Class A motorhome instruction in Illinois

[KLoCLo]

Hello! My husband and I live in central Illinois and are planning to purchase a Class A motorhome. We would like to take some driving lessons from an experienced, licensed individual and to have that person accompany us to an IL DMV for our nonCDL Class B road test. We have already passed the written test, plan to rent a vehicle for the road test/lessons, and will travel to any location in IL. (Although the thought of driving lessons in the Chicago area is quite terrifying.)
We are very happy to pay for these services, but don't know how to go about locating someone. Any ideas or referrals would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[MisterT]

Illinois Sec of State's information shows this:

Operators Exempt from Obtaining a CDL
If your vehicle meets one of the following definitions, you are not required to obtain a CDL.
Recreational Vehicle
When using a recreational vehicle primarily for personal use, you do not need to obtain a CDL.

according to this online brochure:
https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/p...s/dsd_x142.pdf

[Mr_D]

from WA State!

Same here in WA state, exempt from any extra licensing requirements other than just the standard drivers license.

[ualdriver]

Originally Posted by KLoCLo

Hello! My husband and I live in central Illinois and are planning to purchase a Class A motorhome. We would like to take some driving lessons from an experienced, licensed individual and to have that person accompany us to an IL DMV for our nonCDL Class B road test. We have already passed the written test, plan to rent a vehicle for the road test/lessons, and will travel to any location in IL. (Although the thought of driving lessons in the Chicago area is quite terrifying.)
We are very happy to pay for these services, but don't know how to go about locating someone. Any ideas or referrals would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

I drive a Class A and live in IL. No special license requirement that I am aware of and I asked last year when we were contemplating buying our current rig.

If you need help I will, but I am not considered a "licensed driver" per your definition.

[KLoCLo]

Thank you all for the replies. We have looked into IL law thoroughly, and, while you do not need a CDL for an rv, you definitely need a nonCDL license that is appropriate for the weight class of your vehicle and/or tow. Since we are looking at a Class A diesel pusher with a GVWR of more than 26,001 pounds, we need a nonCDL Class B license in IL.
Unfortunately, IL is one of only a handful of states that require special licensure. We are worried that our insurance coverage would be voided if we were in an accident and not properly licensed. Have also read that fines for a ticket, should you be so unlucky, are huge!

[KLoCLo]

UALDRIVER, thank you for your very kind offer!

[sciguy6]

Originally Posted by KLoCLo

Thank you all for the replies. We have looked into IL law thoroughly, and, while you do not need a CDL for an rv, you definitely need a nonCDL license that is appropriate for the weight class of your vehicle and/or tow. Since we are looking at a Class A diesel pusher with a GVWR of more than 26,001 pounds, we need a nonCDL Class B license in IL.

Unfortunately, IL is one of only a handful of states that require special licensure. We are worried that our insurance coverage would be voided if we were in an accident and not properly licensed. Have also read that fines for a ticket, should you be so unlucky, are huge!

You are correct on that. You need the non cdl for the size of the vehicle. Class C is 16,000 to 26,000 ( I have a 34T Winnebago Solei) which is 25,000. Took my test and drivers test. No issues. But you are right you may not be covered insurance wise. The chances of being caught would be small as the officer would have to know and as you said other states do not have so they wouldn't assume we did either.

Drove my other RV which was over 16,000 lbs for 18,000 miles without it and 6,000 in my other one not sure if over 16,000 but as soon as I found out took care of it. Have a friend who had a class B so helped me.

[KLoCLo]

Originally Posted by sciguy6

You are correct on that. You need the non cdl for the size of the vehicle. Class C is 16,000 to 26,000 ( I have a 34T Winnebago Solei) which is 25,000. Took my test and drivers test. No issues. But you are right you may not be covered insurance wise. The chances of being caught would be small as the officer would have to know and as you said other states do not have so they wouldn't assume we did either.

Drove my other RV which was over 16,000 lbs for 18,000 miles without it and 6,000 in my other one not sure if over 16,000 but as soon as I found out took care of it. Have a friend who had a class B so helped me.

Thanks, Sciguy6. I agree that the chances of getting caught seem small, as not many people seem familiar with the law, but the insurance risk was something that we didn't want to mess around with. We ended up taking the driving test with a rented vehicle, and got our Class Bs. Now for the fun part - headed out next week to look at some used RVs!

[sciguy6]

KLoCLo, good luck. have fun.

[Stano]

Lazydays RV in Tampa, Florida gives free driving lessons! That's where we learned.

Stano

[KLoCLo]

Originally Posted by Stano

Lazydays RV in Tampa, Florida gives free driving lessons! That's where we learned.

Stano

Thanks! We've watched a video of their class on YouTube and found it very helpful.

[Charlie 5320]

I went through the same thing a couple months ago. I could have got by with the C license but went with the class B, same test anyways. I figured the same way, if I were to be involved in an accident and someone was hurt bad or even killed my insurance could balk on paying out if not licensed correctly. I took the test in Springfield, wasn't too bad. I thought I had a class B any ways, as I had one many years ago when I was in construction building homes. I don't really know how I even lost the classification, but did. Neither test was complicated or hard to pass. The inspector at the DMV did warn me, if you hit a curb you're done.

[Pirate_Jerry]

Did you find help? I'm in Champaign and might be able to give you a hand.

[Charlie 5320]

Originally Posted by ualdriver

I drive a Class A and live in IL. No special license requirement that I am aware of and I asked last year when we were contemplating buying our current rig.

If you need help I will, but I am not considered a "licensed driver" per your definition.

Better read the rules of the road again. You don't need a different licence IF it is under 16000 lbs. These newer rigs weigh much more than that. My Dolphin weighs 19600, and the GVWR is 26000. It takes a Non CDL class C to drive it, minimum. I elected to get a class B non CDL. Just so you know, IF something happens and you get checked, your coach will be parked until you get a licenced driver to move it.

["licensed driver" per your definition] It's NOT their definition, it's states.