How true is this?

[WillandJane]

While many here are talking about the cost and prohibitive government intrusion, what is not being addressed is the basic reasons they have to butt in. Safety and skills. I have been a CDL instructor and issued licenses for 27 years. I have flunked more than enough vehicles on the safety inspection and a lot of drivers have not faired as well on their skills. Most definitely if there are any more road blocks that keep someone from buying an RV, the industry will suffer but completely unregulated, more or less we will as well.

WDK

[alpha99]

No restrictions in driving an RV in most States and no meaningful initiatives to change that. Cheers.

[hohenwald48]

Originally Posted by WillandJane

While many here are talking about the cost and prohibitive government intrusion, what is not being addressed is the basic reasons they have to butt in. Safety and skills. I have been a CDL instructor and issued licenses for 27 years. I have flunked more than enough vehicles on the safety inspection and a lot of drivers have not faired as well on their skills. Most definitely if there are any more road blocks that keep someone from buying an RV, the industry will suffer but completely unregulated, more or less we will as well.

WDK

Not to turn this thread into a political discussion (I think that may have already happened) but if additional government regulations and intervention could cure irresponsibility and ineptitude I'd be all for it. However, history and common sense clearly shows that to not be the case.

[Tony Lee]

As the saying goes - "only in America"

Anywhere else, you need pretty much the same license as a commercial driver - which means passing the same written and practical tests too.

IF—federal/state legislators didn’t use this power to steel basic freedoms down the road.

Heaven forbid! But what about imposing a few basic responsibilities. No???

[THenman]

Frankly I worry more about trailers and 5th wheels with too small of a vehicle towing them. Also the false sense of confidence some will feel then because they are driving something familiar.

It would be good if dealers had to give a brief course in driving/towing what they sell. Covering things like air brakes, sway, backing, tire ratings, etc.

Still all in all the person who plucks down what to them is a lot of money will often be a lot more careful than the person renting something like a moving box truck or camper.

I will also note it does not seem like there are a lot of accidents due to poor driving in rv's. Also I see a lot of poor driving by some with CDL's in semi's. Thus I am not sure any upgrade in license does anything.

Tom

[WillandJane]

While many here are talking about the cost and prohibitive government intrusion, what is not being addressed is the basic reasons they have to butt in. Safety and skills. I have been a CDL instructor and issued licenses for 27 years. I have flunked more than enough vehicles on the safety inspection and a lot of drivers have not faired as well on their skills. Most definitely if there are any more road blocks that keep someone from buying an RV, the industry will suffer but completely unregulated, more or less we will as well.

WDK

[pwhittle]

Originally Posted by psean

No drivers test just written.

Interesting. Keep us informed if you go through the process.

Paul

[JFXG]

Originally Posted by RIPPER238

As with most sensationalist rants, there's a small kernel of truth wrapped in overblown and oversimplified rhetoric.

[Scarab0088]

But I have no idea what the 60' and 60,000lb bit means...isn't it the same as the federal vehicle max (65' and 80,000lb).

Plus, I learned that the majority of states (possibly 30 vs. 20) have no rules...thought it was the other way around

[psean]

Originally Posted by pwhittle

Interesting. Keep us informed if you go through the process.

Paul

So I did finally take the non-commercial class A test which yields a Ga Class E licence. I found studying the air brake part of the test useful however the towing, tractor trailer ect. really had no value for motorhome drivers. The test was a bit tougher than I anticipated so if you do decide to take the test you might want to invest in one of the many test guides available.

There was a post a little over a year ago indicating that a Class C was sufficient for RV's however the link is broken. Here are the sections I believe are pertinent on whether a Class C or Class E is required.

Class C

Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating not in excess of 26,000 pounds, any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating not in excess of 10,000 pounds, any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 10,000 pounds, provided that the combination of vehicles has a gross combined vehicle weight rating not in excess of 26,000 pounds, and any self-propelled or towed vehicle that is equipped to serve as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel purposes and is used solely as a family or personal conveyance.

It does seem that as long as you only carry yourself or family you can drive any RV with a Class C in Georgia.

The following link exempts RV's over 26000 lbs from requiring a CDL but also seems to indicate that you do need a Class E to drive a motorhome over 26000 lbs.
https://dds.georgia.gov/non-commerical-drivers-license-class-e-or-f

Like I said in a earlier post, the folks at the DDS told me that as a driver of a
RV over 26000 lbs I would need a Class E. I decided that I would err on the side of caution and get the Class E, especially if the narrow interpretation of "solely family..." means just that.

[sandpsycho]

When I read things like I have here, it's no wonder we have a massive government that waist money on an epic scale and gets almost nothing accomplished. What is most disturbing is even with that, many still want more government up their backside. I prefer to be left alone, that goes for my money, my time and my backside. There isn't a law or regulation in this world that will stop a careless, reckless, irresponsible person from doing something stupid. Anyone wanting more licensing laws is either brain dead or never had to handle something at a Commifornia DMV.

[AE Wanderer]

Sandpsycho...correct 😊

[slickest1]

If not being tested to be proficient at driving a heavy vehicle with air brakes is better than having Government up your hinny then why should they bother with CDL's for commercial drivers or drivers licencing at all.
When some moron that doesn't know what they are doing runs in to these people it will be a different story.

[pwhittle]

psean,

Thanks for the follow up.

Just a written test and no road test?

Paul