Unlicensed Truck Drivers in Texas: Krugerville Police Tow Two Rigs

What happened

A traffic stop in North Texas turned into a lesson about unlicensed truck drivers in Texas. On Sept. 21, officers with the Krugerville Police Department stopped a truck. The driver had no driver's license at all. Not just no CDL (commercial driver's license). No license of any kind.

The officer wrote citations and had the truck towed. Then the driver's ride showed up. It was a matching truck, driven by a second driver who also had no license. That truck had similar violations and was towed too, CDLLife reported.

Police said both trucks were running just under the commercial motor vehicle weight limit. But officers said the trucks were clearly doing commercial-type work. Each truck had several violations.

What it means for owner-operators

Some people think staying a little under a weight line keeps them out of the rules. This stop shows police look at the work you do, not only the number on the door.

Here are the basic lines. FMCSA rules treat a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR, the max weight the maker says the truck can carry) of 10,001 pounds or more as a commercial motor vehicle. The CDL lines are higher. Under federal rules, a single truck rated 26,001 pounds or more needs a Class B CDL. A combination rated 26,001 pounds or more, pulling a trailer rated over 10,000 pounds, needs a Class A.

And no matter what you drive, every driver needs a valid license. Getting towed means a lost day, tow and storage fees, and a load that does not get delivered. For a small business, one stop like this can cost more than the job paid.

This also affects honest carriers. When some operators skip the rules, it makes it harder for the ones who pay for permits, insurance filings and licenses to compete on price.

What to do next

• Check the GVWR on the door sticker of every truck and trailer you run. Add them up for combinations.
• Make sure every driver has the right license for that weight before the truck moves.
• If you haul for hire across state lines with a truck rated 10,001 pounds or more, check whether you need a USDOT number and operating authority. Our filing guide walks you through the steps.
• Keep your registration, permits and driver files in the truck and up to date.
• If a new entrant audit is coming, read our guide to the new entrant safety audit.

Not sure which permits your truck needs? Call TCZ Permits at 956-526-6727 and we will build your whole file with you.