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11-10-2014, 12:59 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Conway, SC
Posts: 13
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South Carolina Dilemma
The wife and I recently purchased a Tiffin Class A in Florida. We got a Florida temp tag and drove it home towing our Jeep. We rented a storage space, and even went camping with it locally in Myrtle Beach. We went to register it and were shocked to find out I need different class license. Further, we were told I need to take a written and driving test and need a driver's permit. Here's the dilemna: I need to have a class F licensed driver with me when driving with my permit. Wow! Since we're new to RVing, we don't have any motorhome friends yet nor know anyone with a class F locally. Now I know I should have checked the printed rules but before going to buy it, but I did call the local DMV to inquire and was told I would not need a special license unless it would be for commercial use which required a CDL. We actually planned As trip around Florida and gave a few deposits for sites. What a way to start out what we thought would be a fun RVing chapter in our life.
JohnnyB
Me, my wife Kathy, and our 2 Devon Rex cats (Luca & Armand)
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11-10-2014, 03:58 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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Have any friends who are Over The Road Semi-Truck Drivers... Good chance they will qualify as a "Training Co-Pilot".
Option 2: move to FL.
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Home is where I park it!
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11-10-2014, 04:07 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 534
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Besides I95, another thing not to like about South Carolina.
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2019 Newmar Ventana LE 4002
2015 Kia Soul
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11-10-2014, 11:12 AM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Conway, SC
Posts: 13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cenfl
Besides I95, another thing not to like about South Carolina.
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You're right about that!
__________________
JohnnyB
Me, my wife Kathy, and our 2 Devon Rex cats (Luca & Armand)
2015 Phaeton 40AH 😊
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11-10-2014, 11:33 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Foley AL
Posts: 7,138
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A little late but this might help. In most states it's about weight.
RV Driver's License Requirements
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2005 Newmar Essex 4502, 2013 Caddy SRX
1997 HR Endeavor 37, CAT, 1996 Geo Tracker
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11-10-2014, 11:44 AM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 91
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In California it's the RV length. I got my permit before we even bought our RV . I recently took and passed the non commercial class B license to drive a RV over 40 feet and not to exceed 45 feet. The written part is so easy if you read the DMV booklets for that test. You can get ahold of someone from a local RV dealership and speak to someone in there transportation department and ask if you could pay them to go the day of your test. That's what I did. Good luck
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11-10-2014, 12:16 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Huffman, TX
Posts: 792
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You are caught in the catch 22 that many of us RV'ers have found ourselves at one time. We tend to not think about the need of a different class of license when purchasing. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse for us when caught. I think the real ignorance comes from the Dealers, Manufactures and Insurance Companies who never say a word and let us drive off the lot illegally, exposing us to no vehicle insurance coverage, ticket and potential lawsuits. Everyone in the food chain wants and takes our money without saying a word to warn you. I firmly believe they have a moral obligation to advise us, but, they have no morals.
Good luck with your tests and be careful until license received so not to get caught up in potential expensive problems. I have not done so but I've read of people posting on Craigslist for a CDL driver to give driving lesson and drive coach to DMV for driving test. Not saying that is the best approach but one I've read about several times.
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11-10-2014, 07:27 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Willow Lakes RV & Golf Resort, FL
Posts: 3,163
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I95! Sc.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cenfl
Besides I95, another thing not to like about South Carolina.
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Can I get a AMEN!
__________________
Clay & Pebble
2012 Providence 42 M. Spartan Chassis, 450 ISL
Ford Edge toad, RM All Terrane, TST TPMS, SMI Air Force One, RVM95....
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11-10-2014, 07:43 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: West Columbia SC
Posts: 809
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I am having the same problem if your coach weights over 26,000 lbs you need a class E license if you tow a car you need a class F.The written test was easy I missed 1 out of 30.The problem with the driving test is he told me to back my motorhome up to a dock and it had to be within 1 foot of the dock I told him I would never do that and he told me I had to or I could not get my license I don't want to get my Rv 1 foot from anything much less back up to a dock
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11-10-2014, 07:59 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: West Columbia SC
Posts: 809
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My coach weight from the factory and is on my registration says 24,450 lbs The highway department guy told me I could drive it to my test if it weighed under 26,000 lbs so I will not need to get someone to ride with me with a CDL
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11-10-2014, 08:00 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 353
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Here's what may be an easy suggestion. I'm sure your town, or one close by, has a local bus or school bus company. As suggested earlier, go ahead and take (and pass) the written test. Then inquire with a local bus company about A) taking a paid training course ~ which is an excellent investment, or, if your confident, B) making an arrangement to pay for the services of a trainer to co-pilot you to the DMV test for the driving portion.
I highly recommend taking a behind-the-wheel course, even if it's a school bus (that's longer than 40' or matches the segment your coach falls into). You'll be amazed at how much you learn...and you can learn on their equipment first!
Good luck!
Mark
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11-11-2014, 04:53 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Conway, SC
Posts: 13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by osok
You are caught in the catch 22 that many of us RV'ers have found ourselves at one time. We tend to not think about the need of a different class of license when purchasing. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse for us when caught. I think the real ignorance comes from the Dealers, Manufactures and Insurance Companies who never say a word and let us drive off the lot illegally, exposing us to no vehicle insurance coverage, ticket and potential lawsuits. Everyone in the food chain wants and takes our money without saying a word to warn you. I firmly believe they have a moral obligation to advise us, but, they have no morals.
Good luck with your tests and be careful until license received so not to get caught up in potential expensive problems. I have not done so but I've read of people posting on Craigslist for a CDL driver to give driving lesson and drive coach to DMV for driving test. Not saying that is the best approach but one I've read about several times.
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Thanks, but I'll get through this. I believe the lady at the DMV misunderstood my question or I asked it incorrectly. I asked if I need a CDL to drive a motorhome, I should have asked what kind of license I need to drive a motorhome. Your point about the insurance company is well taken. I insured it with AAA in SC before I bought it and they never said anything. All said, even if I knew that I needed a special license beforehand, I would have still purchased a motorhome because the wife and I want to try the lifestyle. I just would have made different arrangements to get it home from Florida legally. It's parked now until I get my permit and I'm glad I didn't get into an accident on the way back from Florida....I bet my tight-lipped insurance company wouldn't have made good.
__________________
JohnnyB
Me, my wife Kathy, and our 2 Devon Rex cats (Luca & Armand)
2015 Phaeton 40AH 😊
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11-11-2014, 04:56 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Conway, SC
Posts: 13
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Did the written test just cover truck/RV related questions or did it also include stuff from the original, class D test?
Thanks
__________________
JohnnyB
Me, my wife Kathy, and our 2 Devon Rex cats (Luca & Armand)
2015 Phaeton 40AH 😊
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11-11-2014, 04:58 AM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Conway, SC
Posts: 13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodneykrantz
I am having the same problem if your coach weights over 26,000 lbs you need a class E license if you tow a car you need a class F.The written test was easy I missed 1 out of 30.The problem with the driving test is he told me to back my motorhome up to a dock and it had to be within 1 foot of the dock I told him I would never do that and he told me I had to or I could not get my license I don't want to get my Rv 1 foot from anything much less back up to a dock
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Sorry, I forgot to use the quote for my first response: Did the written test just cover Truck and RV related questions or did it include questions from the basic Class D test?
Thanks!
__________________
JohnnyB
Me, my wife Kathy, and our 2 Devon Rex cats (Luca & Armand)
2015 Phaeton 40AH 😊
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