TX CDL Exempt Requirement - Based on door jam, or registration?

[n0mad]

I just upgraded from a 10,000# GVWR (door jamb) truck to a 14,000# DRW to pull my 15,500# GVWR 5er. I didn't realize at the time, but yesterday when I received the tags it occurred to me that I'm now at 29,500 combined GVWR, which requires me to obtain a Class A Exempt license.

Simple and straightforward, right?

Except that the registration paperwork on my truck shows that the dealer registered it for 10,200#, which puts me at 25,700#, or just under the threshold. However, that does put me back into the legally overweight territory if they use that number. I'd like to point to this for licensing, and point to the door jamb when weighed - but you can't always have your cake and eat it, too. I believe my old truck was registered at 7,800#, so I suppose this is a common thing dealers do (base weight + $size payload, where $size = 1500 or 2000 depending on if it's a 3/4T or 1T). Back when I noticed that on my old truck, I called the DMV asking if I could register it for the full 10,000# and they were bewildered why I would want to do that as a non-commercial operator, and did not provide any direction.

I will most likely move forward with the licensing - part of the reason I bought this truck was to get out of the grey area. That being said, I am wondering if any of you know which weight is used for this. I would think the registration weight for both makes the most sense, which puts me at 25,700# and legal... but that could also be a bias, because I'd like to see the numbers work for me.

Edit - mods - if you can edit the subject to spell jamb properly, that would be appreciated.

[wingnut60]

Tx uses the GCVWR (Gross RATINGS on both units combined) to determine need for the A license. Might be some odd combos that get out of needing one, but just get it and be done. Got one last year in Livingston, TX,--the DMV there has a good handle on what is needed and the testing as Livingston is home to the Escapees club and lots of people get the license there. As anywhere in TX--arrive early or expect to stand in line for a long time. The written part is walk-in, but the driving part is only scheduled online.

[n0mad]

Originally Posted by wingnut60

Tx uses the GCVWR (Gross RATINGS on both units combined) to determine need for the A license. Might be some odd combos that get out of needing one, but just get it and be done. Got one last year in Livingston, TX,--the DMV there has a good handle on what is needed and the testing as Livingston is home to the Escapees club and lots of people get the license there. As anywhere in TX--arrive early or expect to stand in line for a long time. The written part is walk-in, but the driving part is only scheduled online.

Right - my confusion is whether it's the registration weight on the paperwork, or the door jamb that they use. I'm legal one way, illegal the other. I guess since you are highlighting RATINGS, you mean to indicate as they are from the manufacturer.

I am leaning towards the endorsement for the peace of mind. I'm pretty confident in my skills, but any suggestions as to what to practice to be sure to ace the skills test on the first try?

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Not being a Texan I can't help with that, but noticed you are kinda new on IRV2 and wanted to say hello! Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[n0mad]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Not being a Texan I can't help with that, but noticed you are kinda new on IRV2 and wanted to say hello! Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

Thanks! We've been RVing for about five years, and are going full-time around the end of the year. I usually frequent another board, but this seems to have a larger user base, so I figured such a specific/regional question would be more at home here. I'll be sticking around.

[BTFT]

If you are talking about drivers licenses then I am sure they apply to COMMERCIAL vehicles over 26,001 Lbs (class B Required).


I do not know specifically about TExas but I would be very surprised to find you needed a Class A license for a personal vehicle.


But Texas is Texas and who knows what drives their thinking...

[DegoRed]

Here you go, straight from DPS website, just go get you a Non-Commercial Class B and your good to go. Don't accidently say CDL or you will have to get a medical cert and you wont be able to take comedy class to get rid of silly tickets in your regular driving.

[n0mad]

Originally Posted by DegoRed

Here you go, straight from DPS website, just go get you a Non-Commercial Class B and your good to go. Don't accidently say CDL or you will have to get a medical cert and you wont be able to take comedy class to get rid of silly tickets in your regular driving.

You're right, I used CDL in the subject as shorthand but was referring to the Non-commercial classes. I'll have to be absolutely sure to use the right terms and forms dealing with the DMV.

Non-commercial class B doesn't cover me. It would have to be class A. Again - if they are going by the door jamb and not the registration paperwork. If they are using the registration, then I am overweight but legal on license. The site references GVWR, but it doesn't reference which GVWR to use when there are multiple sources for it. That is specifically what I am asking about.

[DegoRed]

Originally Posted by n0arp

Non-commercial class B doesn't cover me. It would have to be class A - again - if they are going by the door jamb and not the registration paperwork. If they are using the registration, then I am overweight but legal on license. The site references GVWR, but it doesn't reference which GVWR.

Your right, I totally mis-read your original post. Get an A, its the same test, same process, nothing different, non-commercial class A, that's what I went ahead and did even though I only needed a B. Just only take your truck when you do the test, will be easy.

[n0mad]

Originally Posted by BTFT

If you are talking about drivers licenses then I am sure they apply to COMMERCIAL vehicles over 26,001 Lbs (class B Required).


I do not know specifically about TExas but I would be very surprised to find you needed a Class A license for a personal vehicle.


But Texas is Texas and who knows what drives their thinking...

Yeah, you need a Non-Commercial Class A for a truck+trailer combination with a GVWR >26K and a trailer >10K.

[n0mad]

Originally Posted by DegoRed

Your right, I totally mis-read your original post. Get an A, its the same test, same process, nothing different, non-commercial class A, that's what I went ahead and did even though I only needed a B. Just only take your truck when you do the test, will be easy.

Ultimately I figure it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I plan to work toward this fairly soon.

[DegoRed]

Also, just saw your in Austin, go to either Marble Falls or New Braunfels if you want to make your life really simple. New Braunfels has only been open a couple months, was in and out of there with my son in under 15 minutes, including driving test, place was empty.

[richard5933]

Doorjamb, registration, paperwork?

Which one will the State Trooper be going by when you get pulled over? My guess is whichever one makes it easier for him/her to write the ticket.

If your doorjamb shows a GCWR high enough to warrant the non-commercial Class A, and the trailer you'll be pulling has a GVWR in excess of 10,000 pounds, I'd be getting the Class A and not looking back.

Last thing I'd want to be doing is sitting on the side of the road waiting for a for-hire Class A driver to show up to move my rig after getting stopped for something silly like a tail light or such and then being told by the trooper that I have an inadequate license.

[n0mad]

Originally Posted by richard5933

Doorjamb, registration, paperwork?

Which one will the State Trooper be going by when you get pulled over? My guess is whichever one makes it easier for him/her to write the ticket.

If your doorjamb shows a GCWR high enough to warrant the non-commercial Class A, and the trailer you'll be pulling has a GVWR in excess of 10,000 pounds, I'd be getting the Class A and not looking back.

Last thing I'd want to be doing is sitting on the side of the road waiting for a for-hire Class A driver to show up to move my rig after getting stopped for something silly like a tail light or such and then being told by the trooper that I have an inadequate license.

As much as I don't want to deal with it, I have to agree.