Drivers License Question

[RustyJC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by TXiceman:
In Texas, the combined GVWR has to be 26001# and you need a non-commercial CDL. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Ken,

Not to pick nits, but the license required by Texas is a Class A (26,001+ truck and trailer) or Class B (26,001+ single unit) non-CDL license. The standard operator's license in Texas is a Class C. None of these are CDL licenses.

Rusty

[TXiceman]

I guess I should have put the "non-commerical" in "" as it is not technically the designation, but lots of folks refer to it that way.

Ken

[RustyJC]

Ken,

The only reason I brought it up was so someone wouldn't go into a Texas Driver's License office and say, "I need a Class A CDL" which is an entirely different (and more involved) thing than a Class A operator's license.

Rusty

[JoeT]

<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 TXiceman:
In Texas, the combined GVWR has to be 26001# and you need a non-commercial CDL. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Ken,

Not to pick nits, but the license required by Texas is a Class A (26,001+ truck and trailer) or Class B (26,001+ single unit) non-CDL license. The standard operator's license in Texas is a Class C. None of these are CDL licenses.

Rusty </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I guess I'll nit pick a little, here. Texas Class A is for 26,001+ and trailer 10,000+. Class B is for 26,001+ and trailer less than 10,000.

[RustyJC]

Rather than deal with generalized statements (such as mine was intended to be), let's look at the Texas Transportation Code definitions of a Class A and Class B license:

§ 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.


§ 521.082. CLASS B LICENSE.

(a) A Class B driver's license authorizes the holder of the license to operate:

(1) a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating that is more than 26,000 pounds;

(2) a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or more towing:

(A) a vehicle, other than a farm trailer, with a gross vehicle weight rating that is not more than 10,000 pounds; or

(B) a farm trailer with a gross vehicle weight rating that is not more than 20,000 pounds; and

(3) a bus with a seating capacity of 24 passengers or more.

(b) For the purposes of Subsection (a)(3), seating capacity is computed in accordance with Section 502.162, except that the operator's seat is included in the computation.

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

Texas driver's license classifications are upwardly inclusive, meaning a holder of a Class A license can drive a vehicle covered under Classes A, B and C while a holder of a Class B license can drive a vehicle covered under Classes B and C.

Rusty

[RustyJC]

From the above, in terms of 5th wheels and TTs, you seldom encounter a 26,001+ lb. GCWR combined with a GVWR of less than 10,000 lbs for the towed unit. Therefore, those towing large trailers (&gt; 10,000 lb. GVWR) with MDT or HDT trucks are generally looking at a Class A license.

On the other hand, those operating a motorhome with a GVWR (note - not GCWR as was in the case of the Class A) of 26,000 lbs or more can generally get by with the Class B license since their towed load (toad or small enclosed trailer) will have a GVWR of 10,000 lbs or less. If the towed load has a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs, then a Class A license would be required.

[Route 66]

RustyJC posted<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> On the other hand, those operating a motorhome with a GVWR (note - not GCWR as was in the case of the Class A) of 26,000 lbs or more can generally get by with the Class B license since their towed load (toad or small enclosed trailer) will have a GVWR of 10,000 lbs or less.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Rusty, did you mean to say 26,000 lbs or less?

According to 521.081, a GVWR 26,001 lbs or more requires a Class A license.

The Texas laws can be very confusing.


<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">§ 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; </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[RustyJC]

Nope. See below:


<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">
§ 521.082. CLASS B LICENSE.

(a) A Class B driver's license authorizes the holder of the license to operate:

(1) a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating that is more than 26,000 pounds;

(2) a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or more towing:

(A) a vehicle, other than a farm trailer, with a gross vehicle weight rating that is not more than 10,000 pounds.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The Class B license will cover the motorhome with a GVWR =&gt; 26,000 lbs. with a towed load of 10,000 lbs GVWR or less. Of course, if one holds a Class A license, that would work as well, but it's not required in this case.

If one isn't towing, a Class B (as well as a Class A) license covers the single vehicle with a GVWR =&gt; 26,000 lbs.

Rusty

[Route 66]

Rusty, you are correct.

I didn't read far enough.

As usual, I don't understand all I know about this subject.