My wife drives a school bus,she was wondering if we need a cdl or other type of license to drive a class a MH.

Not typically, because it's for personal and not commercial use. I do believe some states require a special endorsement, but most don't.

A lot depends on your specific state and what size of class A. 26,000 lbs seems to be a break point between yes and no. If and what you tow, the combined lengths can also be a factor. Check with your states dmv.

Do a search here on "special license". At least a day's worth of reading.

wildtoad wrote:A lot depends on your specific state and what size of class A. 26,000 lbs seems to be a break point between yes and no. If and what you tow, the combined lengths can also be a factor. Check with your states dmv.X2 - check the laws in your state. usually weights, length - air brakes etc can come into play. It's not a CDL per se, it's a non commercial. Unfortunately a lot of MVA's have no clue on the exact classification or tests. Had a friend here in MD who have a DP where it's the 26k# limit and was trying to get theirs. Took a lot of research and diligence to even find out what the license was and how to test for it. So, I have to imagine if you didn't get it, most officers wouldn't even know to check. It might come into play for liability though and my friend said the class/test really does teach you a lot about your MH systems, like air brakes etc.

Depending on two things, the weight of the motor home and your home state, the answer is "Perhaps". Some states require not a CDL but a special "Big Rig, Non Commercial" endorsement for RV drivers depending on the RV.I think, and I stress the word THINK, Texas requires such an endorsement for RV's over 26,000 pounds. But not being a Texan and driving a 24,000 pounder, I have to stress THINK, check it out.

Special License to drive a class A MH | Good Sam Community

jimrose
Explorer
Jan 31, 2015
04fxsts this may help you https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_x142.pdf

When I got my class "B" licence we had to take a written and drive test. When you take the written test and it is done on a touch computer skip the questions you are not sure of and come back after you have gone through all questions as you pass as soon as you get 75%. If you guess and are wrong you will fail as soon as you miss 25%. Good Luck
04fxsts
Explorer
Jan 31, 2015
Glad I read this, I am from Illinois and have a class "D" license and a new Thor A. C. E. sitting in the driveway. It appears I need to up-grade to at least a class "C". I will head for the DMV on Tuesday and check into it. I will guess a written test is all I need but will come back and report on whatever. Jim.
xctraveler
Explorer
Jan 30, 2015
To respond to TX. We had to get new licenses when we changed domicile there. Our coach weighs more than 26,001 pounds. We studied the CDL Manual and took a written test that was essentially the same as the CDL test. Once we passed that, first try after a day's study for both of us, we had a driving test that ignored most of the very specific safety checks for the airbrakes as well as the rest of the "preflight" inspections. Drive around the block and then backup in a straight line for 100 feet. WE are now proud holders of Texas Class B licenses, non-cdl and we can't tow more than 10,000 lbs, not that we would ever want to.
accsys
Explorer
Jan 30, 2015
rgatijnet1 wrote:
In some states, like here in Florida, you just get an endorsement to your regular license. For instance a Class E endorsement says that you can drive any NON-COMMERCIAL vehicle less than 26,001 pounds or any RV.
Unlike a motorcycle endorsement, you do not have to take a test for the Class E endorsement in Florida. All you have to do is ask.

The Class E license with that statement is the standard license in FL - no need to do anything other than get a standard Florida driver's license - no endorsement needed.
Empty_Nest__Soo
Explorer
Jan 30, 2015
Seems to depend on the state. Check with your DMV or their web site.

Here in WV, a commercial license is ordinarily required if over 26,000 pounds, but not required to drive 1) a rental truck for non-commercial moving of your own stuff, or 2) your personal RV.

Wayne
ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Jan 30, 2015
Bumpy you have seen the MD DMV in action-----I could fill 2 pages of stupid stuff and uncalled for mistakes from that outfit. I don't plan to spend 1/2 my life trying to get information from a bunch of morons......I have places to go and things to do.....
Dennis_M_M
Explorer
Jan 30, 2015
This site has a pretty good synopsis of licensing rules for all states. Unfortunately not much detail on Indiana.

All states need to comply with federal CDL regs and they specifically exempt RVs from CDL requirements.

Personally I carry an Illinois Non-CDL Class A.
cvbdsl
Explorer
Jan 30, 2015
msmith1199 wrote:

One thing not mentioned is if you are legal in your state of residence, then you are legal in every state regardless of their requirements. I have no idea if that is true for Canada or not.

Yes you are legal in all Canadian provinces as well-there is a reciprocal agreement in place. For example, if you are legal in a state that does not require air brakes or weight restrictions, you are legal to drive in Ontario, which requires a "D" class with air brake endorsement (with renewal test every 5 years) for its own residents.
(OTH I can now legally drive a dump truck with the class D:B)

Chris
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jan 30, 2015
yep, get a written response from your home state DMV. that said however, years back I was debating buying a 8 1/2 ft wide motorhome and wrote the DMV in the states from the East coast to TX IIRC, about 9 states. I heard back from all but one state, that was MD. this was for driving a wide body on back roads, not a licensing issue.
bumpy
mowermech
Explorer
Jan 30, 2015
furryman415 wrote:
My wife drives a school bus,she was wondering if we need a cdl or other type of license to drive a class a MH.

Since driver licensing rules are SO VERY State specific, the only way you can get a true answer is from YOUR State driver licensing agency.
Given personal experiences in several different states, I hope you have good luck in finding somebody who actually knows what your local rules are.
I could tell you what the Montana rules are, but that won't do you a bit of good!