Community Forums

jillie · 07-19-2012, 12:23 PM

The story starts here:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/pa-n...se-129831.html

Got back to the Testing Center with the checkbook this morning. An hour later I got a seat in front of the supervisor who knows about non-commercial Class B license requirements. Paid the fee of $5 (for some reason the computer didn't charge me the other $8.50 I was told to expect). Got the learner's permit. I was told to expect a walk-around by the tester to be sure my lights work and that I knew how to work them, then the air brake test, and finally the driving test over highways and through town, up and down hills.

Our center only does Class B and C on Wednesdays so I went on line to arrange for the test. Lo and behold, every slot is filled for at least six weeks. Tried the next nearest center with the same results. Now I need to call the testing centers to try to get in. This might take the rest of the summer.

I suggested that someone at PennDOT put together an information manual just for non-commercial Class B; it's hard to wade through the CDL booklet and weed out the info I need. The supervisor told me that they've only done one Class B for a motorhome in the last two years so after I pass this test, I'll be in the ranks of the few.

69RoadRunner · 07-19-2012, 02:04 PM

Guess I won't be moving back to Pittsburgh.

I'm glad VA has no special licenses for RV drivers.

Good luck! I hope you get in soon!

Skip426 · 07-20-2012, 11:52 AM

$200.00 for a 2 day , 16 hr Air Brake course, score over 80% on the test to up grade my license.
Salesmen won't tell you you need the course, when your looking at the coach with air brakes, or a trailer over 10,000#, Government won't say anything when you register it ,Insurance Company will tell you , when they void your insurance for not being fully licensed for the unit your driving, if you're in an accident.
Aren't Governments and Insurance companies nice.

jillie · 07-24-2012, 06:14 PM

Got online Monday with PennDOT. The first appointment I could get for my drivers test is August 28th. Sure hope I pass it the first time because six weeks after that date should see us on the road to our winter home. Now all I have to do is find someone with a Class A or Class B to ride along with me for 35 miles to the testing station. Right now I can't think of anyone. At least I have six weeks more to study for the air brake test and find that person.

RovinOn · 07-24-2012, 07:39 PM

Wow,,,, This is news to me unless I forgot it,,,When did PA.start issuing Non-Commercial Class liscenses? I've always had a Commercial Class B for Fire Apparatus and Snow equipment, but I never knew or remember this!
good luck with your test!

Regards,
RovinOn

BCooke · 07-25-2012, 06:11 AM

They have had them. The issue is finding someone in the testing location that knows anything about it. In my case I was told that I can not get the information I need from Dunmore (closest to me), I have to go to Wilkes-Barre because they probably know. Probably? Dun more told me there is no which thing until I showed them the information from the state. Sigh.

jillie · 07-25-2012, 05:53 PM

I found someone to ride with me for my test!!! One more thing to cross off the to-do list.

jillie · 07-25-2012, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RovinOn

Wow,,,, This is news to me unless I forgot it,,,When did PA.start issuing Non-Commercial Class liscenses? I've always had a Commercial Class B for Fire Apparatus and Snow equipment, but I never knew or remember this!
good luck with your test!

Regards,
RovinOn

This is the site I started with. I found it in a post here.
RV Driver's License Requirements

Confirmed here that I needed the non-commercial Class B for our motorhome.
PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services - Classes of Licenses

Notice that any license that is not considered 'commercial' is designated 'non-commercial'. Even the license to drive a car or motorcycle is designated non-commercial. The designation has probably been there for a long time but I never thought of my Class C and my Class M as being non-commercial.

Thanks for the good luck wishes!

Mr_D · 07-25-2012, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

$200.00 for a 2 day , 16 hr Air Brake course, score over 80% on the test to up grade my license.
Salesmen won't tell you you need the course, when your looking at the coach with air brakes, or a trailer over 10,000#, Government won't say anything when you register it ,Insurance Company will tell you , when they void your insurance for not being fully licensed for the unit your driving, if you're in an accident.
Aren't Governments and Insurance companies nice.

Unless you don't need anything like here in WA state. We can operate any vehicle if it's not for commercial use without any special license or endorsement.

jillie · 07-25-2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Unless you don't need anything like here in WA state. We can operate any vehicle if it's not for commercial use without any special license or endorsement.

I don't know how it is in WA but in PA we pay $81 per year to register our motorhome and have it inspected once a year for about $160. That's a lot less than some states I've read about. I'll get the Class B and count myself lucky.

gruelens · 07-29-2012, 10:20 AM

I am in the Harrisburg PA area for the summer , fulltime RVer, Florida Class A . If I can help you I surely will. Reply privately to gruelens@gmail.com
George R.
====================

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillie

Got online Monday with PennDOT. The first appointment I could get for my drivers test is August 28th. Sure hope I pass it the first time because six weeks after that date should see us on the road to our winter home. Now all I have to do is find someone with a Class A or Class B to ride along with me for 35 miles to the testing station. Right now I can't think of anyone. At least I have six weeks more to study for the air brake test and find that person.

GaryKD · 07-29-2012, 11:30 AM

Hi jillie,
Sorry to hear about your saga. This is one of the many reasons my domocile is in Florida. I'm sure you have a reason(s) to live in PA. For me, I'd move to a state more friendly to retirees and RV owners.

Sky_Boss · 07-29-2012, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Unless you don't need anything like here in WA state. We can operate any vehicle if it's not for commercial use without any special license or endorsement.

In IL you do need a class C or B NON-Commercial license depending on GVWR. Not easy to read through all the garbage and such to find that out. So, I've been a BAAAAAD BOY for 3+ months. LOL Sandee and I took our written test Friday and passed. Rig is in shop for some minor work so we will take the driving test sometime next week.

Worst thing you can have happen is to have an accident (of course, not doing any harm to any person) and find your insurance voided for lack of proper license.

Sky_Boss · 07-29-2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi jillie,
Sorry to hear about your saga. This is one of the many reasons my domocile is in Florida. I'm sure you have a reason(s) to live in PA. For me, I'd move to a state more friendly to retirees and RV owners.

Gary,

With all due respect (no, I don't say that tongue in cheek) I kinda disagree with what I think you might be inferring. I think it is rather naive to allow anyone to drive large vehicles without some proof of competency. Heck, I've seen some SUVs that might fall into that category. LOL

I don't like that fact that someone can drive a rig out of their league or drive any vehicle when they are not fully capable of doing so safely. You must know what I mean when old folks (Something most of us aspire to be) no longer are safe on the roads because you live in Florida. (Substitute any major retirement area if needed.) There should be some system that requires us in our older age to demonstrate competency.

Yes...regular driving tests are real PIA but after seeing a young child run over by a person who everyone new was not competent, I believe this very strongly. I also think this should apply to any person with a history that might indicate mental or physical factors may affect their ability to drive safely.

Let's face it...Too many families fail in their obligations to stop mom or dad from being a menace on the road. At least a driving examiner won't have the family politics to deal with when they make that call for them.