Driver's license requirements & residency

[FlutterBye]

Hi,
This is my first post. My husband and I hope to be RV'ing in a while, and are learning about everything before we get started. I have two questions I'd like to pose right now.
Does it require a special license to drive say, a 28 or 30 ft. RV?

And if we plan on doing it full time, I'd like to change our 'residency' to the state of Oregon. How do I go about that?
Thanks to any and all that can help.

[cpaulsen]

Having just done this switch from California to Oregon.....it was very easy. You need to show that you have resided in Oregon for 6 months....a bank account for 6 months. I had spoken with DMV in Salem before I did this and she had told me I needed a lot of different stuff. When I went to the DMV office they had told me what I needed and it just a partial of what I was told I needed! You will have stamped on the driver's license..."continuous traveler". Our license now shows that plus our mailing address which is also in Oregon. We use a mail forwarding service in Oregon also. We showed proof of insurance....took the simple written test/eye test and that was it. We got the 5ver licensed and the truck and another vehicle and got signed up to vote and it took all of 1 1/2 hours to do. The agents at the DMV office knew exactly what we needed and everything went smooth!!

[2gypsies1]

The popular states of domicile for full-timers are Florida, Texas and South Dakota.

[Ivylog]

Neither FL or OR require a special licence so you would be OK in the other 48.
Many RVers move to Florida, not away from it. Other than no sales tax on the purchase of the RV, what do you think the advantages might be in OR?
Unlike many northern states that make sure you spend 6 months plus a day in your tax dodge state, I doubt FL will care if you move.

[Dennis_M_M]

Here is a summary of state-by-state operators license rules. Some errors here.

On edit: Jim was faster and his link is better!

Many states require a stepped up license level for a motor home, particularly if there is a towed vehicle.

Fifth wheels over 10k also require a different class in many states, however it seems a large number of RV'ers are unaware of these laws.

[TucsonJim]

If you get licensed in Oregon, you do not need a commercial driver's license or special endorsement. This link will show you the requirements by state:

Driver's License Requirements by State

Each state has a link to the licensing requirements so you can verify the information as posted.

To get a driver's license in Oregon, you must be a resident. This link will give you information on the requirements for obtaining a license along with residency requirements:

Oregon DL Info

It's always best to check with the officials of the state you are contemplating getting your license or registering your vehicle. Take any information you get from a public forum with appropriate skepticism.

Jim

[tenbear]

I can't speak for other states but Vermont does not require a special license to drive an RV. AFAIK, other states also do not.

[2oldman]

Go to the Fulltime forum and read there. Search 'oregon' in that forum.