Question for TEXANS- Class A non CDL

johndeerefarmer wrote:

JRscooby wrote:
A question, because many owners of RVs are known to travel;
It is a given that if your Drivers License is good for what you are driving in home state, it is good for all states.
Does it follow that if your DL is NOT good in your home state, it would not be good in any state?
I know that in my state, if don't have a good license you vehicle can be impounded. That would sure mess up a vacation.

If half of the TX DPS officers don't know which license is required how do you expect cops in other states too?

So you are willing to bet any LEO you meet will not know, or have the ability to check with in-car computer what requirements are?
About 30 years ago departments in my area started sending officers to training for commercial vehicle enforcement. I think many LEOs understand the truck driver, (and RVer) is unlikely to attack them, so if have a reason to stop will, and once stopped, will check everything can think of so have excuse to stay out of danger.
Insurance will pay, if there is accident. But that does not solve all the problems. By the time the case is settled the other lawyer will be saying "Yes, the car full of nuns pulled out in front of him, but his state does not think he is qualified to drive the vehicle. And if state law says unlicensed drivers go to jail they will not lock up insurance company.

^If you re-read DPS license classes, it plainly falls in Class C.

way2roll wrote:
I would research the requirements in your state. It's binary, either you need a different license or you don't. If you need it, get it. It's pretty simple. Anything worth doing is worth doing right. The question about whether you get pulled over and the consequences is just noise. If you have the proper license it's no longer a question.

I was in an interesting situation pertaining to a Texas DL.

Class A - a combination of vehicles with a combined GVWR of 26,001 lbs and towing a trailer with a GVWR greater than 10,000 lb.
Class B - a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lb or a combination of vehicles with a combined GVWR of 26,001 lb and towing a trailer under 10,000 lb.
Class C - a vehicle not falling under class A or class B towing a trailer with a GVWR of under 10,000 lb.

My truck/5er conbined GVWR was under 26,000 lbs. So I did not fall under the class A license. Or class B. But my 5er GVWR was about 14,000 lb, so did not fall under class C. So my situation did not meet any of the requirements. I continued to tow with my class C wondering how a LEO would respond if I got stopped and he questioned my license class and I then ask him what class I should have based on my weights. :h Never got stopped to find out.

I have the right TX license to drive my 40000# coach and it shows B...

I would research the requirements in your state. It's binary, either you need a different license or you don't. If you need it, get it. It's pretty simple. Anything worth doing is worth doing right. The question about whether you get pulled over and the consequences is just noise. If you have the proper license it's no longer a question.

IB853347201 wrote:
Driving with out the correct license will void your insurance coverage. You could lose your truck and fifth wheel in an accident for failure to obey the law.

Sorry I have to call "Barbra Streisand" on that claim!!!!!

As a friend would always say "prove it".

JRscooby wrote:
A question, because many owners of RVs are known to travel;
It is a given that if your Drivers License is good for what you are driving in home state, it is good for all states.
Does it follow that if your DL is NOT good in your home state, it would not be good in any state?
I know that in my state, if don't have a good license you vehicle can be impounded. That would sure mess up a vacation.

If half of the TX DPS officers don't know which license is required how do you expect cops in other states too?

IB853347201 wrote:
Driving with out the correct license will void your insurance coverage. You could lose your truck and fifth wheel in an accident for failure to obey the law.

I have saw others post this but no one has ever posted that it actually happened.
Also saw posts where supposedly someone was pulling a trailer and got stopped in another state. Because they had the wrong license they weren't allowed to drive with that trailer and had to get someone with the correct license to come and take over. This makes no sense?? How would a cop in Virginia for example even know what license was required for a Texan? He wouldn't..

jdgreen42 wrote:
Contact the Texas DPS and get the correct and official answer.

BEST answer yet.

toedtoes wrote:
You know what the law is regarding the license. It really doesn't matter if anyone else has been stopped or ticketed.

All that matters is if YOU are willing to accept the repercussions if YOU get stopped, ticketed, and/or in an accident.

Personally, getting the correct license to start with would be less worrisome than driving illegally and hoping nothing ever happens. YMMV.

I completely agree. We pull a 39' fifth wheel that is usually pretty close to the GVWR when loaded (although that is irrelevant with regard to the current conversation). What IS important is what the truck / trailer combined GVWR is. In Texas, if it is over 26,001#, then you are required by law to have a non-CDL Class A license. I studied for and took the written test, then I had a CDL driver take my truck / trailer down to the DMV (I forget which one in the Dallas area) for me to take the driving test portion. I have too much invested in my home and personal life to take even the remotest of chances that I could be sued, and possibly lose, were I to be in an accident, even if it wasn't my fault. But, to each his own. I'm a rule follower.

Scott