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

msmith1199
Explorer II
Jan 30, 2015
California allows you to drive any motorhome up to 40 feet long with a regular ole Class C drivers license. The only requirement is over 40 feet you have to get a special endorsement.

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.
frankdamp
Explorer
Jan 30, 2015
After a couple of years driving transit, I'd strongly advise anyone getting a MH with air brakes to get a bit of training - probably informal from your local school bus instructor or transit agency. An hour or so with the books and someone to explain things would do it.

Wouldn't need to actually drive one of their vehicles, but getting the theory and the daily checks sorted out is well worth the trouble.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Jan 30, 2015
I would look at the back of a regular IN licence as it will tell you what you can drive with it. Her CDL B plus bus endorsement is more than what she needs to drive a MH in IN.
No rime or reason to what the different states require. My wife can drive our 40,0000 lb air brake DP with a regular GA drivers licence.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jan 30, 2015
ferndaleflyer wrote:
Since my place of residence is MD I can relate to what Effy said----they claim to require "something" but I wasted about a month trying to get it done and got nowhere so I just went on down the road-----My DP is also registered as a Freight Liner there. Couldn't get that straight either.....Thats a confused bunch right there at the MD DMV.

there might be confusion there at DMV but your standard driver's license there says Class C: Noncommercial vehicles weighing 26,000 or less pounds GVW. so something else is required.
of course what is required may not be clear cut but I would think emailing the DMV could get an answer.
incidently that is one of the questions I have for the officer investigating some RV hitting me. "Doesn't a RV that weight/length/etc. require special licensing?"
bumpy
lryrob9301
Explorer
Jan 30, 2015
I see you live in Indiana. Indiana only has a CDL requirement if the COACH exceeds 45 feet in length. No weight or air brake requirements needed.
haydoracin
Explorer
Jan 30, 2015
Illinois has Non-CDL license classifications that are the same as CDL classifications based on the weight of the vehicle. As previously stated if you are driving a MH over 26,000 pounds you are required to have a Non-CDL class B license. If you are driving a MH over 26,000 pounds pulling a trailer over 10,000 pounds you are required to have a Non-CDL class A license. If the MH is under 26,000 pounds no special license is required. If your wife drives a school bus I'm sure she already has a class B CDL license. Illinois' website, www.CyberdriveIllinois.com has this information.
Hondavalk
Explorer II
Jan 30, 2015
Just call your states DMV
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Jan 30, 2015
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.
ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Jan 30, 2015
Since my place of residence is MD I can relate to what Effy said----they claim to require "something" but I wasted about a month trying to get it done and got nowhere so I just went on down the road-----My DP is also registered as a Freight Liner there. Couldn't get that straight either.....Thats a confused bunch right there at the MD DMV.
VintageRacer
Explorer
Jan 30, 2015
You may need an air brake endorsement, in some states (all Canadian provinces require air brake endorsement, I think). Double check the wording of the weight restriction, if any. Some times it's actual weight as driven, sometimes it's the vehicle's GVWR as supplied by the manufacturer, sometimes it's registered weight, and sometimes it's combined actual weight of the rig and the trailer or towed car. Here in Nova Scotia I need an air brake condition but otherwise I can drive my bus with a regular driver's license unless I am towing my trailer, at which point I am over-weight and need a higher grade license (plus the air brake condition).

Brian