12 K non RV trailer needs CDL in Georgia.... - Diesel Forum

Dubco1 · 05-08-2006, 09:06 PM

Spoke with a trailer manufacturer in Baxley, Georgia this past week about buying a 12 K, 18 foot flat bed equipment trailer. I wanted an over grown car trailer to use for my tractor, my Super Duty or what ever type of auto I wanted to tow. He had what I wanted and then warned me that he had just been stopped and given several "fix it" tickets while towing a brand new 12 k tag trailer. He said the officer told him it fell under CDL licensing because of the capacity. The trailer was brand new and empty, not like he was loaded. I have a 12 K dump trailer already and am concerned about the need for a CDL to use a 12 K trailer????

Anybody got any input on the subject? Or any knowledge of laws changing? I would like to clear up this confusion on weight verses license requirements. I was under the impression that 26 K was the magic number for a CDL. Can this information be found on line? If so does anybody have a link? This whole thing sounds fishy to me so I thought that there would be somebody here that could answer this question.

FOMOGO

**Kanman** · 05-08-2006, 09:31 PM

I doubt its a weight thing. More likely it was because he had stickers on his doors saying he was a business. Was he out of state, and what does the truck he is using look like? Was he stacked to the ceiling with other trailers. Ya gotta wonder what the fix it tickets were for. Maybe that brand new trailer wasn't even tagged yet?

Head on down to your local Highway Patrol station and ask them. They will clear it up for you in a minute.

Dubco1 · 05-08-2006, 09:58 PM

It was the man that owns the trailer manufacturing business. The tickets were for things you need in a big truck that he didn't have in his truck, flares, reflectors, etc.... Driving a brand new superduty pulling a brand new trailer, empty. Something he says he has been doing for years.... Moving them from the factory to his retail lot just down the road. It all hinged on the trailer capacity. That is the part I don't understand. But then again it is the Georgia DOT...

SC HP and SC DOT dont speak the same language in this state.

FOMOGO

StuartV · 05-08-2006, 10:58 PM

I don't know about GA, but I do know about FL. And the first thing is, you have to look at the combined Weight Ratings, not just the actual weights. If the weight RATING of the truck plus the weight RATING of the trailer exceeds 26,000 pounds total, then you have to have a CDL - whether you are operating commercially or not.

For example, the GVWR (R is for RATING) on my truck is 11,400 pounds. So, if I hook up to a trailer with a GVWR of 14,601 pounds, I have to have a CDL (Class A - the same as for driving an 18-wheeler) to drive it. It doesn't matter that my truck might only actually weigh 7,500 and the trailer might only actually weigh 5,000. The total weight of 12,500 is irrelevant. The Combined Weight Rating of 26,001 is what would make me have to have a CDL.

And that is why I didn't bother to buy a dually. My SRW is easily capable (and rated for it) of towing a 14,600# 5th wheel or bumper pull trailer. I have no interest in getting a CDL, so there was no point in me even considering getting a dually. Oh, and because I don't haul heavy loads or a slide-in camper. I just have my truck to pull trailers. If I hauled heavy loads, like a slide-in camper, then I might have considered a dually.

CaptRon · 05-08-2006, 11:35 PM

Here's what the Ga DDS says about it:

Class C

Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating not in excess of 26,000 pounds, any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating not in excess of 10,000 pounds, any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 10,000 pounds, provided that the combination of vehicles has a gross combined vehicle weight rating not in excess of 26,000 pounds, and any self-propelled or towed vehicle that is equipped to serve as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel purposes and is used solely as a family or personal conveyance.

It starts off good and then gets confusing but then it appears to say that the cop was correct. Also the 2005 copy of the drivers handbook states max trailer weight rating of 10,000#. So this is not a new thing in Ga.

Capt Ron

JimTJr · 05-09-2006, 02:05 AM

Well it looks pretty standard at the beginning, basicly saying what Mo says and Fl it sounds like, combined weight rating of over 26k, THEN this suprised me,,, [ QUOTE ]
and any self-propelled or towed vehicle that is equipped to serve as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel purposes and is used solely as a family or personal conveyance.

[/ QUOTE ] You have to have a CDL for a Motorhome?? Sheesh that is hard to believe.
It sounds like if your using a 12k lb trailer towed with even a dually at what, 11,200 or 11,500 for the later models, weight capability? your only at 23,200-23,500 UNLESS you have an 05 with I think 15,000 lbs.
So according to them if your combined is under 26k then you wont need one.

BarrySmith · 05-09-2006, 03:03 AM

That is for a Class C license which is the regular license. So you don't have to have a CDL to pull or drive a camper or motorhome. The other part is that if the trailer has a GVWR of less than 10k you don't need a CDL but this trailer was rated for 12k so you need a CDL.

Bill Wincapaw · 05-09-2006, 07:51 AM

Class C is a CDL hazmat licence rated to 26k pounds. There use to be a class D in Fla but they did away with it., Now back to GA., The fix its you described looks like they nailed him for having a business/commercial truck which then requires a CDL. On the private sector as long as you don't excede 26k lbs combo then you are fine and/or your truck is not rated over 26k gvw.This is how I understand the rules and I'm st..st..sticking to it.

Fishhook · 05-09-2006, 08:55 AM

A class "C" License is a Comercial Operators License for operating any single or combination of vehicles over 10,000lbs and under 26,001lbs not falling into any of the exemption catagories; ie, RV, Farm, etc. It is also for any commercial vehicle if your hauling Hazmat, operating School Busses, or hauling passengers. This is for all states.

A Class "D" License is a general operators license but they don't call it that any more.

CaptRon · 05-09-2006, 09:15 AM

[ QUOTE ]
A class "C" License is a Comercial Operators License for operating any single or combination of vehicles over 10,000lbs and under 26,001lbs not falling into any of the exemption catagories; ie, RV, Farm, etc. It is also for any commercial vehicle if your hauling Hazmat, operating School Busses, or hauling passengers. This is for all states.

A Class "D" License is a general operators license but they don't call it that any more.

[/ QUOTE ]

According to the GA Driver's Handbook (which you can read online), they state that Class C is the standard operators license in GA. A Class D is for minors and restricted routes.
It also states point blank that the max trailer GVR is 10,000# with a Class C.

Everyone can speculate all they want but these are the printed facts. The cop prevails... If I had the time I would have provided a link to the manual so all can read.

Capt Ron

CaptRon · 05-09-2006, 09:27 AM

Ok, here's a link to the Georgia Driver's Manual.

Check Pages 9 and 13 for License Classifications.

Capt Ron

Bill Wincapaw · 05-09-2006, 09:34 AM

Class E is a general operators licence. The former Class D ( at least in Fla ) was for things like tow trucks, ambulance drivers or even duelley pickups as the duellies exceded "width" class of E. Here in Georgia the the Dept of Drivers Services won't let me Change my Fla, CDL Class C w/haz endorsement to just ( Georgia CDL issue ) Class C, they said either get the Federal background check for Hazmat or just get a regular licence...I'm going to have to start making phone calls.

Dubco1 · 05-09-2006, 10:29 AM

Thanks for all the input on this.

I am in SC and will be using the truck in my sig to tow this trailer in SC. I felt I was well within the parameters of the laws with this truck and trailer.

Would I need a weight tag for my truck to haul this trailer for personal use only? This will be a once in a while thing. I wont be hauling it around everyday.

FOMOGO

Fishhook · 05-09-2006, 10:38 AM

Jeez, this happens everytime this subject comes up, someone who is outside the truck transportation arena tries to answer a DOT question [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Capt., Ron If I were you I would go back and reread the manual again as it states and I am quoting from the Georgia manual:

[ QUOTE ]
"Class C - All vehicles not included in Classes A, B, or M. May tow a trailer 10,000 or less. All recreational vehicles.

Class D - Provisional, all vehicles not included in Class A, B, or M. May tow trailers 10,000 pounds or less. May not operate:"

[/ QUOTE ]

It goes on to list what an underage operator with a Class D license may do but it is the same license class for an under 21 operator as over 21 operator.

Capitolmar, everyone who hauls hazmat is required to get a background check and that is why you can't just change your license. But I would guess they would let you change it to a CDL in Ga without the hazmat.

FOMOGO,
The rules are just about the same in all states about that size trailer and if the weight capacity is above 10K then you would need a CDL as it is not a recreational vehicle, or farm vehicle.
Here is a link to the SC Drivers manual stating licensing requirements. Link

T_Bone · 05-09-2006, 10:51 AM

Hi FoMogo,

I was researching some info for my son in Colorado a couple years back and Colorado has changed to where you have register for full GVWR of the vehicle and includes "GCWR".

What there trying to stop is the guys that have a rig rated for say 50kGCW but only buying tags good for 30kGCW then take the chance on not getting stopped while loaded to 50kGCW.

This way CoDOT gets there money up front on the full weight of your vehicles wheather your carrying that load weight or not.

What got my attention was this was the first refference I could find on enforcement of mfg stated GCWR. I can see the trickle down effect coming our way [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

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