As I mentioned before CDL requirements are based on the vehicles actual rating (GVWR) and not how much you are actually carrying. If it has a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more then odds are a CDL will be needed unless they exempt personal use trucks. Whether you never plan on going over 22,000 pounds means nothing to them.
As far as CT you got to love Google. In less then 3 minutes I found this:
http://www.ct.gov/dmv/LIB/dmv/20/29/mch.pdf
Has a lot of legal terms in it which might not tell you much but it does include several phone numbers for the powers that be that should have an answer for you.
Also found:
Department of Motor Vehicles|
From there it links to a list of exemptions from CDL requirements and it does not mention private use. Seems to only go by weight.
When asking about CDL's and DOT numbers watch out for terms like "motor carrier" and "interstate commerce". The best thing to do is find out what your state defines as a "commercial motor vehicle". If it uses the phrase "a vehicle used in the act of commerce" in the definition you may have a way out. If they don't use that phrase you may be stuck. You might also want to find out what state statute sets the laws used by DMV. When I looked in to Alaska statutes I found 2 different statutes, one was about DMV and vehicle registration while the second one handled weights and measurements (i.e. weigh scales and inspections). Each statute was worded a little different. The weights and measurements statute used the terms "in commerce" to define a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) and had the exemption for personal use. Since I wasn't "in commerce" or for hire I did not need to stop at scales or get annual DOT inspections. But the DMV statute left out the term "in commerce" while defining a CMV along with the exemption for person use. So by the Alaskan DMV department I am commercial based only on GVWR and need a CDL but by another state agency I am not commercial and therefore I don't need a log book, a med card, DOT numbers, and annual inspections.
As far as the DOT inspection you are getting are you getting that because it is required on all vehicles regardless of size or because the DOT people say you must have it due to the vehicle's GVWR? If it's because they say you are commercial ask them to show you the regulation that defines who must have the inspection. The Federal requirement does not apply to non-commerce/not for hire private use trucks. That does not mean you state doesn't have tougher standards saying you must have them. The only way to be sure is to ask for proof. If they say the FHWA (Federal HighWay Admin) requires it then they are wrong. But even though the feds don't require it there may be a state law that says you have to.
And as I said in my long winded response from the other day when you talk to anyone in DMV or DOT keep a log of when it was and the name of the person in question (along with the number you dialed), plus log what your question was and the answer you were given. This way if you end up getting a ticket you will have a line of recourse to maybe help get you out of it.
The best thing to do overall is to get a copy of the laws from your state that define what you need or don't need. Never take a no or a yes as an answer. Always ask for proof. If they refuse to back up any verbal answers they give you ask for their supervisor. But also remember this, if you get an agent that goes out of his or her way to find out what you need then make sure you find out who their boss is and tell that boss how the person did an excellent job.
One other thing to keep in mind is insurance. CMV's are required to have a much higher level of coverage. If all else fails get a comm shack to go in the back of the M54 and set it up as an RV. Problem solved.
Ruppster
right now it getting the DOT inspections done which are a pain in itself. The DMV said i needed DOT numbers but i called DOT up and they said i didnt. 
they wrote 14,000 unloaded weight and 30,000 loaded ( even tho i cant put a load in it) it has air brakes. if anyone can help it would be appreciated. i dont want to live at the DMV anymore
