Do you have to have a special driver's license?

I like they way a simple question about something on here leads to discussion of why chickens have feathers and geese don't, but for the OP's question on his license. Yes, in Kansas they require a non-commercial license for a vehicle with a CGVWR over 26,001 lbs. However, this is not a CDL. RV's do not require CDL (commercial driver's license) unless you are one of the people that deliver them from the manufacturer or if you are getting paid $$ to transport them. Besides that if you are legal in your state, the states that you visit while travelling you are legal as well.

California is 42' plus I'm told by reputable sources.

wny_pat wrote:
I thought the OP was asking about Kansas, at least that is where his profile says he from. He probably doesn't give a hoot about California, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia or even Maryland.

Tatest offered incorrect information about OK.

I am obligated to correct.

wny_pat wrote:
I thought the OP was asking about Kansas, at least that is where his profile says he from. He probably doesn't give a hoot about California, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia or even Maryland.

is it forbidden that others wondering about the same issue for their home states jump into a thread? do we have to have 57 threads, one for each state?
bumpy

I thought the OP was asking about Kansas, at least that is where his profile says he from. He probably doesn't give a hoot about California, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia or even Maryland.

tatest wrote:
I don't, because I would buy one light enough so that my Oklahoma Class C permit qualifies. Class C is the "normal" private vehicle category in Oklahoma.

However, it is also possible to buy a type A motorhome heavy enough to put the license into a different category, particularly when towing. Weight ratings determine license categories more often than does length.

At 34-38 feet, one can find motorhomes with GVWR from 16,000 to 33,000 pounds, GCWR from 20,000 to 43,000 pounds or more. So that length range covers a lot of the licensing spectrum for most states. Weight ratings determine license categories more often than does length.

For accurate information related to OK licenses, google "Oklahoma title 47"

Your "normal" license is a D (not a C). And in OK, for RVs, weight is irrelevant. With your D, you can drive a 54,000 GVWR Prevost, and pull your toys in a 12,000 GTWR enclosed trailer.

sayoung wrote:

Jim-Linda wrote:

sayoung wrote:

Jim-Linda wrote:

sayoung wrote:

curlysue321 wrote:
With a 34-38 foot class A does one need a special driver's license?

I can only speak for Texas residents,here if your GVWR exceeds 26000 lbs(wieght not length) then you need a Class A non-commercial.get your states drivers handbook for both non-commercial and commercial and read up.

Actually, for a single vehicle(Class A) that's over 26K a Class B exempt is what you need.

Jim

The B restricts you to a 10K lb max trailer behind your rig,why I got the A,same test/money to TxDPS.

He was asking about a MH, not about a trailer.

Jim

Its the GVWR of the vehicle and the GVWR of any attached car/trailer and even with a MH you probably are pulling a car or trailer sometimes so your combined rating is what determines if you need A B or C,IN TX.Tx adopted the FED regs as told to me by my friend the TxDPS compliance officer.
when reading any states license handbook,read furthur than the 1st reg you come to that says what you want to hear,our state handbook has "exemptions" then you get to the "exceptions to the excemptions" which starts at the magic 26000 LB GVWR limit of private vehicles driven with a C license.Now whether you will ever be gigged for non compliance is another thread.

Totally agree with most of your post, however, regarding the GCWR, a unit being "pulled" be it a car or trailer, the weight begins at 10K. Now a Class A exempt which includes TV and trailer, as in our case, is a TV weighing 13K and trailer at 18K. GVWR of UNIT is greater than 26K, but a MH at 25ish, pulling a toad would not require a Class A, according to the good folks at DPS in Livingston.

Jim

bukhrn wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
I believe that the cut off is generally pounds (26,00 perhaps)and I think that CA requires one for over 40 ft. look at your drivers license, mine sez up to ?? lbs.

bumpy

Bumpy, is that a Va. license?

no, that was my MD license. I stopped by the DMV in South Hill, VA, a couple of years back and the woman at the desk grabbed a booklet and showed me a page that covered vehicles requiring an ungraded license. I pointed out that there was no picture of a RV in the cluster of outlines but that didn't phase her. when I got home and read closer, about 2 inches down was a statement that it was not required for RVs. that was a couple of years back but I suppose it has not changed. I have heard of MD residents having a VA resident drive a DP to the DMV in MD so they could take their test legally.
Lacking a DP weighing 26,001 lbs. I have not checked that out lately.
bumpy

Bumpyroad wrote:
I believe that the cut off is generally pounds (26,00 perhaps)and I think that CA requires one for over 40 ft. look at your drivers license, mine sez up to ?? lbs.

bumpy

Bumpy, is that a Va. license?

I have a 40' Class A with a Class B. Not required in California unless longer than 40', I just wanted one.