How true is this?

[RIPPER238]

[Skip3370]

Sad, but true!

[mackwrench]

Happens every day,
... but don't forget to add it's illegal to even have your cell phone in your hand while driving a Class 8 semi, but seems to be ok to play on it while driving a motorhome....

[LaurenceStarr]

depends on what state you live in. In Georgia it's true

[Mr_D]

Well the picture is almost true, my MH can weigh up to 69,000 GCVWR but no special license required on WA state since it's an RV which is specifically exempted from CDL requirements.

[zippy-]

I would say the big difference is the 60K lb is owned and paid for by the driver. Which is a lot more expensive then the tractor trailer by several hundred thousand dollars. Also the RV is not running commercial for profit. So there is a huge difference. Few if any RV’ers will ever see the milage of a single year of driving a tractor trailer.

I bet OP would also be horrified to find out i can drive my tractors or combine on the road without a special license or even license plates!

[Hit_the_Rhod]

Just because it's legal doesn't mean it is smart! I would prefer that lawmakers not attempt to make stupidity illegal . . . well, because THEY THEMSELVES would have to be made illegal as well by and large! among other reasons . . .

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by Hit_the_Rhod

Just because it's legal doesn't mean it is smart! I would prefer that lawmakers not attempt to make stupidity illegal . . . well, because THEY THEMSELVES would have to be made illegal as well by and large! among other reasons . . .

Yup sad but true..
Oregon & Washington both tried to pass legislation similar to what TX has,anything over 12k gvw or towing, then said oops! and raised up to 26k gvw... all was good until they realized that they (Gov politicians) were not going to be exempt from the proposed new laws with their personal RV's...
Whole proposal(s) mysteriously "faded away".

[Waywards]

So you want RV's to be heavily regulated?

A CDL doesn't make you a better driver. As evidence, you need only to drive on any Interstate for 10 minutes.

An airbrake endorsement maybe, as long as it didn't require renewal.

[hohenwald48]

If someone thinks a CDL will make them a better motorhome driver they should go get a CDL. I bet not many do.

Maybe they should get plumbers and electricians licenses too.

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by hohenwald48

If someone thinks a CDL will make them a better motorhome driver they should go get a CDL. I bet not many do.

I was talking about a NON CDL, RV only ie: minimal knowledge test and a practical driving test.

Huge difference vs the requirements for a Federal CDL..
ie:Physical Health card,In depth knowledge test, in depth practical driving test, in depth equipment & safety knowledge test, Air brakes & systems tests, towing(doubles/triples) test, Materials handling and tie down requirements,Oversize load movements & escort restrictions, Hazmat load securement and required paperwork for Petroleum, Nuclear/explosives/Biological, And lets not forget the FBI/Interpol background examinations for the secured TWIC card.. the requirements are never ending..
All of which are Federally mandated but are administered by the states..
Your results may vary .

[lllkrob]

Originally Posted by LaurenceStarr

depends on what state you live in. In Georgia it's true

You might want to research this a little farther. In 2016 Georgia passed regulations that require any operator of a recreational vehicle over 26,000 lbs to have a class E or F license.

https://dds.georgia.gov/non-commeric...e-class-e-or-f

[FIRE UP]

Oh the psychology of advertising....
"A child with a learners permit...."

Most of your truckers out there are pretty good drivers and handle their rigs well. There's always some exceptions. As far as RV drivers, especially LARGE RV drivers, as in the one shown in the pic, I would also say that "most" of them are pretty good drivers, handle their coach (and trailers) well. And, as with truckers, there's exceptions too. All you have to do is drive by many RV body shops and have a look.

We all make mistakes and, sometimes they're fairly costly. Some of you saw my "oops" a while back. A "$9,000.00" oops at that. And I consider myself a pretty good driver. Should RVs require a CDL? Well, that's a matter of opinion that's been debated for a while now. As has been stated, truckers need to get a CDL, health screening and know lot's of rules and regs for the operation of their rigs and, know how and where they CAN or CAN'T go with them when driving in certain cities and counties.

RV drivers for the most part, don't have to know any rules or regs for maintenance and or, where they can and can't go with their rigs. There are some roads in certain counties etc. across the nation that prohibit single vehicle length to under 40' but, I've seen 42' - 45' coaches on them more than once. Does this mean the drivers blatantly disobeyed the rules or, just didn't know about them, who knows? But, most truckers know where they're not permitted.

Knowing, operating, maintaining, and preserving a very large, especially an over 40' class A coach, is a pretty tough task for some. For others, it's second nature. I drove, operated, maintained and preserved fire engines for over 30 years and, possessed a CDL. All of that transferred to our RVs over the years. All that experience sure paid off in RV ownership. But, others, didn't have that knowledge base to help with the trials and tribulations of RV operation and ownership.

Driving Volkswagens or any other small car for one's life and then jumping into a monster RV when one retires etc. has got to be a serious challenge for some. I have folks ask me, "How do you drive that thing, it's so big"? And ours is a 36' coach. Feeling comfortable while piloting an RV comes easy for some and, is a daunting task for others. Again, should a CDL be required for these, well, because the basics came so easily for me, I'm not one that could accurately answer this.

There are folks on here that have asked about training courses for either them or their spouse. I think that's absolutely GREAT that they are inquisitive about learning to be better. Not only to improve their skills and knowledge base but, they're also helping to protect fellow drivers by learning about and controlling their rigs better.
Scott

[Winemaker2]

There are a lot of folks around that don't even know their state requires a soecual license or endorsement yo drive a MH pver 26,000 #.
One of the issues in my mind us that most of the states that require the endorsement don't have any info manuals to educate prospective drivers.