Attention South Carolina Motorhome Owners

[saydiver]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by saydiver:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Wayne M:
What we see as a set of instructions for driving

Very unfortunately, Texas RV'ers are not required to take a test. Their Class C license with a CDL-2 form is sufficient. (Things do change) There is so much information to be gained from reading the manual for each type of license. Retaining it is another story and as stated, should be reviewed from time-to-time.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not true. The form is an exemption from needing a Texas CDL, not from needing to take both a written and driving test, if you own a RV in Texas which weighs over 26,000 lbs, which requires a Class B non-CDL license or tow a trailer over 10,000 lbs which requires a Class A non-CDL license.

Also if you have air brakes, you'll have to take a written test and also demonstate your knowledge of the air brake system and if you take the driving test in a commerical vehicle you can't get a non-CDL license.

IMO the test is geared too much toward a commerical vehicle, instead of a RV.

Sue </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[chasfm11]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Also if you have air brakes, you'll have to take a written test and also demonstate your knowledge of the air brake system and if you take the driving test in a commerical vehicle you can't get a non-CDL license. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That is one of the inconsistencies. I have an RV with air brakes but, since it weights less than 26K pounds, I'm not required to take any written or driving test on it. Actually, I fear neither since I'm paranoid about all braking systems, RV or otherwise, and know and understand my air brake system.

Wayne, my point about automatic slack adjusters is the same point that I've made to the Canadians. They are required to take a two day course on a dump truck to get an air brake endorsement. While the course has some merit, it doesn't touch on AUTOMATIC slack adjusters and they are different than manual ones. It is important that one be able to determine whether the automatic slack adjuster is functioning properly and if you don't even discuss it in the materials or testing, how will that happen? I would welcome the opportunity for one single person who took the Texas non-CDL class b examination and didn't do any other studying to demonstrate how to work with automatic slack adjusters. If the material doesn't cover the situation that the vast majority of people who are required to take the test have, what good is it????

[saydiver]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by chasfm11:
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It's not inconsistent. It's an endorsement for the Class A or B license.

Sue

[saydiver]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by saydiver:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by chasfm11:
That is one of the inconsistencies. I have an RV with air brakes but, since it weights less than 26K pounds, I'm not required to take any written or driving test on it. Actually, I fear neither since I'm paranoid about all braking systems, RV or otherwise, and know and understand my air brake system.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It's not inconsistent. It's an endorsement for the Class A or B license.

Sue </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[chasfm11]

Sue, what I meant is that the requirement for licensing is inconsistent. If you have to know about air brakes to pass at test for an non-CDL Class B license, how is that you can drive an RV that weighs 4K pounds less with the same type of air brake system and not have to know about from a licensing perspective. My guess is that our RV has all the same components in air brakes that a Freighliner XC chassis under the heavier coach.

[FlyingDiver]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by chasfm11:
Sue, what I meant is that the requirement for licensing is inconsistent. If you have to know about air brakes to pass at test for an non-CDL Class B license, how is that you can drive an RV that weighs 4K pounds less with the same type of air brake system and not have to know about from a licensing perspective. My guess is that our RV has all the same components in air brakes that a Freighliner XC chassis under the heavier coach. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The state governments are inconsistent. Who woulda thunk it?

joe

[Buddy and Beverly]

Tom and Ellen. I haven't done a private email on this new system and don't know how. We live in SC and am interested in your information. Could you send an email to bbiggs@bellsouth.net. Thanks.

Beverly

[Max Hubrich]

About 4 years ago I bit the bullet and went to a truck drivers school in my home area (NC), talked to the fellow that ran it and told him I wasn't going to drive a truck for a living at my age (69) but I wanted the training experience.

He set me up on a training schedule and I had a ball. Drove 18 wheelers, sometimes with other students on board, as many as 5 total (they had sleeper cab rigs)---- We alternated driving. I had already studied and passed all the required written tests on my own. I had also taken a DOT physical which is required for presentation at the DMV at the license issue time. Then I took the road test for my Class A CDL and passed with flying colors.

It was a great experience .

[edgray]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddy and Beverly Tom and Ellen. I haven't done a private email on this new system and don't know how. We live in SC and am interested in your information. Could you send an email to bbiggs@bellsouth.net. Thanks. Beverly

BEVERLY: You may not get a reply. The OP was made in September 2008. The OP's last activity on iRV2 was April 2009, so they may not see your thread reply. Therefore your best bet is to try contacting them thru PM.

All you need to do to send them a PM is click on their screen name in the OP and then select the "send private message" choice from the drop down.

I don't know their email address. Hope this helps,
ED

[H. Miller]

Am currently studying for the Texas class B (non-com'l) written and practical (driving) test. The DPS examiner gave me the "Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook - Nov. 2008 revision" for study and advised that for a non-com'l upgrade the only chapters applicable were #14 for the written and numbers 11, 12 and 13 for the walk around (pre-flight for you airmachine drivers) and driving portion. Chapter 12 ONLY discusses straight line backing (wonder if I'm allowed to bring DW and bystanders normally required for this maneuver) and parallel parking!!! They've got to be kidding. Am hoping that their traffic cones are the very resilient types.
I did ask how the MH was to arrive at the testing site and was informed that there would be no questions asked about how it got there.
More to report next week,

[Buddy and Beverly]

Edgray:

Thanks. I have sent a private message.

Beverly