0
What license you need depends on a number of factors, namely, the vehicle's use, the Gross Combined Weight Rating of the tow vehicle and of the trailer, and the Gross Combined Weight Rating of the two.
For usage, is the vehicle for a business or commercial venture? If so, it's regulated as a commercial vehicle. Private use, there are two possibly applicable exemptions for CDL requirements here -
Recreational Vehicles - when operated for not-for-hire, personal use, these are exempt from requiring a CDL. Now, on a for hire basis, such as hired drivers, or transporters, then they're treated the same as any other commercial vehicle.
Farm vehicles - when registered as such, when operated exclusively for the purposes of that farm (no third party for hire usage), operated within a 150 road/100 air mile radius of the farm, and operated by the farmer, immediate family members of the farmer, or direct (W2/W4, not 1099) employees of the farmer.
Non-commercial vehicles which don't fall under those exemptions can be a bit of a grey area, as many states put commercial plates on pickup trucks used for private use.
So, if it does fall under the criteria of a commercial use vehicle, the length of the trailer has nothing to do with the license required - it's weight.
So now we get into Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. This is the maximum loaded weight the vehicle is rated to run at - a 33,000 lb. GVW vehicle might only weigh 16,000 lbs. empty, but it's treated as a 33,000 lb. vehicle at all times.
Gross Combined Weight Rating is the combined weight rating of all portions of the combination - so, for example, a truck with a 10,000 lb. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating with a trailer which has a 16,000 lb. GVWR comes to a total Gross Combined Weight Rating of 26,000 lbs.
So.. there are three classes of CDL. The 'lowest' being Class C. Class C covers single vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of up to 26,000 lbs., and is used for instances where such vehicles - which normally don't require a CDL - would, such as any vehicle hauling a quantity of hazardous material which requires placards to be displayed under CFR49 regulations, or a commercial or school bus designed to transport more than 15 people (including the driver). In addition to the power unit, a trailer with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of up to 10,000 lbs. may be towed without requiring the license to be upgraded.
A Class B CDL is required for any non-exempt single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,001 lbs. or more. Additionally, a trailer with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of up to 10,000 lbs. may be towed without requiring an upgraded license.
A Class A CDL is required for any non-exempt combination where the Gross Combined Weight Rating of the trailer is 10,001 lbs. or more.
These laws are a bit screwy, so let's give it a breakdown...
Single vehicle:
Single vehicle with a GVWR of 0 - 26,000 lbs. = no CDL required unless the conditions for a Class C CDL exist
Single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more lbs. = Class B CDL is not in an exempt category
Combination vehicles:
Tow unit with GVW of 26,000 lbs. or less and trail unit with GVW of 10,000 lbs. or less = No CDL required unless the conditions for the requirement of a Class C CDL apply.
Tow unit with GVW of under 26,000 lbs. or less and trail unit with a GVW of 10,001 lbs. or more but when the Gross Combined Weight Rating is still under 26,000 lbs. = No CDL required unless the conditions for the requirement of a Class C CDL apply.
Tow unit with a GVW of under 26,000 lbs. and a trail unit of 10,001 lbs. or more for a Gross Combined Weight Rating of 26,001 lbs. or more = Class A CDL required if the vehicle is of a non-exempt category.
Tow unit with a GVW of 26,001 lbs. or more and a trail unit with a GVW of 10,000 lbs. or less = Class B CDL required if the vehicle is of a non-exempt category.
Tow unit with a GVW of 26,001 lbs. or more and a trail unit with a GVW or 10,001 lbs. or more = Class A CDL required if the vehicle is of a non-exempt category.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Wiki User
∙ 6y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
When towing a car do you need to unlock the steering wheel?
Only if your towing the vehicle by the rear wheels. If you are towing by the front wheels you do not need to unlock the steering wheel.
When towing a front wheel drive vehicle what gear does it need to be in?
neutraj.
What is the towing capacity of a 1979 Chevrolet truck?
Need to know the model and wheel base.
How big of a truck do I need to pull fifth wheel trailers?
The most important thing to do is to find out the weight of the 5th wheeler and determine if your truck has that towing capacity. A 1/2 ton truck should be able to handle it. A F250 will also be able to handle it.
I need a good Slogan for fifth grade class rep?
think out of the box
How do you get a 5th wheel unstuck on a mack truck?
Gotta find out what's wrong with the fifth wheel. If the jaws are stuck, the horseshoe might need to be replaced, or the whole thing might have to be rebuilt. But, ensure that the fifth wheel is properly adjusted, and that there's no pressure on the jaws when you try to release it.
Towing capacity of Chevrolet?
need to know the year/ make/ model/ trim package, up to 23,000lbs with a 5th wheel/ goose neck trailer.
What cars can be towed on all 4's behind anot RV?
If you're towing any front wheel drive car, you'll need to have locking hubs installed so you can unlock them before towing. Any rear wheel drive car with a manual transmission or transfer case which can be put into a neutral transmission can be. Otherwise, you'll want to disconnect the driveshaft before flat towing.
What is the towing capacity of a 2000 Ford Ranger?
AnswerTowing capacity: 5320 lbs.Payload: 1260 lbs.The tongue weight is usually 10% of towing weight.You need a Class II receiver hitch and brakes on the trailer.
When towing a car do you need to do anything special?
It depends on how far you're towing it and what kind of car it is. If it's a rear wheel drive vehicle and you're going very far you may want to disconnect the drive shaft. Other vehicles are on a case-by-case basis. Contact the dealer for specific information about your car. Often it's worth the expense of renting a "tow dolly" if you're towing a front wheel vehicle very far.
What specifications should I look for in 5th wheel hitches to be sure they suit my vehicle?
A fifth wheel mounts in the bed of a pickup truck above the rear axle. Unless you have a pickup with the necessary power and torque to pull a large heavy trailer you won't need a fifth wheel. In essence a fifth wheel is designed for pulling things such as bulldozers on lowboy trailers and heavy boats or very large camper trailers. The important thing in pulling these items are torque and horsepower.
How do you wire your Chevy Silverado C1500 for towing?
need wiring diagram for towing
