Air Brakes for Under CDL Vehicles

[Thundurbyrd]

I have been asked if you are required to have a CDL with an air brake endorsement if the vehicle is under 26,000 GVWR a lot lately, and I couldn't find an answer anywhere. So I called the Federal Motor Carrier and Saftey Administration to clarify.
The ruling is that license requirement comes before endorsement requirement, and since a CDL is not required for that vehicle, the air brake endorsement is not required.
I hope this will clarify this issue.

 

[dirt digger]

i have always wondered the same thing...thanks

it doesn't really make a whole lot of sense to me, if you let guys w/o CDL's drive airbrake trucks then why do us with CDL's need to go through all that testing...anyway....

i can't imagine thats the same for HazMat vehicles though...like those pickups that transport fireworks and all, i'm sure they still need a HazMat endorsment

 

[Thundurbyrd]

I know...
It seems a little backwards to me, and maybe the standard driver's license should offer some of these options to make things a little safer on the roadways. The question was posed to the Federal Motor Carrier and Saftey Administration about requiring a CDL if the vehicle had air brake, but they said that they only handle vehicles over 26,000 GVW and anything under that is not their jurisdiction.

 

[hvy 1ton]

I'm sure i know somebody with a class c and a airbrake endorsement. I can't remember who, it is. I remember seeing it on their license.

 

[mikef87]

Yeah it is strange, how you don't need a CDL for a truck under 26,000 lbs with air brakes. When my son went for his Class A he took one of my friends Pete 6 wheelers under 26,000 lbs with a 20 ton tag. That classified the truck as a Class A truck, but when he drove with no trailer he just needed a Class D license. If you have a Ford F-350 with a 10,500 lbs trailer you need a Class A. But all these people who run around pulling big campers and RV'S don't need a cdl.

 

[LT-x7]

If you have a Ford F-350 with a 10,500 lbs trailer you need a Class A. But all these people who run around pulling big campers and RV'S don't need a cdl.

Whats the deal with that? I see guys all the time with big 40ft triple axel toy haulers behind 3/4 ton trucks. I know all these guys don't have a CDL, and what about weight stickers. Does it change with a private rig?

 

[dirt digger]

Whats the deal with that? I see guys all the time with big 40ft triple axel toy haulers behind 3/4 ton trucks. I know all these guys don't have a CDL, and what about weight stickers. Does it change with a private rig?

you need to have a CDL for anything over 10,000lbs and if the GVCW exceeds what the sticker on your truck says you need to register that with the state...it affects registration costs i believe

but i think the rules change if your rig in "not for hire" not sure though...i know i have my class A so i never have to worry about it

 

[mikef87]

Whats the deal with that? I see guys all the time with big 40ft triple axel toy haulers behind 3/4 ton trucks. I know all these guys don't have a CDL, and what about weight stickers. Does it change with a private rig?

I've always wondered that. Also if a guy driving a F-350 tow truck tows a F-350 dual wheel technically you need a Class A because the vehicle being towed is over 10,000 lbs. I know someone who got in trouble because he didn't have a CDL and was driving a loader over 26,000 lbs. I do know there is a restriction on how big of a boat you can tow before you need a CDL.

 

[Dirtman2007]

I've got a F250 and pull the skid steer and mini excavators on our tri axle trailer with 24,000 gross weighted plates on my truck. trailer and skid steer have a weight of about 15-16,000 lbs. Never had a problem with towing that.

 

[Electra_Glide]

Whats the deal with that? I see guys all the time with big 40ft triple axel toy haulers behind 3/4 ton trucks. I know all these guys don't have a CDL, and what about weight stickers. Does it change with a private rig?

Yes... the C in CDL is for commercial.

Somebody towing their toy hauler technically needs a non-commercial class A. Likewise, somebody driving one of those big bus-like RVs needs a non-commercial class B.

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/driverLicensePhotoIDCenter/license_classes.shtml

Definition of a commercial vehicle is "a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property" per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.asp?section=383.5

Somebody towing their toys to the lake is not involved in commerce. Somebody towing their skidsteer to a jobsite is (you're getting paid).

--
Joe

 

[Freightrain]

Usually they don't make too many truck UNDER 26K with air brakes. No need for them. Anymore they make sure to keep them with squirt brakes to eliminate any problems.

 

[Thundurbyrd]

The reason this has been coming up more often is because more chassis manufactures are offering air brakes on trucks under 26,00 GVW. A lot of people prefer the better stopping power of air and the longer brake life they are getting.
I was talking with a Pete dealer about there 19,500 GVW chassis and it has an option for air brakes.

 

[LT-x7]

Yes... the C in CDL is for commercial.

Somebody towing their toy hauler technically needs a non-commercial class A. Likewise, somebody driving one of those big bus-like RVs needs a non-commercial class B.

Whats the difference between a commercial and a non-commercial? Besides the obvious.

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/driverLicensePhotoIDCenter/license_classes.shtml

Definition of a commercial vehicle is "a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property" per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.asp?section=383.5

Somebody towing their toys to the lake is not involved in commerce. Somebody towing their skidsteer to a jobsite is (you're getting paid).
--
Joe

How do they prove your involved in commerce? As long as you own the skidsteer, for all anyone knows you could be hauling it from your house to a friends house to work for free.

 

[JPCobra105]

here in NY you can drive under 26000 with a class D. but if it has air brakes you do need the CDL B or better. and technicaly anyone towing a trailer with a gvw of 10,000 or better needs an A. those landscapers with a 5 ton trailer behind a 350 series dumper, needs a class A. its not enforced all that much.

 

[BCB]

I've always wondered that. Also if a guy driving a F-350 tow truck tows a F-350 dual wheel technically you need a Class A because the vehicle being towed is over 10,000 lbs. I know someone who got in trouble because he didn't have a CDL and was driving a loader over 26,000 lbs. I do know there is a restriction on how big of a boat you can tow before you need a CDL.

do you know if i can take my CDL A driving test with a 3500 and a 10 ton trailer?

 

[dirt digger]

do you know if i can take my CDL A driving test with a 3500 and a 10 ton trailer?

you could...you would get a class A but you wouldn't be able to get your air-brake restriction lifted...you had just better make sure your GVCW paper work is up to date before you head to the DMV...they check any and all paper work when you go to take the test, i had to go back a second time to take my test because i didn't have the right papers the first time

 

[JPCobra105]

you might need a truck with air brakes. you should look into it. and you might be overweight with a 10 ton trailer and a 3500. i believe the 3500 dually is rated for between 16k and 18k on a trailer pull

 

[Freightrain]

That's the bad part....you can get your Class A, with restrictions on air brakes. Then you have to take the WHOLE freak'n test over for an air brake truck. Best to get it in all one shot.

Our local test station has trucks/trailer to rent. Best $150 to spend to get it over with.


Remember, you need to have a CDL holder IN the vehicle for you to get to test station(can't show up without someone else in the cab). Then you can't drive a "commercial" vehicle on the way home, so that person has to drive. Don't ask why? Stupid, but they make you get your printed license before you can drive the truck again. AT least in Ohio.

 

[CM1995]

The best advice is to check your state's specific requirement for CDL testing. The Federal Rule is a minimum guideline that each state can start with and add to.

In Alabama, I got my Class A CDL with a 26K GVW truck with air brakes (do not need a CDL to drive bobtail) with a 14K GVW trailer with electric brakes. Crazy, yes but those are the rules here.

Upon passing my driving test, I was issued a temporary license and was allowed to drive the truck home. In fact we left the next morning for Ohio to pick up a roll-off truck, which I drove 1/2 of the way back to AL.

Just check with your local DMW for the specific rules that apply to your state.

 

[dirt digger]

if you passed the test why did you get a temp. license? I got my licnese re-printed with the CDL on it right there while i waited