I completely agree that if you are in a State smart enough to have non-commercial Class 'A' licenses you want that.


In PA:
CLASS A (minimum age 18): Required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, where the vehicle(s) being towed is/are in excess of 10,000 pounds. Example: Recreational Vehicle, when the towing vehicle is rated at 11,000 pounds and the vehicle towed is rated at 15,500 pounds (total combination weight of 26,500 pounds).
http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/driverLicensePhotoIDCenter/license_classes.shtml


But in CA:

With a Noncommercial Class A License:
Any vehicles under Class C.
travel trailers weighing over 10,000 lbs. GVWR, not used for hire.
5th-wheel travel trailers weighing over 15,000 lbs., not used for hire.

With a vehicle weighing 4,000 lbs. or more unladen, you may tow a:
livestock trailer exceeding 10,000 lbs. GVWR but not exceeding 15,000 lbs. GVWR if the vehicle is controlled and operated by a farmer, used to transport livestock to or from a farm, not used in commerce or contract carrier operations, and is used within 150 miles of the person's farm.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/cdl_htm/lic_chart.htm

That's the confusing part. But in general, if at all possible, you do not want a CDL. Nor do you want to lie about your intentions and use farm/historical plates as its just as illegal as no having the proper license.

This is a big issue for MV owners (lots of tri-axle MVs) and antique/vintage tuck guys (Antique Truck Club) as the law/DMV never considered that people would own a tractor trailer/large vehicle and NOT be in commerce. So of the millions of vehicles on the road, there is a very small % that don't really 'fit' and making us/them 'be' CDLs is also not what the law clearly defines.

There was a push a few years ago for an FMSCA/IFTA exemption for 'antique/collector' non-cdl type's.. but I don't think it ever got anywhere.