Kansas Special License for over 26000 GVWR

[rjmohatt]

I tried to post this information earlier but it never did show up so here goes again.

After reading the June issue of MotorHome Mag. I found out Kansas was one of 13 states that required a special endorsement on your Kansas Drivers License if your unit was over 26000 GVWR and towing less than 10K a Class B non-comercial Lic. was required. If total GVWC was over 26K and pulling trailer more than 10K a Class A endorsement was required. I had been told a year earlier when I got a Kansas Driver License after moving here from Colorado that no special license was required for any RV, I had a very hard time after learning this information to find anyone that knew for sure how to handle my upgrading with the Class B when I went in several weeks ago. It seems the state is not up on this anymore than I was. It is in the Kansas Drivers Handbook and if I would of had to take a written test when I moved here I would of probably read it at that time and been more aggressive on getting it right the first time. I just wanted to share this information with all of my fellow RVers. Hope it gets posted this time. Thanks

[Crabby Mike]

Maryland has the same requirement, and nearly the same degree of confusion between staff members. It's a good requirement though (in my opinion) -- for those of us without CDL's, it's important to learn the information and skills appropriate to driving such a heavy vehicle. I wish all states required (and enforced) similar licensing.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fabman Because this is such a Cluster F*** with all the DMVs I would imagine 95% of the RVrs out there DO NOT have the proper licences or endorsements....

I'm glad Washington exempts RV's from having anything more than a standard license. Yes, I've driven trucks when I worked for the DOT, but they were State owned and we didn't need a CDL for them.

[RustyJC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D Yes, I've driven trucks when I worked for the DOT, but they were State owned and we didn't need a CDL for them.

Unless used for commerce, there's nothing commercial about operation of an RV. The licenses under discussion are NON-CDL Class A and B licenses (at least in Texas) where the standard operator's license is a Class C. CDL licensing is an entirely different section in the Texas Transportation Code.

Rusty

[Fabman]

Anyone get thier Class A License?

[Fabman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crabby Mike Maryland has the same requirement, and nearly the same degree of confusion between staff members.

PA DMV has the same issue with inconsistancy between staff members...

Very frustrating.

[bluepill]

Same in NY. The only person who really knew anything was the owner of a local driving school. The special DMV people who actually give the tests were in an office 30 miles away from mine, and were not available on the phone because they travel around to give the tests in different areas during the day.

Go figure.

The only good news is that it cost me only $27 to get the permit, take the test, and get the license upgrade.

In NY that's like a 5 cent cup of coffee.

[H. Miller]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fabman Anyone get thier Class A License?

YEP! But only after a 5,000 mile vacation and noticing a discussion here. Texas DMV seemed knowledgeable about the requirements and a couple weeks later we had a class B endorsement on our "private" license. Also have an "M" for motorcycles. As previously stated, this has NOTHING to do with a CDL.

[Fabman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by H. Miller YEP! But only after a 5,000 mile vacation and noticing a discussion here. Texas DMV seemed knowledgeable about the requirements and a couple weeks later we had a class B endorsement on our "private" license. Also have an "M" for motorcycles. As previously stated, this has NOTHING to do with a CDL.

When you did your skills test for the class A - did you have to have a trailer with you and did it have to be over 10,000 lbs?