Very few semi tractors will be under 26001 GVW. Most city delivery tractors have 21000-23000 lb rears and 9k-12k fronts so most are at least 30K rated. And the GVW has nothing to do with the tare weight of the truck, it indicates only it's rated GROSS carrying capacity. GCVW is the trucks GROSS rated combined, i.e., including the trailer, rated total carrying capacity.
It is a federal regulation that a CDL is required at 26001 GVW and above which trumps all state regulations. There is nothing in the federal statute about historical trucks so that is the sole domain of thge states as are many other driving priveledge regs.
