Maximum Driving Length and License

[rookie_rv]

Rookie RVer here :C I want to know what the rules / law is regarding maximum driving length, and if specific driver's license required.

After years, and years of begging I finally got permission to upgrade from the family's financial adviser. One idea is to get a toy hauler. The other idea is to get a Class A and a 16ft trailer (hold two ATVs). Do you know if there's a special driver's license requirement for......let's say.......a 30ft Class A towing a 16ft trailer?

Where would I start to research this?

[JaxDad]

Bumpyroad wrote:
Gator, please stop confusing us with facts. we prefer in U endo.
bumpy

As my friend, Larry the Cable Guy would say, "I don't care who you are, that right there is fuuuuny!!"

[Gator48]

Aw but it's fun to throw in a few facts every now and then

[Bumpyroad]

Gator, please stop confusing us with facts. we prefer in U endo.
bumpy

[Gator48]

I love when this topic comes up. Retired from 41 years of Driver License administration. State law in each state lays out who can drive and what private drivers drive.

The Federal government (ICC) (DOT) governs commercial laws and makes exceptions to States regarding to speed, weights,width and heights. They created the CDL licensing rules, and define the CDL vehicle classes, and the endorsements used by the States on those licenses.

The Driver License Compact (DLA) is an agreement entered into by all the states and administered by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators(AAMVA)..look here .

The compact allows each State to create their own set of non CDL licensing laws, but requires every state to honor the rules set forth by the driver's home State. Note, AAMVA, the Compact (DLA) only applies to non CDL operators. Your state may require a special license for an RV (private vehicle/non CDL, but every compact state must honor the rules of a traveler's home state

Safe travels everyone.

[msmith1199]

Tom/Barb wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:

Doesn't have to be a sign. Just go drive through Nevada and look at all the trucks towing three trailers or two 53 foot long trailers. Then ask yourself why those trucks stop near the California border and break down their load and only tow two smaller trailers or one 53 foot trailer. It's because Nevada law allows it and California law does not allow it.

How do you relate a triple tow to a Motorhome ?

I didn't. I was pointing out that length and towing laws change by state and you have to comply with the State law. I believe you are the one who said if you are good in your home State you are good in any state aren't you? That only applies to drivers licenses, not length and towing laws. The Triple tow in Nevada versus California was just an example of that. It's not Federal DOT rules that change between states, it's state law.

[Tom_Barb]

California has an exemption for motorhomes as does many states that restrict length of a vehicles shorter that what is built and driven on their highways.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/trafficops/bus/motorhomes.html

[Tom_Barb]

msmith1199 wrote:

Doesn't have to be a sign. Just go drive through Nevada and look at all the trucks towing three trailers or two 53 foot long trailers. Then ask yourself why those trucks stop near the California border and break down their load and only tow two smaller trailers or one 53 foot trailer. It's because Nevada law allows it and California law does not allow it.

How do you relate a triple tow to a Motorhome ?

[JaxDad]

Tom/Barb wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
I wonder when people here will realize that speed limits and weight limits are different than equipment requirements.

So you're saying each state CAN dictate how much a vehicle, or combination of vehicles can weigh, and how fast they can travel, but NOT how long they can be?

Curious that.

Weights, speeds, are a local thing, dictated by the conditions in that state. are you saying that vehicles over 60 feet can't enter NC. ? or are you simply saying vehicles registered in NC must comply with NC law.??

I didn't state a particular length, you did, but since you brought up NC as an example, yes, combinations of private vehicles cannot exceed 60' in total length including front & rear bumpers. Recreational Vehicles cannot exceed 45' including bumpers.

All of that can be found at;

North Carolina Vehicle Dimension Law

See § 20-116. Size of vehicles and loads. Sub-sections (d) & (e), which also BTW, clearly EXEMPT commercial vehicles from those restrictions.

Being NC, there is also a specific exempt for vehicles involved in 'motorsports competition', I.e. NASCAR teams.

[JaxDad]

Passin Thru wrote:
JAXDAD, I own Class 8 trucks Read the DOT Manual and don't tell me I'm wrong. You can run Double 53 ft on NY thruway from NYC to Northeast PA and Ohio to Chicago, you can pull triples in several states out west including Oklahoma, you can be 70 feet long in every state in the US, and every state has to allow you reasonable access either side of the Interstate to a business. You don't know anything you're just mouthing.

Yes, FEDERAL DOT rules apply to COMMERCIAL vehicles operating, as you clearly stated, on the FEDERAL INTERSTATE SYSTEM and a reasonable distance to and from the area near the INTERSTATE.

However motorhomes, TT's and 5'ers are NOT commercial vehicles involved in interstate commerce.

I'm surprised someone who claims to be in the business can't understand the difference between private vehicles and commercial ones.

[mowermech]

Bumpyroad wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

Terryallan wrote:
Have to check with your states for license requirements. but as a private citizen. You can drive as long as you want.

I'm not sure where you got that idea, but it's absolutely wrong.

Just an example, in North Carolina, § 20-116. Size of vehicles and loads. (d)(3) says;

(d) Maximum Length. - The following maximum lengths apply to vehicles.

(3) Recreational vehicles shall not exceed 45 feet in length overall, excluding bumpers and mirrors."

-and-

(e) Except as provided by G.S. 20-115.1, no combination of vehicles coupled together shall consist of more than two units and no such combination of vehicles shall exceed a total length of 60 feet inclusive of front and rear bumpers......."


There is NO mention of Commercial or Private, it applies to ALL vehicles operated in the State, regardless of whether it's a NC licensed driver or another State.

As mentioned earlier, vehicle weight and length limits are NOT covered by reciprocity.

I read that post to mean any age, which is also incorrect.
bumpy

I read that post as referring to hours of driving time. It is true, non-commercial drivers are not time limited. If you are crazy enough to drive 20 hours straight, and can do it without killing yourself or somebody else, go for it! For-hire drivers ARE time limited. I do not know what the current regulations say.

[msmith1199]

Tom/Barb wrote:

diplomatdon wrote:
Tom/Barb, I don't know of any ICC law that states that home state laws override individual State laws. 43 years and over 3 million miles commercial driving experience, each state and province and province has their own laws and regulations. Anecdotal stories are well and good, however because you got away with something doesn't mean it is legal. Many people get away with doing illegal things however don't have an accident, because the first thing any Insurance Co is going to look for is a way of getting out of paying. Don

in all those miles, have you ever seen a sign at the state line "vehicles over XX' stay out" ?

Doesn't have to be a sign. Just go drive through Nevada and look at all the trucks towing three trailers or two 53 foot long trailers. Then ask yourself why those trucks stop near the California border and break down their load and only tow two smaller trailers or one 53 foot trailer. It's because Nevada law allows it and California law does not allow it.

[Tom_Barb]

Passin Thru wrote:
JAXDAD, I own Class 8 trucks Read the DOT Manual and don't tell me I'm wrong. You can run Double 53 ft on NY thruway from NYC to Northeast PA and Ohio to Chicago, you can pull triples in several states out west including Oklahoma, you can be 70 feet long in every state in the US, and every state has to allow you reasonable access either side of the Interstate to a business. You don't know anything you're just mouthing.

Those rules are all about commercial trucking, we private owners of motorhomes are not under these rules.
We pay federal fuel taxes just like you do, which entitles us to use the federal interstate highway system like anyone.
I realize that you truckers pay a lot more in taxes than we do, so lets not go there.
When a state uses the federal tax money they forfeit the ability to dictate the use of federal funded highways. That is why I contend that when we are legal in our own states we are legal in all states, but when we start talking over sized loads, over weight loads, or vehicles that are over the federal limits we are talking a different subject.

[Tom_Barb]

JaxDad wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
I wonder when people here will realize that speed limits and weight limits are different than equipment requirements.

So you're saying each state CAN dictate how much a vehicle, or combination of vehicles can weigh, and how fast they can travel, but NOT how long they can be?

Curious that.

Weights, speeds, are a local thing, dictated by the conditions in that state. are you saying that vehicles over 60 feet can't enter NC. ? or are you simply saying vehicles registered in NC must comply with NC law.??

[Passin_Thru]

JAXDAD, I own Class 8 trucks Read the DOT Manual and don't tell me I'm wrong. You can run Double 53 ft on NY thruway from NYC to Northeast PA and Ohio to Chicago, you can pull triples in several states out west including Oklahoma, you can be 70 feet long in every state in the US, and every state has to allow you reasonable access either side of the Interstate to a business. You don't know anything you're just mouthing.