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
