John in La --- air brakes

John,

I acquired a 71 model C-50 dump truck with air brakes, good little truck and we want to make it legal to haul local, does the registered owner and or driver need a CDL in Louisiana? I have looked online for the answer and there seems to be a few variables.

Thanks.

I know You asked for John. If you are not over the 26,000 limit you shouldn't need one. If you are going to haul for hire it would change that. Then it requires all the goodies.

What's the gvw that's what it all comes down to. It should be under the 26,000 point for cdl so you will be good to go. Standard drivers license has no air brake restrictions so it's fine with air brake. Cdl had an air brake restriction unless you take that test. That's how you have so many non cdl recycling and small refuse trucks with air brake and anyone can drive them with just regular license and med card

Louisiana allows 650 lbs per tire inch. So with 8.25 tires you would be limited to 10,725 on the steer axle and 20,000 lbs interstate and 21,450 lbs non interstate on the rear axle.
This will put you into CDL territory.
Now hold that thought for a minute.

A C50 ought to have a GVWR of about 20,000 lbs total.
This puts you below 26,000 lbs total so now you do not need a CDL.
Now lets compare the two.

So do you need a CDL?
No.
Just make sure the GVWR tag inside the door jam is readable.
Other wise you gona have some new rookie DOT officer questioning the GVWR of the truck by the tire size.
And MAKE SURE you are never so overweight to cross that 26,000 lb threshold.

So what do you need?
You have 2 options.

First is to put farm tags on it.
You will be able to drive it within 150 miles of your farm with a regular class E license.
Problem is you can only haul things related to and owned by your farm.

Second option is to put a "B" or "G" tag on it.
The "B" tag is a commercial tag for trucks that stay in state.
A "G" tag is a gravel truck tag. You can only haul dirt and gravel with this tag.
The "G" tag is cheaper than the "B" tag.
With either the "B" or "G" tag you will need a Class "D" Chauffeurs Driver's License because you are over 10,000 GVW.
Read the link and it will explain the class "D" license.

Louisiana is NOT a DOT number compliant state.
So you do not need a DOT number as long as you stay in the state.
You just need to put your name on the door.

Cross a state line or pull a trailer with this truck and this all changes.
Class

I do not know about LA, but if you pull a trailer with it you might need a CDL some states require that

The Farm tag option as you explained it will work just right for me, probably cheaper insurance as well. Thanks for the info.

I appreciate all the replies and information.

I am for sure not an authority but.... I have never seen a C-50 with air brakes. And I might be completely wrong in thinking that. Seen several C-60's, C-65's and C-70's. Might check the VIN tag. Truck could possibly have a dog house off of a C-60 on it. Just saying....

Yes if you can claim the farm exemption that is the way to go.
The tag will cost you $10 up to 23,999 lbs GVW saving you about $65 a year.
If you want to pull a trailer it may bump it up to $20 a year depending on the GVW.
It will also save you on insurance.
You as the owner and any employee can drive the truck with only a Class "E" car license.

A farmer may transport agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies, agricultural crop production fertilizers, agricultural chemicals, or agricultural related fuels found to be hazardous under the provisions of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act which requires the motor vehicle to bear a placard.

Put the farm name on the door; a farm tag on the bumper; stay in state and within 150 miles of your farm; and put it to work.

I believe if its over 26001 pounds its a CDL licence ,if below its a B licence

In any case, you may want to check and see if you will need an air brake endorsement on your existing license. That is definitely a gray area.

Never seen an air brake endorsement, have seen an air brake restriction...

Endorsement says "you can", restriction says "you can't". Kind of a loophole, but one big enough you can drive a truck through it...

A stock 1971 C50 will not have air brakes. I would suggest finding out exactly what you have, how its titled, if the truck matches the title, etc. and go from there. Normally, a truck large enough to have air brakes will req CDL.