need the appropriate class of CDL and you will need to take the written test for air brakes, as well as conduct your road test in an air-brake equipped vehicle. Otherwise, you will receive a restriction on your CDL which prohibits you from operating a commercial vehicle equipped with air brakes or air-over-hydraulic brakes.If your vehicle does not meet any of the above criteria, then a CDL is not required.
The type of brakes used in a vehicle does not determine whether or not the vehicle requires a CDL.A commercial use vehicle requires a CDL when:It is a single vehicle or combination vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or Gross Combination Weight Rating of more than 26,000 lbs.It is transporting quantities of hazardous materials which requires the display of hazmat placards, regardless of the vehicle's weight rating.It is a bus designed to transport more than 15 persons (including the driver), regardless of the vehicle's weight rating.If your vehicle matches any of the above criteria, then you need the appropriate class of CDL and you will need to take the written test for air brakes, as well as conduct your road test in an air-brake equipped vehicle. Otherwise, you will receive a restriction on your CDL which prohibits you from operating a commercial vehicle equipped with air brakes or air-over-hydraulic brakes.If your vehicle does not meet any of the above criteria, then a CDL is not required.
Unlike regular licenses, chauffeur's licenses, et. al, CDLs are federally regulated. There are three classes of CDLs, and they are the same in every state. They are:Class A: Commercial vehicle combinations in excess of 26,000 lbs. Gross Combination Weight Rating, in which the vehicle in tow (i.e., trailer) has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating in excess of 10,000 lbs.Class B: Commercial single vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating in excess of 26,000 lbs., or combination in excess of 26,000 lbs. Gross Combination Weight Rating, provided that the vehicle in tow does not have a weight rating in excess of 10,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.Commercial single vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,000 lbs. or less, or commercial combinations with a Gross Combination of 26,000 lbs. or less, but which require a CDL either because they're a: transporting a quantity of hazardous materials which requires the display of placards or b: buses designed to transport more than 15 persons (including the driver).
The cargo, the trailer, and the weight of the vehicle.
They don't give "minimum" weights for commercial vehicles. Theoretically, you could classify a motorcycle as a commercial vehicle if you were using it to carry property.