Has any one been hassled for not having a

[vipermanden]

Has anyone been hassled by the police or highway patrol for not having a commercial license for hauling a trailer that is over 15,000 pounds? My son is a CHP officer out here in California, and said technically I could be pulled over since I will be towing a trailer that is over 15,000 pounds when fully loaded.

[Phil P]

Hi

If you have California tags you have to abide by their traffic code. Out of state tags abide by the Federal Standards.

For example in Florida a noncommercial vehicle cannot tow double trailers. However Florida does define a personal use vehicle as a truck or truck and trailer combination of any weight up to 80,000 Lbs as a personal use vehicle when the vehicle is owned or leased by the driver and all property carried there on is for the driver’s personal use. Under Florida Uniform Traffic code I can drive my 80,000 lb tractor trailer without a CDL provided I don’t carry anything that belongs to some else.

A number of people in Florida have been fined when caught towing a trailer to help a friend out because his truck broke down.

I would say it depends on where you reside and where you tag you vehicle.

Phil P

[richfaa]

The "C" in CDL stands for "commercial" we as RV'ers do not pull commercial. If you are transporting a RV from the factory to a dealer you do need a Federal CDL as that is commercial towing. As PhilP indicates check your States laws.

I have seen post from people offering to pay for someone to tow their RV to Florida for them. That is Commercial and you would need a Federal CDL.

You may see a decal on HDT's pulling a personal RV that says "not for hire"

[mhs4771]

Several years ago we pulled our 17K 41' SOB from Florida to Alaska back to Florida, visiting most of the Western and Midwestern states and never got a second look. We're licensed and registered in Florida.

[DQDick]

Having worked in law enforcement, I can tell you, most police officers have too much to do to deal with trying to enforce "technical" violations. That said, small towns and folks with issues may decide it works for them.

[waynemoore]

My baby weighes in at about 15,300lbs loaded (big baby hard delivery).I have towed this rig all over the US and parts of Canada. Never once been stopped or asked to weigh. Like said before the police have biger fish to fry.

[rames14]

California is one of the 9 states we haven't visited in our Montana travels. Would never have considered needing a CdL to visit that state.

[waynemoore]

If your state dose not require you have one you don't need it in CA.

[brenkco]

Dennis,
He is correct but it isn't what the trailer's actual weight is....it's if the GVWR is over 15,000 lbs, you'll need a Ca non-commercial class A. 10,001 to 15,000 GVWR requires a "restriction 41". I haven't been stopped. Waynemoore is also correct, you must comply with your own state laws.

Ken

[mhs4771]

Just don't take any fruits or veggies into Calif. Was a first for us stopping at the Ag Check Point, looking for fruits and veggies. Guess Calif has enough Fruits that they don't want anymore, don't know the story on the veggies.

[jmell44]

I live in California and tow a Montana 3791RD with a GVWR of 16,900 pounds. Any 5th wheel with a GVWR of over 15,000 pounds requires a Class A or non-commercial Class A license. Your son is correct, many, especially those with 3-axle toyhaulers, are driving illegally. From what I heard, the fine can be steep, up to $2000. I've also heard that your insurance company may not cover you in an accident since you're driving without a proper license.

[mlh]

This really doesn't have much to do with this thread except the driver was from California. She got caught for going 94 MPH five minutes later the same officer stoped her again. This time she got her second ticket 97 MPH. Fifteen miles later she got her third ticket 94 MPH and this was her last ticket. She is still in jail. Even at that she was lucky she wasn't in the safety corridor on I 81. A few years ago a man got stopped going 90 in the safety corridor. His fine was over $5000. He sent a nasty letter to the editor. He said he didn't like us very much and wasn't coming back. We sure do miss him.
If you travel down I 81 through Va here at Roanoke the speed limit through the safety corridor is 60. They are serious they mean it. DONT SPEED!!!
Lynwood

[CWSWine]

What would worry me more than getting pulled over is if you were in a accident what part would not being properly license to tow over the 15,000 lbs would play if you ended up in court.

[RonD]

OK, first in California you do not have to have a Commercial license to tow your 5th wheel over 15,000 pounds, you are required to have a non commercial class#A license, so long as your not towing for hire. The DMV requires for trailers 10001-15000 you have to have a restriction#41, on your class C license, you take a simple written test, and its printed on the back of your class c license, for 0ver 15000 pounds its almost the same, same written test, you have to also fill out a self medical form as to your ability to drive, you also have to take a driving test towing your trailer, then your done, there are also non commercial class #B, that is for motorhomes 40 feet to 45 feet, same thing with a driving test, this is non commercial so long as your not doing it for hire

[brenkco]

RonD is correct, it's a non commercial class A for a 5th wheel over 15,000 GVWR. I corrected my original post. You also have to complete a RV pre-trip inspection prior to your behind the wheel test.

Thanks Ron!

Ken

[WeBeFulltime]

Just one more reason for me to stay out of California and spend our $ in other states that appreciate our being there!

[JandC]

PhilP, brenkco, and RonD all made good points. Everyone should remember though that unless you are registered and live in California, then none of those restrictions or driver's license classifications apply to you when towing your RV fiver through their state. On the other hand, if you are towing "for hire" then all bets are off and you will fall under federal commercial guidelines.

[Artemus Gordon]

Where I live the CHP monitor towing strictly. I have written on the subject many times and have even met with CHP reps on several occasions.. While it's true you have some protections based on your home State laws and requirements, weight regulations appear to be a different story. Many circumstances, are not exempt according to our local CHP Captain. The rules for commercial truck applications (remember F350/450s are not pickups) due to their gross weights, are under Ca law when using the roadways. From Oregon Border to Red Bluff Ca, roadways are also strictly monitored and enforced. Very much like triple tow rules, just cause it's legal in your state does not make it legal where you travel.

[dieselguy]

Maybe someday officials in California will lighten up on travelers and more focus on tieing off the state to adjoing states ... ya know she's gonna slip in to the ocean someday ...

[JandC]

Michael, you are mostly correct. It really get confusing when you start trying to sort out what traffic/vehicle laws would apply from your registered state to the state your are traveling through.

For example the state you are visiting may have a statute against front tinted windows, whereas the state your vehicle is registered in allow tinted front windows. Law enforcement in the state you are visiting can not cite you for having tinted windows. The same can be said for other non-commercial type equipment issues.

But my registered state may very well allow me to register my F350 as a pickup truck, and many states do. Now I am in California and they don't consider it as a PU truck. There is nothing California can do about it because Illinois says it is a pickup and it is registered that way. So it is true when you are using California highways as a non-commercial vehicle you are subject to their laws, just not many of the same equipment and registration statutes apply because you are registered out-of-state.

Then to make matter worse you have the commercial statutes, or like State Police like to call them the Federal regs. These only apply to "vehicles for hire", or commercial vehicles. None of those really apply to RV's going down the highway being used for recreational purposes. In addition, in most states the fed regs can's even be enforced by local law enforcement but only State Police troopers, or dedicated DOT officers. When I went through the ISP Academy (long time ago) it was 6 months long and about 3 weeks of that was dedicated to Motor Carrier Safety. While working the road as a young Trooper I still only understood about half of the federal regs.