My truck is 12500 empty. I guess my trailer is 5500 empty A four ton load puts me at 26000 the threshold for class A cdl. I did a fair amount of research. The truck registered at 26000 needs no CDL without trailer. With 10,001 LB trailer it needs CDL even under 26000 GVWR.
I can't remember the situation, but a customer found a loophole for his F350 dually, gooseneck, and load. I'll ask him about it.
CDL isn't a big deal except for the games the DMV plays. I tested on their computer with a score of 95, I was told there was no requirement for a medical card in my situation. Upon arrival for my road test with hired truck, trailer, and class A driver, I was told the law would change in a few months. I would then need a medical card. Since they would eventually need one, I would not be allowed to test until I produced one. I made an appointment with my doctor, upon arrival I witnessed him get into an argument with his secretaries about their scheduling the appointment. In the exam room he vented about his anger with state or federal authorities who want him to pay for a week long training session on how to give DOT physicals. The people running these trainings are inevitably med school dropouts desperate for a job! He wasn't willing to waste a week a year learning from failures how to evaluate health.
Appointment three: The examiner failed me on the pre trip inspection. I failed to inspect my mirrors, windshield, trailer headboard, or landing gear. I pointed out the trailer has no landing gear, or headboard. He responded that I should check them, and note that they don't exist. I said I had spent a week cleaning, primping, and confirming that all details were perfect, and drove it 23 miles to get there, so I'd have noticed. He reminded that every trip requires a pre trip inspection.
Appointment Four: Again with a borrowed truck, trailer, and wasting part of a day for a class A CDL driver I must have accompany me, they announced they have no record of me having an appointment!!!!!!!!!!!!. Sorry, there are no exceptions, without an appointment, no test. Thank god I had no gun with me.
Appointment five: My truck, trailer, and driver bailed on me. I don't blame him. I came close to giving up. In a panic, I scurried around, spent a couple thousand on my truck. My trailer had a fresh overhaul with wiring, brakes, tires, bed, and paint. I begged a retired independent trucker to accompany me. He was happy to do it, but said he no longer had a medical card. If they asked to see it we'd be red flagged at the DMV. They didn't ask! I spent two hours on pre trip. He all but begged me to stop. The road test went well except one underpass I've been under thousands of times in my life, after the trip, he asked if I happened to remember the posted clearance. I guessed 13' 6". The sign said 13' 7". He noted that as an error.
In my case it wasn't easy. If you don't encounter people trying to make it impossible, it could be.
Worst of it is they said I have high blood pressure! Ever see the movie Anger Management, with Adam Sandler? I now need a new medical card every year.
Willie