This is true if it is going to be used as a commercial vehicle. I can legally drive a semi truck and trailer,loaded to 80,000 pounds,for my own personnal use and not need a cdl. My 923 is licensed as historical and I do not require a cdl. But I am limited on what I can use it for.
Here is Ohios revised statute. Back when I was driving a truck for a living, Ohio was the one state we could guarantee we would not win an appeal of a Motor Vehicle Violation in.... Truck drivers hate Ohio... Only state I have ever received a ticket in.
Ohio Revised Code, Section 4506.01 (D)
The classes of CDL and the commercial motor vehicles that they authorize the operation of are as follows: [ - ]
Any combination of vehicles with a combined gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of ten thousand pounds;
Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating that is not in excess of ten thousand pounds;
Any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that is not a class A or class B vehicle, but that either is designed to transport sixteen or more passengers including the driver;
Any school bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than twenty-six thousand one pounds that is designed to transport fewer than sixteen passengers including the driver;
Is transporting hazardous materials for which placarding is required under subpart F of 49 C.F.R. part 172;
Any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that is designed to be operated and to travel on a public street or highway and is considered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to be a commercial motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, a motorized crane, a vehicle whose function is to pump cement, a rig for drilling wells, and a portable crane.