|
This Forum
Sponsored by
|
08-19-2006, 08:25 AM
|
#1
|
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Posts: 440
|
Vehicle Has Truck Plates: Do I Need A Commercial Driver's License?
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. 
Thanks.
|
|
|
|
08-19-2006, 08:30 AM
|
#2
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 488
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by 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.
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.. |
|
|
|
|
08-19-2006, 08:48 AM
|
#3
|
|
Long Haul Trucker
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Residence 45377, office - the highways of America.
Posts: 95
|
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
__________________
Monty ..
Over the road trucker for 38 years .. married to police officer for 30 years. (And she hasn't shot me yet .. but there was that time with the cuffs ... )
|
|
|
|
|
08-19-2006, 12:46 PM
|
#4
|
|
Senior Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: VT
Posts: 1,176
|
Trucker hit the nail right on the head...so, no you do not.
__________________
"My give a damn's busted"
|
|
|
|
|
08-19-2006, 05:00 PM
|
#5
|
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NH
Posts: 105
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
08-20-2006, 04:11 PM
|
#6
|
|
Former Deputy Sheriff
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,102
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by 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 |
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.
__________________
The comments above reflect my personal opinion as a private citizen, ordinary motorist and all-around good guy.
The aforementioned advice should not be construed to represent any type of professional opinion, legal counsel or other type of instruction with regard to traffic laws, judicial proceedings or official agency policy.
------------------------------------------------
"Ignorance on fire is hotter than knowledge on ice."
|
|
|
|
|
08-21-2006, 04:10 AM
|
#7
|
|
Catch'em ridin' dirty
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dallas / Fort Worth
Posts: 337
|
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
Texas Motor Vehicle Registration info at the TXDOT VTR website |
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
