Can a class B drive a tractor if it's bobtail

I never said anything different. But the fmca regs say "gvw" OR "gvwr" whichever is greater. When they moved one of our bobs they classified it as under 26k so they didnt have to pay for a class b (only thing i cam figure) cuz we had to have it re classified for full weight before we could put it in service.

 

Okay? Fair enough. But I was trying to answer the question that was asked. I was assuming that by "tractor without a trailer" the op meant 18 wheeler class 8 tractor. Without a trailer. The tractor may have an 80k sticker on it. That's still perfectly fine for a class B licensed driver so long as the truck has no trailer, and is ONLY the tractor. Class b says any SINGLE vehicle weighing more then 26,001 pounds.

Now I am assuming that by "bobs" you mean a bobtail box truck? You can register a vehicle for whatever weight you want. You just best not be over that, or you would be over gross, even if you aren't over vehicle gross. You can try saving money on registration since heavier costs more. If they tried registering it so a class C licensed driver can drive it, then I am not sure they saved themselves any headache if there were an issue. Since the GROSS weight rating is still greater then 26,001 pounds and technically requires a class b.

I'll admit though, I am a little lost on what exactly I am responding to anymore...

 

Im not sure why they registered it low, but yeah we answered the op on a bob tractor being a B. We all knew that, but then the question of the trailer came in, and some said it only needed to weight less than 10k, but the regs say gvw or gvwr whichever is greater, so you cant have a lightweight 45 foot trailer that is rated for 20k behind a 56k dump without a class A, even if its empty based on the way the regs are written

 

Well if they registered it low in weight, just to move it empty and still used a properly licensed driver, then that makes perfect sense. Why register a truck for a bunch of weight if you are just going to transport it empty. I wouldn't pay that extra money in weight fees just to go empty.

I see what you are saying about the trailer now. Sorry I was slow on that one. The only way a trailer would work is like a single car trailer or something, and its GROSS weight would have be less then 10k, agreed. So an equipment trailer of almost any type behind a dump truck would require an A. agreed.

 

Something to note about the bobtail is gvwr is the less of several things. It's actual physical rating like axles and frame strength and such. There is also the registered weight. I dunno if it's an option, but if one could register the tags to the true weight of the tractor (about what, 25k pounds) they might get away with moving it non-commercialy as it's under the 26k limit then, not requiring even a class b.

Like I said though, I'm not even sure if a state will do that. I know PA will not from other discussions here, but maybe other states will?

 

Thats what i think my company did so they didnt have to pay for a class b driver

 

Back when I was buying and selling trucks, since I didn't hold a dealer license, TN required me to register it in my name before I could sell it. I would register class 8 trucks with regular auto tags because it was the cheapest, just so I could resale them.