Well today I went to my local California Highway Patrol office in Chico CA. To get more information with regards to my California Drives License requirements and the issues governing weight and smog.
There have been some major changes in both license requirements for the individual and for vehicles in the last few years.
This is especially true for vehicles ranging in the GVWR 10,000lbs to GVWR 26,000lbs even if only 2 axles.
If you license your truck as a classic or antique you are exempt. But you can not carry a tooth pick in the back or even your spare tire on the bed of the truck, nor tow another vehicle, boat or trailer.
If the trucks GVWR is over 10,000lbs you have to get a commercial license. California now has a Class "C" commercial license, which requires a yearly physical, drug testing and EPN (Employee Pull Notice) enrollment. Which allows the CHP to come to where the vehicle is parked and drug test "on demand" the driver of the vehicle.
Plus, you have to get a "CA number" and a minimum of $750,000.00 liability insurance. Regardless of whether or not you are a business or private individual.
If you are a private individual and not a business, yet you are hauling your own materials or trash, you have to have the same license and insurance as any commercial hauler.
Although a "CA number" is free, you have to list the drivers who will be operating the truck even if it is the owner only. Where the truck is to be parked/stored, insurance company info, miles driven, safety inspection logs, list of repairs, maintenance files and etc....
Then you have to contact the local Air Quality Control Board to verify your smog requirements and see if you are exempt or not.
Also, if you will be hauling or carrying building materials, which includes sand and/or gravel, dirt or rocks, you have to apply for a CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission)permit to haul dirt.
Violations can cost into the thousands of dollars in fines.
They (California DMV and CHP) are treating the private individual collector as a commercial enterprise. They want the old stuff off the road, I was told. Their intention is to make it as hard as possible on the individual. The officer I spoke with told me that 3 local trucking companies have quit business because they can not keep up with the continuing changing rules and raising expenses.
Also, California is coming out with more smog rules for big rigs. Which will include most Big Bolts as well.
