just a question?

[airforceone911]

I am going to buy a m1070 or a m916 just wanted some opinions about them do you need special lic for the m1070 thanks

 

[Gunzy]

You will need a Class A CDL in most states for either of those. Check with your DMV for licensing requirements in your state. The M1070 is 45k by itself and has a GCVW in the area of 250K, not sure on the M916 but I am sure it excedes 100k. What are your plans with one?

 

[Valence]

A far more appropriate question for your state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and you local state/county/city law books, than here.

Imagine if someone piped up and said "No worries, you're already good to go, just don't drive it commercially!" - but you weren't actually good? Imagine the heap of fines or even litigation troubles you could be in?

BUT, we hope you still get one and post pictures and tell a tale!

 

[swbradley1]

You must ask your DMV and even then it may take more than one to get the correct answer. Because not all states require a CDL for non-commercial, some do require it.

Ask them and don't take advice about it from an Internet forum.

 

[wreckerman893]

The next question I would ask you is how much experience do you have operating heavy vehicles.
I drove the M1070 and the M916 in the Army. I was also a Drivers Trainer and License Examiner.
The M1070 is a challenge for an experienced driver due to the rear steering axle and the visibility issues. The tractor by itself weighs over 40K and they are S L O W on the road which can get you rear ended on just about any road due to impatient drivers.
If you have never driven big vehicles like this you are setting yourself up for failure and maybe a lawsuit if you should have an accident.
If you are considering using them for a commercial purpose and flying under the radar you are also heading for a world of hurt.
DOT inspectors live for stuff like this.
I'm not doubting your ability...you may be a vet and know everything there is to know about these trucks. I'm just posting my thoughts on the subject since you didn't provide any backstory.

 

[98G]

You must ask your DMV and even then it may take more than one to get the correct answer. Because not all states require a CDL for non-commercial, some do require it.

Ask them and don't take advice about it from an Internet forum.

The thing is, multiple calls to the DMV in just about any state will get you multiple conflicting answers.

I travel for work, and was moving every 13 weeks up until recently.

I started off with asking MO's DMV. 3 calls got me three different answers, mutually exclusive.

I moved to TX and grabbed a 5ton out of Ft Polk LA. 3 calls to LA asking if I'd be ok driving it from Ft Polk to TX got me 3 different answers. TX DMV when asked gave me 3 conflicting answers as well.

Then I moved to OK. I still don't know what the law is in OK, as I never did get a straight answer out of them.

CA DMV seems to think everything needs a class A CDL and to have a DPF retrofit onto it...

AZ DMV says one thing, and local LEOs have a completely different understanding.

I got my best answers by means of PM to people who have MVs and live in the states I was in. I never did try to post threads about it due to the obvious disapproval of the topic. I can understand why the forum doesn't want to provide the info, because some state agency might come along behind us and decide it's misinformation and hold us accountable for it. I can also see why people ask here rather than ask DMV - DMV universally has no idea what their own code says.

 

[Andrmorr]

The above posters are not exaggerating...I spent 3 hours in my DMV today trying to tag my own 5 ton and I ended up having to walk away with no firm answers...it boils down to your interpretation of the rules and how much you want to risk vs. how much you want to play it safe...Pay now or pay later...some states make it easier...NC isn't one of them...

 

[elkhtr]

Same thing in Washington, different answers from different sources. Finally hired a traffic lawyer to chase it down for me, best 150.00 spent.

 

[IsaLandr]

Personally, I think if you're gonna drive something that big, you really ought to get the formal training that goes with it. I believe that's part of the cost of owning a vehicle this large. We budget for purchasing the vehicles, for maintenance, upkeep, and repairs, we should budget for this as well. Just play it safe and get the Class A license. Go with CDL if your state requires it or if that's the only Class A available, non-CDL if that's an option in your state and how you want to play it.

But it's still a good idea no matter how you slice it. Get your Class A and/or CDL and call it done. Best way to learn the local laws and really understand your vehicle and its limitations. There are loopholes and ways to get around the requirements, but from both a safety standpoint as well as possible legal or financial ramifications, I just don't think it's worth it in most cases.

I got my Class A CDL in California in the early 1990s, but it got too expensive to maintain after I stopped driving trucks for a living. Here in WA I got a farm exemption instead, but since I already have the training and some years of experience, to me it was a simple matter of economics and practicality. Not everyone can or should go that route.

 

[Artisan]

If your repair skills are DEEP get either.
If your pocket book is light consider none.
The M1070 is a MONSTER, 45MPH on freeways...Detroit Diesels expensive to fix.
The M916 is a MONSTER but manageable, 62 MPH on freeways, NTC400 easy to fix.
Look at my thread Artisan's M916 for more info.

The M1070 is freaking awesome...I wish I had the resources ... My M916 is a BEAST
but oh man...it is sooooo fun. You have to determine if you want the CAT 7155 or not.
Some say steer clear of it. I went with it and I have 2 spare trannys, 5 spare ratio
selectors and 3 spare umbilical's, so I am set for life I think.
It took all my skills to get it to it's current AWSOME READY Level, albeit my idea of "approved" usually
exceeds the normal man's idea of "just run it" kind of deal. It's like new...even the tires.

I'll sell my M916 w/ spares for $35K, I would jump in it and head to Alaska tomorrow, if
you give me a gas CC and deliver it

 

[airforceone911]

Thanks everyone just trying to pick the better truck

 

[98G]

"Better" for what?

Either makes a fine toy.... Artisan's M916 is very nice. I even like the strange shifting sounds it makes....

But the HET is unmatched by anything else in US inventory....

 

[PWM]

If you have a hard time getting answers from the DMV contact the the Highway Patrol commercial vehicle enforcement division.
Talk to a CVS Inspector or Trooper not just a regular Patrolman.

 

[swbradley1]

The thing is, multiple calls to the DMV in just about any state will get you multiple conflicting answers.

I travel for work, and was moving every 13 weeks up until recently.

I started off with asking MO's DMV. 3 calls got me three different answers, mutually exclusive.

I moved to TX and grabbed a 5ton out of Ft Polk LA. 3 calls to LA asking if I'd be ok driving it from Ft Polk to TX got me 3 different answers. TX DMV when asked gave me 3 conflicting answers as well.

Then I moved to OK. I still don't know what the law is in OK, as I never did get a straight answer out of them.

CA DMV seems to think everything needs a class A CDL and to have a DPF retrofit onto it...

AZ DMV says one thing, and local LEOs have a completely different understanding.

I got my best answers by means of PM to people who have MVs and live in the states I was in. I never did try to post threads about it due to the obvious disapproval of the topic. I can understand why the forum doesn't want to provide the info, because some state agency might come along behind us and decide it's misinformation and hold us accountable for it. I can also see why people ask here rather than ask DMV - DMV universally has no idea what their own code says.

Hence the reason I pointed out it will take more than one call. Although one call to a lawyer and have them check it out is actually good advice from elkhtr.

For a change I would say take the advice from the Internet. Pay a lawyer to research it for you. They give you advice and screw it up then they are on the hook for giving you the wrong legal information.

 

[Shark Bait]

My HET is a beast. No matter which direction you choose you won't go wrong. I don't believe there is good or bad choice if acquiring for fun and entertainment. Some more $$$$ than others for maintenance and driving. If you're going to work one, well that I can't help you with. Lol. My LMTV, MK48 and HET are retired. I let them get the R&R they've earned. We do what most do with theirs, we get ice cream. They can haul a bunch of ice cream!

Dave

 

[airforceone911]

plan on using for funeral escorts and shows in my area love the m1070 drove it a lot in army m916 also i gave up my cdl after i got hurt in Iraq took a year to learn to walk again thats why i did not want to try to get my cdl back. Any vehicle under 26000 pounds does not have to have a cdl in Tenn for personal use thanks

 

[Baradium]

plan on using for funeral escorts and shows in my area love the m1070 drove it a lot in army m916 also i gave up my cdl after i got hurt in Iraq took a year to learn to walk again thats why i did not want to try to get my cdl back. Any vehicle under 26000 pounds does not have to have a cdl in Tenn for personal use thanks

Read your laws and make sure it's not 26,000 lb GVWR which is the rating when loaded, not empty weight. I know these threads are frowned on so I won't say more than that.