Do you need a cdl for a truck under 26000 lbs with air brakes

The federal requirement specifies that, when a vehicle has a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less, the operator does not need a CDL license. However, this does not mean the truck GVW can be loaded above the GVWR of 26,000 pounds and operated by a non-CDL driver.

In the United States, a box truck can be rented by someone without a commercial driver's license (CDL) license if it has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 pounds or less.

No. You do not need a CDL. You also do not need an air brake endorsement. For some bizarre reason, an air brake endorsement only applies to CDL drivers – an F750 equipped with air brakes and grossing at 26,000 lbs or less does not require a CDL or air brake permissions.

Full Air Brakes (No restriction) (CDL/CLP) — to qualify to operate a vehicle equipped with a full air brake system, an applicant must successfully pass the written air brake knowledge test and take the CDL skills/drive testing in a representative vehicle equipped with a full air brake system.