Drivers license requirements

[Raider-Rider]

We are in the process of purchasing a 2006 Fleetwood Revolution 40LE. California requires a non-commercial class B license for motorhomes over 40ft. The Fleetwood brochure list the "bumper to bumper" length as 40'11" . In the same brochure both models 40J and 40L are listed as 39'11" overall length. All three models are riding on the spartan liberty chassis. For licensing purposes what length controls, the model designation or measured length?

I appreciate feedback from someone knowledgeable about this subject

Thank you

[Tinstar]

3882DOUG wrote:
Do the state requirements everyone is talking about apply for driving on interstates also or just for state and county roads?

If it's like TX, you need the B endorsement to drive in the State. Ours does not address length though. It addresses weight (over 26000) requires the endorsement. BUT, if you're legal in Minnesota, you would be legal in TX or any other state.

[3882DOUG]

Do the state requirements everyone is talking about apply for driving on interstates also or just for state and county roads?

[bobkatmsu]

nevadanick wrote:
Bobkatmsu, if your referring to me i have a Class A CDL with doubles and triples endorsement so i also dont worry about licensing.

Awesome, your the last person I would be concerned about. I would be concerned if I didn't have the proper licensing and there was an accident. In my business, I have a fleet of trucks and cars, I have learned from my experiences and other business owners that attorney's look for anything and everything that they can bring up in court. Whether it's tires or brakes that are a little worn, to the training and qualifications of the driver. They can make a minuscule problem area into a million dollar settlement.

[nevadanick]

Bobkatmsu, if your referring to me i have a Class A CDL with doubles and triples endorsement so i also dont worry about licensing.

[lanerd]

Raider-Rider. I am a CA resident and I have a 40+ foot motorhome. The law reads any housecar (CA name) that is "over" 40 feet requires a Class B NCDL.

If your MH is 40'-1"... you are over 40' and require this license.Since our motor homes don't have "bumper"s, the mh is measured from the front's furthest most portion of fiberglass body to the rear's furthest most portion of the fiberglass body. Mirrors and ladders are excluded.

I don't think I've ever seen a mh pulled over by a LEO, but I have seen those involved in an accident. You can bet that a driver's license will be the first thing the LEO asks for. Now whether or not he will drag out his tape measure, I have no idea...but if he does and you're over 40' and only have a Class C license, you can expect to be cited. However, that in turn will raise a big red flag with your insurance company and I bet you will be left with a huge bill and a possible law suit.

So... getting a Class B NCDL is kinda a pain in the butt, but ya gotta ask yourself....which would be worse.

I got mine.

Ron

[bobkatmsu]

"i dont do anything to get pulled over."

I guess my concern would be if you were involved in an accident. An attorney could make a huge deal out of the fact that you were not properly licensed and therefore you had intentionally been reckless and put his client in danger because you did not follow the law.

[Raider-Rider]

Thank you to everyone that responded.

[doc_brown]

When I bought my 2004 MH back in that year and got it registered, did the 91 day out of state BOE exemption, they measured it at the DMV. I had what Country Coach called the California Forty, 39' 11". I applied for a Class B anyway.

[nevadanick]

The opinion coming from myself in Nv is because i have just read the Ca book for rv's as we are building a new home there. I looked at it again and it just says over 40ft in length and excludes safety bumpers and devices. I know that in code there are also exceptions for attachments such as ladders etc. Myself i dont worry about small stuff like length as i dont do anything to get pulled over. I have been stopped in an rv twice in my life, once because the CHP officer didnt think i was legal towing doubles but he was wrong and the other because the CHP officer was going to buy a new truck and wanted to know why i could do the speed limit up the grades on hwy 50. I was stopped once in Nv in a forklift because they thought it was too wide and they were wrong. My current mh and boat is 71ft.

[PCarnathan]

Just go get the endorsement, I did. It doesn't cost very much and it's a piece of cake.

Pat in Menifee, CA

[Two_Jayhawks]

One more opinion, I would probably plan to get the endorsement. I for one won't look down my nose at anyone driving around non compliant as I did for years. I never worried about being pulled over but I am concerned with causing an accident and being eaten alive without proper licensure.

[mowermech]

Let's see...
You got a response from someone in Michigan, Tennessee, and Nevada.
Now, you have one from Montana (we don't have to deal with any such licensing requirement).
IMO, it is time to go to the source for information about California driver licensing and how it applies (or does not apply) to the coach you are planning on buying. You do not need opinions from various people around the country (and the world), you need FACTS from the people who administer the program in your state.
Good luck

[crasster]

I would print the brochure, keep it in the glove box, and if I was ever pulled over I'd show them the brochure. 🙂 It's right there and in black and white.

[Raider-Rider]

Johno02 wrote:
In California, I would consider it 40 feet and go for the license. Might get away without it, but could be bad if you don't. lAnd if you have never driven anything that big, then get some training.

I am inclined to agree that to err on the side of caution and get the license would be ideal. It is kind of a hassle. I noted that on the brochure that all three vehicles have identical specs for GVWR and GCWR.

[nevadanick]

Look in a Ca handbook, i believe it goes by model length and not actual. I read it not long ago and will look again later.