Community Forums

Okplowboy · 07-27-2016, 06:29 AM

My home state of Oklahoma exempts all RV's from the typical 26,001 lb. maximum weight before a CDL is required. Some states require one. If questioned on the issue in those states, what documentation, if any, should I carry to prove I'm legal with my regular OK. DL? Has anyone ever been confronted with this situation?

MnTom · 07-27-2016, 06:43 AM

I would suggest you check with your state's DMV. I know of no state that requires a Commercial Drivers License to drive or tow an RV unless you are delivering them for a living. Many states do require a NON commercial license appropriate for the vehicle driven.

Dale & Mark Bruss · 07-27-2016, 06:51 AM

The requirement standards for driver's license is established by the state you get your license from. All the other states have to accept that, the Full Faith Clause of the Constitution.

But expecting a law enforcement officer to know the rules of the other 50 states and District is not reasonable. Carrying a copy of the driver's license requirements in the booklet from your DMV would be reasonable.

barmcd · 07-27-2016, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okplowboy

My home state of Oklahoma exempts all RV's from the typical 26,001 lb. maximum weight before a CDL is required. Some states require one. If questioned on the issue in those states, what documentation, if any, should I carry to prove I'm legal with my regular OK. DL? Has anyone ever been confronted with this situation?

I think most reasonable law enforcement officers would only ask for the credentials required for their state and not be too concerned with making sure out of state drivers are meeting the actual requirement of their home states. Keeping track of 49 other states would have to be a PITA. If you are concerned about proving you are legal, carry a copy of the statute from Oklahoma.

Triker56 · 07-27-2016, 07:10 AM

Obey the laws of all states you are driving in. Speed limit, stay right except to pass, lights on when raining, no lights burnt out, registration up to date etc.

Your chance of being stopped is probably the same as winning the lottery.

In over the 40 plus years of owning different types of RV's I have never been stopped yet by a police officer.

I did get a ticket once that caught me with a camera at a traffic light in a 55 MPH zone. When the light changed there was no way I could get stopped without putting everything loose in the MH up against the dash. And there was no cars waiting for the Green at both sides.

rkresge · 07-27-2016, 08:09 AM

Isn't there some kind of special license required for driving 40' or larger rigs in California? I thought I remember reading that people (especially out of staters) have gotten in trouble there.

Roger

wnytaxman · 07-27-2016, 08:21 AM

I have an 'R' endorsement on my NYS driver's license. This makes me legal to drive a rig over 40' and over 26,000 pounds in any state or province of Canada regardless of their local requirements. Many states do not require any special license or endorsement to drive an RV over 26,000 pounds. If you are legal in your state of residency with your local license you will be legal anywhere in the US.

Jim2 · 07-27-2016, 08:31 AM

Policing 101 - if your license class is legal in your home state, then its legal in any state, universal reciprocity. for example, many but not all states require a motorcycle endorsement on your license, if your home state does not require one, you're still entitled to drive your MC through any state. any LEO that doesn't know this wouldn't make it out of the academy.

some states require a special class license for vehicles over 26,000 lbs but its not a CDL. the state can call it whatever they want, but a real CDL is only required for commercial use.

Equipment rules however are established & enforced by each individual state you drive through, such as overall length, double towing, aux brake requirement, mc helmet, etc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okplowboy

My home state of Oklahoma exempts all RV's from the typical 26,001 lb. maximum weight before a CDL is required. Some states require one. If questioned on the issue in those states, what documentation, if any, should I carry to prove I'm legal with my regular OK. DL? Has anyone ever been confronted with this situation?

Jim2 · 07-27-2016, 08:42 AM

as a DL requirement, that would only apply to Ca residents.
However, Ca could make it a state restriction that no vehicle over 40 ft can be used on our state or local roads, then it would apply to out of staters on those specific type roads as a roadway restriction.
But US highways & interstate highways partially funded by federal money, may not be restricted in that way. The federal highway rules apply, on those type roads regardless of what Ca says.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkresge

Isn't there some kind of special license required for driving 40' or larger rigs in California? I thought I remember reading that people (especially out of staters) have gotten in trouble there.

Roger

dieselclacker · 07-27-2016, 01:03 PM

I would agree with the above posting, if you are legal in Oklahoma, your legal in other states.

rskeans · 07-27-2016, 01:26 PM

FWIW, If registered in CA and If a MH is 40+ feet then a Class B license is required. For a 5ver if the 5ver is greater than 15,000 lb then a Class A Non-Commercial is required. No mention of the 26,000 lb requirement. The class A driving test requires an ability test with cones and backing up also into a loading dockk they call it an 'alley dock'. A physical statement is required every 2 years. Other than that it is a PITA requirement it's not a big deal.

MtnTrek · 07-27-2016, 04:22 PM

[QUOTE=Triker56;3180859]Obey the laws of all states you are driving in. Speed limit, stay right except to pass, lights on when raining, no lights burnt out, registration up to date etc.

Your chance of being stopped is probably the same as winning the lottery.

In over the 40 plus years of owning different types of RV's I have never been stopped yet by a police officer.

QUOTE]

x2
Valid DL. Current registration, Proof of insurance.

bill06447 · 07-27-2016, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim2

Policing 101 - if your license class is legal in your home state, then its legal in any state, universal reciprocity. for example, many but not all states require a motorcycle endorsement on your license, if your home state does not require one, you're still entitled to drive your MC through any state. any LEO that doesn't know this wouldn't make it out of the academy.

This is all one needs to be concerned with-if you're legal in OK then you're legal in the other 49 plus DC. Here's a neat web site to see what requirements are in your state: RV Driver's License Requirements

slickest1 · 07-27-2016, 05:41 PM

I was pulled over I California after dark on night with our coach and toad. I had somehow dragged the light cord and lost the lights on the back of the coach and toad.

The Chp officer was very nice and escorted me to a rest area just up the road.
He never asked for a drivers licence or anything.

He did see what the problem was and that I could fix it there so off he went.