In Minn where I live anyway.  Just found this out that this has been in effect for 2 years.  You must have a Commercial Drivers License (CDL), plus health card plus a DOT inspected vehicle when using your 1 ton for sure, not too sure about any trucks under that.  But I guess it depends on your overall wieght.

If your truck and trailer are over the 26,000 lb. max - your considered a big rig now.

Oh and do you then need commercial insurance?  I don't know.  We just downsized from this, so we "escaped" this little hazard that should be looked at by those pulling these huge living quarter type trailers.

So check your gross wieght and check the laws.

I may be sorry I spoke up here, but I work for Michigan Dept of State, Sec of State (drivers licensing, vehicle registrations etc.).  I can confirm it is the GCVWR that determines whether or not a person needs a CDL.  This is a nation-wide requirement in effect for a long time.  I suspect enforcement varies regionally.

In North Carolina... It's a bit different.  It is GVWR of 26,000 # or less and exempt from CDL requirements ( haz mat, hire, etc)  The Kicker is the GVWR of the trailer has to be 10,000 or less.

Hello PegD (From HGS also)!!  Glad to see you aboard!

Also those that are horse haulers, they need a CDL also to travel through states.  If they notice you might be a "hauler" they will pull you over to ask for your CDL license.  Insurance increases also for that.  :)  Well that was of a few years ago!  Not sure if the same now!

Federal law concerning CDL requires CDL if the combined GVW is 26,001 or more.  If commercial, then Michigan requires a Chauffeur license regardless of the weight - in other words, your GVWR may be only 24,000 (or even less than that) but if you are earning your living driving, a Chauffeur license is required as opposed to a normal operator's license.  Most people who require a CDL also require a chauffeur license unless exempt (government employees, consumers power and some others who drive a rig incidentally but their actual job is repairing cable or other people's rigs etc).

There aren't many of us hobbyists who need a CDL to transport our hosses. 

I was re-reading some of your posts and I think there is some confusion between Commercial Drivers License requirements and  the license plate issue.  I can only say what I know about Michigan but here you need to purchase a GVW license plate if your truck is 8000 lb empty or less than 8000 but pulls a trailer of 10,000 lb or more, or if your combined weight will reach 24,000 or more. These plates are expensive, but pickup trucks hauling horse trailers are rarely in this category.

If I am reading you right, the plates here in Oregon are called "permanent plates". Granted, they are more expensive to get at first (mine were $101.50), but then I don't have to pay the $54.00 every 2 years to re-register my trailer either. It went by the weight of the trailer whether you can get these plates. My trailer dealer said that I could but them on since when I am fully loaded, I will be at the minimum weight. As for a CDL here, one is not required as long as you are hauling for personal use. Neighboring states are different on the CDL. The cops are supposed to go by the laws the state where your license was issued.

Reg, they probably need a chauffeur lic to deliver pizza, not CDL.  CDL is federal requirement - same every state and test are same too.

Trailer plates are now permanent in Michigan - no matter what.  3 weight classes: under 2500 lb is $75, 2500 to 10,000 is $200 (my trailer) over 10,000 lb is $300.  No matter what.  It is the towing vehicle that gets the GVW plate starting at 24000 clear up to 101,000 purchased for 3 mo, 6 mo, or 12 months (or any number of months).  These plates can range from $400 (something) to a couple thousand . . . )

If anyone has to have the whole story, pick up a CDL manual at your local license branch.  These books are free (in Michigan anyway) and its all in there!

Brisco, I believe you are correct.  If the weight (GVCW) is under 10,000 lbs., then a CDL is not needed, even though it's being done commercially.  Also, at least in Iowa the DOT has a website with the requirements on there, I would assume other states would as well.  It helps spell out when a CDL is needed.

If you have a living quarters trailer and a one ton pickup, many of you will be close to the 26000 lb threshhold.  Many of the newer duallys have a GVW of 11,500, and add a living quarters trailer to that with a GVW rating of 15000,  and you are over the 26000 lb figure.  Doesn't matter what your rig actually weighs, it's what the rating is. 

Reg, pick up a CDL manual.  I've worked at this since CDL licensing began and still do.  It is federal and applies across the board.  Individual states may add their own requirements but the CDL is nation wide.  Someone may need a commercial license plate on their vehicle - yes - but not need a CDL drivers license. (Example:  XYZ Electrical with a cargo van.  Or a vet.  Commercial license plate - operator or chauffeur driver license)

I never said its not confusing - nor will I ever say it!  And, yes, DMV branch offices have to learn as things change.  We even make errors occassionallly!

I think enough said.  I love you guys but I get enough of this at work.

I also deal with this on a daily basis in Minnesota and will try to clear up a fer things.  A CDL is for business purposes. If you just pull for recreation you do not need any of the stuff requierd of a commercial driver.  The weights used for deciding if you need a CDL are the mfg. gvwr.  (gross vehicle weight rating) of the truck and the trailer.  For business use, if the trailer is over 10,000 lbs and the combination is over 26000 lbs you need a class A CDL.  If your combination is over 10,000 lbs you need a medical card, name and address on your vehicle and DOT #.  You may also need anual inspections depending on your weight and if cross state lines or not.  No matter what state you live in, if you cross state lines for business purpose, all federal commercial laws apply.  SO  if your horse business is a deduction on you tax return then you would need everything a semi driver needs if your weight is high enough.  I know this was a little long, but if anyone has any specific questions, i can try to answer them. 

I do have a CDL and can't tell you what it says on the back of the card as it is different from those without the CDL..... I will have to look at the wording.

Something about over 26,000 GVW

Now onto the next question for you, who says I am in or not in a business?  I get stopped -  I ofcourse don't have a horse related business - these are all just for fun.....

That's a good point Reg, a friend of mine was stopped and made to go across the scales.........the main reason he was stopped was because he had his website address across the back of the trailer........had to jump through hoops to prove that he wasn't a commercial vehicle.  The DOT was contending that the website proved that he was a commercial vehicle, and it took a lawyer's involvement to prove otherwise.

My point is that I would avoid having your farm/ranch/stable name or website on the side of the trailer or truck.

I happen to know the DOT guy in our local area (northern lower Michigan) is a stickler.  He has made nearly every trucker in this area steaming hot!  However, I've never heard any of my horsey friends say he gave them a bad time.  Then again, I don't have any friends that haul questionable rigs.

I had also heard what happened at the Kalona, Iowa sale barn of all the tickets issued that day.

Last weekend a friend and I went out to eat lunch before going riding.  While in the restaurant I noticed two officers, one a DOT and the other a highway patrolman eating lunch.

I waited until they were done eating and went over the them and said I had some questions I wanted to ask them.  They laughed and said people don't normally want to talk with them. : - )

I mentioned about what happened at Kalona and said I wanted to find out what I'd needed to be legal.  The trooper laughed and said he'd turn it over to the DOT guy.  He also mentioned I'd rather be pulled over by him the trooper rather than the DOT guy.

The DOT guy said he was one of the people issuing tickets that day so I asked him if he pulled me over what would he ask me.  I did tell him I only haul for pleasure riding not business which makes a difference.

He said in the past they haven't enforced things that have been on the books for years nationwide and he doesn't care who you are, trucker or horsetrailer, he's going to pull you over.

He said the things he checks is if your lights and brakes are hooked up right and working. If my truck has the proper registration which he told me with my 3/4 ton truck and load I should have it registered as a 4 ton truck.  He also said I'm going to ask you a question that I'd want you to answer and show you can do it also.  He said "do you know how to stop your trailer without using your truck brakes?'  I told him I did know about the hand brake on the inside so I passed the test.  He said he would have had me open my door and demonstrate I could do it without using the brakes.

We talked about pleasure riding and business and that at the sale barn it's considered business so that's part of the reason so many people got tickets that day.

If your for commercial it's a whole  different story. 

So