How to Determine a 'Class A' Commercial Drivers License (CDL) for Vehicles in your fleet! MUST KNOW!

You cannot afford to make a mistake in identifying your fleet. Driver Violations of the CDL rules will result in extreme fines, costly DOT Compliance Investigations, and Unsatisfactory Safety Rating. All of which will cost thousand of dollars to correct.

Anyone can look at an 18 wheeler and say that is a "Class A" CDL vehicle. But looking at a 3/4 ton pickup pulling a heavy trailer and knowing that it is in fact, a CDL required vehicle takes some skill and practice.

Introducing the CDL Flowchart! This tool will make determining either a Class A, B, or C CDL easy. Better yet you'll be right every time!

⏱Time Code (How to Determine a "Class A" Commercial Drivers License (CDL) for Vehicles in your fleet! MUST KNOW!)
00:00 Introduction
0:50 CLD Classes - Class A, B, and C
1:15 CDL Definition - The Rule 49 CFR 383.5
2:20 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) Determination
3:02 Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) Determination
3:56 Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)/Gross Combination Weight (GCW)
4:34 CLD Flowchart - Get it right Every time
5:43 CLD Flowchart Breakdown for Class A CDL's
9:05 CDL Class A Example 1 - Heavy 1 Ton with Gooseneck 25,000 lbs GVWR
10:51 CDL Class A Example 2 - (No CDL Required Combination) Common Vehicle Combination
12:08 CDL Class A Example 3 - Same as Example 2 but now is a CDL Class A vehicle combination. Very Common Vehicle Combination
13:53 CLD Class A Example 4 - GVWR 29,500 lbs and No CDL is Required
15:14 GCWR of 36000 and No CDL Required - EXPLAINED
17:00 CLD Class A Example 5 - How GVW can cause a Class A CDL Requirement
18:05 Conclusion - Get Ready for the CDL Class B Video.

[TheLoopy]

Ok, I’m in Minnesota. So I have a kenworthless t300 that has a Gvrw of 25900 lbs with air brakes, it can then pull a 10000 lb trailer for a construction business ( my employees) with class d license? What is difference for class d to c?
The air brakes do not matter? Or is it air on power unit only with electric trailer brakes?

It is my understanding anyone in a work combination over 10k needs a health card.

Thank you!

[efrengarcia]

I have an O restriction on my license does that mean I can pull trailer with air brakes connected by pintle hook but I can NOT drive anything connected by a fifth wheel assembly .... Is that correct? So confuse please help... Thank you

[thecamdenyard]

It has always been my understanding that if the trailer/towed vehicle weighs 10, 001 lbs or more you need a Class A CDL period. With the exception of RV/Travel trailers and Motorhomes that are all magically... I mean Federally exempt 🤔

So I can legally drive a truck with a GVWR of 9, 900 lbs and pull a trailer with a GVWR of 16, 099 lbs being a total GCVWR of 25, 999 lbs with no Class A CDL? Then why are Trailer manufacturers de-rating trailers if customer asks them to? What could be the point of that if no CDL is required. Sorry so long just seems to be soo much conflicting info out here.

Does the FMCSA make an official flow chart like the one you made explaining this I can't find one other than these homemade flow charts and FMCSA wording is misleading.

Thanks

[joecrackdadon]

What do you do when the data plate has sun damage? On the trailer? And you can’t read the gvwr?