TX RV and trailer owners are in trouble.

[Pete_k]

Read that Tx has a law that all trailers over 4500 lbs must be inspected. Starting this month and after, you have to show proof to get the new tags. Just one more deal to get your cash.
Tx trailers have to be inspected.
Figure all states will follow soon. Way too much cash there passing up to not grab it.
Pete

[sayoung]

sdetweil wrote:

sayoung wrote:

TXiceman wrote:
But Rusty is quoting the correct section of the code which covers RVers.

Ken

It's a NON-CDL license based on COMBINED GVWR.I have the A since my Jayco has GVWR of 14500 and my 3500 has a GVWR of 23000.
You have to read the exceptions to the exemptions in the CDL handbook.

I've never heard of a pickup truck with GVWR that high. Did you mean combined or was 23000 a typo? My Dually GVWR is 13,000 (and my trailer is 15,600), so my combined is 28,600... and, I need the Class A as well

Typo ,1300 0
Until this new inspection went into effect the inspection station put a sticker on the pin box of my 5er,now it just goes to the state data base and the county looks it up when you renew license plates.

[Sport45]

OH48Lt wrote:
You aren't going to get much of an inspection for the $12.75 - $14.00 figures mentioned above. The best you're going to get is a minimum wage beginner being told by his boss to go out and see if the tires hold air and the lights work. Certainly won't get the brakes inspected properly, frame inspected for cracks and bad welds, wheel bearings inspected, etc, etc. And I'd be dam**d if he is going to drive MY truck to pull the trailer around the block.

We don't get that detailed of an inspection on our motor vehicles either. Pretty much just a check to see the brakes, wipers, and lights work and that the windshield isn't cracked up enough to impair the driver's vision. Emissions inspection can be more detailed depending on the age of the vehicle.

Do they inspect frames and such in other states?

[kennethwooster]

I stop every year before heading to Colorado, and get my trailer inspected. They don't check much, but I get the sticker.

[cbshoestring]

Charlie D. wrote:
There is no "plate" to indicate to a casual observer that the trailer has or has not been inspected. It is a clear decal about one inch by 2 inch located where the vertical side and horizontal floor meet on the drivers side of a fifth wheel. Not visible when driving by in the highway. I almost never notice mine because being clear, the writing is about the only thing seen.

Kind of addresses my point. LEO scans plates out of habit. NOW, if you have to get it inspected before getting that new registration, LEO will know you have been inspected as well.

LEO in PA scans windsheild of cars out of habit as well. Quick to spot an out of date inspection on a car... bike sticker is on plate, damn near hidden under my leg, hard to catch as I roll by. I REALLY NEED TO GET THAT THING UP TO DATE.

Trailer law requires;

On trailers, the certificate of inspection shall be affixed, in an upright position, to the left front—traffic side—of the trailer, approximately 6 feet high, if possible. The certificate may not be placed on the nose or front side of the trailer. A holder is permitted if it is in the proper location and the certificate of inspection is affixed to prevent theft or transfer to another vehicle. The new certificate of inspection may not be placed over the old certificate of inspection.

Mine is clearly affixed to the front left window.

[Charlie_D_]

There is no "plate" to indicate to a casual observer that the trailer has or has not been inspected. It is a clear decal about one inch by 2 inch located where the vertical side and horizontal floor meet on the drivers side of a fifth wheel. Not visible when driving by in the highway. I almost never notice mine because being clear, the writing is about the only thing seen.

[cbshoestring]

I am just wandering how a topic on trailer inspection/registration, became one on driver license classes. :h

I think the OP was trying to make the point that those who have been ignoring the inspection law, will now have to show proof prior to applying for registration. Sounds as if TX knows there are a LOT of people ignoring the inspection law, and decided on a quick fix to get them to comply. A LEO is more likely to see that out of date plate...so they tied it to the registration. The requirements haven't changed, the order in which they apply has just been flipped.

Considering the amount of people willing to drive JUNK down the road, without so much as a check of the lights, inspections are probably benefitial to us all.

NONE of which has ANYTHING to do with who is driving and what piece of plastic they have in their purse----:S

EDIT: Pennsylvania still trusts me. I have to sign my registration application confirming that I have complied with insurance/inspection requirements, and that I will turn in my plate if I do NOT. SHHHHH Don't tell them my HD hasn't been inspected in over a year. The little 50cc scooter we take camping, hasn't been inspected in over two years.

[sdetweil]

sayoung wrote:

TXiceman wrote:
But Rusty is quoting the correct section of the code which covers RVers.

Ken

It's a NON-CDL license based on COMBINED GVWR.I have the A since my Jayco has GVWR of 14500 and my 3500 has a GVWR of 23000.
You have to read the exceptions to the exemptions in the CDL handbook.

I've never heard of a pickup truck with GVWR that high. Did you mean combined or was 23000 a typo? My Dually GVWR is 13,000 (and my trailer is 15,600), so my combined is 28,600... and, I need the Class A as well

[sayoung]

TXiceman wrote:
But Rusty is quoting the correct section of the code which covers RVers.

Ken

It's a NON-CDL license based on COMBINED GVWR.I have the A since my Jayco has GVWR of 14500 and my 3500 has a GVWR of 23000.
You have to read the exceptions to the exemptions in the CDL handbook.

[sdetweil]

RustyJC wrote:
Did you read Section 581.081(2) that I bolded and underlined? That's the law, straight from the Texas Transportation Code. What does it say? How can a judge read it otherwise?

Rusty

Rusty posted his quoted text at the same time I posted my answer, so I didn't see it til now

yep.. the text I referenced was not the code, but from the DPS website, but I agree with the code. Its combined weight rating (GCVWR). Not tow vehicle rating

and the Tx DPS drivers license classification states clearly

NOTE: Individuals who are exempt from obtaining a CDL may still be required to obtain a Class A or Class B driver license if the type of vehicle driven meets the definition of a commercial motor vehicle.

Individuals who are exempt from obtaining a CDL but may need a Class A or Class B driver license are:

Operators of recreational vehicles driven for personal use

[RustyJC]

Did you read Section 581.081(2) that I bolded and underlined? That's the law, straight from the Texas Transportation Code. What does it say? How can a judge read it otherwise?

Rusty

[ranchertx]

And a class C license is all that that is required. I give up. Thank goodness judges can read the law.

[Dtank]

.

Looks like a genuine Texas conundrum!..:R


.

[TXiceman]

But Rusty is quoting the correct section of the code which covers RVers.

Ken

[sdetweil]

ranchertx wrote:
Since I know there will still be posters saying that you need a class A or B license if your combo is over 26k, here is the law:

Class C

Authorizes an individual to drive any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that is not a Class A or Class B if the vehicle is:

Designed to transport 16 to 23 passengers including the driver
Used in the transportation of hazardous materials that require the vehicle to be placarded


Class B
Authorizes an individual to drive any:

Single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more; any one of those vehicles that is towing a vehicle does not exceed a GVWR of 10,000 pounds
Vehicle designed to transport 24 passengers or more including the driver

note, single vehicle OVER 26k

Class A

Authorizes an individual to drive a vehicle or combination of vehicles:

Not described under a Class B or Class C driver license
With a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds including vehicles in Class B or Class C

Note:
A means tow vehicle over 26k pulling trailer over 10k
B means tow vehicle over 26k pulling trailer under 10k
C means tow vehicle under 26k pulling any trailer

The tow vehicle GVWR is the key. Hopefully this clears up the confusion, the law is very hard to understand.

yes, they left out the 'combined' word and letter, but that was the intent. (and matches the fed regs).

I think 'or combination of vehicles: With a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more' makes it GCVWR..