A CDL for Your Daily Driver
There are many hardworking Americans who own trucks as their daily drivers. Some use it for off-road adventures, others for the feel of having something larger, and another portion uses it for work and project related towing. However, especially in a few of the newer trucks, you may need CDL licensure to operate your vehicle and avoid a traffic violation, regardless of the purpose of use. While each state regulates many of their requirements, federal regulations are in place for many interstate highways and close to the border.
Does Your Truck Require a CDL?
Most major vehicle manufacturers now produce a one-ton dually for those requiring the durability and ability to pull a house, if necessary. The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 requires many drivers of these vehicles to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License, even if it is not being utilized for commercial purposes. The guidelines for those requiring a CDL include:
- Any Gross Combination Vehicle Rating (GCVR) of 26,001 or more, including those that weigh in excess individually or those towing another vehicle weighing more than 10,000 lbs.
- Any vehicle designed to transport more than 16 people with the driver included, or
- Any vehicle required federally to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
How to Tell If Your Truck Qualifies
First, the dealer should have told you if your vehicle requires special licensure. Should is the operative word here, as many of them fail to give this information. Pickup trucks come in a variety of sizes and classifications. These classes include Class 1s, Class 8s, Half-Tons, One-Tons, Light Duty, Severe Duty, Heavy-Duty, and Light-Duty. The Department of Transportation ranks trucks from one to eight, meaning the lightest to the heaviest. For classification, accessories such as oversized tires and lift kits do not play a role. Manufacturers set classifications based on the maximum estimated weight of the standard truck with fuel and passengers. Smaller pickups and even full-sized pickups typically do not need to worry unless they are carrying something hefty. However, heavy-duty trucks, such as the Ford Super Duty, Chevrolet and GMC 2500, and Dodge Ram 2500 and larger may want to consider the amount of weight they are towing. These trucks weigh over 10,000 pounds to start with and can carry a significant amount of weight, possibly pushing over the 26,001 limit.
Your Citation
Did you get a ticket for your RV and trailer combination while driving? What about using your light duty pickup truck carrying pool chemicals for your pool cleaning services? All too often drivers get citations for regulations they were not made aware of at the time of purchasing their vehicle. If you would like to discuss your ticket with a Glendale Heights, IL traffic defense attorney, contact Stringini & Garvey, P.C. today by calling 630-834-9595 to schedule your complimentary consultation at one of our four convenient locations in Glendale Heights, Lombard, Bloomingdale, and Maywood.
Sources:
https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_x142.pdf
