Random non-American question. In my part of the world (NZ) you can tow up to 3,500kg (roughly 7,000lbs) behind a light truck - actually the rule is 6,000kg combined mass, but nobody checks the weight of your tow vehicle. I guess not many vehicles weigh more than 2,500kg anyway. Beyond that you need a different driving license (heavy traffic). Which most people don't bother getting, the test is reasonably onerous.
What sort of license do you need in the US to pull 30,000lbs plus weight of truck - call it nearly 40,000lbs/20,000kg/20 ton combined? Is that still a basic license, or do you need something beyond your car license?
For my State here is the breakdown:
- Class A — Any combination of motor vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, providing that the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. This does not include motorcycles or motor-driven cycles. (A CDL is generally required.)
- Class B — Any single motor vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds. This does not include motorcycles or motor-driven cycles. (A CDL is generally required.)
- Class C — Any motor vehicle with a GVWR of more than 16,000 pounds but less than 26,001 pounds, or any vehicle towing another with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less or any vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or hazardous materials that require placarding. This does not include motorcycles or motor-driven cycles.
- Class D — Any motor vehicle with a GVWR of 16,000 pounds or less, except those vehicles requiring a Class A, B or C driver’s license or an L or M motorcycle license Class L — Any motor-driven cycle with less than 150cc displacement.
Yet, there are several exceptions in the law. IF you are pulling/driving anything licensed as RV plates, then you can do it with any licenses. Farmers can get a Farm CDL, which is basically CDL with some of the requirements lifted and a few restrictions put into place (basically you have to be doing stuff for your farm).
On top of that, After making multiple phone calls to our various State agencies and contacting our local State Rep., basically you can drive anything up to 26,001 lbs in any combination. I pointed out that the law says only 10,000lbs. Apparently through some type of rule making procedure they decided as long as you stay under 26,001lbs you can do whatever.
I had to get a class B because the fire engines are over 26,001lbs. Another fun fact, you can legally drive a fire engine without a driver license to an emergency with lights and sirens, but on the trip back you have to be properly license.
Anyway, properly more info than you wanted. In my case, I made sure that I got in writing what my insurance would cover me based on the DL classification I have and the vehicle/trailers we have/had. Driving without insurance and being involved in an accident could be extremely costly.