From: jonathon (jemery@execpc.com)
Date: Sat Feb 15 2003 - 20:00:33 PST
>I am looking at purchasing an M123 10-Ton tractor that has been fitted with
>a dump body. I don't have any intentions for using this truck commercially.
>Strictly for hobby / light work usage, but I want to be able to drive it on
>the road. I want to avoid the $400-500 yearly licensing fees and inspection
>fees associated with a truck this large. The truck is a '68 Consolidated
>and qualifies for antique plates (min 25 years old). With this type of
>plate you only pay a one-time fee ($75 I think) and you are exempt from a
>yearly vehicle safety inspection. I think that I could get one of these
>plates to cover the licensing costs.
I know a guy that had an M123. He said it was wider than 8'6" and thus
technically could not be driven on the road without over-width permits.
That issue aside, there are alot of these issues you mention that go away if
your not hauling for hire but no one seems to be able to explain what. If
these have air brakes (I don't recall) then that kind of pins you to a
commercial type situation also. In this state, Wisconsin, a collector
plate is as you describe, a one time fee. But you may not do anything for
hire and more importantly you are limited to 500#'s of cargo. I have an
M35 and tried to look into these same issues, basically commercial use (for
hire) v.s. non-commercial use. Allegedly there is such a thing as a class A
non-CDL but I got no where trying to find out about it. I ended up licensing
my truck quarterly for the 2nd and 3rd quarters, that lets me drive it from
April 1 thru Sept 30, on a commercial "F" plate which is good for 20,000#.
The commericial insurance for it runs about $250 for the half year. I
could/would do the collector route with much cheaper insurance but I do
occationally use the truck to haul parts for my business that are to large
for a pickup.
>The problem is, a truck this large requires a CDL license (that I do not
>have). Does anybody know if you need to possess a CDL if the truck will not
>be used for commercial use? I have heard that NY state allows agricultural
>use of heavy trucks without requiring a CDL but I have not been able to
>confirm this. I am also thinking that you might not need the CDL because
>the truck would be registered as a classic or antique vehicle. I have
>looked at the state's DOT site, but so far have found nothing. Any
>comments?
It's not going to help you much when your at the side of the road with a
trooper writing you up for driving a CDL required rig (in his opinion) with
no CDL, may even not let you drive any further. In the end you may be
correct, maybe not as well, but it could be problematic.
I broke down and got my class A CDL last fall (2001). A local tech school
had a program for $250, three students, three weeks, one teacher and a new
Peterbuilt. For another $70 you take the road test in the same truck with
the same teacher as examiner. The three of us divided the day up and I
ended up driving for two full hours every afternoon for three weeks. It was
a very pleasant experiance and now that I have it I don't have to worry
about any of these issues. It was a breeze and I'd recommend that any big
truck type people go ahead and get it. Now I can legally drive that Oshkosh
Hemmt (well over 26k# and air brakes) that I am going to get one of these
days !!!
good luck,
je
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