Need advice on a Texas drivers license

You would need a class A non commercial license for a GCWR over 26,000 lbs towing a trailer with a GVWR over 10,000 lbs.

Texas Driver Handbook

No reason your CDL would be turned down in TX. Just get the Class A Non-CDL attached to it.

No, you do not need any type of class A non CDL license. The handbook says you only need the non commercial class A, if you drive a vehicle that could be classified as a commercial vehicle. A recreational vehicle should be exempt unless you are pulling it with something like a 5th wheel semi tractor.
The fact that you are over weight on CDL limits is not a reason to need the higher class licenses.
However, I would call Austin directly and ask about your specific situation. Then, get the name of the person who you talk to. Personnel at the various Texas DPS drivers lic. stations are very often not very knowledgeable, and may give you incorrect info. I know from experience.

If you are going to become a TX resident then you will need a Class B license. Period. Nothing CDL based, just a standard drivers license with a Class B "add-on". It requires a separate written test of about 20 questions from the last 10 or 20 pages of the CDL license manual but unrelated to CDL stuff. Once you pass the written test you will have to schedule a driving test whose requirements seem to vary by location. My test involved driving the coach, making some turns down neighborhood roads, stopping and backing up in a straight line for 40 feet, driving onto and off of an Interstate and returning to the DMV office. All done. Good pick up your new license.

Great to hear you are moving to Texas instead of full timing! Check in with the Texas vehicle department. They will ascertain what you need for you and your rig.

No Bill, for pulling a trailer over 10,000#, you need a Class A license. Still not a CDL, but there is a slight difference between the Class B and Class A. The written test is the same, and the driving test just about the same.

Barb

Bill.Satellite wrote:
If you are going to become a TX resident then you will need a Class B license. Period. Nothing CDL based, just a standard drivers license with a Class B "add-on". .........

You need a standard class A license (non commercial)if the truck/trailer GCWR is over 26,000 lbs and the trailer GVWR is over 10,000 lbs. The class B license is only good if the trailer GVWR is 10,000 lbs or less.

From the handbook and state web site for class A license;
2. A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle(s) towed is in excess of 10,000 lbs.

And for class B;
2. A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more and any such vehicle towing either a vehicle with a GVWR that does not exceed 10,000 lbs.

The practical result of the way the classes are defined for the RV user/ owner is that the Class A non-commercial license is for a truck pullling a heavy trailer.

The Class B non-commercial is for a motorhome, no matter if it is pulling a toad or tag-along trailer or not pulling anything.

Some gas Class A coaches and most Class C rigs do not need a Class B non-commercial license because their GVWR is under 26,001 lbs.

In either case - a person obtaining that license for the first time has to take a written test with a few questions about operation of a heavy rig. Also if you have air brakes on the vehicle, there is a supplementary set of questions on air brakes.

Then you must take a road test in the vehicle. This will include a parallel parking requirement. (The allow you plenty of room to back up the rig and move it over to an imaginary curb. I think the purpose is to demonstrate you can backup the rig, turn it and straighten it out.)

From comments on this and other forums, the reason I see most folks complain about failing the road test is swinging into other lanes while making a turn., especially left turns.

BB_TX wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
If you are going to become a TX resident then you will need a Class B license. Period. Nothing CDL based, just a standard drivers license with a Class B "add-on". .........

You need a standard class A license (non commercial)if the truck/trailer GCWR is over 26,000 lbs and the trailer GVWR is over 10,000 lbs. The class B license is only good if the trailer GVWR is 10,000 lbs or less.

From the handbook and state web site for class A license;
2. A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle(s) towed is in excess of 10,000 lbs.

And for class B;
2. A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more and any such vehicle towing either a vehicle with a GVWR that does not exceed 10,000 lbs.

Since I am driving a 40,000# RV and the DMV says that's what's required for anyone driving an RV that weighs 26,001# or more I will stand by my post. You DO NOT need ANY kind of CDL to drive an RV for personal use.

Bill, you were not paying attention. No one needs a CDL of any type for an RV. We all said that. What you have to have is a Class A exempt for truck and trailer if the trailer is more than 10,000#. Also if you pull a trailer behind your motorhome and it weights more than 10K# you need a Class A. We have a DP and while she tops out at 32K# (and she has a GCWR of 43K), she has a hitch that would allow her to pull a >10K# trailer. We have Class A licenses, simply because the place where we got ours allowed that while Class B covered us for what we were currently doing, Class A would cover all contingencies.