North Carolina DL Requirement

[Curtisgeiger]

I would like to ask a few questions to anyone who has recently taken the exam for their NC Class B or CDL:

How difficult is the test written and hands on for someone who has never driven a Class A before?

Is there anything I need to do prior to taking the test other than study and pray?

Thanks

Curt

[wjell]

Are you thinking that you need a "special" operators license to drive your class A?

[trackman]

When you go over the parts of the rig you must touch each part described. Failed if you miss that. But you do not need special license for class A

[Ramblin]

Originally Posted by Curtisgeiger

I would like to ask a few questions to anyone who has recently taken the exam for their NC Class B or CDL:

How difficult is the test written and hands on for someone who has never driven a Class A before?

Is there anything I need to do prior to taking the test other than study and pray?

Thanks

Curt

You do not need a CDL in NC to operate a non-commercial vehicle.

See excerpt from the NCDMV's CDL handbook:

The type vehicles listed below do not require the operator to possess a CDL. However, a non-CDL Class A or B license may
still be required:

1.8: Exemptions and Waivers
• Vehicles used for personal use such as recreational vehicles.

• Vehicles owned or operated by the Department of Defense,
including the National Guard, while they are driven by active duty
military personnel, or members of the National Guard when on
active duty, in the pursuit of military purposes.

• Any vehicle when used as firefighting or emergency equipment for
the purpose of preserving life or property or to execute emergency
governmental functions.

• Farm vehicles that meet all of the following criteria:
- Controlled and operated by the farmer or the farmer's
employee and used exclusively for farm use,
-Used to transport either agricultural products, farm machinery,
or farm supplies, both to and from a farm,
-Not used in the operations of a common or contract motor car-
rier, and
-Used within 150 miles of the farmer's farm.

NOTE: Drivers meeting the definition of “farm vehicle driver” who operates straight trucks
are exempt from all driver qualification requirements of FMCSR 391.41. All drivers of
articulated motor vehicles with a GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more are required to possess
a current medical certificate as required in FMCSR 391.41 and 391.45.

[Curtisgeiger]

So it looks like in NC I do not need any but my current class C to drive this 43ft DP coach with Tag Axles and full air brakes towing a 20 foot trailer?

[Ramblin]

Originally Posted by Curtisgeiger

So it looks like in NC I do not need any but my current class C to drive this 43ft DP coach with Tag Axles and full air brakes towing a 20 foot trailer?

That is correct, unless you do so for money; then you're a commercial vehicle. As always, a State Trooper may not accept the old 'a guy on the internet told me it was legal' defense, so asking a more authoritative resource may be in order.

[gmadams]

Originally Posted by Ramblin

You do not need a CDL in NC to operate a non-commercial vehicle.

See excerpt from the NCDMV's CDL handbook:

The type vehicles listed below do not require the operator to possess a CDL. However, a non-CDL Class A or B license may
still be required:

1.8: Exemptions and Waivers
• Vehicles used for personal use such as recreational vehicles.

• Vehicles owned or operated by the Department of Defense,
including the National Guard, while they are driven by active duty
military personnel, or members of the National Guard when on
active duty, in the pursuit of military purposes.

• Any vehicle when used as firefighting or emergency equipment for
the purpose of preserving life or property or to execute emergency
governmental functions.

• Farm vehicles that meet all of the following criteria:
- Controlled and operated by the farmer or the farmer's
employee and used exclusively for farm use,
-Used to transport either agricultural products, farm machinery,
or farm supplies, both to and from a farm,
-Not used in the operations of a common or contract motor car-
rier, and
-Used within 150 miles of the farmer's farm.

NOTE: Drivers meeting the definition of “farm vehicle driver” who operates straight trucks
are exempt from all driver qualification requirements of FMCSR 391.41. All drivers of
articulated motor vehicles with a GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more are required to possess
a current medical certificate as required in FMCSR 391.41 and 391.45.

What about the part that states that a non CDL license may still need a Class B license? Is this needed if the GCWR exceeds 26,000 lbs?

[wjell]

ALL State requirements

RV Driver's License Requirements

26,000 lbs in NC

[cucamelsmd15]

Originally Posted by Ramblin

That is correct, unless you do so for money; then you're a commercial vehicle. As always, a State Trooper may not accept the old 'a guy on the internet told me it was legal' defense, so asking a more authoritative resource may be in order.

Incorrect. It even says so in the DMV excerpt you posted.

If you're over 26k GVWR, you need a Class A license. Its NOT a CDL. Your class C is for normal passenger vehicles.
NCDOT: License Fees

Read the description for Class A.

[nctox]

Curt,
You might be getting some bad information above.
I live in NC and asked about the requirement for a license to drive a motorhome when I changed from a Florida to a NC license. The DMV office driver's license examiner said I did indeed need a Class B license if the motorhome is over 26,000lbs. I believe yours will exceed that weight also.
The Class B is not a CDL, just different from your normal Class C.
You will have to study a few sections of the CDL study manual; those on air brakes (I think your DP has air brakes), general driving safety and regulations. It is not difficult, just something to read and basically know signage, driving rules, etc. The air brake section will be the only thing different from the usual driving test.
I had to drive my MH with the examiner for just a short route around the small town I live near. They will want to see that you can handle the rig and not hit anything like curbs, stop signs, etc.
I also had to go through a simple "pre-flight" of the coach to include checking the lights, turn signals, air systems (for the brakes) and wipers.
My entire road test wasn't more than half hour to 45 minutes.
I thought it was much easier or simpler than expected.
There may be some who live and are licensed in NC that drive a large MH without a Class B, but if they should be involved in an accident, or be stopped for some violation it could be much more of an inconvenience than just getting a Class B.
Stop by a DMV License office and ask.
Tim,,,

[Curtisgeiger]

Thanks Tim. -- this is exactly what I needed to know.

[gmadams]

Just found this for a Class A license:

Required to operate any combination of vehicles exempt from CDL requirements with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is greater than 10,000 pounds.

For a Class B license it is this:

Required to operate any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more that is exempt from CDL requirements, or any such vehicle while towing another vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less.

[cucamelsmd15]

Tim made a point that I should have caught. You'll need a Class B unless you plan on towing something heavy. I have a Class A because 35k pounds of trailer qualifies me for a Class A.

[aschuh53]

just went through this in n.c you are good to go with your drivers lic. wife &I brought a 38 ft and payed to have it transported to n.c We found out we could of drove it here on our current driver lic no special endorsement need for motorhome