In bustling cities like Houston, box trucks are an easy way to make deliveries when larger vehicles can’t fit. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is something you have to understand to know if you will need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to operate one.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Explained
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum safe operating weight of a vehicle, including chassis, body, engine, fuel, accessories, driver, passengers and cargo. The rating is crucial for vehicle classification and for licensing requirements. For example, a tractor trailer might have an empty weight of 35,000 pounds but a GVWR of 80,000 pounds, its maximum safe load capacity. If you are involved in an accident with such a vehicle, contact an 18-wheeler injury lawyer in Houston to have your legal rights explained to you.
What Is a CDL?
People who drive large or heavy vehicles must have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), and it is required that they have the necessary skills and knowledge. To obtain a CDL, you have to complete certain coursework, take practical driving tests and undergo physical examinations. The process ensures that drivers can safely operate commercial vehicles that have different operating characteristics than a standard passenger car.
Types of CDLs
In Texas, CDLs are categorized into three classes, each permitting the operation of different vehicle types:
- Class A CDL: Permits the operation of a combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more if the towed vehicle weighs 10,000 pounds or more. Most tractor-trailers and large tanker trucks are included.
- Class B CDL: It enables the operation of a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or such a vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less. The vehicles in this category are large buses and some box trucks.
- Class C CDL: Vehicles used to transport 16–23 passengers (including the driver) or hazardous materials requiring placarding under federal regulations.
That way, drivers are properly trained for the specific vehicles they drive.
Determining Whether You Need a CDL To Drive a Box Truck
First, you have to check the GVWR of the box truck to ascertain if you need a CDL. In Texas, you are required to have a CDL if the GVWR is 26,001 pounds or more. This is above most box trucks’ GVWR, so a standard driver’s license is sufficient.
But Class B CDL is needed for larger box trucks that weigh over this limit. To make sure you’re in compliance with state regulations, it’s important to verify the GVWR (the vehicle’s maximum gross weight rating), usually located on a label inside the driver’s door.
Look To the GVWR, Not the Size
Box trucks may look like smaller vehicles, but their GVWR is what determines licensing requirements. Not all box trucks are small, as some have a GVWR over 26,001 pounds, making legal operation a Class B CDL requirement.
Always refer to the GVWR rather than the vehicle’s dimensions because of this. Consulting a top Houston 18-wheeler accident attorney can answer your questions if you are unsure of the requirements or are faced with legal issues while operating such vehicles.
If you’re in a truck-related accident or need more information on CDL requirements, it makes sense to seek legal counsel.
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