Special Drivers License
Those of you that have Class A's, do you have to have a special drivers license? If so did you have to prove you know how to operate your rig to the DMV?
Forum Discussion
A special license is required here in New York State. They use to refer to it as a Non-Commercial CDL, but a few years ago they changed it to an "R" Endorsement. A road test is required in the motorhome. You have to have someone with an equivalent or higher class license accompany you on the day of your road test.
The funny part of it is, most people don't know about it. Not even a lot of law enforcement nor the folks at the DMV. When I went into apply for mine, the girl at the info desk had no clue what I was talking about. The other woman that she then called over had no clue either. It wasn't until they called the manager over, that she finally knew what I was asking for. It took her awhile to find the proper paperwork for me to fill out. Afterward, they immediatley issued my "Learners Permit" and scheduled my road test.
The lady at the DMV explained that very few people actually bother to get this endorsement when they purchase a large RV. She said that the dealers are not informing the buyers when they are interested in purchasing a Large RV. My reply to her was, that if your own DMV office employees didn't know about it, perhaps the dealers and moreso, the salesmen don't know about it either? She agreed that more needs to be done to let folks know about this requirement.
In discussing with a New York State Trooper friend of mine, he explained that the chances if getting pulled over and being checked for the proper license is slim to none. Even if you did, they would most likely just advise you to get the proper endorsement and let it go at that. HOWEVER, should you get into an accident, then, you could be ticketed for driving out-of-class (driving without the proper license) and as a result, your insurance carrier could refuse to pay on any claim resulting from the accident.
The other thing here in New York is, there is no set rules for what is required of you when you take the road test. The only thing that you can do is get the CDL handbook and take into consideration what is in the road test handbook for a CDL.
The funny part of it is, most people don't know about it. Not even a lot of law enforcement nor the folks at the DMV. When I went into apply for mine, the girl at the info desk had no clue what I was talking about. The other woman that she then called over had no clue either. It wasn't until they called the manager over, that she finally knew what I was asking for. It took her awhile to find the proper paperwork for me to fill out. Afterward, they immediatley issued my "Learners Permit" and scheduled my road test.
The lady at the DMV explained that very few people actually bother to get this endorsement when they purchase a large RV. She said that the dealers are not informing the buyers when they are interested in purchasing a Large RV. My reply to her was, that if your own DMV office employees didn't know about it, perhaps the dealers and moreso, the salesmen don't know about it either? She agreed that more needs to be done to let folks know about this requirement.
In discussing with a New York State Trooper friend of mine, he explained that the chances if getting pulled over and being checked for the proper license is slim to none. Even if you did, they would most likely just advise you to get the proper endorsement and let it go at that. HOWEVER, should you get into an accident, then, you could be ticketed for driving out-of-class (driving without the proper license) and as a result, your insurance carrier could refuse to pay on any claim resulting from the accident.
The other thing here in New York is, there is no set rules for what is required of you when you take the road test. The only thing that you can do is get the CDL handbook and take into consideration what is in the road test handbook for a CDL.
