A Class A CDL License is required when the combination of the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) totals 26,001 or more provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

A Class B CDL License is required for any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.

A Class C CDL License is required for any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials.

 

CDL requirements BEGIN at 26,001 lbs but gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) on the trailer will determine whether you need a Class A or Class B CDL. The GVWR of the trailer must be 10,001 lbs or more to fall under Class A CDL.

Example 1: Truck GVWR 11,000 lbs. + Trailer GVWR 13,000 lbs. = GCWR 24,000 lbs. - NO CDL required

Example 2 : Truck GVWR 11,000 lbs. + Trailer GVWR 15,500 lbs. = GCWR 26,500 lbs. - Class A CDL required

Example 3: Straight Truck GVWR 28,000 lbs. = GCWR 28,000 lbs. - Class B CDL required

 

It is extremely important to be aware that the combined GVWR of your truck and trailer determines the proper licensing. It is not what you happen to weigh when you are stopped at scale. You risk being subjected to heavy fines if, in fact, the manufacturers combined GVWR for your equipment is over 26,000 pounds and you are not licensed properly, regardless of what you happen to scale when you are weighed.

Drivers who operate special types of CMVs also need to pass additional tests to obtain any of the following endorsements on their CDL:

 
• T - Double/Triple Trailers (Knowledge test only)
• P - Passenger (Knowledge and Skills Tests)
• N - Tank Vehicle (Knowledge Test only)
• H - Hazardous Materials (Knowledge Test only)
• X - Combination of Tank Vehicle and Hazardous Materials

If a driver either fails the air brake component of the general knowledge test or performs the skills test in a vehicle not equipped with air brakes, the driver is issued an air brake restriction, restricting the driver from operating a CMV equipped with air brakes.

The Federal penalty to a driver who violates the CDL requirements is a civil penalty of up to $2,500 or, in aggravated cases, criminal penalties of up to $5,000 in fines and/or up to 90 days in prison. An employer is also subject to a penalty of up to $10,000, if he or she knowingly uses a driver to operate a CMV without a valid CDL.

• Am I Subject To Drug Testing Requirements?

You are subject to the drug testing requirements if you operate a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the vehicle -

1. Has a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds; or
2. Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds; or
3. Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
4. Is of any size and is used in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for the purposes of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 5103(b)) and which require the motor vehicle to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR part 172, subpart F).

• General Rules

1. Requires all interstate motor carriers to display the USDOT motor carrier identification number.
    
2. The identification number must be preceded by the letters "USDOT".
    
3. Requires that CMVs be marked with the legal name, or a single trade name, of the business entity that owns or controls the motor carrier operation. This information must match the information on the motor carrier's Form MCS-150.
    
4. Single trade name: The FMCSA will consider requests for assignment of individual USDOT numbers to corporate divisions on a case-by-case basis. Although the FMCSA does not wish to limit an organization's flexibility or its ability to promote a trade name, the agency must still consider whether the assignment of multiple USDOT numbers to a single corporate entity would compromise the integrity of the collection and processing of safety data.
    
5. If the name of any person other than the operating carrier appears on the commercial motor vehicle, the name of the operating carrier must be followed by the required information, and be preceded by the words "operated by".
    
6. Principal place of business address: The final rule DOES NOT require the motor carrier to mark its motor vehicles with the city and state. It does not prohibit this practice, either.

• Size, shape, location, and color of marking

1. Appear on both sides of the self-propelled commercial motor vehicle.
    
2. Be in letters that contrast sharply in color with the background on which the letters are placed.
    
3. Be readily legible, during daylight hours, from a distance of 50 feet (15.24 meters) while the commercial motor vehicle is stationary.
    
4. Be kept and maintained in a manner that retains the legibility.

• Construction and durability

The marking may be painted on the commercial motor vehicle or may consist of a removable device, if that device meets the identification and legibility requirements.

• Other identifying Information

Other identifying information may be displayed on the vehicle if it is not inconsistent with the required required.

• Special note for new motor carriers:

You must file your MCS-150 before starting operations. You must also mark the power units of your CMVs before you put them into service and operate them on public highways.

• operate a truck or bus in interstate or international commerce, or
• make arrangements for the transportation of cargo and goods

• has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of at least 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater
• is designed to transport 11 or more passengers (including the driver)
• is used in transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding

• What is IFTA?

If you are considering getting into the Hotshot Carrier business, it is important that you totally understand IFTA and be absolutely certain you understand how the GVWR is determined so you don't wind up thinking you your GVWR is under 26,000 pounds when in fact it is over this critical number. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is determined by the truck and trailer manufacturers and if your combined GVWR is above 26000# you do need to have the IFTA license or get individual trip permits for each state each time you enter it you run which, of course you would normally not want to do because it is far more expensive.

IFTA is an agreement among all states (except Alaska and Hawaii) and Canadian provinces (except Northwestern Territories, Nunavut and Yukon) to simplify the reporting of fuel used by motor carriers operating in more than one jurisdiction. Persons who operate qualified motor vehicles are subject to IFTA licensing.

• Who qualifies for an IFTA license and what is a "Qualified Motor Vehicle" under IFTA?

You qualify for an IFTA license if you operate your qualified motor vehicle in any U.S. state or Canadian province that is a member of the International Fuel Tax Agreement. To qualify, your vehicle must meet the following weight requirements:

A vehicle used or designed to transport property is a qualified motor vehicle if it:

• Has three or more axles; or
• Has two axles and a gross vehicle or registered gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds; or
• Is used in a combination that has a combined or registered gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds. If you are a HotShot operator, it is extremely important to understand this qualification. Don't get caught up in the misunderstanding that you are not required to have an IFTA license if you don't scale over 26,000 pounds. If your registered gross vehicle weight is over 26,000 pounds, you qualify for the license regardless of what you might scale.
• If you qualify for IFTA but do not choose to register, you must obtain fuel trip permits to travel into or through each member jurisdiction.
• Carriers traveling in non-IFTA jurisdictions must continue to comply with the fuel tax reporting requirements of those jurisdictions.

• Why should I register for IFTA?

The IFTA license offers several benefits to the interstate/inter-jurisdictional motor carrier. These benefits include one license, one set of decals, one quarterly fuel tax report that reflects the net tax or refund due. In addition, your fuel tax records will generally be audited only by your base jurisdiction. These advantages result in cost and time savings for the carrier and the member jurisdictions.

• Where can I travel using IFTA Credentials?

Most Canadian provinces and US states are IFTA members.

The jurisdictions listed below are not IFTA members and IFTA credentials are not valid for travel there:

• United States: Alaska, Hawaii and the District of Columbia
• Canada: Northwest Territories, Nunuvit and Yukon Territory
• Mexico: All states and the Federal District

If you plan to travel in these jurisdictions please contact them for information regarding their fuel tax reporting requirements.

• Which taxes does IFTA cover?

IFTA covers fuel taxes only. It does not cover road taxes, weight mileage taxes, or any other jurisdiction specific taxes. You must continue to pay these taxes directly to the jurisdictions in which you travel.

• What are the fuel tax rates for IFTA jurisdictions?

You may view, print, or download the fuel tax rates for all IFTA jurisdictions at http://www.iftach.org.

• Are there penalties for traveling without valid IFTA credentials or a fuel trip permit?

Yes. If you travel in an IFTA jurisdiction without valid IFTA credentials or a fuel trip permit, you may be subject to a penalty, fine or citation, depending on the jurisdiction's laws.

• When are IFTA reports due?

Under IFTA, you are required to file quarterly fuel tax reports. The reporting quarters and due dates are:

• Are there any exemptions for off-road use or other unusual uses?

IFTA, Inc. posts lists of exemptions accepted in each jurisdiction that you might travel. You may find the list of exemptions at: www.iftach.org. Every attempt is made to keep this information current but we would recommend that you contact each jurisdiction before taking an exemption.

• What records will I need?

You must maintain records that will adequately document all of the information you provide on your quarterly fuel tax reports.

Generally, you must maintain records to document all miles you travel - including the date of your trip, route of travel, total trip miles, and miles traveled in each jurisdiction. You must also keep all receipts for fuel you buy and place into your vehicles. If you maintain a bulk fuel storage facility, you must maintain additional records.

A KYU number is a Kentucky tax license number issued for the Kentucky Weight Distance Tax. Only carriers with one or more vehicles with a GVWR over 59,999 pounds who traveling in or through Kentucky are subject to this tax. If you are a Hotshot Carrier you GVWR is probably going to be well under this figure so you do NOT need to get a KYU Number.

NO!!! KRS 138.660. establishes the fuel tax, surtax, and Kentucky Weight Distance Tax (KYU) You cannot pay for KYU on your IFTA tax form. IFTA is a fuel tax based on the fuel consumed by a vehicle within a certain IFTA jurisdiction.

IFTA taxable vehicles start at over 26,000 pounds.

KYU however, is a highway usage tax that is based purely on KY mileage. KYU taxable vehicles start at over 59,999 pounds. If your vehicle is over 59,999 pounds, you will need to pay both.

We are available seven days a week between 9am and 9pm EST to file for your KYU license electronically but the Kentucky KYU licensing office is only open on weekdays and it generally takes two to four hours for them to process the application. Consequently, we can generally get your license the same day if we file by lunch time on any weekday. Otherwise the license is generally available sometime the next weekday morning.

You will need to file your KYU quarterly taxes in a timely manner and keep your taxable inventory list up to date. There is no need to renew the license annually. However, failure to file your quarterly tax reports can result in your KYU tax license being revoked. If your KYU number becomes revoked, you may have to pay penalties, interest and a reinstatement fee, or even post a surety bond. The quarterly taxes are due on the following dates: January 31st, April 30th, July 31st, and October 31st. Tax filings must be postmarked by the last day of the month following the end of the quarter to be filed. This is the case even if that day falls on a holiday or weekend. You must also file the tax forms even if your vehicles do not run any KY mileage within the quarter.

It is not normally required to display the KYU number on the vehicle. Normally, a truck will pull into the weigh station, and the clerk will pull up the US DOT number on the truck. Since the KYU number is linked to the US DOT number, if the company has that particular truck VIN listed on the taxable inventory list and the KYU is active, then the truck should be fine as far as the KYU tax is concerned.

In the case of a lease please display the name, US DOT number, and MC number of the carrier that you are leased to. If your vehicle is subject to the KYU tax and the company with authority is not providing the KYU tax license, then you must obtain either a temporary permit for the KYU tax, or provide your own KYU tax license linked to your own US DOT number. Kentucky recommends that you display your personal KYU number. However, you are not required by law to display the KYU number. To avoid confusion and delay, it is best if the lease agreement is very clear about which company is paying for which credential.

A New Mexico Weight Distance Permit allows commercial vehicles to utilize New Mexico highways. New Mexico imposes a Weight Distance Tax on motor carriers operating motor vehicles which weigh 26,001 - 80,000 pounds on New Mexico State Public highways. The tax is computed based on mileage traveled by commercial vehicles on New Mexico highways at a rate determined by the weight of the vehicle. The tax for Weight Distance is less per mile than the Trip Tax (Single Trip Permits). If you travel through New Mexico often, then it is to your advantage to obtain a Weight Distance Permit. If you don't have a permit, be sure to get a Single Trip Permit each time you enter the state.

No, you DO NOT need carry the New Mexico Weight Distance Confirmation Page on your vehicles.