Vehicle Has Truck Plates: Do I Need A Commercial Driver's License?

[the Chools]

My first two mini vans had regular license plates. But this newest one has a "Truck" plate.

Does that mean it's considered a commercial vehicle? (I use it for my job - to haul stuff - but it's my only vehicle.) Do I need a Commercial Driver's License?

I've tried to get info on the Texas DOT site - but when I click something that looks promising, all I get are pop-ups for companies who will run someone's Criminal Background Check. :eek:

Thanks.

[1UNDER1]

My first two mini vans had regular license plates. But this newest one has a "Truck" plate.

Does that mean it's considered a commercial vehicle? (I use it for my job - to haul stuff - but it's my only vehicle.) Do I need a Commercial Driver's License?

I've tried to get info on the Texas DOT site - but when I click something that looks promising, all I get are pop-ups for companies who will run someone's Criminal Background Check. :eek:

Thanks.





I do not believe so, its just the classification of the vehicle, as long as it is regular plates and not commercial, if it is registered to you, and you have a regular licence, you would have been told you needed a commercial, so again, it is just the classification of your vehicle TRUCK= so many Lbs..

[Trucker]

Allow me to help here .....

You do NOT need a CDL unless that vehicle is in excess of 26,001 pounds, has air brakes, or you are transporting hazardous materials.

In some instances, ("for hire"), you would be required to maintain a log book if it exceeded 10,001 pounds.

A great source for Commerical Vehicle information is www.askthelaw.org

[Vtfuzz]

Trucker hit the nail right on the head...so, no you do not.

[Lambor66]

As already stated. If the vehicle is 26,001 lbs. you would need a CDL. You can be stopped and inspected under the Federal Motor Carrier Regulations if your vehicle is 10,001 lbs and being used for commercial use. Good Luck.

[VA Dutch]

Allow me to help here .....

You do NOT need a CDL unless that vehicle is in excess of 26,001 pounds, has air brakes, or you are transporting hazardous materials.

In some instances, ("for hire"), you would be required to maintain a log book if it exceeded 10,001 pounds.

A great source for Commerical Vehicle information is www.askthelaw.org



Right on, Mr. Monty; but not every state is exactly the same on this subject.

In many states, I assume you need a CDL (Class B) for any truck that has air brakes......but this is not exactly the case in VA. You can drive a truck equipped with air brakes without needing a CDL - provided the truck is not rated at more than 26,000 pounds and doesn't have tandem axles or (as you mentioned above) is used to carry placarded loads of hazardous materials.

Oh, as for the tags and what is printed on them, I would not worry about it. I have seen half-ton pickup trucks with 'commercial' plates, and I know that no CDL is needed for Wally The Painter and his Ford Econoline van. There are plenty of UPS and FedEx tagged as "commercial" out there in different states, but they are rated well under 26k and their drivers typically don't have CDLs to drive them.

As for being under certain federal DOT rules for hours of service, etc., etc., that is another issue.

P.S. Here in VA, you will see many types of tags - such as 'truck' or 'for hire' - on various styles and sizes of vehicles. The gross weight is likely the most important thing to consider.

[Northtechsan]

You do not need a TX CDL unless your mini van meets these requirements:

TxTRC 522.003 (5) "Commercial motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle
or combination of motor vehicles used to transport passengers or
property that:
(A) has a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, including a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds;
(B) has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds;
(C) is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
(D) is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be placarded under 49 C.F.R. Part 172, Subpart F.

TXDL info can be found at the Texas DPS website (http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/)

Texas Motor Vehicle Registration info at the TXDOT VTR website (http://www.dot.state.tx.us/services/vehicle_titles_and_registration/registration.htm)