Special Drivers License

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.

Kayteg1 wrote:
I know that in CA and most of the 50 states RV are exempt from special DL requirements.
Meaning I can drive 15 tons or 25 tons bus, but when registered as and RV, no CDL is required.
There is much more to it as 45' require special DL, some states might require air brakes endorsement, but that is specific question you might ask with DOT division in your state.
Per my experience DMV employees are just trainees on the law and have no obligation to know specific.

Idaho is the same, just a standard license.

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 to 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 (who very nice and helpful)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 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 couldrefuse 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.

cmeade wrote:

Kayteg1 wrote:
I know that in CA and most of the 50 states RV are exempt from special DL requirements.
Meaning I can drive 15 tons or 25 tons bus, but when registered as and RV, no CDL is required.
There is much more to it as 45' require special DL, some states might require air brakes endorsement, but that is specific question you might ask with DOT division in your state.
Per my experience DMV employees are just trainees on the law and have no obligation to know specific.

You should read 12804.9 of the CA vehicle code about an endorsement on your class C for 5vers with GVWR between 10k and 15k lbs and a noncommercial class A for GVWR over 15k lbs. (GVWR not actual weight).

Talking about motorhomes, not trailers. Check 12804.9(b)(3)(E): Class C only for a Motorhome less than 40'.

Uma & Papa wrote:
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?

Make sure you check directly with DMV in SC versus Internet sources. California also has a law that requires a special class of license to operate a vehicle over 26,000 pounds. So if you read that law you would think you need a special class of license for most any DP motorhome. But if you keep reading you'll see motorhomes are exempt from that law in California. The only restriction here is over 40 feet in length. Otherwise you can drive a motorhome with a regular Class C license.

Kayteg1 wrote:
I know that in CA and most of the 50 states RV are exempt from special DL requirements.
Meaning I can drive 15 tons or 25 tons bus, but when registered as and RV, no CDL is required.
There is much more to it as 45' require special DL, some states might require air brakes endorsement, but that is specific question you might ask with DOT division in your state.
Per my experience DMV employees are just trainees on the law and have no obligation to know specific.

You should read 12804.9 of the CA vehicle code about an endorsement on your class C for 5vers with GVWR between 10k and 15k lbs and a noncommercial class A for GVWR over 15k lbs. (GVWR not actual weight).

Kayteg1 wrote, in part:
"I know that in CA and most of the 50 states RV are exempt from special DL requirements."

In California you must carry a "Noncommercial Class B" if the RV is over 40 feet long. See this link from the California Department of Motor Vehicles:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/pubs/dl648/dl648pt4_1

Pat in Menifee, CA

I don't know why any state should require a special license. We really don't need more regulation and barriers to entry in the RV world or any other world for that matter.

Seen lots of people who shouldn't be operating RV? Try hanging around a marina or boat launch ramp on a holiday weekend. And there's absolutely no enforcement on the water. Being in favor of increased government requirements is just another way of "pulling the ladder up". I got mine now I don't want anyone else to get theirs.

Let the insurance companies set the barriers for getting an RV like they do for just about everything else. If my company required me to take a driving course, I'd go do that. If I have to deal with the DMV yearly or less to keep my driving "privileges", eventually I'd say to hell with it.

No special license required for my Class A in Montana.
If I could afford a 45 foot Prevost, I would not care, I would hire a driver for it!

Nothing special in AZ.