Special Drivers License

[Uma___Papa]

Those of you that have Class A's, do you have to have a special drivers license? If so did you have to prove you know how to operate your rig to the DMV?

[msmith1199]

Uma & Papa wrote:
Those of you that have Class A's, do you have to have a special drivers license? If so did you have to prove you know how to operate your rig to the DMV?

Make sure you check directly with DMV in SC versus Internet sources. California also has a law that requires a special class of license to operate a vehicle over 26,000 pounds. So if you read that law you would think you need a special class of license for most any DP motorhome. But if you keep reading you'll see motorhomes are exempt from that law in California. The only restriction here is over 40 feet in length. Otherwise you can drive a motorhome with a regular Class C license.

[cmeade]

Kayteg1 wrote:
I know that in CA and most of the 50 states RV are exempt from special DL requirements.
Meaning I can drive 15 tons or 25 tons bus, but when registered as and RV, no CDL is required.
There is much more to it as 45' require special DL, some states might require air brakes endorsement, but that is specific question you might ask with DOT division in your state.
Per my experience DMV employees are just trainees on the law and have no obligation to know specific.

You should read 12804.9 of the CA vehicle code about an endorsement on your class C for 5vers with GVWR between 10k and 15k lbs and a noncommercial class A for GVWR over 15k lbs. (GVWR not actual weight).

[PCarnathan]

Kayteg1 wrote, in part:
"I know that in CA and most of the 50 states RV are exempt from special DL requirements."

In California you must carry a "Noncommercial Class B" if the RV is over 40 feet long. See this link from the California Department of Motor Vehicles:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/pubs/dl648/dl648pt4_1

Pat in Menifee, CA

[jplante4]

I don't know why any state should require a special license. We really don't need more regulation and barriers to entry in the RV world or any other world for that matter.

Seen lots of people who shouldn't be operating RV? Try hanging around a marina or boat launch ramp on a holiday weekend. And there's absolutely no enforcement on the water. Being in favor of increased government requirements is just another way of "pulling the ladder up". I got mine now I don't want anyone else to get theirs.

Let the insurance companies set the barriers for getting an RV like they do for just about everything else. If my company required me to take a driving course, I'd go do that. If I have to deal with the DMV yearly or less to keep my driving "privileges", eventually I'd say to hell with it.

[mowermech]

No special license required for my Class A in Montana.
If I could afford a 45 foot Prevost, I would not care, I would hire a driver for it!

[bluwtr49]

Nothing special in AZ.

[wa8yxm]

This is a Your Millage May Vary issue.

Different states have different laws and in some (many) states the weight of the motor Home makes a difference.

So without knowing where you live, Nobody can answer properly.

To the Original Poster.. I see you are in South Carolina.

Since I do not know the rules there I will simply point that out for those who do to reply.

[Campinghoss]

Ditto on the 26001 lb rating. I called DMV to double check and I had to get the B license with air brake endorsement. I took the computer test and then did the drive test the next day. If you are under the 26000 lb then you do not. Even though I am a old country boy who has driven a wide range of machinery I did learn a few things. It is not a bad idea whether you have to or not.

[04fxsts]

Illinois requires class "B" non CDL from 16,001 to 26,000, no big deal, written and driving in your own RV. Jim.

[Kayteg1]

I know that in CA and most of the 50 states RV are exempt from special DL requirements.
Meaning I can drive 15 tons or 25 tons bus, but when registered as and RV, no CDL is required.
There is much more to it as 45' require special DL, some states might require air brakes endorsement, but that is specific question you might ask with DOT division in your state.
Per my experience DMV employees are just trainees on the law and have no obligation to know specific.

[xctraveler]

In Texas we were required to get a Class B license for a motorhome with gvwr greater than 26,001 lbs. We took a written (computer) exam and a driving test. With a couple of days to prepare the written was easy to pass. The driving test was trivial since it was in the coach we had already driven 8,000 miles in (w/NY license). It took some time as we had to schedule the driving test. DW got a bit shook about how to know where the oil and coolant level were. They are now neatly labeled in the engine room 🙂 - States may differ in their requirements, but if there is a cutoff they seem to use the Federal cutoff of 26,001.

[prstlk]

I think we should. I'm a competent driver with over a million miles. In rvs I'm at 85 k. While on our first workcamper experience last winter I have come to think some people should not be running any kind of rig at anytime.
It's not age it's ability. There are folks in their 80s that I would ride coast to coast with. Some in their 30s I wouldn't get a ride to the store.
Keep it simple, a written test, and a test drive, more complex for dps ie airbrakes. 5vers pick a weight and adjust from there.
For this to work the standards must have recoprosity 1 license for all 50 a national license if you will.
Could be done as a discount on insurance.
Bottom line, there are people out there driving big rigs or big 5vers that shouldn't be
Sorry to offend

[rgatijnet1]

In Florida you get a CLASS E endorsement which covers you for:
Any non-commercial vehicle with a GVWR under 26,001, or ANY RV.
As mentioned, each state is different. I did not have to undergo any test to get that Class E endorsement and when asked, there was no upper limit for the GVWR so if there is an RV with a 60,000 GVWR I'm good to go.
Just ask the DVM or go online to check the licensing requirements for your state.

[dcg9381]

It's 26k rated weight... Not actual weight. So if your rig or truck/trailer combo COULD weigh 26k or more gross, you typically need the license.

No big deal in some states to get it..

It's called "non-commercial Class-A"

[wildtoad]

Most states as I understand do not require a special license unless the weight exceeds 26,000 pounds or if towing the combined length exceeds a specified length. Check with your local dmv.