This is a heads up for all you guys in NJ.
Check the tags on your truck and if they are commercial tags you & who ever drives that vehicle MUST have a CDL driving licence to go with them or you will lose your driving privileges.
No was not me but my buddy, 6 months no driving!
Edited 4/2/2008 5:17 pm ET by USAnigel
Replies
You mean for my Ford E350/
I haven't heard that.
Glenn
Glenn
This isn't true. You need a CDL for a vehicle over 26K gross weight or if you are driving a school bus. The rest of us are fine.
John
Thanks. That's one less thing I need to worry about from THE MAN.Where in Hunterdon Co. are you? My brother lives in Lebanon.Glenn
Tashler, I'm in Lebanon, Mountainville, on Water St. Where's your brother at?
Rich
Heather Hill Way, off Blossom Hill. About 4 miles from you.Glenn
I know that area well. I have a sister who lives on Deer Hill Rd. We get together very often for bicycle rides and have been all around that general area.
Glenn, Rich, if either of you guys are cyclists, we'll have to get together one of these days.
-Don
I keep trying to start working out, but I over sleep or the night goes by quick or...well, you get the picture.
But I guess with an offer like that, I'll have to start training.Glenn
G:
I'm in Readington (Whitehouse Station). I do work in Hunterdon and Somerset counties mostly, although I haven't done much in Lebanon for some reason.
J.
What tags do have on it?
Just been looking at the CDL manual on line and it states min of 120 days for not having CDL with you.
Check page 1-7 of the NJ CDL manual.
Edited 4/2/2008 6:49 pm ET by USAnigel
Can you post a link?
Don't worry Don, yer van is safe.
This would really surprise me if it was true.
In NJ the commercial X tags seem primarily for insurance, and DMV extra$$$$ purposes.
Thanks, Steve.
This bothers me too. I'm going to do some more research, but its what My buddy told me. He was driving a box backed econoline with twin rear wheels. Not over 26,000 lbs.
I don't see how this could be. Enforcement of this could interfere with interstate commerce, and then become unconstitutional
Air-brake equipped? I know that requires a CDL regardless of weight.
I'm foggy as to the specifics but if you do interstate commerce and your vehicle is over 10,000 lbs GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) it falls under commercial operator which means you need to carry a DOT medical card. And stop at weigh stations.
In Jersey it might be if you have commercial tags you might need a medical card. That might be where your buddy got clipped as well.
I think if you fall under commercial operator (Interstate) you might need IFTA stickers as well as a DOT number even if your vehicle is under 26,000 GVWR but over 10,000lbs GVWR.
Also it gets really stickey if you tow a trailer as well. Without quoting the entire Federal DOT manual, basically if you tow a trailer that is over 10,000 GVWR you need a CDL A.
Without causing a huge ordeal if you do interstate commerce and meet any requirements I said above it would be REALLY worth your time to learn DOT compliance. The fines/suspensions build quick.
Also don't forget MSDS sheets and such.
My experience with this comes in dealing with living in SE PA and working for a company that had all the combinations above and doing business in NJ, DE and MD and trying to understand what was required to make us legal.
Steve
I've had a good read of the CDL handbook and it reads like poor fiction with requirements all over the place. Almost seems intended to trip you up....
"I don't see how this could be. Enforcement of this could interfere with interstate commerce, and then become unconstitutional"Got to thinking a little bit about the above quote. Something to investigate is, if the state laws do not interfere/contradict with INTERstate commerce than it may not be unconstitutional. Business registered and operated in Jersey alone may fall under the INTRAstate rules/laws (within the state).For example each state sets it's own axle limits for the GVWR on their roadways (allowable lbs/axle) even though the truck may be rated for more. Steve
This bothered me, so I checked W/ my SIL who got his CDL last year.
Factors that require you to have a CDL license in NJ are:
1. GVW over 26,000 lbs (if he remembered correctly).
2. Trailer over a certain lenght, he tought 25' but was not sure.
3. Type of braking system (air).
Apparently not a commercial plate (ie X prefix).
Don't know NJ but in MD if you operate a 10,000 lb gcvw vehicle in a commercial enterprise...( anything that produces income) like home improvement or building. Heck if your a crusty old fisherman selling crabs, dragging a boat around with a GVCW over 10,000 lbs you better have it.
You must have...
DOT numbers
Medical Cert.
Vehicle must be annually inspected.
And the list goes on and on.... and pleading ignorance gets you no favors from the judge when caught.... believe me, I know.
I have a gruman step van 85,000 miles, all aluminum tagged at 25,000 lbs. If I can get a dollar more the recycling it.... it's yours.
Edited 4/4/2008 7:03 pm ET by sledgehammer