Question about length laws

[Crasher]

Originally Posted by dwarfracer1

No DMV told me in person that to keep a cdl you have to keep up the medical certification. I retired last July needed med certificate renewed in Sept. I asked at DMV if I had to have it as I wasn't driving for hire anymore, they said to keep CDL you HAVE to keep med cert. current. Sucks!!!

I just had my license renewed and was asked if I wanted to keep my CDL rating. I did not drive out of the state of WI and never had or needed a medical certificate. In fact, I was grandfathered in 25 years ago when the state said any vehicle over 26,000# or with air brakes needed a CDL, RV's exempted. In order to keep it, I needed to show a birth certificate. I don't need it anymore so I dropped it.

[n10s]

Transportation Permits

[ftodaro]

Originally Posted by BrokeDown

If you get into an accident that is your fault and you are over length, I wonder what your insurance company would have to say? Could they use that to deny the claim?

BrokeDown

I doubt that your policy has an exclusion for such a situation, an insurance policy is a contract and if you are not in violation of the contract your covered. they will cover you if you break the law such as speeding so being over a random over length limit is no different.

[Playtime III]

A couple of points.
I lived in VA so no-enhanced DL and 45' (65 towing). Im 43' (63'). I would drive to NJ and DE meaning I would have to drive through MD. MD has an enhanced DL requirement and 40' (60'). MD law said I was OK if I stayed on the Interstate and could exit locally for food,fuel,lodging only. I cant recall if there was a mile limit or not. Never stopped. MD DL does not apply to me since I comply with VA.

CDLs come in 3 types (A, B, C) and 5 endorsements (Haz, Double/Triple, Tank, Pass, School). Then it get fuzzy. Air brake is NOT an endorsement but if you do not test for it (and pass it) it becomes a restriction. I had an Auto Trans only restriction on my license as I took the test in a school bus (B-Class, with Pass and School) with an automatic transmission.
As for Med Cert, that changed changed in 1/30/2012 and became fully effective 1/30/2014. Med certs are required depending on what you are transporting (commercially) and if you will be crossing state lines. You have to identify if you will be applying/renewing for Interstate Commerce or Intrastate Commerce. Like everything else gov't regulated there are a list of exceptions So when you apply/renew, you have to self-certify if you are: Interstate non-excepted, Interstate excepted, Intrastate non-excepted or Intrastate excepted. That (plus certain endorsements) determine if a Fed Med Cert is required.

Since an RV is not a CMV, non of this applies at the federal level. However, States can create restrictions (special DLs) that impose things like Non-CDL B, or a separate DL class for RVs over 26001 GVW. Vehicle registration is also a State issue and some impose annual safety inspections (VA did).

[Pigman1]

Originally Posted by Playtime III

A couple of points.
I lived in VA so no-enhanced DL and 45' (65 towing). Im 43' (63'). I would drive to NJ and DE meaning I would have to drive through MD. MD has an enhanced DL requirement and 40' (60'). MD law said I was OK if I stayed on the Interstate and could exit locally for food,fuel,lodging only. I cant recall if there was a mile limit or not. Never stopped. MD DL does not apply to me since I comply with VA.

CDLs come in 3 types (A, B, C) and 5 endorsements (Haz, Double/Triple, Tank, Pass, School). Then it get fuzzy. Air brake is NOT an endorsement but if you do not test for it (and pass it) it becomes a restriction. I had an Auto Trans only restriction on my license as I took the test in a school bus (B-Class, with Pass and School) with an automatic transmission.
As for Med Cert, that changed changed in 1/30/2012 and became fully effective 1/30/2014. Med certs are required depending on what you are transporting (commercially) and if you will be crossing state lines. You have to identify if you will be applying/renewing for Interstate Commerce or Intrastate Commerce. Like everything else gov't regulated there are a list of exceptions So when you apply/renew, you have to self-certify if you are: Interstate non-excepted, Interstate excepted, Intrastate non-excepted or Intrastate excepted. That (plus certain endorsements) determine if a Fed Med Cert is required.

Since an RV is not a CMV, non of this applies at the federal level. However, States can create restrictions (special DLs) that impose things like Non-CDL B, or a separate DL class for RVs over 26001 GVW. Vehicle registration is also a State issue and some impose annual safety inspections (VA did).

Good write up Playtime III. I'd guess that less than 10% of those driving commercially understand the CDL and it's implications. The boss says they need x, y, and z and they have it or can get it and that's the only thing they know or care. RV drivers and RV salespeople know MUCH LESS. This is a complicated subject and few are going to go beyond getting what someone in authority demands of them, and sometimes this is also in error. DMV folks are usually not in the "rocket scientist" category.

[Gordon Dewald]

Drivers license and plates are reciprocal between states.

Weight and length requirements are NOT reciprocal so you must follow local laws when on state or local roads. Same with speed limits!!

The interstates are standard across all jurisdictions. The interstate rules allow you to leave for food, fuel and lodging within a reasonable distance. Some say 5 miles but I have not seen anything that firm.

My understanding is while RV are not required to pull in to scales they can be directed in through signage or direction of a transport officer. If pulled in they fall under the existing rules.

I have not seen it but have heard numerous stories of RV and trailers going to the Glamis Dunes being stopped and ticketed for over length.

[Deep Water D]

Interesting that no one has brought up WIDTH limits yet. Most of our motorhomes are technically illegal on many (if not most) roads.

[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by Deep Water D

Interesting that no one has brought up WIDTH limits yet. Most of our motorhomes are technically illegal on many (if not most) roads.

And where can we find the information which supports your claim that many if not most RV's are illegal for width?

Curious minds would like to know.

My 2002 Monaco Windsor coach width is 100.5 inches (typical for Monaco and others) and to my knowledge most states have a maximum width limit of 102 inches.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[Crasher]

Originally Posted by Deep Water D

Interesting that no one has brought up WIDTH limits yet. Most of our motorhomes are technically illegal on many (if not most) roads.

I would also like to see the supporting document for your claim. 102" body width plus the mirrors is legal on all but a handful of restricted roads. 20,000# single axle and 34,000# tandem axles are the legal max weight limits and all but a few luxury coaches come in under 54,000#. What's not legal on most of our motorhomes?

[Gordon Dewald]

There are some roadways where length, width or height are restricted. For the most part manufacturers build the units to fit the vast majority of roads we can travel. There are several states that are listed in the Good Sam https://www.goodsamcamping.com/plan/...mits.aspx#foot compendium that show a max of 8' for width.

Like anything else we are expected to be aware of the characteristics of our units and drive them accordingly. Length and width are a bit discretionary as you may not get caught but for sure you will be punished if you try to drive through a low bridge if you exceed the clearance.

[Crasher]

It seems that there are exemptions on certain things involving RV's. I wonder if it's because percentage wise, there are so few on the road that they have little impact on the road surface etc. I know of one MH brand that leaves the factory weighing close to 57,000#. Unless there is a different rule that applies to RV's it's 3,000# over the allowable limit. Yet, they produce 26 units a year and I have never heard of a problem.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Gordon Dewald

Drivers license and plates are reciprocal between states.

Weight and length requirements are NOT reciprocal so you must follow local laws when on state or local roads. Same with speed limits!!

The interstates are standard across all jurisdictions. The interstate rules allow you to leave for food, fuel and lodging within a reasonable distance. Some say 5 miles but I have not seen anything that firm.

With CA's 40' limit they state, in writing, that's it's one mile off the freeway. Luckily our friends in Fresno are less than that from the freeway.

Stopping for Services: 45' motorhomes may exit the designated route for fuel, food, and lodging provided the access is signed and the service is within one road mile of the "identified" exit. The exit must be signed to show that the service route has been evaluated and approved by State and local engineers. This "Service Access" sign shows an "S" on the back of a truck, as illustrated below. These signs were intended for large trucks, and are located primarily on the interstates.
California Sign Code: G66-55 (CA)

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Crasher

I would also like to see the supporting document for your claim. 102" body width plus the mirrors is legal on all but a handful of restricted roads. 20,000# single axle and 34,000# tandem axles are the legal max weight limits and all but a few luxury coaches come in under 54,000#. What's not legal on most of our motorhomes?

My rig has a 20,000# front, 20,000# drive and 14,000# tag so 54,000#GVWR. Unloaded/empty weight is 47,000#'s (don't have the sticker right in front of me)

[Deep Water D]

It's 102" on interstates and designated routes. Just Google "RV width restrictions." Some states you can only go a few miles off the Interstate unless you're on a designated route if you're over 96".