Community Forums

nrc1963 · 12-29-2011, 12:42 AM

Does anyone know if it is a requirement to have a cdl license for a class A motorhome 36' and is over 26000 gvrw and would be used for strictly personal use full time rving I am hearing many state do require cdl but is that for those transport guys or us Rvers.

sdennislee · 12-29-2011, 12:56 AM

At last look only 3 states and DC required CDLs. See the table at the bottom of this page RV Driver's License Requirements. Note this list is a bit old so anyone using it should follow up with their state's DMV.

It looks like you are from NY, read these 2 threads about the R endorsement for motorhomes >26,000 lbs in NY.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/r-en...ys-108969.html
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/made...ent-12454.html

Hope this helps

srx-6 · 12-29-2011, 04:57 AM

You do not need a CDL (Commercial Drivers License) for an RV unless, you are driving said RV for hire. You will probably need some sort of upgraded license to drive the RV. You will need to check your state of residence for those requirements.

paz · 12-29-2011, 07:02 AM

srx-6 is right. the "C" part of CDL stands for COMMERCIAL. Unless you are being paid for the actual act of driving the RV, you do not need a CDL. Depending on your state, however, you may need a higher classification of drivers license for vehicles above a certain size or weight. You may also need a special endorsement to operate a vehicle with air brakes.

RickO · 12-29-2011, 08:31 AM

Welcome to the forum! All good advice so far. Check the links provided to see what your situation in NY is. I do believe that all state have reciprocal agreements which allow you to operate in their states so long as you comply with the licensing requirements of your home state.

In my case, Texas requires a non-commercial Class A or B license for the coach you describe.

Good luck...

Rick

Stevegd007 · 12-29-2011, 08:59 AM

ncr1963 Welcome to the forum! You did not say what State you are looking at for the CDL. Most all states do not require a CDL for personal use. As stated in the above posts. An all the states honor your home state license to legally drive in their state. So with a Class 3 or Class C license your good to go with a 36' MH.

RickO · 12-29-2011, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevegd007

ncr1963 Welcome to the forum! You did not say what State you are looking at for the CDL. Most all states do not require a CDL for personal use. As stated in the above posts. An all the states honor your home state license to legally drive in their state. So with a Class 3 or Class C license your good to go with a 36' MH.

But "good to go" in what state? It's not true that a Class 3 or Class C will suffice no matter what his home state is.

Rick

srx-6 · 12-29-2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevegd007

ncr1963 Welcome to the forum! You did not say what State you are looking at for the CDL. Most all states do not require a CDL for personal use. As stated in the above posts. An all the states honor your home state license to legally drive in their state. So with a Class 3 or Class C license your good to go with a 36' MH.

How do you know he is "good to go" with a Class 3 or Class C if you do not know what state he is in? No state requires a CDL for personal use. A CDL is for Commercial use.

BobGed · 12-29-2011, 09:56 AM

As others have suggested, you really need to let us know what your state of residence is. I have lived in three different states since I've owned a motor home, and each one had different requirements, or lack thereof. Idaho has no requirement. In California it's based on the length of the coach, no weight requirement even if it's over 26,000 lbs. I now reside in Nevada and since my coach weighs > 26,000 lbs I have to have a NON-commercial Class B. If I were to also tow a trailer weighing 10,000 lbs or more I would need a NON-commercial Class A.

sdennislee · 12-29-2011, 10:06 AM

Using the link I provided in post 2 RV Driver's License Requirements

I tried to verify the 3 states (HI, IN & WI) they list as requiring a CDL when the RV is >26,000 lbs and >45. Too much to weed through all the DMV websites. I stuck with WI and found the following CDL exemption under section 343.055 (1)

343.055 Commercial driver license waivers. (1) OPERATORS WAIVED. (a) General. Except as provided in subs. (3) and (4) and notwithstanding s. 343.05 (2), operators of certain com- mercial motor vehicles specified in pars. (b) to (h) or any rule of the department promulgated under sub. (5) are not required to hold commercial driver licenses, if the operator holds a valid operator’s license not limited to “Class M” vehicles.
(d) Recreational vehicle operators. The operator of the com- mercial motor vehicle is a person operating a motor home, or a vehicle towing a 5th−wheel recreational vehicle or single−unit recreational vehicle and the vehicle or combination, including both units of a combination towing vehicle and the 5th−wheel rec- reational vehicle or recreational vehicle, is both operated and con- trolled by the person and is transporting only members of the per- son’s family, guests or their personal property. This paragraph does not apply to any transportation for hire or the transportation of any property connected to a commercial activity. In this para- graph, “controlled” means leased or owned.

Didn't find an easy link to similar statues for IN. Didn't look at HI or DC. So as previously stated each person should use the link with caution and verify your individual state's requirements. Most of the list appears to be from 2005 with some updates through 2010.

sdennislee · 12-29-2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevegd007

ncr1963 Welcome to the forum! You did not say what State you are looking at for the CDL. Most all states do not require a CDL for personal use. As stated in the above posts. An all the states honor your home state license to legally drive in their state. So with a Class 3 or Class C license your good to go with a 36' MH.

Looking at his public profile he lists his state as NY. Which I believe requires an R endorsement to his license.

DRL1950 · 12-29-2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdennislee

Looking at his public profile he lists his state as NY. Which I believe requires an R endorsement to his license.

New York does require an "M" endorsement, but the difficulty is finding someone at DMV who is aware of that, but be persistent and you will.

Mr_D · 12-29-2011, 06:03 PM

WA doesn't require anything but your standard license for a privately owned RV. Due to reciprocity on DL's I don't need anything more.

Pusherman · 12-29-2011, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRL1950

New York does require an "M" endorsement, but the difficulty is finding someone at DMV who is aware of that, but be persistent and you will.

NYS requires an 'R' endorsement for driving any coach over 26,000 lbs actual weight, including your toad weights.

'R' stands for 'recreational'. Not for hire.