Do you need a CDL to drive 14000 pounds truck with air brakes pulling 11000 pounds trailer?

Answer 1

You need to specify if that's the actual laden weight, or if those are the weight ratings of the vehicles. If 25,000 lbs. is the Gross Combination Weight Rating, then no, you don't need a CDL. If the vehicle has a gross weight of 25,000 lbs, but has a Gross Combination Weight Rating of more than 26,000 lbs., then you would need a Class A CDL.

Essentially if a vehicle is:

vehicle over 26k pulling under 10k - need b license

vehicle over 26k pulling over 10k - need a license

vehicle under 26k pulling over 10k - need a license <--------- what you need

Answer 2

Air brakes have no relevance as to whether or not a vehicle requires CDL, whatsoever. If it requires a CDL with air brakes, it would require them with hydraulic brakes.

The weight requirements for the necessity of a CDL are based on the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating - that is, the weight the vehicle is rated to be at - not the weight it's at when being driven.. So, a bobtail tractor might only weigh 17,000 lbs. empty, but you can't drive it without a CDL because it's rated for 52,000 or 54,000 lbs.

Thus, a vehicle with a GVWR over 26,000 lbs. does require a CDL.... but there are exceptions to this.

Recreational vehicles with a GVWR of more than 26,000 lbs. are exempt from CDL requirements, so long as they are privately operated for personal, not-for-hire usage.

Registered farm vehicles are exempt from CDL requirements, so long as they are operated within a 100 air mile/150 road mile radius of the farm, are operated solely for the purposes of that farm, and are operated by the farmer, immediate family members of the farmer, or direct employees of the farmer.

Emergency vehicles (which can include both first response vehicles and other vehicles providing emergency services, such as snowplow trucks), so long as they are operated by authorized personnel in the course of providing an emergency service.

Military vehicles are exempt, provided they are operated by military personnel (active or reserve) in the course of military duties.

If it's over 26k GVWR, and doesn't meet those exemption requirements, yes, it needs a CDL.

Answer 3

No. Air brakes alone do NOT require a CDL.

Added: Calif DOT requires an endorsment on your drivers license to drive a vehicle with air brakes

Answer 4

The presence or absence of air brakes does not determine whether or not a vehicle requires a CDL. Weight rating and use do.