special license?

[fisheroo]

i read an article about special licenses when combined gross vehicle weight ratings are over 26000 lbs. i checked laws in ny and texas and this seems to be correct. in ny it requires a road test texas also i believe. anybody have any experience with this. just an example if the gvwr of truck is 13000 and gvwr of 5er is 13500 you would need a special license for this combination.

[fisheroo]

i read an article about special licenses when combined gross vehicle weight ratings are over 26000 lbs. i checked laws in ny and texas and this seems to be correct. in ny it requires a road test texas also i believe. anybody have any experience with this. just an example if the gvwr of truck is 13000 and gvwr of 5er is 13500 you would need a special license for this combination.

[Hitchhiker]

There are several informative threads on this issue, Click here for one.

Or here for another.

And here's another one.

[Jim Wilson]

Using your example, no you would not need a special license. You're actually confusing Gross Vehicle Weight Rating with Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating.

GVWR is the maximum amount of weight the vehicle can handle on it's own chassis, while GCVWR is what it can handle on it's own chassis AND what it can tow simultaneously. That's two completely different things. A GVWR of 26000 or more pounds does require a special license, but a 26000 GCVWR does not. You can use your normal license for that.

[Hitchhiker]

Some states require a Non-CDL Class 'A' license when there is a combination of vehicles that is exempt from CDL requirements and when the towed unit has a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more. In his example, he states the GVWR of the 5er as 13500. In states having such requirements, he'd be required to hold the Class 'A' Non-CDL license to legally tow that 5er.

[Ray,IN]

If you are not towing/hauling for hire a CDL is not required. Some states have non-CDL license requriements for towing/hauling, Texas is one I've heard of. If you are driving/towing legally in your home state you should be in compliance everywhere. You may read the commercial requirements here: CDL requirements

[RustyJC]

Actually, Texas (like most states) exempts RVs in personal use from CDL requirements. Texas does have a Classified Driver's License system (see HERE, page 7 of 104), but I've never heard of it being enforced on RV drivers.

Another consideration is how states calculate GCWR. Many add the individual axle weight ratings - in my case:

Truck front axle GAWR - 4500 lbs
Truck rear axle GAWR - 7500 lbs
Trailer axle total GAWR - 14000 lbs
Total GAWR, truck and trailer - 26000 lbs

Adding the truck's GVWR and the trailer's GVWR is double-dipping since part of my trailer's rated GVWR is carried by the truck. See the example below:

Truck GVWR - 10500 lbs
Trailer GVWR - 16000 lbs
Total GVWR - 26500 lbs

But, as shown above, the actual total maximum weight of both vehicles is limited to 26000 lbs by the GAWRs. The trailer axles are rated for only 14000 lbs, so the other 2000 lbs of its 16000 lb GVWR, if used, must be carried by the truck.

Rusty

[Groveite]

Just to add to the confusion..there was an excellent article in the automotive (Saturday) section of the Toronto Star last year that dealt with legal requirements and "sales hype" in the RV business in Ontario. The upshot as I recall was that a special licence was needed to tow any trailer/5th wheel that had a manufacturer's GVW of 10,000 lbs or more (actually the metric equivalent so I may be out by 10 lbs either way). No limiatations on MH's that I remember and while the MOT rep agreed that the law was clear, he also said that enforcement had not been a priority but that would change at some point. made my decision based on that and purchased a 5th that has GVW of 9900 + change.....just in case.
I have towed all types of trailers/RV's across the sates and Canada since 1976 and have never been questioned....
Ian

[RustyJC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Groveite:
The upshot as I recall was that a special licence was needed to tow any trailer/5th wheel that had a manufacturer's GVW of 10,000 lbs or more. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Here in Texas, that only kicks in IF the GCWR (however it's calculated) also exceeds 26001 lbs.

Rusty

[fisheroo]

thanks for the replies. i don't think i confused the weights just worded it badly. which is about normal. hehe

[Nell]

Gee I've always wondered why the hubby always has me drive- I'm the one with the CDL!

Good information here about this, glad I got to read up on it-great question!

Nell

[knute]

This is all good information, but due to reciprocitiy between states.

You only need to comply with the state laws of the state you reside in, not the state you are driving through. This covers licensing only, vehicle weights and such are inforced.

So, get the license that applies for your state and drive the USA without worries.

[RAM³]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RustyJC:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Groveite:
The upshot as I recall was that a special licence was needed to tow any trailer/5th wheel that had a manufacturer's GVW of 10,000 lbs or more. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Here in Texas, that only kicks in IF the GCWR (however it's calculated) also exceeds 26001 lbs.

Rusty </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Unfortunately, that's no longer true:
§ 521.081. CLASS A LICENSE. A Class A driver's license
authorizes the holder of the license to operate:
(1) a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of
26,001 pounds or more; or
(2) a combination of vehicles that has a gross
combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, if the gross
vehicle weight rating of any vehicle or vehicles in tow is more than
10,000 pounds.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

While Motorhomes are specifically exempted, trailers aren't.

A Non-Commercial Class "A" [minimum] is now required.

[Stanbnv]

I wonder how many of you have EVER received a ticket for being over weight? How about a ticket for having the wrong licence? I don't think any scale house has ever flagged over a RV unit. Most weight cops would probably get p***## at you for pulling into their scalehouse and wasting their time.