Special License to drive a class A MH

[furryman415]

My wife drives a school bus,she was wondering if we need a cdl or other type of license to drive a class a MH.

[jimrose]

04fxsts this may help you https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_x142.pdf

When I got my class "B" licence we had to take a written and drive test. When you take the written test and it is done on a touch computer skip the questions you are not sure of and come back after you have gone through all questions as you pass as soon as you get 75%. If you guess and are wrong you will fail as soon as you miss 25%. Good Luck

[04fxsts]

Glad I read this, I am from Illinois and have a class "D" license and a new Thor A. C. E. sitting in the driveway. It appears I need to up-grade to at least a class "C". I will head for the DMV on Tuesday and check into it. I will guess a written test is all I need but will come back and report on whatever. Jim.

[xctraveler]

To respond to TX. We had to get new licenses when we changed domicile there. Our coach weighs more than 26,001 pounds. We studied the CDL Manual and took a written test that was essentially the same as the CDL test. Once we passed that, first try after a day's study for both of us, we had a driving test that ignored most of the very specific safety checks for the airbrakes as well as the rest of the "preflight" inspections. Drive around the block and then backup in a straight line for 100 feet. WE are now proud holders of Texas Class B licenses, non-cdl and we can't tow more than 10,000 lbs, not that we would ever want to.

[accsys]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
In some states, like here in Florida, you just get an endorsement to your regular license. For instance a Class E endorsement says that you can drive any NON-COMMERCIAL vehicle less than 26,001 pounds or any RV.
Unlike a motorcycle endorsement, you do not have to take a test for the Class E endorsement in Florida. All you have to do is ask.

The Class E license with that statement is the standard license in FL - no need to do anything other than get a standard Florida driver's license - no endorsement needed.

[Empty_Nest__Soo]

Seems to depend on the state. Check with your DMV or their web site.

Here in WV, a commercial license is ordinarily required if over 26,000 pounds, but not required to drive 1) a rental truck for non-commercial moving of your own stuff, or 2) your personal RV.

Wayne

[ferndaleflyer]

Bumpy you have seen the MD DMV in action-----I could fill 2 pages of stupid stuff and uncalled for mistakes from that outfit. I don't plan to spend 1/2 my life trying to get information from a bunch of morons......I have places to go and things to do.....

[Dennis_M_M]

This site has a pretty good synopsis of licensing rules for all states. Unfortunately not much detail on Indiana.

All states need to comply with federal CDL regs and they specifically exempt RVs from CDL requirements.

Personally I carry an Illinois Non-CDL Class A.

[cvbdsl]

msmith1199 wrote:


One thing not mentioned is if you are legal in your state of residence, then you are legal in every state regardless of their requirements. I have no idea if that is true for Canada or not.

Yes you are legal in all Canadian provinces as well-there is a reciprocal agreement in place. For example, if you are legal in a state that does not require air brakes or weight restrictions, you are legal to drive in Ontario, which requires a "D" class with air brake endorsement (with renewal test every 5 years) for its own residents.
(OTH I can now legally drive a dump truck with the class D:B)

Chris

[Bumpyroad]

yep, get a written response from your home state DMV. that said however, years back I was debating buying a 8 1/2 ft wide motorhome and wrote the DMV in the states from the East coast to TX IIRC, about 9 states. I heard back from all but one state, that was MD. this was for driving a wide body on back roads, not a licensing issue.
bumpy

[mowermech]

furryman415 wrote:
My wife drives a school bus,she was wondering if we need a cdl or other type of license to drive a class a MH.

Since driver licensing rules are SO VERY State specific, the only way you can get a true answer is from YOUR State driver licensing agency.
Given personal experiences in several different states, I hope you have good luck in finding somebody who actually knows what your local rules are.
I could tell you what the Montana rules are, but that won't do you a bit of good!

[msmith1199]

California allows you to drive any motorhome up to 40 feet long with a regular ole Class C drivers license. The only requirement is over 40 feet you have to get a special endorsement.

One thing not mentioned is if you are legal in your state of residence, then you are legal in every state regardless of their requirements. I have no idea if that is true for Canada or not.

[frankdamp]

After a couple of years driving transit, I'd strongly advise anyone getting a MH with air brakes to get a bit of training - probably informal from your local school bus instructor or transit agency. An hour or so with the books and someone to explain things would do it.

Wouldn't need to actually drive one of their vehicles, but getting the theory and the daily checks sorted out is well worth the trouble.

[Ivylog]

I would look at the back of a regular IN licence as it will tell you what you can drive with it. Her CDL B plus bus endorsement is more than what she needs to drive a MH in IN.
No rime or reason to what the different states require. My wife can drive our 40,0000 lb air brake DP with a regular GA drivers licence.

[Bumpyroad]

ferndaleflyer wrote:
Since my place of residence is MD I can relate to what Effy said----they claim to require "something" but I wasted about a month trying to get it done and got nowhere so I just went on down the road-----My DP is also registered as a Freight Liner there. Couldn't get that straight either.....Thats a confused bunch right there at the MD DMV.

there might be confusion there at DMV but your standard driver's license there says Class C: Noncommercial vehicles weighing 26,000 or less pounds GVW. so something else is required.
of course what is required may not be clear cut but I would think emailing the DMV could get an answer.
incidently that is one of the questions I have for the officer investigating some RV hitting me. "Doesn't a RV that weight/length/etc. require special licensing?"
bumpy