Who has their CDL?

[Elwenil]

Well, whatever. A hel of a lot of people seem to get away with it since I can't remember any of the OO I know running with them. Pretty much all of them had some sort of custom tail panel with nothing but red lights in it other than the tag light. YMMV

 

[aczlan]

Well, whatever. A hel of a lot of people seem to get away with it since I can't remember any of the OO I know running with them. Pretty much all of them had some sort of custom tail panel with nothing but red lights in it other than the tag light. YMMV

Getting away with it perhaps, but its not how the truck came stock, its not how the fleets order them and it wont pass an inspection if the inspector looks for it.
We had a small road trip today and every truck I saw had a reverse light. I have also been looking at work and every truck that has some in (which range from O/O decked out trucks to Prime/Swift to Yellow Freight, Canadian trucks and to a few from a local trucking company who has a reputation for not spending a dime more than is legally required) and every single one had at least one backup light.
IMO, your experience is more of an exception than the rule.

Aaron Z

 

[HillbillyDeluxe]

I didn't say they weren't required at some point, but every owner operator I know of takes them off and I don't know of anyone who DOT has given a ticket for it. These trucks also pass inspection for their company and VA State Inspection. And I can find just as many trucks with reverse lights as I can find without in the classified sites. It would definitely be something I would watch for in a DMV driving test, but once on the road, it doesn't appear to be an issue.

Hi. Nice to meet ya. DOT **** nailed me 4 weeks ago for no reverse lights on MY truck.

These mf'ers will write a ticket for anything and everything they can. They will also make shit up if they can't find anything, my carrier deals with it constantly.

 

[SLOWPOKE693]

These mf'ers will write a ticket for anything and everything they can. They will also make shit up if they can't find anything, my carrier deals with it constantly.

So much this!

The DOT is just a money grab scheme. They don't give one single fuck about your safety or anybody else's. It's ALL about the revenue.

 

[PAE]

Hi. Nice to meet ya. DOT **** nailed me 4 weeks ago for no reverse lights on MY truck.

These mf'ers will write a ticket for anything and everything they can. They will also make shit up if they can't find anything, my carrier deals with it constantly.

What Probable Cause to pull you over Unless you were backing up toward the DOT officer?

 

[ThePanzerFuhrer]

What Probable Cause to pull you over Unless you were backing up toward the DOT officer?

Don’t need probable cause to pull over a dot truck.

 

[Scooter]

I didn't see it mentioned but the DOT has started a clearinghouse that all of your piss test results go to. So if you piss hot and lose you job, it stays on your record for 5 years and all future employers will see the test results.

 

[Scooter]

Don’t need probable cause to pull over a dot truck.

This, having your CDL means they don't need pc. They hold you to a higher standard.

 

[PAE]

Aye aye...

Its been years since I lost mine due to medical issues.

There should be two standards aka driving in a CDL capacity & NOT.

 

[HillbillyDeluxe]

Aye aye...

Its been years since I lost mine due to medical issues.

There should be two standards aka driving in a CDL capacity & NOT.

Uh, there is. I daily drive a 2002 Peterbilt 379 with a 48ft flatbed behind it. I got pulled into a roadside inspection pullout at the Tx/La border at 7am on a Fri morning.

DOT needs zero pc to pull a cmv over.

 

[SLOWPOKE693]

I didn't see it mentioned but the DOT has started a clearinghouse that all of your piss test results go to. So if you piss hot and lose you job, it stays on your record for 5 years and all future employers will see the test results.

Do they randomly pull you over and make you take a piss test, or do you have to be involved in an accident or something for that to come into play?

 

[Scooter]

Dunno

Do they randomly pull you over and make you take a piss test, or do you have to be involved in an accident or something for that to come into play?

Dunno

 

[ThePanzerFuhrer]

Do they randomly pull you over and make you take a piss test, or do you have to be involved in an accident or something for that to come into play?

I’m sure you get into a accident you’ll need to do a piss test. But we all (cdl holders) have to be in a random drug test pool. My name seems to get pulled every 1.5 years or so. We also need to take a drug test when we renew our fed medical card.

 

[honEXduner]

We also need to take a drug test when we renew our fed medical card.

idk about that, never seen it on the long form

 

[DRTDEVL]

So much this!

The DOT is just a money grab scheme. They don't give one single fuck about your safety or anybody else's. It's ALL about the revenue.

Indeed. If it were about safety, they would be pulling over those Mexican shit-trains headed south. Since we all know they won't pay and the company will just send a different driver instead, the DOT turns a blind eye to the minivan flat-towing the Toyota 4x4 that's pulling a car dolly with an Impala on it and pulls over the commercial guy to give him an anal probe and see if he can find the slightest technicality to generate revenue.

 

[AlxJ64]

Can we talk about the "gray area here" in regards to the FMSCA clause regarding commercial vs non-commercial use.
RVs obviously are the obvious "for personal use, non commercial" situation but what about equipment and even personally owned vehicles.

My personal pickup and both my Gooseneck trailers add up on paper to over 26k. I could drop one trailer registration down to get it under as I'd never put that much on it but the other combination could actually end up there. I'm not a business but I do personally own, and move my Skidsteer back and forth to my grandparent's farm, parents place, and the property that I do a lot of wheeling on for trail maintenance. I also haul a few random old trucks, machine tools I buy, etc for myself, friends and such but still not a "business". The truck is newer, trailers look good and one is newer as well. Just recently I had a Va State trooper threaten to write me for operating without a CDL even though the trailer was empty and he actually pulled me for a missing front tag (truck had been backed into in a parking lot the night before and the bracket and tag were taken by whoever hit the truck). He wouldn't take the justification on the tag even though you could see the dirt line. When I asked for a break he threatened to write me for the "on paper" CDL combination issue and have the whole truck and trailer towed on the spot.
Truck has passenger tags.
I've thought of adding "Not for Hire" stickers on the trailers but a friend said that draws more attention than it helps.

The Virginia Manual states in the book that operating over 26k when moving personal items or for recreation it is not considered commercial. Has anyone been actually ticketed while hauling your own possessions even though the process was zero percent commercial? I have to move two old trucks up through the Northeast and don't want to be hassled a million times.

 

[granitestatedestroyer]

If the GVWRs add up you need the class A.

You can affidavit out proclaiming only personal stuff and get an exemption from medical card requirement.

 

[AlxJ64]

If the GVWRs add up you need the class A.

You can affidavit out proclaiming only personal stuff and get an exemption from medical card requirement.

Even if it falls under the 49 CFR § 390.3T(f)(3) “Occasional use” exemption ?

ie, Its my stuff. I'm not selling it, not making money from it, and literally am just playing in the woods with my toys. I guess it will be up to the officer's interpretation and belief that I am hauling my own toys.

Part 390 § 390.3T General applicability Question 21 | FMCSA

Question 21: Does the exemption in § 390.3T(f)(3) for the ‘‘occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation nor in the furtherance of

www.fmcsa.dot.gov

Question 21: Does the exemption in § 390.3T(f)(3) for the ‘‘occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation nor in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise’’ apply to persons who occasionally use CMVs to transport cars, boats, horses, etc., to races, tournaments, shows or similar events, even if prize money is offered at these events?

Guidance: The exemption would apply to this kind of transportation, provided: (1) The underlying activities are not undertaken for profit, i.e., (a) prize money is declared as ordinary income for tax purposes, and (b) the cost of the underlying activities is not deducted as a business expense for tax purposes; and, where relevant; (2) corporate sponsorship is not involved. Drivers must confer with their State of licensure to determine the licensing provisions to which they are subject.

 

[blthomas]

Even if it falls under the 49 CFR § 390.3T(f)(3) “Occasional use” exemption ?

ie, Its my stuff. I'm not selling it, not making money from it, and literally am just playing in the woods with my toys. I guess it will be up to the officer's interpretation and belief that I am hauling my own toys.

Part 390 § 390.3T General applicability Question 21 | FMCSA

Question 21: Does the exemption in § 390.3T(f)(3) for the ‘‘occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation nor in the furtherance of

www.fmcsa.dot.gov

Question 21: ******** shortened

I follow the occasional use that you've posted here. This is actually printed and in my truck, and my buddy's truck.

We drag a lot of stuff around for personal use, we live in Culpeper / Madison respectively. Skid steers, rubber tire backhoe, mini ex, junk vehicles constantly.

I have a older 10k car hauler, so I think I slip by more easily. He has a 30 foot goose, we blow by everyone running together, or in his truck alone.

That said, everything is bindered appropriately, everything works as far as lights, tires, registration, up to date state inspection.

We're both CDL holders, but my interpretation is you don't need a CDL for personal use, regardless if a toy hauler, or a pickup dragging a goose. It relates to the commerce side. But it feels like there's enough gray area for it to be interpreted on the fly.

I think you got a dick trooper.

I'd call the stateies local to you and float some questions.

I see all kinds of stuff not for hire/farm use around here, I don't think they get hassled at all. Maybe that's the way to go. Nice neat lettering that says not for hire, and see what happens.

 

[PAToyota]

As I said on the first page, one of the local trailer shops held an "info night" the other year just for this sort of questions.

The first half of the question is what class license you need to tow the combination and registered weights of the tow vehicle and trailer. As you encountered, it isn't the actual weight of your truck, trailer, and load when you're pulled over that matters (although being overweight is an entirely different ballgame), it is what the "paper" possibilities are - if you don't have the license for the "paper" combination, you're in violation.

The second half of the question is CDL/non-CDL. The State Trooper speaking admitted that is a very grey area and a lot of it depends on the guy/gal that pulls you over. He even listed a bunch of local jurisdictions he was aware of where grey area stuff was likely to get you into trouble because they saw the tickets as a revenue source. It got into that "Question 21" paragraph you posted - people towing to the local racecourse, horse people towing to shows, people doing lawncare/home improvement on the side, etc.

His two questions were 1) does it look like what you're towing has the possibility of making you money? and 2) how much time/money do you want to spend fighting tickets? As #1 screams "money maker" louder and louder, it's going to draw more and more attention and raise the possibility of them pulling you over. And as the answer to #1 moves up the scale, the time you spend on #2 will rise along with it - whether it is time sitting alongside the road or time in court. So his recommendation was it was likely easier to cover your bases with the proper license than spend time trying to argue it. If you're doing this outside of your immediate area, that just raises the stakes exponentially. Not only the possibility of having to travel back to an area to fight the ticket, but also the possibility of having your truck/trailer put out of service miles from home.

The truth of the matter is you can do whatever you want as long as you don't get pulled over. It's when you get pulled over that the fun begins... I currently know two guys who have been driving without any license for months. The one "forgot" to get it renewed and drove for about eight months - just finally got it renewed this past week. I was actually surprised that they didn't make him take the exam over again or some other BS for as long as it had expired. The other had his license suspended but never bothered to get the "limited license" to allow him to drive to work. I know some others that semi-frequently drive stuff over the 26,001# limit with just a Class C non-CDL license. It's all fine and dandy as long as they don't draw attention to themselves and don't get pulled over for something else - like your missing plate. As Dirty Harry said, "You've Got To Ask Yourself One Question: 'Do I Feel Lucky?' Well, Do Ya, Punk?"

​

 

[u2slow]

If the GVWRs add up you need the class A.

You can affidavit out proclaiming only personal stuff and get an exemption from medical card requirement.

Are you not exempt from the trailer gvw 'counting' when the trailer is licensed personal/recreational? (Up to a certain weight anyway).

I have the canuck version of the 'CDL A'. I don't step into that turf with my own vehicles. The red tape and fees are too much. On paper, I limit my truck to 12k#.

 

[TRINDU]

So much this!

The DOT is just a money grab scheme. They don't give one single fuck about your safety or anybody else's. It's ALL about the revenue.

It just gets worse every year.

 

[AKnate]

Do they randomly pull you over and make you take a piss test, or do you have to be involved in an accident or something for that to come into play?

It's handled by your company.

Like last place I worked, went to pick up my check and "surprise"... random piss test.
I had JUST come from there for a piss test for the new job too.
Walk back in and the desk lady did a WTF, weren't you just here!? haha.

 

[arse_sidewards]

blah blah blah

​

TL;DR don't look commercial and you won't have a problem.

 

[PAToyota]

Are you not exempt from the trailer gvw 'counting' when the trailer is licensed personal/recreational? (Up to a certain weight anyway).

I have the canuck version of the 'CDL A'. I don't step into that turf with my own vehicles. The red tape and fees are too much. On paper, I limit my truck to 12k#.

You said it yourself - you have to limit the weight on paper or it applies.

 

[Scooter]

Got stopped last week because "you were placarded". No shit, I run dedicated isopropanol trailers. That's all my 2 trailers see is 99% pure isopropyl alcohol. My work gave me $50 for it too. They do that for every lvl 2 inspection you pass as an incentive to keep the truck and trailer up to snuff.

 

[aczlan]

Got stopped last week because "you were placarded". No shit, I run dedicated isopropanol trailers. That's all my 2 trailers see is 99% pure isopropyl alcohol. My work gave me $50 for it too. They do that for every lvl 2 inspection you pass as an incentive to keep the truck and trailer up to snuff.

A friend has a CDL and drives trucks with audiovisual equipment to do outdoor shows, the company he works for gives him a bonus every time he passes a roadside inspection.
He said that he got pulled aside for an inspection at a weigh station about 100 miles after he got hit with another one in the last state he was in, the officer wouldn't look at the sheet from the last one as was sure he was going to find a problem, but found nothing.
The officer was apparently mad when my friend thanked him and told him that he got a bonus for passing the inspection.

Aaron Z

 

[DRTDEVL]

Got stopped last week because "you were placarded". No shit, I run dedicated isopropanol trailers. That's all my 2 trailers see is 99% pure isopropyl alcohol. My work gave me $50 for it too. They do that for every lvl 2 inspection you pass as an incentive to keep the truck and trailer up to snuff.

Only $50? Cheap skates.

We give it $200 bonus for any level of inspection that is passed.

 

[Tiha]

Only $50? Cheap skates.

We give it $200 bonus for any level of inspection that is passed.

Why would they pay you a bonus for a job they are already paying you to do?

You are already paid to pre trip and post trip the vehicle.

Seems messed up to me.

 

[arse_sidewards]

Why would they pay you a bonus for a job they are already paying you to do?

You are already paid to pre trip and post trip the vehicle.

Seems messed up to me.

Because if they're paid by the mile, they're not paid to pre and post trip.

Follow the incentives.