itwonder

Take a look at NC GS_20-4.01 which defines Class A:

(2a) Class A Motor Vehicle. – A combination of motor vehicles that meets either of the following descriptions:

a. Has a combined GVWR of at least 26,001 pounds and includes as part of the combination a towed unit that has a GVWR of at least 10,001 pounds.

b. Has a combined GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds and includes as part of the combination a towed unit that has a GVWR of at least 10,001 pounds.



The language in the law does not make any sense...if parts a and b are true, then the language should have just defined Class A as any combination vehicle that has a towed unit with a GVWR of at least 10,001 lbs. There is a no need for both part a. and part b. Compare that mess to Virginia's definition:

§ 46.2-341.16.


1. Class A-Combination heavy vehicle. - Any combination of vehicles with agross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the grossvehicle weight rating of the vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000pounds;

2. Class B-Heavy straight vehicle or other combination. - Any single motorvehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, or anysuch vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating that is notin excess of 10,000 pounds; and

3. Class C-Small vehicle. - Any vehicle that does not fit the definition of aClass A or Class B vehicle and is either (i) designed to transport sixteen ormore passengers including the driver or (ii) is used in the transportation ofhazardous materials.

These state laws have root in Federal motor carrier laws, so they should be fairly consistent from state to state. I'd say NC has a problem. This inconsistency should be pointed out to the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Legislative Transportation Committee.

In the meantime, license your stuff in VA. NC has to honor VA laws when they conflict with NC's, under reciprocity.

__________________
-Bob


Dusky 233FC w/ Etec 250
1967 Winner Marathon w/ 115 Chrysler
16' Prindle Cat

JB2C

Agreed on the verbage of the NC statue. But the point here (and tell me if I'm wrong) is that NC law is more restrictive than VA law. You can have a pull and tow totaling 22,000 lbs in NC and still need a Class A. Wouldn't need Class A in VA for this same weight.

JB

itwonder

My reading of the statutes is you are correct. In VA, my interpretation is your scenario would be a Class C.

__________________
-Bob


Dusky 233FC w/ Etec 250
1967 Winner Marathon w/ 115 Chrysler
16' Prindle Cat

oakisland

Bear in mind that this is just lawyer/politician mublespeak and was never mean to be clear and/or concise. Otherwise, they would have merely stated that any vehicle combination where the trailer is rated in excess of 10,000# is Class A.

Dovetail that with3d) Commercial Motor Vehicle. – Any of the followingmotor vehicles that are designed or used to transport passengers or property:a. A Class A motor vehicle that has a combined GVWR ofat least 26,001 pounds and includes as part of the combination a towed unitthat has a GVWR of at least 10,001 pounds.and what you have is that a GVWR of over 26,000# and you are towing a trailer rated for over 10,000# you are a commercial vehicle, no matter what you thought you were doing. (Note: that this is RATING not "HAULING&quot

Pickens

I have an NC Class A license with M,N and T endorsements. I just like to bragg whenever possible.

I believe there are some exceptions to these descriptions based on air brakes or hydraulic. Maybe.

I think you used to need a Class A for a B vehicle with air brakes.

This could be a wives tale.

BlueWaterRunner

The class A license required to tow a 10k or larger trailer is not a CDL. It is a class A operators license.

This is the requirements for a CDL license:

§ 46.2-341.16.

1. Class A-Combination heavy vehicle. - Any combination of vehicles with agross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the grossvehicle weight rating of the vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000pounds;

2. Class B-Heavy straight vehicle or other combination. - Any single motorvehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, or anysuch vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating that is notin excess of 10,000 pounds; and

3. Class C-Small vehicle. - Any vehicle that does not fit the definition of aClass A or Class B vehicle and is either (i) designed to transport sixteen ormore passengers including the driver or (ii) is used in the transportation ofhazardous materials.

You do not need a CDL unless you GCVW is over 26k. To tow a 10,000 lbs boat you need a class A operators license. Clear as a muddy creek. Huh?

I got my answer to this question during a discussion with a DMV enforcement officer. I have yet to go get my class A operators license. I also have not figured out all of what it takes to get one. I need to spend a morning and go to the DL office here and find out. NC's laws are really screwed up on this.

__________________


"Freedom"

SeaProBoatOwners.com

SquidWilm

The Class A license is VERY SIMPLE to get.....here's what you have to do (I got mine a few weeks ago):
1. Go to the DMV and ask for the Commercial Driver's Handbook and study Sections 1-3 ONLY.
2. After looking over the sections once or twice, go in and take the test for the license. If you don't pass, don't worry!!
3. If you passed, great. If not, now you know what will be on the test for the next day---in fact, a lot of the questions are the same!
4. The driving test. Either tow an EMPTY 10K+ GVWR trailer (this will be a heavy twin axle or triple axle trailer) to the DMV yourself without getting caught (and tell them you had somebody else tow it there), or have a friend who already has a Class A or CDL tow the trailer to the DMV for you. They will inspect the trailer, check all lights, and have you do a VERY SIMPLE driving test around the block. Be sure to take all turns wide and SLOW since this is the main thing they are looking at.

There the whole process is very simple....it's just the hassle of doing it.