If you live in a major metropolitan area like Houston, you might not be able to get to or from work each day without encountering and needing to share the road with a box truck at one point or another. These single vehicles with attached cargo areas are commonly used for small deliveries, especially in places where a big rig or semi-trailer cannot go.
A typical box truck can have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of as little as 6,001 pounds and up to and over 26,001 pounds. A specific box truck’s GVWR is essential information because it determines whether the driver must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Explained
A vehicle’s GVWR describes how heavy it is when fully loaded and still safely operational, and it can differ from the vehicle’s actual weight.
For instance, consider a tractor-trailer combination vehicle. The cab and trailer can weigh as little as 35,000 pounds if empty and as much as 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. The vehicle’s GVWR will always be 80,000 pounds, no matter how much cargo is in it at any one time.
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What Is a CDL?
Commercial vehicles, like tractor-trailers, buses, and large delivery vehicles, handle differently on the road than lighter passenger cars and trucks. As a result, their drivers must obtain and possess CDLs.
A CDL certifies that the vehicle’s operator has passed appropriate coursework, practical tests, and physical examinations, demonstrating that they can safely operate these potentially dangerous machines.
There are three types of CDLs available in the United States:
Class A Commercial Driver’s License
Drivers who operate any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or greater must have a Class A license if the towed vehicle weighs at least 10,001 pounds. That covers almost every tanker truck, tractor-trailer, or big rig combination.
Class B Commercial Driver’s License
If you intend to drive a single vehicle with a GVWR of over 26,001 pounds, you must obtain a valid Class B CDL. The license will also allow you to tow a car that is 10,000 pounds or less. Buses and some tractor-trailers are two examples of vehicles you can drive with a Class B CDL.
Class C Commercial Driver’s License
A Class C CDL is necessary if you plan to drive a vehicle that carries 16 or more passengers (including yourself) or transport any hazardous material.
Do I Need a CDL to Drive a Box Truck?
To determine whether you need a CDL to operate a box truck, you must know that vehicle’s GVWR. Most trucks are small and have a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds. You do not need to have a CDL to operate these vehicles. (That is why people using U-Haul trucks, for instance, generally do not need a commercial driver’s license.)
However, some box trucks are 26 feet or longer and weigh 26,001 pounds or more. A Class B CDL would be necessary for these heavier box trucks if you wanted to drive them legally.
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Look To the GVWR, Not the Size
Box trucks can perform some of the same tasks as larger commercial vehicles. And, in most cases, drivers do not have to complete the specialized training necessary to obtain a CDL before operating them. Some, however, may have GVWRs above 26,001. Drivers should take note in these cases, as Class B CDLs could be necessary for these larger vehicles.
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Contact a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer to Help You With Your Claim
Contact the Houston personal injury law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers at (713) 500-5000.
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