Hauling 11k equipment with no CDL

[LawnDart]

It seems I cannot pull over 10k without a cdl. I am considering a rolloff if it's possible to stay under 26k gvw and haul my personal equipment to my other property or in for maintenance. Is that possible?

 

[Junkyard]

Do you own enough land or have the required stuff to tag your truck a farm truck? If so do that and you're good to go regardless of gross weight or trailer weight. As far as that combination it all depends on what kind of equipment you have. What part of Oklahoma are you in?

If you don't have far to go when you move it and you're not moving it a lot I wouldn't worry too much about it. Getting a CDL isn't that big of a deal anyway if it comes to that. Usually what makes it a challenge are potential health issues that keep you from getting a medical card.

 

[LawnDart]

I always thought a CDL required a lot of training miles and time. Health is not an issue for me. I don't do any farm related stuff so that's not an option. I have a 1 ton with 14ft dump bed. If it had more gvw it would do. Sadly it's just not up to carrying 5 ton. I don't have a requirement to move stuff. It's just handy to have the ability to move stuff legally. Nothing I own is for business. Just hobby stuff. Excavator, skid steer, tractor's and the like. I have other property with some stumps I would like to dig out and grade.

 

[AllDodge]

Depends on your local law enforcement folks. I don't have a CDL but use a KY Horse Council plate, its a 38K tag. Could use a Farm tag but here the Farm tag cost more. At any rate, have a 26K GVW dump truck, 14K+ backhoe (extend a hoe) and a 10 ton tag trailer. I'm bit over weight, but I don't move it very often and so far no issues

 

[Junkyard]

What's the heaviest piece weigh? In Oklahoma a dually and a gooseneck don't get much attention unless you've got a dozer tied down with a 1" ratchet strap or you've got a business name all over the truck and equipment. There are some exceptions but for the most part you'd be fine.

 

[LawnDart]

I have a 5 ton excavator that weighs just over 10k. It's the most likely item I would haul. I know I could probably get away with moving it on occasion. I just prefer to be legal so I don't get sued if there is a mishap. I kind of feel a rolloff would keep me legal and no need for a CDL if I get the right one. Also would be useful and easier to maneuver and unload in tight city streets.

 

[mitch504]

What's the heaviest piece weigh? In Oklahoma a dually and a gooseneck don't get much attention unless you've got a dozer tied down with a 1" ratchet strap or you've got a business name all over the truck and equipment. There are some exceptions but for the most part you'd be fine.

In SC a pickup and gooseneck is ignored no matter what. A good friends employee was driving one of my friend's F250s, pulling a dual tandem gooseneck loaded with 11 tons plus the weight of the trailer when he ran over a flagman and killed him. Theletters C,D, &L were never mentioned. He got a $100 ticket for failure to stop for signal.

 

[ianholt150]

In Oregon, if you have a farm plate, (which I do) the plate completely waives all of the size and weight restrictions for anything. If you get a farm endorsement on your liscence, you can drive an 80,000 lb. semi without a CDL.

 

[ianholt150]

But in Oregon, you have to apply for a DOT number to be eligible for it.

 

[Georgia Iron]

In Georgia, the dot has been pulling over one ton trucks pulling campers. Commercial vehicle pulling a rec vehicle. So much for havin a big huntin camper. Unless you get the license. 5 tickets. No cdl, no dot #, no medical card, improper tag on truck, safety devices, and annual truck inspection required on truck. Our licenses here are only good to 10k for a trailer and if it's for farm use you must have the proper documentation and answer all questions correctly otherwise you will need to prove your story in court.
If you are moving farm goods depending on to from and where to, can move you into transport and you won't have a farm exception.

Here there is a exemption for non business use but if you use business assets during recreation it can jamb you for meeting all the commercial requirements.

MoVing earth moving equipment looks commercial right off the bat so you need your ducks in a row. Some of the tickets are high dollar fines and if you get caught twice you can't even get the license due to driving without it.

 

[southernhick]

Class A Non-CDL - You may want to see if Oklahoma has a Class A Non-CDL

In North Carolina you can get a Class A Non-CDL license to pull over 10k. It is meant for farmers, pulling large boats, and personal use hauling. You have to take the CDL written test and then a normal driving test with your truck / trailer. I just got my Class A Non-CDL to haul my 12k excavator from the house to some of our land. The written test is not bad. If you have been around trucks and pulling equipment, most of the information is common sense. The CDL study book is ~165 pages and the test is multiple choice. The driving test was just a standard ride-along with the DMV representative.

Here is the CDL study guide document which is the same for every state (federal document).
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/2005 CDL Driver Manual -July 2014 - FINAL.pdf#page=7

 

[Wes J]

Around here they are finally starting to crack down on pickups pulling trailers. They've done it to themselves by dodging the rules to blatantly. I see it all the time.

Here, any vehicle over 8,000 lbs GVW requires a state safety inspection annually unless you have a DOT number and actively run interstate (then FMCSA rules take over). I see dually pickups running here all the time with no inspection sticker.

Trailers over 5,000 lbs gross are supposed to be inspected too. NO ONE does that. Even I'm guilty there . But, now I have a DOT number so I can do my own inspection per FMCSA. But I was formerly a rule breaker.

We also have intrastate operating authority. If you haul for hire within the state, you need it. I see guys with dump trucks get nailed for that. The fines are steep. But, many people ignore it.

Generally speaking, if you are a private citizen moving your own stuff around, you will not be hassled. When you start doing it for money or as part of a business, then you have to play by the rules.

It's a bit like prostitution. You can get your jollies off with anyone you like. But, if money changes hands, now the government has something to say about it.

 

[southernhick]

Yes Wes.....over the past couple years here in NC they have really started to crack down also on pickups pulling large boats around here and writing tickets for Drivers License Type and Weighted Tag amounts.

 

[DMiller]

Missouri has not quite gotten there yet but give them time. As to RVs, given that in MO they do not weight tag but license as a Rec Vehicle NO CDL required so to that have seen what appear to be 80 year olds in a Class 7 dragging a HUGE Gooseneck Hitch RV with a fishing boat on a tandem trailer behind and get away with a Basic Drivers License.

 

[AllDodge]

Took my dump and 10 ton tag to go pickup a Kubita tractor. On the way back got pulled over while passing a weight station on I24

DOT - Why didn't you stop
Me - Never have
DOT - Where you going
Me - Tacking the tractor to my farm
DOT - Farming, that's commercial
Me - I have a farm but don't farm it

So we go to his cruiser and talk some more, and I tell him I have been filling in a hill side on my property for 10 years. I don't do any commercial work, and I also have a track loader and D3 dozer.

To shorten it, He says what you have just sends red flags and wonder why I haven't been stopped before, but since there are no W2 or 1099 and all personal, I'm free to go.

Me - should I stop next time I come up to a weight station?
DOT - No, that would just cause all kinds of problems

 

[bam1968]

Missouri has not quite gotten there yet but give them time. As to RVs, given that in MO they do not weight tag but license as a Rec Vehicle NO CDL required so to that have seen what appear to be 80 year olds in a Class 7 dragging a HUGE Gooseneck Hitch RV with a fishing boat on a tandem trailer behind and get away with a Basic Drivers License.

IMHO This scenario just goes to show the level of 'common sense' of the DOT.