CDL

[Freightrain]

The good thing with renting the truck from the test station, it was a lil DT466 Binder, single axle with a 5spd(synchro'd). 40ft flatbed. Really easy to drive, no worry about double clutching. They also had a dump with tag trailer if that was your preference. $150 for the test, but worth it for the lack of hassle. No worry about it passing the pretrip!!! They even only made me do the one side(she told me the other side was just duplicate and no sense in it). It made for ALOT of extra time to finish the test, since that was like 10 minutes saved outside.

I remember back in the 80's taking my chauffers license test(written only). If I woulda kept up on it, I wouldn't have had to do the CDL thing. Oh well, who wooda thunk.

You now have to have a permit for a set period of time prior to being able to get a license and drive alone.

That is why I waited like a month before setting appt for test. Didn't want them thinking I didn't have any driving time. I too had 10 yrs dragging my 40ft trailer around to races with my dually. Size was not the issue, just had to brush up on pretrip and air brakes. Personally I've always done pretrips everytime I drug my trailer even with my pickup. Tires, doors, etc. Just made sense to me.

[farmer52]

IMHO thats a crock of crap. That's nothing but a big scheme and money maker.

I agree but that is either going to be or is the requirement. Just reporting the news.

[DodgeMan]

As long as the truck has antique plates and (( not for hire)) on it. And your not hauling anything for someone else you dont need a cdl in PA.

Thanks Paul

[1958 F.W.D.]

Regarding trucks weighing in excess of 26,001lbs that are tagged/titled as ANTIQUES in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and CDL requirements; I personally have done extensive research on this topic for my own knowledge. My FWD GVWR is 28,000, however actual dry weight is 16,500. Additionally as it is a privately owned antique, NOT IN COMMERCE (that is, hauling freight or performing a service or delivering goods for a profit) YOU DO NOT, I REPEAT, YOU DO NOT NEED A CDL.

I went through the PENNDOT wringer as well as the Pa State Police wringer regarding this. NOT ONE SINGLE SOUL could give me the same answer twice, and barely anyone could give me similar answers. At first, everyone was like "uh if the GVWR is 26,001+ you need a CDL. I would then say "what if the actual weight is 16,500, certified by the CAT scale, and its a privately owned antique vehicle that is not within commerce?" People would then say "it doesnt matter." So then I would say "Ok, what about all these tour-bus sized privately-owned RV's that weigh 50,000+? Do they need a CDL?"

Folks were all unanimous- "No." So then I would say "Then why in the hell do I need one, for a vehicle with a GVWR of 28,000, never mind the fact that its actual weight is 16,500??? Can you cite the code section out of the Vehicle Code that specifies why I would have to have one and not the guy with the 50,000lb bus?" I could then hear them all scratching their heads as they were saying "uhhhhhh, uhhhhh, ummmmm I'll have to call you back." And the calls would never come. Same deal with any phone calls to the PSP- only they would get irritated when I would ask for the code section. You could always tell the Trooper on the other end of the line wanted to say "How fucking dare you question me!?"

I finally had to contact my state representative (Charlie Dent) to get their office to call Penndot and/or the PSP to say "Hey guys, what the fug?"

I received a letter in the mail about 5 weeks later. Letter was written by the Commissioner of Penndot at the time. Basically says "Privately owned vehicle that is tagged/titled as an antique in the Commonwealth of Pa.- operator does NOT need have a CDL, however needs to have the class B endorsement on their NON-CDL drivers license. To this day I keep the letter in the glove box of the truck.

[220cummins]

Bottomline is, if you want to look and sound professional and take some heat off your case if you would get stopped in your antique truck, get a CDL. Treat the truck and license as commercial even if it's not and keep the fuzz off you ass. it's as simple as that.

[1958 F.W.D.]

Bottomline is, if you want to look and sound professional and take some heat off your case if you would get stopped in your antique truck, get a CDL. Treat the truck and license as commercial even if it's not and keep the fuzz off you ass. it's as simple as that.

I concur with your statement, however how can I appear "professional" when the professionals (Penndot/PSP) don't even know WTF they are talking about?

[TozziWelding]

In MA to get a CDL you first need your permit, then schedule your road test. They only do it in a few spots in the state and the state cops that give the test couldn't drive a little red wagon, yet know everything about driving a heavy truck.

[DCR]

I concur with your statement, however how can I appear "professional" when the professionals (Penndot/PSP) don't even know WTF they are talking about?

That is all the more reason to get a CDL. Remember, they are the law even if they do not understand or know what the law is. They are the gods of the highway and you are at their mercy. The CDL is the insurance policy against their lack of knowledge and makes you the professional.

[MACKTRUCKS4]

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/driverLicensePhotoIDCenter/license_

I too have asked several different law "officials" that I know on the subject and got no two answers the same. So get the cdl and you won't have any doubts.

fs-ant.pdf

[220cummins]

That is all the more reason to get a CDL. Remember, they are the law even if they do not understand or know what the law is. They are the gods of the highway and you are at their mercy. The CDL is the insurance policy against their lack of knowledge and makes you the professional.

Pretty much sums it up.

[39 Baby Mack]

I concur with your statement, however how can I appear "professional" when the professionals (Penndot/PSP) don't even know WTF they are talking about?

Very well put Randy!

Ron

[Freightrain]

Since we have stepped into such a "grey" area, they just tend to lump us into "their normal" and let the courts deal with us. Easier on them, harder on us(since we have to pay the fines/tow bills/time, etc). It all falls into "walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it must be a duck".

[hicrop10]

I just afew hours ago spoke with a PA DOT cop,now he was a township officer.He told me that in PA you do not have to have a cdl for a antique truck.He quoted section 75 I think and that spells it out.

[1958 F.W.D.]

I just afew hours ago spoke with a PA DOT cop,now he was a township officer.He told me that in PA you do not have to have a cdl for a antique truck.He quoted section 75 I think and that spells it out.

Be careful!!!! In Pennsylvania you do NOT have to have a CDL for an antique truck that is tagged and titled as an antique and is not acting within commerce. If it is tagged and titled as a common/standard motor vehicle and is being driven/operated for the purposes of transporting goods or services, a CDL is required.

[farmer52]

Years ago I got pulled over in my H67 (OH historical plated) when I got on the PA turnpike from OH. The officer was more concerned about my truck not having a fuel sticker. He never asked to see my license (and at the time I did NOT have a CDL).

I encountered the same BS when I asked about a DOT exemption. "A hobby/show truck? Do you get any show prize money (income)? You must be kidding!"

You talk to different people and they all have a different answer. They want to fit a square peg into a round hole.

BTW, I can't get a fuel sticker because I don't have a DOT number. Well tough $hit! So I drive without one.

[phildirt]

Farmer52-

If you are truly running without a Fuel Tax sticker you could/ will be in expensive trouble. Failure to have the IFTA sticker is considered tax evasion. You can probably get away with if for a long time, but it may catch up with you.

You can get a DOT number strickly for use in situations like getting a fuel tax sticker. It comes with a letter explaining that you "do not display" the DOT number because you are not in a commercial situation.

I strickly use my trucks non- commercial (one plated antique, one plated collectible), and was subjected to a full 4 year audit on my fuel usage. The audit worked out fine because I had good records. I got about a $75.00 refund.

[609albert]

you saying you need a fuel tax number and sticker for antique truck with antique plates .......?

[farmer52]

Farmer52-

If you are truly running without a Fuel Tax sticker you could/ will be in expensive trouble. Failure to have the IFTA sticker is considered tax evasion. You can probably get away with if for a long time, but it may catch up with you.

You can get a DOT number strickly for use in situations like getting a fuel tax sticker. It comes with a letter explaining that you "do not display" the DOT number because you are not in a commercial situation.

I strickly use my trucks non- commercial (one plated antique, one plated collectible), and was subjected to a full 4 year audit on my fuel usage. The audit worked out fine because I had good records. I got about a $75.00 refund.

Thanks for the heads up. IFTA has refused on several occassions to issue me a fuel sticker. I had one years ago for a previous truck and they cancelled it because I did not drive very many miles. The MH is in PA (licensed in OH) and is currently only being operated in PA. Been on the PA turnpike many times and never questioned.

Antique plated vehicles do not need a fuel sticker. I have a ATHS letter somewhere that exempts antique vehicles. Do motor homes need a fuel sticker? Another 4 years and I can license the MH as an antique/historical vehicle.

Can you send me a link or information on the non-commercial DOT?

[DCR]

Ken, to answer your question on a fuel sticker for a motor home I do not need one for my bus. If fact, because it is an recreational vehicle, I don't even need a CDL in Ohio to drive it. It is 45 feet long, Detroit Series 60 engine, air brakes and when I tow my Jeep it is nearly 65 ft long and all that is required is a regular operators license.