Community Forums

lllkrob · 03-14-2013, 02:15 PM

I recently purchased a new DP that the Maryland DMV says requires a non-commercial class B license to drive. OK, fine, I've taken the written part and passed with no problem. Here's the catch. You are required to have a " Supervising Driver" ride with you when you drive, they must have the class B license or higher, and must accompany you when you go to the DMV for the driving skills road test. My question is just where do you find a " Supervising Driver" to ride with you to the road test? I already know how to drive a Class A, having owned a gas coach for years. I've checked for a motorhome driving instructor, no luck in this part of the country. Called a couple of truck driving schools to see if I could rent an instructor for a couple of hours for the test. One said no you had to take their course @ $ 4500, the other one said they might be able to arrange a driver for a small fee, @ $500 to $900. NO THANKS!!!

Anyone have any ideas??

Fastavenger · 03-14-2013, 02:46 PM

call me where in md are you 240 793 5740

RickO · 03-14-2013, 02:50 PM

IMO it kind of stinks that they require this and it's the first reports I remember hearing of it in Md.

I got my non commercial Class B in Texas and it's pretty much understood that they just look the other way on the issue of how you got your coach there for the driving test.

As you've already seen, we have a lot of helpful members here and I'm sure you'll find one willing to help you out.

Best of luck.

Rick

Wayne M · 03-14-2013, 03:24 PM

As Rick stated, you don't say where you are. Kind of difficult for someone camping in the area, or living in the area to step up and help.

lllkrob · 03-14-2013, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M

As Rick stated, you don't say where you are. Kind of difficult for someone camping in the area, or living in the area to step up and help.

I'm located in Eldersburg, MD.

Pusherman · 03-14-2013, 03:51 PM

NY has a 'R' endorsement for one's license if your combined weight is over 26,001 lbs. No written, but there is a driving test.

I took mine this past December. I also needed a 'supervising driver'. I had about 5 people offer to take me to my test. Several had Commercial Driver's Licenses (truck drivers), and 2 had their RV 'R' endorsement. All were RV'ers, from my RV clubs or friends.

Ask around, as I'm sure you can find a friend close by who will do it for free.

Wayne M · 03-14-2013, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lllkrob

I'm located in Eldersburg, MD.

Thanks, that puts you close to the Cherry Hill RV Park. Have you considered going down to that park and see if someone there would be willing to assist you? Surely there is someone in the Baltimore area that can step up and just be a relief driver for a few hours.

Come on iRV2 members - help.

Happy trails.

p.s., find out if it has to be a Maryland licensed class b or above driver, or any other state that meets the requirements. The all have reciprocal laws, but I'm sure MD wants one with the Class B or higher license standards.

Is the DMV close by where you live?

Sorry I'm coming back with all these questions and i'm not near enough to help you, but I think they are questions others in the area are looking to see the answers.

Libero · 03-14-2013, 04:15 PM

When I did my test many years ago, I drove and parked near the DMV. The inspector did not know or care how my vehicle got to that parked position. When I left the DMV, I had my temp license and the air brake endorsement and my permanent Lic came in the mail.

Had I not got my license then, he would not have seen me drive away by myself.

Good luck, whatever works for you.

Pigman1 · 03-14-2013, 06:29 PM

Not too long after this requirement went into force I helped an RV'er in the Annapolis area with his test. I have a CDL, and although I don't still drive commercially and don't have a current medical certificate, I was still an acceptable "buddy" driver. Don't try the park somewhere else trick, as I had to present my Delaware CDL to the Maryland Inspector. Then it was just a matter of sitting in the building until the test was done. I agree though. The whole thing is a bit of a "Catch 22" with these stupid rules. The bureaucrats and the Government rules. To no appreciable increase in safety, and there's not a thing we can do about it, no matter how many miles you've been driving the rig up to now. By the way, my fee was a couple of pieces of pizza and a Coke.

siggyd · 03-14-2013, 06:39 PM

I took my son along,he had a California driver license and no clue on how to drive my Diesel pusher. No one ask any dumb questions. For the test I was alone with the Testing Person. BTW-I passed and had already been from Illinois
to Texas and back before I knew that I needed a class B.
They are not the police,so they don't care.
Siggy

Libero · 03-14-2013, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pigman1

Not too long after this requirement went into force I helped an RV'er in the Annapolis area with his test. I have a CDL, and although I don't still drive commercially and don't have a current medical certificate, I was still an acceptable "buddy" driver. Don't try the park somewhere else trick, as I had to present my Delaware CDL to the Maryland Inspector. Then it was just a matter of sitting in the building until the test was done. I agree though. The whole thing is a bit of a "Catch 22" with these stupid rules. The bureaucrats and the Government rules. To no appreciable increase in safety, and there's not a thing we can do about it, no matter how many miles you've been driving the rig up to now. By the way, my fee was a couple of pieces of pizza and a Coke.

You confirmed the what the OP said re needing a buddy driver in the vehicle. When I rook my test more than 15 years ago, no other person was allowed in the vehicle except me and the inspector. There was no third party involvement in my license test during any phase of the process. But of course each jurisdiction has its own rules and things do change.

I agree many people would assist.

Good luck,

Crabby Mike · 03-14-2013, 07:07 PM

When I got mine in Frederick a few years ago, the staff in that office would let you come by yourself for the first try only. On the other hand, the Hagerstown office would not. Are you planning to test in Westminster? Is that the office that told you you would need an "escort" driver?

The bottom line is (at least it was in 2010) that the policy in practice varied between MVA offices. I would suggest going up to Frederick by car and chat with the folks at the CDL desk (yes, it's the CDL examiner who will do your non-commercial test).

Otherwise, do you know any school bus drivers? That was my backup plan -- I had a friend with a CDL who volunteered to ride along.

lllkrob · 03-14-2013, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crabby Mike

When I got mine in Frederick a few years ago, the staff in that office would let you come by yourself for the first try only. On the other hand, the Hagerstown office would not. Are you planning to test in Westminster? Is that the office that told you you would need an "escort" driver?

The bottom line is (at least it was in 2010) that the policy in practice varied between MVA offices. I would suggest going up to Frederick by car and chat with the folks at the CDL desk (yes, it's the CDL examiner who will do your non-commercial test).

Otherwise, do you know any school bus drivers? That was my backup plan -- I had a friend with a CDL who volunteered to ride along.

That's good to know, I am planning to take the test at Frederick. The Westminster office does not do any CDL type road test, only the written part when they can figure out which test your supposed to take. It took THEM three attempts before they gave me the correct test for a non-commercial class B.

lllkrob · 03-15-2013, 11:13 AM

[QUOTE=Crabby Mike;1496398]When I got mine in Frederick a few years ago, the staff in that office would let you come by yourself for the first try only.
The bottom line is (at least it was in 2010) that the policy in practice varied between MVA offices. I would suggest going up to Frederick by car and chat with the folks at the CDL desk (yes, it's the CDL examiner who will do your non-commercial test)./QUOTE]

Crabby Mike is correct. I went to the Frederick MVA office today and was told by one of the examiners that I didn't need a "Supervising Driver" for my first attempt if I only wanted a Motorhome endorsement on my Class B license. It would seem that the MVA has unofficially relaxed this requirement for motorhome drivers.

Thank you Crabby Mike for the information.