So I have to get a class A drivers license b/c I have a trailer with a gwvr of 14,000 lbs. I tried to wing the test at the dmv. Most of the questions are common sense, although some are the "pick the best answer" type where more than one choice is right, just one is the MOST right. Long story short, I failed by 2 questions. (missed 12 of 50)

The lady gave me the CDL handbook to study, even though I'm not getting a CDL. There is alot more information in there than I need for the test.

Is there any benefit to me going ahead and getting the CDL license with my class A? advice?

2/11/2006 7:43:53 PM

can you take the test again? although all the answers wont be the same more than likely the hard question will be repeated. This time you will know the right answer to that question.

2/11/2006 7:57:55 PM

If you want to get a CDL, go ahead. I doubt it will make you any more hireable unless you're going for those kinds of jobs.

It's a pain in the ass because you have to get a physical every two years. For anything other than standard/basic transport, you've got to get the corresponding endorsement (coach/chauffer, hazmat, etc.)...

But then you could drive firetrucks like underPSI...

2/11/2006 8:25:34 PM

naw firetrucks only require a non-CDL B... now to drive the tiller that RFD has you need the non-CDL A if i'm not mistaken.. .but that's a different beast!!

2/11/2006 9:47:58 PM

yeah i can take it again the next day -

2/11/2006 10:38:51 PM

I'm sure Raleigh has its own rules, but I belong to a rural volunteer fire dept. and we don't have to have class B's or any type of CDL to drive our trucks, even though we have one that is over 26,000 lbs. There is some exemption clause for emergency vehicles. I have a class B CDL with passenger and school bus endorsements because I am a Vo-ag teacher, but I wouldn't have to have them to legally drive the fire trucks. A small department like ours needs all the members to be able to do all the tasks, so we don't have special rules about requirements for driving, but a city dept. like Raleigh probably does.

2/11/2006 11:44:54 PM

i didnt realize you could get a class a or b without it being a cdl. its a major pain in the ass, you have to do the road test with a tractor trailer, and with a bus for your p endorsement. plus you have to have a physical every year with a hazmat endorsement. Basically, a class A with motorcycle, passenger, and hazmat endorsement, (no i didnt get the double trailer one because i was lazy), runs about $60 per year, not counting the cost of a physical. if the state didnt pay for it because it was a requirement for my job, i woulda never gotten it. but those test are redunkulus easy. i think a half retarded mexican could pass the hazmat test, makes you feel real safe on the road doesnt it?

[Edited on February 12, 2006 at 9:02 AM. Reason : and yes, NC has an exemption for emergency vehicles]

2/12/2006 9:01:20 AM

Quote :

"I'm sure Raleigh has its own rules, but I belong to a rural volunteer fire dept. and we don't have to have class B's or any type of CDL to drive our trucks, even though we have one that is over 26,000 lbs. There is some exemption clause for emergency vehicles. I have a class B CDL with passenger and school bus endorsements because I am a Vo-ag teacher, but I wouldn't have to have them to legally drive the fire trucks. A small department like ours needs all the members to be able to do all the tasks, so we don't have special rules about requirements for driving, but a city dept. like Raleigh probably does."

actually the NC general statute only exempts volunteer firefighters from a Class B license when responding to an emergency call emergency traffic. if you are just driving around or coming back from a call you are NOT exempt from the law. But most vol. FD's ignore that part of the exemption, but just and FYI, if a member has a wreck and is not going to a call and does not have a Class B they will be issued a ticket for driving without the proper license, I've seen it happen.

2/12/2006 10:26:48 AM

i got all the licenses in GT4.

2/12/2006 10:36:28 AM

it's now a requirement for raleigh to have a minimum of a classified A due to the tiller if you want to drive.

tawaitt, i don't see why you need a classified A license. A CDL-A is required if you are going to drive any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 lbs. is this an actual tractor/trailer, or just a pickup pulling a horse/car/construction trailer?

Quote :

"'m sure Raleigh has its own rules, but I belong to a rural volunteer fire dept. and we don't have to have class B's or any type of CDL to drive our trucks, even though we have one that is over 26,000 lbs."

if your dept. has any fire engine with water on it, i assure you it weighs over 26,000lbs.

2/12/2006 4:05:30 PM

the reason I think I need a class A is b/c my class C says:

Quote :

"May tow a vehicle with a gvwr less than 10,001 pounds"

My trailer, a 20' gooseneck, has a gvwr of 14,000. It weighs 4K empty. I pull it w/ a 3/4 ton chevy

I have weighted tags on it so I'm taken care of from that end.

2/12/2006 5:17:35 PM

i'm not to sure on the technicalities on that end but i honestly don't thing you'll have a problem with just a plain ole' class c.

2/12/2006 5:19:22 PM

you would be right that you need a CDL. Class A with Class 9 restriciton (no tractor trailers)

2/12/2006 5:31:31 PM

Most people are pulling loads that put them far in the illegal range, I have a class A. If you are not going to be towing alot you might be better off not worrying about it. It's a pain in the ass, you'll need the following test: combination vehicles, basic, and safety I think. You'll also have to do all the "pre flight" stuff for the tester when you come to take the road test. This won't be fun either becuase they treat the guys like yourself who aren't paying someone lie futrure truckers of america like crap because in most cases the guys testing you actually work for those companies. But if you go through w/ it maybe go to a truck driving school and see if they'll let you pay them to do the driving test. Have fun!

2/12/2006 5:36:36 PM

Quote :

"Commercial Class A - Any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds."

what's your truck's GVWR?
if truck + trailer =26001 then you need a A

2/12/2006 5:42:29 PM

my truck is 9200, trailer is 14000, so total is 23,200 lbs. For that I am under the limit, however since the trailer is over 10K is the reason.

I may just forget about it and take my chances if I have to go through all that (i thought it was just the written test). Anyone know what the ticket is? Driving w/out the proper license obviously, but is it a misdemeanor or just a ticket? I don't think it carries any points.

If its just a $50-75 ticket, I'll take my chances. I already payed damn near $300 for a license plate

2/12/2006 6:43:56 PM

get it, you won't be sorry, especailly with SHP taking over the Motor Carrier group... they are out and writing tickets like mad to people with insufficient weight on tags and improper licenses...

It's not worth it for the rise in insurance, court costs, fines, etc....

2/12/2006 7:00:26 PM

improper license a moving violation?

2/13/2006 9:49:48 AM

quite a big one, but i don't think it would hold up in court if you were driving a private non-commercial vehicle

2/13/2006 4:02:42 PM

i've been looking through statutes for quite awhile and can't find the one that deals w/ this.

2/13/2006 6:09:28 PM

its really a gray area. if the combined weight of your vehicle is over 26,000 and you are pulling a trailer over 10,000 you need a class A, if you are driving a vehicle for hire you need a cdl. if the vehicle weight is over 26000 and you are pulling a trailer less than 10,000 you need a class B. my advice would be to ask a trooper, the dmv will get you nowhere. most of the time they dont mess with private vehicles. my rule of thumb is if i dont have to weigh in and keep logs, its not a commercial vehicle. if the vehicle is under 26000 and the trailer is more than 10,000 i think a C is legal

[Edited on February 13, 2006 at 6:21 PM. Reason : ]

2/13/2006 6:20:52 PM

most of the time my load will be under 10K gross anyway (towing cars). The only time I'll be over that is hauling my dads tractor the 5 miles from his house to his farm

2/13/2006 6:46:56 PM