This information is for Michigan only. But it probably works in your state also. The information is taken from Michigan Secretary of State information.
Definition of Terms:
GVW: Gross Vehicle Weight = What your vehicle actually weights.
GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the recommended maximum total weight of the vehicle and a load as designated by the vehicle manufacturer.
GCW: Gross Combination Weight = What your truck and trailer actually weight.
GCWR: Gross Combination Weight Rating means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of a combination vehicle.
Vehicle Weight Summary: License requirements don't care what your vehicle weights. They only care what the manufacture says your vehicle weights. GVWR & GCWR.
These are the only GVWR that mater:
Trucks:
Under 10,000 pounds
Over 10,001 pounds but less than 26,000 pounds
Over 26, 001 pounds
Trailers:
Under 10,000 pounds
Over 10,001 pounds
There are exceptions, such as military, farmer, emergency personal. But the rule is:
Chauffeur License is required if you: Are employed for the principal purpose of operating a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or more.
Note: Michigan law considers someone to be employed for the principal purpose of operating a motor vehicle "when the person's employment customarily involves the necessary use of a motor vehicle for hire (snow plowing) or for transporting passengers for hire (workers), or for transporting for gain or hire any merchandise for display, sale, or delivery. (spreading salt)"
Chauffeur Summary: If the truck you drive for work as an employee, owner or sub contractor, has a sticker on the door of the truck says 10,001 pounds or greater, (but less than 26,001) than you need to have a Chauffeurs License. The cost in 2009 in MI for this license is $35.00. It is only a written test. No skills test is required, unless you have never been licensed.
Medical Examiner's Certification: A medical examiner's certification is needed if you operate a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight (GVW), GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more. Mine cost $50 from my Dr.
Commercial Drivers License or CDL: A CDL is required for any person who intends to operate a vehicle have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more or a combination vehicles towing a trailer with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
CDL Classes:
Class A: Combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle being towed is 10,001 pounds or more.
Class A Example: Any Semi truck & trailer needs a Class A. If your trailer has a GVWR of more than 10,001 and the truck and trailer combination is over 26,001 then you need a Class A CDL.
Class B: Single vehicle having a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. Group B allows for towing trailers or other vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less.
Class B Example: You bought a used Ford L8000 county plow truck to plow with. You would need a Class B. You can also tow a landscape trailer that is has a GVWR of under 10,000 pounds. A tandem axle trailer with 4500 pound axles would be fine. It would have a 9,000 GVWR.
Class C has to due with busses and vehicles that haul over 16 people so I'm not going to cover it.
Summary:
Regular Drivers License
- If you drive a pick up that has a GVWR under 10,000 then you are fine. If you tow a trailer that is under 10,000 GVWR you are fine.
- If your trailer is over 10,001 GVWR and your truck is under 10,000 GVWR AND the combination of truck and trailer is under 26,001, then your drivers license is fine.
Chauffeur License
- If you drive a truck that has a GVWR of between 10,001 and 26,000 you need a Chauffeur license and a Medical Examiner's Certification.
- If you tow a trailer behind that truck that is under 10,000 GVWR you still only need the Chauffeur license and a Medical Examiner's Certification.
- If you tow a trailer behind that truck that is over 10,001 GVWR, and the combined weight is under 26,001 GVWR you still only need the Chauffeur license and a Medical Examiner's Certification.
Commercial Drivers License
- If you drive a truck with a GVWR of over 26,001 alone or with a trailer under 10,000 GVWR you need a Class B CDL
- If you tow a trailer over 10,001 GVWR and your combined truck and trailer GVWR is over 26,001 you need a Class A CDL.
Definition of Terms:
GVW: Gross Vehicle Weight = What your vehicle actually weights.
GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the recommended maximum total weight of the vehicle and a load as designated by the vehicle manufacturer.
GCW: Gross Combination Weight = What your truck and trailer actually weight.
GCWR: Gross Combination Weight Rating means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of a combination vehicle.
Vehicle Weight Summary: License requirements don't care what your vehicle weights. They only care what the manufacture says your vehicle weights. GVWR & GCWR.
These are the only GVWR that mater:
Trucks:
Under 10,000 pounds
Over 10,001 pounds but less than 26,000 pounds
Over 26, 001 pounds
Trailers:
Under 10,000 pounds
Over 10,001 pounds
There are exceptions, such as military, farmer, emergency personal. But the rule is:
Chauffeur License is required if you: Are employed for the principal purpose of operating a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or more.
Note: Michigan law considers someone to be employed for the principal purpose of operating a motor vehicle "when the person's employment customarily involves the necessary use of a motor vehicle for hire (snow plowing) or for transporting passengers for hire (workers), or for transporting for gain or hire any merchandise for display, sale, or delivery. (spreading salt)"
Chauffeur Summary: If the truck you drive for work as an employee, owner or sub contractor, has a sticker on the door of the truck says 10,001 pounds or greater, (but less than 26,001) than you need to have a Chauffeurs License. The cost in 2009 in MI for this license is $35.00. It is only a written test. No skills test is required, unless you have never been licensed.
Medical Examiner's Certification: A medical examiner's certification is needed if you operate a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight (GVW), GVWR, GCW, or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more. Mine cost $50 from my Dr.
Commercial Drivers License or CDL: A CDL is required for any person who intends to operate a vehicle have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more or a combination vehicles towing a trailer with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
CDL Classes:
Class A: Combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle being towed is 10,001 pounds or more.
Class A Example: Any Semi truck & trailer needs a Class A. If your trailer has a GVWR of more than 10,001 and the truck and trailer combination is over 26,001 then you need a Class A CDL.
Class B: Single vehicle having a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. Group B allows for towing trailers or other vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less.
Class B Example: You bought a used Ford L8000 county plow truck to plow with. You would need a Class B. You can also tow a landscape trailer that is has a GVWR of under 10,000 pounds. A tandem axle trailer with 4500 pound axles would be fine. It would have a 9,000 GVWR.
Class C has to due with busses and vehicles that haul over 16 people so I'm not going to cover it.
Summary:
Regular Drivers License
- If you drive a pick up that has a GVWR under 10,000 then you are fine. If you tow a trailer that is under 10,000 GVWR you are fine.
- If your trailer is over 10,001 GVWR and your truck is under 10,000 GVWR AND the combination of truck and trailer is under 26,001, then your drivers license is fine.
Chauffeur License
- If you drive a truck that has a GVWR of between 10,001 and 26,000 you need a Chauffeur license and a Medical Examiner's Certification.
- If you tow a trailer behind that truck that is under 10,000 GVWR you still only need the Chauffeur license and a Medical Examiner's Certification.
- If you tow a trailer behind that truck that is over 10,001 GVWR, and the combined weight is under 26,001 GVWR you still only need the Chauffeur license and a Medical Examiner's Certification.
Commercial Drivers License
- If you drive a truck with a GVWR of over 26,001 alone or with a trailer under 10,000 GVWR you need a Class B CDL
- If you tow a trailer over 10,001 GVWR and your combined truck and trailer GVWR is over 26,001 you need a Class A CDL.