Inter-State Travel with RV (TV/Trailer) with GCWR >26k lbs.

[otrfun]

Anyone aware of a reciprocity agreement between states that may regulate the following issue?

Each state has its own laws regulating licensing for privately-owned, recreational vehicles. When the GCWR for the tow vehicle and trailer exceed 26k lbs. special licensing is required in many states. Some states, like CA and TX, require their residents to have a non-commercial (state-issued, non-DOT) Class A/B/C license when towing RV's with higher GVWR/GCWR'S; whereas states like FL and AZ have no weight restrictions in terms of licensing for RV's. Residents in FL and AZ may drive an RV (TV and trailer) with any GCWR with only a standard Class D operator's license.

Question:

Can a legally licensed driver from FL or AZ operating an RV (TV and trailer) with an GCWR greater than 26k lbs. legally drive through CA and TX?

Thanks!

Yes, I'm aware a DOT CDL (commercial) Class A license would negate this entire issue.

[agesilaus]

"Thanks! I'll have to check this out. This appears to be the first documented reciprocity noted so far in this thread."
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I'm fairly good at searches and this subject is tough to do an effective search on because there are other subjects, that deal on tickets for one and concealed weapon permits for another when you search on reciprocity, not to mention window tinting. I didn't come up the correct search term to narrow it down to this subject.

[otrfun]

agesilaus wrote:
The CA statute I mentioned above (12.020) also states that RV's shall be treated as automobiles.

Thanks! I'll have to check this out. This appears to be the first documented reciprocity noted so far in this thread.

[otrfun]

cmeade wrote:

We Cant Wait wrote:
OK the OP is from AZ so ANY Ca. rule do not apply to him so lets not confuse the guy with antidote info from other states. Plan and simple if he's Legal in his home state then he's legal in all states including Ca. no matter his weight.

I have to add that your out of state license allows you to be legal in CA while on federal interstate routes and access roads but not on state or county roads. As long as you stay on federal roads or access roads for fuel or emergencies and convince the LEO of your reason why you
had to be where you are then all is well. Sightseeing or shortcuts on a state or county road is no excuse. Federal regulations apply only to federal roads and highways and individual state regulations apply to state and county jurisdictions. Hope this clears this up. (Example - triple trailers are illegal in CA but legal to first safe haven or 50 miles from the entry point whichever is lesser and within one mile of interstate is an exceotion)

cmeade wrote:
Sorry for vagueness, I was referring to operating a vehicle or combination of vehicles not allowed by the state statutes for example a combination exceeding 65ft may be legal in your home state but not legal on an out of state road. (Exception is 75 ft max if both trailers equal or less than 28'6" and TV is truck tractor by definition in CA) If your combo is 70 ft then you are legal as long as you remain on federal roads within federal jurisdiction or within a mile of that federal road for fuel etc. Overweight is not excepted due to design and damage to roads so in CA if you exceed 20k per axle or 34 k for tandems you will need to drop weight to proceed (with ticket).

I believe We Cant Wait's comment concerned recreational vehicles. All said and done, I take it nothing you've stated applies to privately-owned, recreational vehicles?

[cmeade]

agesilaus wrote:
"I have to add that your out of state license allows you to be legal in CA while on federal interstate routes and access roads but not on state or county roads."
---------------------------------------------
Do you have anything that show this to be true? I don't believe it. Pulling off to refuel would make you fair game it that were the case. But of course in CA anything is possible.

First off the Constitution covers this issue:

"There are several ways to explain this, but the most evident is Article IV, Section I of the U.S. Constitution:

Section 1.

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof."

and this:

"12.020 Nonresident Privileges/Reciprocity

Use of Out-of-State License Plates
The following applies to the operation of nonresident vehicles, and the use of out-of-state license plates in California:

A nonresident owner may operate a vehicle (other than a commercial vehicle) in California until he/she accepts gainful employment in this state or establishes residency in this state, whichever occurs first, if the vehicle is registered and displays valid license plates issued to that owner by the foreign jurisdiction where he/she was a resident"

BTW the Driver's License Compact justs allows tickets you get out of your state to follow you back where you live.

Sorry for vagueness, I was referring to operating a vehicle or combination of vehicles not allowed by the state statutes for example a combination exceeding 65ft may be legal in your home state but not legal on an out of state road. (Exception is 75 ft max if both trailers equal or less than 28'6" and TV is truck tractor by definition in CA) If your combo is 70 ft then you are legal as long as you remain on federal roads within federal jurisdiction or within a mile of that federal road for fuel etc. Overweight is not excepted due to design and damage to roads so in CA if you exceed 20k per axle or 34 k for tandems you will need to drop weight to proceed (with ticket).

[agesilaus]

The CA statute I mentioned above (12.020) also states that RV's shall be treated as automobiles.

[otrfun]

cmeade wrote:

We Cant Wait wrote:
OK the OP is from AZ so ANY Ca. rule do not apply to him so lets not confuse the guy with antidote info from other states. Plan and simple if he's Legal in his home state then he's legal in all states including Ca. no matter his weight.

I have to add that your out of state license allows you to be legal in CA while on federal interstate routes and access roads but not on state or county roads. As long as you stay on federal roads or access roads for fuel or emergencies and convince the LEO of your reason why you
had to be where you are then all is well. Sightseeing or shortcuts on a state or county road is no excuse. Federal regulations apply only to federal roads and highways and individual state regulations apply to state and county jurisdictions. Hope this clears this up. (Example - triple trailers are illegal in CA but legal to first safe haven or 50 miles from the entry point whichever is lesser and within one mile of interstate is an exceotion)

I'm under the assumption that the DOT only controls commercial vehicular commerce and licensing. I'm also under the impression that the DOT does not regulate or control non-commercial (and recreational) vehicular licensing. Each state is authorized to license non-commercial (and recreational) vehicles as they see fit.. There may be exceptions to this rule, but this is my basic understanding.

With that being said, are these restrictions on recreational vehicles you referenced a CA or federal statute? I'd be surprised if they were federal statutes. If that was the case, then it would mean the DOT somehow regulates state-to-state reciprocity in terms of non-commercial (recreational) vehicle licensing.

In any case, do you know where I can find further information, or copies of the actual statutes, referencing these restrictions? Thanks!

[agesilaus]

"I have to add that your out of state license allows you to be legal in CA while on federal interstate routes and access roads but not on state or county roads."
---------------------------------------------
Do you have anything that show this to be true? I don't believe it. Pulling off to refuel would make you fair game it that were the case. But of course in CA anything is possible.

First off the Constitution covers this issue:

"There are several ways to explain this, but the most evident is Article IV, Section I of the U.S. Constitution:

Section 1.

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof."

and this:

"12.020 Nonresident Privileges/Reciprocity

Use of Out-of-State License Plates
The following applies to the operation of nonresident vehicles, and the use of out-of-state license plates in California:

A nonresident owner may operate a vehicle (other than a commercial vehicle) in California until he/she accepts gainful employment in this state or establishes residency in this state, whichever occurs first, if the vehicle is registered and displays valid license plates issued to that owner by the foreign jurisdiction where he/she was a resident"

BTW the Driver's License Compact justs allows tickets you get out of your state to follow you back where you live.

[cmeade]

We Cant Wait wrote:
OK the OP is from AZ so ANY Ca. rule do not apply to him so lets not confuse the guy with antidote info from other states. Plan and simple if he's Legal in his home state then he's legal in all states including Ca. no matter his weight.

I have to add that your out of state license allows you to be legal in CA while on federal interstate routes and access roads but not on state or county roads. As long as you stay on federal roads or access roads for fuel or emergencies and convince the LEO of your reason why you
had to be where you are then all is well. Sightseeing or shortcuts on a state or county road is no excuse. Federal regulations apply only to federal roads and highways and individual state regulations apply to state and county jurisdictions. Hope this clears this up. (Example - triple trailers are illegal in CA but legal to first safe haven or 50 miles from the entry point whichever is lesser and within one mile of interstate is an exceotion)

[RustyJC]

Google "Driver License Compact" which governs driver license reciprocity between the states. Without driver license reciprocity, one would need a driver license from each state through which one travels.

Rusty

[We_Cant_Wait]

OK the OP is from AZ so ANY Ca. rule do not apply to him so lets not confuse the guy with antidote info from other states. Plan and simple if he's Legal in his home state then he's legal in all states including Ca. no matter his weight.

[wantabe351]

It goes like this, if no one tells no one knows...Most 5th wheels over 34' gross over 15k and the trucks are 8 to 9k now, so if your towing a 36'-38' 5th wheel toybox your over the 26,000lb law...

[Rich1961]

wgriswold wrote:

CumminsDriver wrote:
California requires the Non Commercial A for 5th Wheels over 15k GVWR and Travel Trailers over 10k GVWR for Ca residents. My last truck was 10k GVWR and my 5th Wheel is 15,700 GVWR. Under 26k but still required the Non Commercial A License. You are only required to be legally licensed for your home state.

Rich

There is an odd exception to towing a trailer with a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs with a Class C license in California. If the tow vehicle weighs 4000 lbs or more a Class C license is good for trailers weighing 9000 lbs gross or less.

The vehicle code is very clear on this but the documents available at the DMV are not. Some say it is OK and others say it is not. I think the vehicle code wins.

We've discussed this over on NROA before 😉

[Rich1961]

Lantley wrote:

CumminsDriver wrote:
You are only required to be legally licensed for your home state.

Rich

THat is my understanding as well. However MD has the same requirement but the rule is seldom enforced. Many Marylanders do not have the proper endorsements. Therefore they are not legal in their own state and would not be legal in CA either

True in California also. Most towing over 15k 5vers and over 10k travel trailers have no idea. The dealers selling these trailers also have no idea of the requirement, or at least won't bring it up which might discourage a sell.

Rich

[wgriswold]

CumminsDriver wrote:
California requires the Non Commercial A for 5th Wheels over 15k GVWR and Travel Trailers over 10k GVWR for Ca residents. My last truck was 10k GVWR and my 5th Wheel is 15,700 GVWR. Under 26k but still required the Non Commercial A License. You are only required to be legally licensed for your home state.

Rich

There is an odd exception to towing a trailer with a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs with a Class C license in California. If the tow vehicle weighs 4000 lbs or more a Class C license is good for trailers weighing 9000 lbs gross or less.

The vehicle code is very clear on this but the documents available at the DMV are not. Some say it is OK and others say it is not. I think the vehicle code wins.