Posted 2011-07-29 12:18 PM (#136202) Subject: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720 Location: Never miss a good chance to shut up.
Agriculture truck use has always been a "sacred cow" for commercial licensing but could this be changing soon? And if so, will hauling your horses be far behind? Here's what's happening in Montana.
Posted 2011-07-29 3:51 PM (#136204 - in reply to #136202) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Location: centrally located amongst the "NUTS"
I work in FMCSA/DOT compliance and can tell you that the FMCSA has a stated goal of putting non-compliant shippers, companies and drivers out of business.
Most livestock hauling is already regulated, especially if your truck and trailer GVWR is 26001lbs or more, they just dont typically perform enforcement on horses. I know for a while that Iowa was really cracking down on 1 tons and goosenecks hauling cattle. It doesnt take much of a trailer to put you in the Class A CDL catagory with that combo.
Farmers and Ranchers would be wise to do what they can to to stay exempt. It is going to get really ugly for the Trucking Industry.
Posted 2011-07-29 9:29 PM (#136208 - in reply to #136202) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Location: KY
I heard about the effort to make us farmers obtain CDLs. I believe it is motivated by trying to get more money for states and the feds, with all the stuff that goes with CDLs.
Funny how FMCSA doesn't think elderly drivers driving huge RV buses and pulling cars are dangerous, but me driving a tractor with a baler over to a friend's farm to bale hay, well, I am really a safety hazard without a CDL.
Posted 2011-07-29 9:40 PM (#136210 - in reply to #136202) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Location: KY
I went to www.regulations.gov and looked for the proposed rule in order to post a comment. I could not find the proposed rule. If anyone can direct me to the proposal, I will gladly tell the feds my 2 cents worth.
Posted 2011-07-30 1:03 AM (#136213 - in reply to #136202) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
FMCSA originally accepted public comments for 30 days for public input last May. Then, 18 U.S. senators encouraged by farm groups asked that the public be given more time. Comments are now being taken until Aug. 1.
Mail or fax your comments:
FMCSA
Docket Management Facility;
U.S. Department of Transportation,
Room W12–140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590–0001.
Fax: 1–202–493–2251
Posted 2011-07-30 9:10 AM (#136217 - in reply to #136213) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Penrose, Colorado
we are Ranchers and all of out trucks are one ton or larger but none have air brakes and when pulling any of our trailers, they all go over the 26,000 pound rule. My biggest question is how do you get a CDL when all the trailers have electric brakes and you are taking a test for a regular semi?
Posted 2011-07-30 12:07 PM (#136223 - in reply to #136217) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Veteran
Posts: 201 Location: Lincoln, NE
I got my CDL for school bus driving in 1996. If I remember correctly there was a separate test for air brakes. You shouldn't have to take it if you won't be qualifying to drive a vehicle that uses them.
Your CDL is Classed according to what you are qualified to drive. Semi trucks require a Class A, school buses with air brakes a Class B. There are a few other classes but I don't remember what they are for.
To be consistent if the federal government insists farmers have CDLs then RV drivers should have to have them, too.
Posted 2011-07-30 1:51 PM (#136227 - in reply to #136202) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
This is yet another example of the government having grown out of control. Look at legislation like this and find this administrations protection of unions as its primary cause. Be careful how you vote.
Posted 2011-07-30 3:22 PM (#136232 - in reply to #136223) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Location: centrally located amongst the "NUTS"
Originally written by flatlandfilly on 2011-07-30 12:07 PM
I got my CDL for school bus driving in 1996. If I remember correctly there was a separate test for air brakes. You shouldn't have to take it if you won't be qualifying to drive a vehicle that uses them. Your CDL is Classed according to what you are qualified to drive. Semi trucks require a Class A, school buses with air brakes a Class B. There are a few other classes but I don't remember what they are for. To be consistent if the federal government insists farmers have CDLs then RV drivers should have to have them, too.
There is a Class C for hazardous materials and the several "endorsements" to allow you to operate tankers, double and triple trailers, hazmat ect.
Class A and B are designated by weight and can include a Hazmat endoesement and C is hazmat only with vehicles that do not meet the weight requirements.
Posted 2011-07-30 3:38 PM (#136233 - in reply to #136202) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Veteran
Posts: 186 Location: White Pine, TN
In TN there is a schedule 'F' endorsement that lets you haul for hire if you're under 26000 lbs. You still have to have your health certificate, log book, flares, and fire extinguisher. You should have the last 2 anyway.
Posted 2011-07-30 8:33 PM (#136258 - in reply to #136202) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Veteran
Posts: 175 Location: Florida
There is a CDL Class 'A' with a 'L' restriction that permits all weight ratings but without airbrakes. The written test still include all airbrake questions, but there is no physical testing on the airbrake adjustment portion.
Posted 2011-07-31 5:44 PM (#136280 - in reply to #136202) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Location: KY
I do not haul "for hire." When I move equipment such as tractors, balers, rakes etc. it is not hauling "for hire." It is moving equipment so it can be used. Besides, where would one keep a "logbook" on an open platform tractor?
Posted 2011-07-31 6:18 PM (#136281 - in reply to #136280) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Lockport, Illinois
Originally written by rose on 2011-07-31 5:44 PM
I do not haul "for hire." When I move equipment such as tractors, balers, rakes etc. it is not hauling "for hire." It is moving equipment so it can be used. Besides, where would one keep a "logbook" on an open platform tractor?
Their contention is you are using your farm equipment to make money, I agree with you, they are not being realistic. They are also getting sticky about taking to horse shows, where you might win a ribbon or money, they are saying you are increasing the value of your horse, therefore you need a CDL.
Posted 2011-07-31 10:46 PM (#136289 - in reply to #136202) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Veteran
Posts: 233 Location: Pataskala, Ohio
What if I load my daughter and her horse in my trailer and pull it with my truck and take her to a show that I had to pay for her to enter, and she may or may not wind a ribbon or even cash. I stand to only have to pay for this drive but my daughter could win some money. Do I need a CDL for this?
Posted 2011-08-01 6:27 AM (#136297 - in reply to #136202) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 406 Location: Minneapolis, MN
Hopefully the lesson of the nearly month long shutdown of the state of Minnesota was that the residents learned how involved the state was in their lives through permitting/licensing. The road to serfdom is paved with good intentions.
Posted 2011-08-01 10:43 AM (#136307 - in reply to #136289) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Member
Posts: 17
Location: Dacula Ga
Originally written by Jeepplr on 2011-07-31 11:46 PM
What if I load my daughter and her horse in my trailer and pull it with my truck and take her to a show that I had to pay for her to enter, and she may or may not wind a ribbon or even cash. I stand to only have to pay for this drive but my daughter could win some money. Do I need a CDL for this?
Yes, if you haul for potential profit you need a CDL (stupid I know I swear I think the commies took us over)
Posted 2011-08-01 11:11 AM (#136309 - in reply to #136202) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Veteran
Posts: 165 Location: Western Ar
Actually by Arkansas Statutes; If you haul to a show and collect prize money tecnically you are supposed to have the DOT stickers etc. 150-500 prize money,200 in gas 100 for meals and drinks 150 in entry fee.
Posted 2011-08-01 3:32 PM (#136324 - in reply to #136202) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Regular
Posts: 95 Location: East Central Kansas
For the state of Kansas I registered our trailer as an RV. I hope the LEO's don't get to mad at me when I explain to them this is my RV and the cages in back are for the yard animals....13
Posted 2011-08-01 3:35 PM (#136325 - in reply to #136202) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Regular
Posts: 83
I certainly am no trucker, and am no expert on DOT laws, but do carry a class A CDL for my business (not farming). After many discussions with Iowa "blue boys" along the side of the road and at scales, I have come to be mostly compliant with my business. I now don't believe it to be that big of a deal. Most rules are not that hard to comply. DOT number, log book if over 100 fly miles from home base, health card if you drive out of state "interstate", annual vehicle inspection, fuses, triangles, fire extinguisher are all good ideas anyways. Like previously stated, you only need the air brake endorsement if you drive a vehicle with air brakes. We drive a lot of "cube vans", one ton box trucks for work. No air brakes. They are licensed for 5 tons for example. Our employees don't need a CDL, but if they drive them out of state they need a medical examination card. If they drive over 100 miles, they need a log book. Contractors for many years weren't "bothered" by DOT unless driving "big rigs". Here in Iowa, they really target all commercial trucks now. I thought it to be too much to deal with at first, but like many things, we adapt.
Posted 2011-08-01 5:57 PM (#136328 - in reply to #136325) Subject: RE: CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 406 Location: Minneapolis, MN
I thought it to be too much to deal with at first, but like many things, we adapt.
It's another tax of doing business, the tax of regulation...at what point do the small costs add up so the business is no longer profitable...or profitable enough to suffer the headache. That my friend is the question.
CDL Requirements for Hauling your horses.
