Commercial Drivers licence To Drive A Class A Motor Home?

[ElvistheKing]

Originally Posted by Dale & Mark Bruss

The other joys of a CDL is a usual doubling of points in a violation and the biggy, the assumption that you, as a commercial driver, will have more responsibility in an accident because you should be better able to avoid the accident.

All of which actually seems pretty reasonable if I’m honest.

This by the way from the POV of someone that not only holds the equivalent of your CDL and but has also been involved in sentencing for traffic offences.....

[cimplexsound]

They are required in California. But not in Utah, Nevada or Arizona unless your Motorhome has air brakes.


1979 Dodge Tioga Class C 24 foot. 1987 Fleetwood Bounder 34 Foot.

[Edmazzy]

There is a Non-CDL also which covers you for the weight class you are driving, ex. class A or B Non - CDL, this requires testing but no medical.

[sinterior]

Here in BC Canada, all you need is an ordinary class 5 D/L for any size motorhome, and an air brake endorsement if it has air brakes (a 2 day course with written and practical exam)


RV trailers over 4500kg or roughly 10,000 lbs require a house trailer any weight endorsement without air brakes.

[Wayne M]

Originally Posted by Domo

Here's a listing of states that do, that don't, that require something different...

https://www.campanda.com/magazine/rv...-requirements/

Originally Posted by txcpl

Check the laws in your state for info about what is needed.

Wow! Here we go again.

txcpl said it best. Check the regulations for your state. It is the only one that counts.

Regarding Domo's post. Do not believe anything you see on any website other than your own DMV web site.

Example: on the web site provide by Domo the Texas information is wrong. A class A is required if the combined weight is over 26,000 pounds AND the towed/trailer weight is over 10,000 pounds.

If the towed weight is below 10,000 pounds and the vehicle towing it is >26,000 pounds a class B is required.

Point is, don't believe threads that think they know it all.

Here is another web site and they only have 4 states listed as needing to have a CDL (and then there may be conditions.) Changing Gears web site. Someone from those states can pipe in and tell us what the real requirements are.

[Cowpie1]

Guess that is the benefit and sometime bane of having a CDL A with all the endorsements on it. Also motorcycle on it. If it can be driven down a road, I am licensed for it. To be honest, I just never bothered to look at which states play all the little games with licensing for the average person and RV's.

[paaca]

Originally Posted by sinterior

Here in BC Canada, all you need is an ordinary class 5 D/L for any size motorhome, and an air brake endorsement if it has air brakes (a 2 day course with written and practical exam)


RV trailers over 4500kg or roughly 10,000 lbs require a house trailer any weight endorsement without air brakes.

Same in Ontario Canada. Z endorsement required on license for air brakes. Two day course

[DGundy]

In researching a possible move to South Carolina, I found that above 18K, you need to take an exam and get a special license.
Happy Travels!

[djnorton]

New York & Texas require new license over 26K pounds. New York an RV endorsement, Texas a non-commercial CDL...

[MikeGriffin]

Originally Posted by BobGed

I just noticed the same thing. Looks like there is a gap not covered in the IA DL descriptions posted online for non-commercial vehicles weighing >26,000#

If you're operating a motorhome for private use in Iowa, you DO NOT need to have a commercial (CDL) license.

Please see paragraph 4 of https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.176A.pdf

[PeterFTH]

You not only don't NEED a CDL to drive an RV, you don't WANT one. CDL licensed drivers are held to a different standard than civilians in the event of a summons or an accident. Stick with your regular driver's license - I know of zero states that require a CDL for an RV. When I was a boater I had the sea time and knowledge to get a USCG Captain's license, but since I had no commercial use for it I bowed to the same advice - admiralty courts hold licensed captains to a higher standard than pleasure boaters so I didn't get one. Peter

[MikeGriffin]

Originally Posted by DGundy

In researching a possible move to South Carolina, I found that above 18K, you need to take an exam and get a special license.
Happy Travels!

Nope. Read South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 56, Chapter 1, Article 1, Section 56-1-2070, (C), (4). It states: (C) The following persons may operate commercial motor vehicles without a commercial driver license: (4) operators of recreational vehicles used solely for personal use.

[MCJones]

North Carolina requires a non commercial class B for over 26K and can tow up to 10K. Non commercial means you do not need to qualify medically. Also must pass air brake portion during the test. hope this helps -different states do things differently.

[DGundy]

Originally Posted by MikeGriffin

Nope. Read South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 56, Chapter 1, Article 1, Section 56-1-2070, (C), (4). It states: (C) The following persons may operate commercial motor vehicles without a commercial driver license: (4) operators of recreational vehicles used solely for personal use.

We must have read different sites.