Texas non-CDL Class B license

[rickpiet]

If you are a Texas resident and your Class A coach has a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, you *should* have a either a CDL (Commercial Drivers License) or non-CDL Class B driver's license. You probably want the non-CDL if you are only driving your RV. (Reference page iv in the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Dirver Handbook.
Document: DL-7C.PDF available on the TXDPS web site.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/internetforms/Forms/DL-7C.pdf )

Your RV dealer may not mention this licensing requirement to you ... might not want to slow down a sale or a delivery while you go out to get a license.

Can you get by without a Class B license? Maybe a police officer will catch the licensing discrepancy some day, maybe not. However, if you have an accident with your coach and your insurance company is looking for a reason not to pay many thousands of dollars in collision or liability coverage ... they are liable to send you something like: "Sorry, you were driving without a license. We won't pay." Just sayin'

How to get your non-CDL Class B license(at least, in Northern Texas).
1 - Download the DL-7C.PDF
2 - Study Section 14 (trust me, you won't know the answers on the test if you don't read this section. The answers are easy, but they are not intuitive.)
3 - Go to a TX DPS drivers licensing office and get in line to take the written test. (If you can figure out how to use the cell-phone scheduling feature at one of the mega-centers, let me know. I found it easier to *get there early* and physically get in line. I also got better service at a smaller licensing operation in Garland, TX than at the mega-center. The smaller center appeared to have longer tenured, more experienced employees.)
4 - Depending on the experience level at the licensing center, you may need to speak this phrase to several people until you find one that knows what you are talking about: "I want to take the written test for a non-commercial Class B license."
5 - Take the written test ... if you have read Section 14 in the book, this is the simplest part of the whole process.
-- At some point in this process you will have to pay an $11.00 fee. I paid an $11.00 for the learner's permit (needed???) and another $11.00 fee for the road test.
6 - Schedule your road test while you are at the center, or by using the on-line scheduler. (If your new coach is on order, you can rent an RV to practice with, as well as take the road test with. Work with the scheduler at the rental company to coordinate the road test date. Rent a vehicle that is over 26,001 GVWR and matches the braking system of your coach, i.e. air or hydraulic.)
*** If your coach has air brakes, study Section 5 in the book. You WILL be tested on your knowledge of inspecting and operating the air brakes as you begin the road test.***
7 - Show up well before your scheduled test ... they say 1 hour, I would suggest 2 hours. Things don't always go smoothly and you don't want to have to re-schedule because of a paperwork snafu.
8 - Speaking of paperwork, bring these with you: your current Class C (i.e. regular) license, vehicle registration document, vehicle insurance, rental agreement if the coach is rented, and whatever else they tell you on the email confirmation for your appointment. The written instructions did not say anything about bringing an A or B licensed person with me. So, I didn't. No one asked or seemed surprised that I didn't have one with me. So, I guess one isn't needed.
9 - There is a lengthy CDL pre-trip checklist in the book. I studied it thoroughly, but my tester didn't have me go thru it. Instead, she stood outside the vehicle and had me operate lights, signals, flashers, brakes and horn. But, I now have a very good pre-trip checklist to work from.
9a - Since my coach has air brakes, the inspector asked very specific questions about the why and the how as I physically went through the complete air brake inspection procedure. Hint: * * * Bring wheel chocks for the outside rear tires on both sides of the coach. * * *
10 - Follow the inspector's instructions for the road test ... deep breaths, relax and enjoy the ride.
11 - Take your completed & passed test document inside for them to order your new Class B license. They will give you a temporary one until the real one comes in the mail.
Good luck and safe driving!
Rick

[lunch_surfer]

I suggest to get a class b. Most cop don't care, if you has an accident you can bet some layer will do the research and take you to task over you negligence. My 2 cents.

ctc

[hooligan]

This may help.. Notice that NY has eliminated the non-CDL license and requires an "R" endorsement for RV over 26000#.

State RV Driver License Requirements

If you are legally licensed in your home state, your license is valid in all States. You must still comply with the traffic laws in each State.

[Jarlaxle]

Impulse24 wrote:

wolfe10 wrote:

Impulse24 wrote:
All States are the same in licensing requirements.

Incorrect. Each state establishes its own drivers license requirements.

In Texas, if RV GVWR is over 26,000 GVWR, a different (but non-CDL) license us required.

Re read my post, it refers to CDL of which all states have to follow the same requirements under FMSCA and DOT Regulations.....

Making someone have a non CDL license to drive what would ordinary be for the equivalent Weight of a CDL is ridiculous. If you are required to have a RV License then get a CDL and have done with it... But you still haven't answered the medical question??? At what stage will Texas and other suddenly say, Hmmm you getting old we need you to have a medical to drive than monstrosity........

The sooner the better!

[Jarlaxle]

Impulse24 wrote:
All States are the same in licensing requirements.
If you are not for hire you need no special licensing for an RV.
If as you mention about Texas requiring a Non CDL License but are required to take the equivalent of a CDL test, then you are also required to stop at all Weigh Stations and comply with DOT FMCSA regulations. Most of the problems have been created by Non CDL Hotshots, who bend the rules to fit their schedule and deliveries.
CDL Requirements:
Up to 10001 lbs no special requirements providing you are in State, if you go Interstate or carry HazMat then Hours and a Log Book must be complied with.
10001lbs to 26001 lbs (Normally a Class B but could be Articulated)requires CDL hours to be obeyed and Log Books to be kept.
26001 lbs or over all CDL regulations must be obeyed.
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/rules-regulations.htm

But I am curious did Texas require you to have a DOT Medical? Because under the FMSCA you should??

Dear lord, what a pile! One, a truck UNDER 26,001lbs does NOT need any sort of CDL whatsoever! Yes, you CAN drive a 26,000lb GVWR TRUCK on a regular license! (I work with someone who does just that, though anything over 10K driven commercially does require a DOT medical card.)

Many states have licensing requirements for large RV's...Texas and Cali do, I think New York does, others probably do.

[rickpiet]

Executive wrote:
Rick, DL-7C applies ONLY to commercial drivers licensing. Are you saying to get a NON Commercial Class B drivers license the requirements are the SAME? It appears all the info contained in the DL-7C document applies only to the CDL. Going to the Texas website and downloading the documents for a REGULAR Class A,B, C or M DL does not indicate the same qualifying documents and procedures you've outlined.

I'm curious as we have some friends who are going full time soon and have narrowed their resident state choices to South Dakota and Texas. South Dakota has no such requirements nor safety inspections. Obviously, I don't want to pass on erroneous information.

Thanks for the post, but I want to make sure it's accurate. I couldn't verify this information via their website and the 7C document does not apply to regular Class B licensing. I appreciate your help...Dennis

Dennis,
Sorry for the tardy reply ... on page iv of the CDL handbook it says that "if the driver meets one or more of the citeria listed below, he will not be required to have a CDL. However, the driver will be required to have a Class A, B, or C non-CDL license." Then item 4 in that list indicates an RV for personal use.

The intent of my original post was not to tell people that they have to get a Class B license, it was to let them know how to obtain one, in Texas, if they decide to get one. It is obvious that there are a lot of expert opinions on this topic. I am trying to provide some practical information. 😉

[rickpiet]

As can be seen in this thread, there is a bit of confusion on licensing endorsements. Several states, in addition to Texas, require a non-CDL Class B license. The following web-site gives a fairly complete listing of the licensing requirements for each state... but, as they suggest, check with your state's officials just to be sure.
http://changingears.com/rv-sec-state-rv-license.shtml

[hipower]

Like a previous poster said, I held a CDL for many years and used it only in an emergency when we needed a delivery and had no other drivers available. Retired at the end of 2011 and kept it until renewal time. Then I made an economic decision. The CDL renewal for four years was over $90 and downgrading to a non-commercial class A license was just over $40 for four years.

Since I've turned down numerous opportunities since retirement to "just take a load here or there for me" from truck operators, I was pretty sure I had no need to keep a CDL and was comfortable downgrading.

As for the possibility of states requiring medical exams for RV drivers somewhere in the future, it could happen, but I don't see any need to worry about it today. Since I have regular visits with my Dr. it would just be something to have taken care of as needed.

[bullydogs1]

I did not want to take a chance..NC (and not even DMV knows)...so I got the non commercial class B...just to be sure.

[uncle_t]

My meager research on this topic a few yrs back found that most states require a license endorsement if driving a MH over 26000 GVWR. Most states, including my own NV call it a Non commercial Class B. The Nevada test I took was extremely comprehensive and the driving portion lasted close to an hour. As to the issue of getting in an accident and not being properly insured, I agree with the poster who brought out the fact the insurance company probably could not refuse to pay a claim of an improperly licensed driver. HOWEVER, should you cause an accident that kills folks, the other parties' lawyer is going to bring it up. The punitive damages are going to hurt big time.

[vegasfoodguy]

ferndaleflyer wrote:
Just another "expert" that don't know what they are talking about. Many states require a license upgrade for RVs over 26,000lbs. Not sure which ones but other than Texas there are some others that do. Maryland for instance.

X2

Nevada requires NON-Commercial class B for single vehicle over 26,000 lbs.



s

[wny_pat1]

Impulse24 wrote:
All States are the same in licensing requirements.
If you are not for hire you need no special licensing for an RV.
If as you mention about Texas requiring a Non CDL License but are required to take the equivalent of a CDL test, then you are also required to stop at all Weigh Stations and comply with DOT FMCSA regulations. Most of the problems have been created by Non CDL Hotshots, who bend the rules to fit their schedule and deliveries.
CDL Requirements:
Up to 10001 lbs no special requirements providing you are in State, if you go Interstate or carry HazMat then Hours and a Log Book must be complied with.
10001lbs to 260001 lbs (Normally a Class B but could be Articulated)requires CDL hours to be obeyed and Log Books to be kept.
26001 lbs or over all CDL regulations must be obeyed.
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/rules-regulations.htm

But I am curious did Texas require you to have a DOT Medical? Because under the FMSCA you should??

Considering this is a RV forum, this just gets everybody all messed up. I held a Class 1 long before CDL came out, and drove both passenger vehicle and RV on my CDL long before giving it up. The CDL reverts to a regular class license when one is not driving CDL class interstate transportation vehicles. But when a judge sees a CDL holder standing before him, he/she normally holds them to a higher standard. By the way, many states require a different class, or endorsment, for RVs weighting more than 26,001 lbs or longer than 45'. And a couple states even require one to take a CDL written test for over 26.001 or 45 foot, but do not issue a actual CDL license. So best to stick with the actual home state requirements, in this case Texas, and not complicating the issues!

[Impulse24]

wolfe10 wrote:

Impulse24 wrote:
All States are the same in licensing requirements.

Incorrect. Each state establishes its own drivers license requirements.

In Texas, if RV GVWR is over 26,000 GVWR, a different (but non-CDL) license us required.

Re read my post, it refers to CDL of which all states have to follow the same requirements under FMSCA and DOT Regulations.....

Making someone have a non CDL license to drive what would ordinary be for the equivalent Weight of a CDL is ridiculous. If you are required to have a RV License then get a CDL and have done with it... But you still haven't answered the medical question??? At what stage will Texas and other suddenly say, Hmmm you getting old we need you to have a medical to drive than monstrosity........

[I_am_still_wayn]

rickpiet wrote:

Can you get by without a Class B license? Maybe a police officer will catch the licensing discrepancy some day, maybe not. However, if you have an accident with your coach and your insurance company is looking for a reason not to pay many thousands of dollars in collision or liability coverage ... they are liable to send you something like: "Sorry, you were driving without a license. We won't pay." Just sayin'

You "just sayin" is about something you obviously know very little about. Insurance is a contract between the individual and insurance company regulated by state authorities to protect the motoring public. Insurance will not have a clause relieving the insurer from paying for negligent acts by the insured. That is the very purpose of insurance. It will not have a clause relieving the insurer from paying for acts of violation of motor vehicle laws by the insured. Almost always an accident is the result of someone violating a traffic law. That is, once again, the purpose of insurance.

[ferndaleflyer]

Just another "expert" that don't know what they are talking about. Many states require a license upgrade for RVs over 26,000lbs. Not sure which ones but other than Texas there are some others that do. Maryland for instance.