"J" Rating on your DL

[kimswang]

Well, I went down to the DMV last week to register my truck and thought why not ask about the "J" rating. I ended up taking a computer test that was pretty much a no brainer (got one wrong and wrote the question down, DMV is NOT too educated...). This rating is needed to tow a boat heavier than 10K lbs (and mine is...) If you have any questions about this feel free to ask questions as it was much easier than I thought. This rating give you the ability to drive BIG rigs without it being commercial.
Kinda funny to think about that my daily driver is 412.000 lbs and goes 500+ MPH and I still had to take it.... Oh, well, I'm now 100% legal with my SUV, boat in tow, insurance and the works - feels good!

[Liquid Courage]

My understanding is this only allows you to tow over 10k and has nothing to do with driving a bigger truck. Are you sure about that?

[kimswang]

It allows you to drive a truck up to 26000lbs with any trailer weight certified for that truck. Many Big rigs with one rear axle fall into this category....

[panic button]

Got a J when I had a NV license, down in FL you can drive up to 26K with a regular DL.

[kimswang]

Got a J when I had a NV license, down in FL you can drive up to 26K with a regular DL.

But how much can you tow?

[Liquid Courage]

It allows you to drive a truck up to 26000lbs with any trailer weight certified for that truck. Many Big rigs with one rear axle fall into this category....

Do you have a more specific writing for the endorsement. This is from their website.

Endorsement J Allows Class C license to tow a vehicle over 10,000 pounds GVWR.
Additional written and skills tests are required.

Not arguing, just really want to know more info.

[kimswang]

Do you have a more specific writing for the endorsement. This is from their website.

Endorsement J Allows Class C license to tow a vehicle over 10,000 pounds GVWR.
Additional written and skills tests are required.

Not arguing, just really want to know more info.

Not a problem. You are dead on with the statement you have there. You can tow whatever the truck is limited to, and you can do it with a truck that is rated up to 26.000lbs. Many racers use an old big rig, chop the last axle off and register it so as to have a 26.000lbs rating as an RV. One of my friends in IMCA got away with it without chopping the axle, but most guys do. As for myself, my rig is 11.660lbs and my Yukon is rated for 12.000lbs so I figured why not go all the way and be 100% legal. The test is pretty straight forward and they did not require me to do a driving test. I simply took the test on the computer, waited my 40 minutes in line and paid $7.25 and was done. Without the "J" rating you may drive a truck up to 26.000lbs but you may not tow anything heavier than 10.000lbs. Most boats over 30' and with a steel trailer will go over the 10.000lbs limit.

[Rude]

It allows you to drive a truck up to 26000lbs with any trailer weight certified for that truck. Many Big rigs with one rear axle fall into this category....

only if they are pulling a "pup" trailer. if they are pulling double flatbeds they will usually be at the 80k max weight.