Do air brakes push a non CDL truck into CDL territory ?

Simply, NO.   There is no requirement that a non-CDL truck ( typically thought of as a truck with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less) need a CDL because the truck is equipped with air brakes.  There are not many of these but they do exist. Most are hydraulic brakes.  I know of a company that bought brand new  Ford F-750   33,000 pound CDL trucks and had them FACTORY de-rated to 26,000 pounds.  These are full air brake trucks but the VIN plate, Title and door jamb sticker all indicate a 26,000 pound non CDL truck.  This is fully legal to do this.  What you cannot do is take a 33,000 pound truck and de-register yourself   down to 26,000 pounds to avoid the CDL implications.  While your state DMV may allow you to lower the registered weight, you cam never avoid the original manufacturers weight rating.

If you do buy/use one of these trucks , please instruct the drivers how air brakes work as well as how to pre-trip the air brake system.  As a former roadside DOT Officer, I was not impressed by drivers who didn't know the basics of such a system.

Except for placarded Haz-Mat or 16+ passengers, the truck must exceed 26,000 pounds to require a CDL.

As a former Police/DOT/Weighmaster from 1986-2011  and now a DMV Third Party CDL Tester, I can help with questions and concerns in the area of Transportation Safety, DOT rules, CDL licensing, Data Q challenges, Driver Training Meetings and Safety Seminars.

Please contact me at [email protected].   

DOT Safety Checkups LLC 

Andy Blair