I currently have a gooseneck trailer rated at 15,900 and considering upgrading to a slightly longer trailer and going with a dual tandem rated for 25,900. My F250 is 10k gvwr and that will put me over 26,001 gross.

Looking at that I will need a Class A CDL. I see dozens of single wheel pickups pulling these trailers, some businesses and some looks to be personal use. I’ve seen conflicting info about farm/ag use exemption needing a CDL. Mine would be personal use only.

Have also seen conflicting information about trailer tags for goosenecks. From the department of revenue website goosenecks are eligible for permanent tags but my local office has no idea and say they determine the cost of the tag by the length of the trailer and it’s market value, not what you paid for it.

My understanding is anything over 26,000 combined GVW you have to have a CDL regardless if it's for commercial use or not. The
exception is an emergency vehicle, IE: firetrucks. Dually pickups and dual tandem trailers are easy pickings for a trooper or DOT if they wanna get after them.

This is from page 1-1 of the Alabama Cdl handbook.

Does the vehicle or
combination of vehicles
have a manufacturer’s
weight rating (GVWR)
over 26,000 pounds?

Yes>

Is the vehicle
a
combination
vehicle
towing a unit
over 10,000
pounds
GVWR?

Yes>

You
need a
Class A
CDL.

Just buy a farm tag for your truck and have at it. You won’t need a cdl.

There's a reason the trailer is rated for 25,900 and it's just like outboard motors that are rated 9.9 horsepower. It's a way to get around regs.

A CDL is required for a trailer rated at 25,900. The reason a lot of trailers are rated under 26k is to avoid the extra 12% FET on a new purchase price.

There is no reason you need a COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE for personal use. I could take one of my W9’s and a 3 axle lowboy and legally drive it as a grocery getter without a CDL

My buddy is a state trooper and he said If ever asked about a trailer say its for farm use only. He says there is too many regs to protect farm vehicles that they wont push it or fight it.

The many of times I’ve been pulled over before I had a cdl pulling a gooseneck trailer and not one state trooper said anything about being over weight and needing a cdl. If you don’t have chains and binders laying all over the deck or dirt and debris or your load is tied down right most of the time they aren’t gonna mess with you. Most of the time I don’t have tags on my trailers and they never say anything about that but if they do it’s cheaper for me to pay that ticket than tagging four different trailers every year.

Thats my understanding but 26000 combined gross is cdl otherwise. I started buying farm tags. Havent got stopped yet, we shall see when i do. Also, if you get stopped, theyll ticket you and make you sit there till someone with cdl shows up to drive your truck. Friend of mine sat there for 4hrs. I would be tempted to tell the trooper to buy a mailbox, this is where we live now.

I may just go without a tag going forward because it doesn’t make sense for it to be over $300 for the gooseneck when my 14k bumper pull trailer is $40, and smaller trailers are around $20. Also the DMW cannot explain to me how they decided how much the tag cost.

Have also heard it will be easier for law enforcement to help recover a stolen trailer if it is currently tagged.

An a health card . Updated every 2 yrs unless u take high blood press meds then it’s every yr.

Was about to get my CDL because it was paid for. Dr. wouldnt sign off unless I did an 8hr sleep study because I have APNEA. Piss on that, farm only.