Purchase a Class A without a Class B license

[FlyingDiver]

Originally Posted by Algoma

Well in West Virginia the standard non-commercial license is Class E. You can drive anything on this license as long as the vehicle is non-commercial, not for hire, or a bus. The 26,000# limit only applies to commercial vehicles.

Fair enough. Like I said, there's no "national designation". So far, it could be "C", "D", or "E", depending on the state. Any others?

[mytime]

One good thing about the correct license to operate your rig, your insurance co. May give you a discount, mine was 55 bucks yr., and if you are over 26, 000 lbs you more than likely need one, non comm class B in most states., and you also need an air brake endorcement, if applicable. Lots of hungry lawers out there, incase of an accident.

[akeyzoo]

Lots of info and opinions here. A clarifying question from me.

I have a regular CA Class C license which is all I need for my 39'11" motorhome. That much I know for fact. I assumed that my CA endorsement was good anywhere in the good ole' US (reciprocity?), am I correct?

Chris

[FlyingDiver]

Originally Posted by akeyzoo

Lots of info and opinions here. A clarifying question from me.

I have a regular CA Class C license which is all I need for my 39'11" motorhome. That much I know for fact. I assumed that my CA endorsement was good anywhere in the good ole' US (reciprocity?), am I correct?

Chris

Well, it's not an endorsement (that means something else), but your Class C license is good for your RV anywhere in the US (and Canada, I believe), since it's the correct license for CA. Reciprocity applies.

[steveclv]

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

Reciprocity applies.

Which is why the whole fiasco is so ridiculous - I guess back in 1920 something, very few people travel out of state but today, I traveled 34 states in 2 years of full time - heck, in some places I can drive 5 states in a DAY.

We need to have uniform standards across all 50!

[FlyingDiver]

Originally Posted by steveclv

Which is why the whole fiasco is so ridiculous - I guess back in 1920 something, very few people travel out of state but today, I traveled 34 states in 2 years of full time - heck, in some places I can drive 5 states in a DAY.

We need to have uniform standards across all 50!

No argument here, but the "state's rights" and "small government" crowds will complain.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by steveclv

Which is why the whole fiasco is so ridiculous - I guess back in 1920 something, very few people travel out of state but today, I traveled 34 states in 2 years of full time - heck, in some places I can drive 5 states in a DAY.
We need to have uniform standards across all 50!

steveclv
There IS one "uniform drivers license standard" for all 50 states.
It is provided by the reciprocity agreements between the states.

A "valid driver license" from any U.S. state is "valid" in ALL of the other U.S. states as well.

If you hold a "valid driver license" from the state of which you are a resident, (aka:your home state), your driver license is "valid" in ALL states.

If your "home state" does NOT require a "special license" to drive an RV, you DO NOT need a "special license" to drive ANY RV in ANY OTHER state you may drive to, through, and/or around in, (even if the residents of the "other state" must have a "special license" to drive certain RVs).

If one moves to a different state they have a specified time period to get the driver license required by their new "home state".

However, often states have no reciprocity agreements when it comes to "equipment requirements".
There are many discrepancies dealing with things like overall length/width, trailer/toad weight, auxiliary brakes, etc.
What is "legal" and allowed in one state is often "illegal" in others.

UH-OH!
What I just posted sounds like something an attorney would write... (that concerns me)!

Mel
'96 Safari
WI "DM" driver license,
(D-Non-Commercial Vehicles, M-Motorcycles)

[steveclv]

Mel

Read what you just wrote - it's all 100% true - but does it make common sense?

I always thought that a driving license was something that ensured that the operator had sufficient knowledge and ability to drive the vehicle.

So in State A they believe that you are competent to drive a car having passed the tests and that you are ok driving an RV up to 26,000#

But in the State next door, 50 miles away, they decide that because you can drive a car, you can now drive a 50,000# 45' behemoth towing a Hummer H2 with no extra education or testing.

Honestly, it makes no sense whatsoever.

[FlyingDiver]

Well, actually I disagree with the statement:

There IS one "uniform drivers license standard" for all 50 states.
It is provided by the reciprocity agreements between the states.

Reciprocity allows the use of licenses across all the states. But that does not imply uniformity.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

Well, actually I disagree with the statement:
Reciprocity allows the use of licenses across all the states. But that does not imply uniformity.

Reciprocity is a policy between states by which corresponding advantages or privileges are granted by each state to the citizens of the other.
Disagree if you must, but reciprocation = mutuality = uniformity where I come from.
In any event reciprocity is the reason that I can legally drive my RV wherever I want without jumping through hoops and paying additional government fees.
Even if a special license is required by your state it can be used in mine.
:-)
Mel

[FlyingDiver]

Originally Posted by mel stuplich

In any event reciprocity is the reason that I can legally drive any RV wherever I want without jumping through hoops and paying additional government fees.

Got a question on that - you stated above you have a WI Class D license. I took a look at the WI DMV site, and it says:

Commercial driver licenses (CDL) are required to operate vehicles that:

Weigh over 26,000 pounds, determined by the highest of the following weights:
manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
manufacturer’s gross combination weight rating (GCWR) when the towed unit has a GVWR, registered weight or actual gross weight over 10,000 pounds
actual weight
registered weight

Later on, it states:

Class D
For operation of automobiles; light trucks and mopeds.

I could find no exemption for Recreational Vehicles. It sure seems to say you need a CDL-B for an RV (or any vehicle) over 26,000lb. Which means your Class D is not legal for "any RV". What am I missing?

[mel s]

Originally Posted by steveclv

Mel
Read what you just wrote - it's all 100% true - but does it make common sense?

steveclv
As you know you can't legislate common sense.
However, that apparently hasn't prevented some states from trying.

Since out of state drivers, without a special license, are allowed to drive any RV in those states....I guess those states don't actually BELIEVE that a "special RV driver license" is "necessary".
IMO, it has far more to do with states "collecting $$ from their citizens" than it has with "sufficient knowledge and ability to drive the vehicle".

Mel
'96 Safari

[mel s]

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

Got a question on that - you stated above you have a WI Class D license. I took a look at the WI DMV site.
I could find no exemption for Recreational Vehicles. It sure seems to say you need a CDL-B for an RV (or any vehicle) over 26,000lb. Which means your Class D is not legal for "any RV".

FlyingDiver
OOPS!
I apologize to everyone!
I should have said I can drive "my" RV anywhere I want, without a "special license".
Sorry

This is embarrassing..... (I've never been wrong before).
Mel

[FlyingDiver]

Originally Posted by mel stuplich

FlyingDiver
OOPS!
I apologize to everyone!
I should have said I can drive "my" RV anywhere I want, without a "special license".
Sorry

This is embarrassing..... (I've never been wrong before).
Mel

So your Safari Sahara is under 26,000lb? What if you get a bigger RV? What does WI say you need?