Community Forums

Pexring · 05-18-2014, 10:21 PM

South Dakota does require a Class A license if over 26,001 pounds.

Class [A] License - Combination Vehicles - Any combination of vehicles with gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds falls in Group A, providing the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. Most Class A vehicles are trucks such as tractor-trailer or truck and trailer combinations. Driving a Class A vehicle requires considerably more skill and knowledge than driving vehicles in Classes B and C. Because these skills include those required to drive a Class B and C (with appropriate endorsements) vehicle, a driver who has a Class A license also may drive vehicles in Classes B and C.

Class [B] License - Heavy Straight Vehicles - Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds falls in Group B, or any such vehicle towing another vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. Class B includes straight trucks and large buses. Safely driving these heavy vehicles requires considerably more knowledge and skill than driving the small trucks and buses found in Class C. Because they include the skills required to drive Class C (with appropriate endorsements) vehicles, drivers who have qualified for a Class B license may also drive vehicles in Class C.

Class [C] License - Small Vehicles - Any single vehicle with a GVWR less than 26,001 pounds falls in Group C, or any such vehicle towing another vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. However, vehicles of this size are included in the Commercial Driver License (CDL) program only if they are: 1) designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver, or 2) used to transport hazardous materials in quantities requiring placarding under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Part 172, Subpart F).

There are a great variety of vehicles in Class C. Some other large Class C vehicles may require more skill and knowledge to operate than do the smaller ones. However, the licensing category is based principally on the type of cargo carried. Because of the seriousness of an accident involving hazardous material or human passengers, the safe operation of even the smaller vehicles in Class C requires special knowledge and the drivers of these vehicles must have a CDL.

All commercial drivers who drive certain types of vehicles or haul certain types of cargo must add endorsements to their CDL licenses to show that they have the specialized knowledge required for these operations. There are 6 kinds of CDL endorsements that may be required, depending on the vehicle or type of cargo.

srx-6 · 05-19-2014, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pexring

South Dakota does require a Class A license if over 26,001 pounds.

Class [A] License - Combination Vehicles - Any combination of vehicles with gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds falls in Group A, providing the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. Most Class A vehicles are trucks such as tractor-trailer or truck and trailer combinations. Driving a Class A vehicle requires considerably more skill and knowledge than driving vehicles in Classes B and C. Because these skills include those required to drive a Class B and C (with appropriate endorsements) vehicle, a driver who has a Class A license also may drive vehicles in Classes B and C.

Class [B] License - Heavy Straight Vehicles - Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds falls in Group B, or any such vehicle towing another vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. Class B includes straight trucks and large buses. Safely driving these heavy vehicles requires considerably more knowledge and skill than driving the small trucks and buses found in Class C. Because they include the skills required to drive Class C (with appropriate endorsements) vehicles, drivers who have qualified for a Class B license may also drive vehicles in Class C.

Class [C] License - Small Vehicles - Any single vehicle with a GVWR less than 26,001 pounds falls in Group C, or any such vehicle towing another vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. However, vehicles of this size are included in the Commercial Driver License (CDL) program only if they are: 1) designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver, or 2) used to transport hazardous materials in quantities requiring placarding under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Part 172, Subpart F).

There are a great variety of vehicles in Class C. Some other large Class C vehicles may require more skill and knowledge to operate than do the smaller ones. However, the licensing category is based principally on the type of cargo carried. Because of the seriousness of an accident involving hazardous material or human passengers, the safe operation of even the smaller vehicles in Class C requires special knowledge and the drivers of these vehicles must have a CDL.

All commercial drivers who drive certain types of vehicles or haul certain types of cargo must add endorsements to their CDL licenses to show that they have the specialized knowledge required for these operations. There are 6 kinds of CDL endorsements that may be required, depending on the vehicle or type of cargo.

The information above refers to a CDL (Commercial Driver License). Page 3 of the South Dakota CDL (Commercial Driver License) handbook states drivers of recreational vehicles used for personal use do not need a CDL (Commercial Driver License)

wimberleyman · 05-19-2014, 11:41 AM

Eljefe,

There's a lot of opinions about the Class A or B license issue among RV owners. The fact is in Texas the law is clear about the requirements for RV's over 26001 lbs and depending on the trailer weight a Non-CDL Class A or Class B is the requirement. If I were you I would study up and go to the DMV and take the written test and get a Class B learner's permit. Then rent a DP for a day or two and get someone with the valid Class A or Class B license to give you some instructions and then ride with you to take the driving test. You don't have to be in your own RV, just an RV that meets the Class B requirements.

There's a recent thread about a school bus driver near San Antonio that helps people do this.

Being a licensed DP owner myself I can assure you that there is a lot to learn about driving a DP. Air brakes alone are a real learning curve. Also turns, wheel cut, backing, etc. take a lot of studying and practice.

There are probably people out there who will rent you a DP without proof of the proper license. You, however will be the one who will liable should an accident occur. IMO you should get the license and comply with the law.

WM

ElJefe · 05-19-2014, 12:05 PM

Thanks wimberlyman. I'm on the same page you are. I've also reached out to an instructor too. One way or the other, I'll get the license.

wimberleyman · 05-19-2014, 12:30 PM

Take your tests at Seguin. You're close and you won't regret it. It's a small town!

WM

ElJefe · 05-19-2014, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wimberleyman

Take your tests at Seguin. You're close and you won't regret it. It's a small town!

WM

I was going to hit up San Marcos. Is Seguin better?

wimberleyman · 05-20-2014, 09:43 PM

San Marcos does not provide Class A or B testing. You either need to go to Seguin or into San Antonio and yes, Seguin is much better. Like I stated before, smaller town. There's a lot of recent information on the forum about Class A and Class B licensing and Seguin. Try the search function under the Class A forum. Also, I advise getting a Class B license. You'll need to test with a trailer to get a Class A license. A Class B applies to most DP's and you test with only the RV but also makes you legal to pull a toad.

WM

Planocat · 05-21-2014, 01:54 AM

"Also, I advise getting a Class B license. You'll need to test with a trailer to get a Class A license. A Class B applies to most DP's and you test with only the RV but also makes you legal to pull a toad."

WM[/QUOTE]

Guess I got lucky...... applied for a class A non-CDL, took the driving test in my MH. The subject of trailer over 10,000 lbs never came up. In fact, the subject of any trailer was never raised. Figured with all procedures identical for A and B
I'd go for the A and downgrade to B if the trailer behind the motorhome came up at the road test. Again, I may have gotten lucky, but I have yet to hear of anyone who was required to take the test for this type of license with any size of trailer behind their motorhome. I'm sure a CDL license would be a different deal. Took my test in Plano.

Your results may vary..... but I doubt it.

Xanso · 05-21-2014, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srx-6

The information above refers to a CDL (Commercial Driver License). Page 3 of the South Dakota CDL (Commercial Driver License) handbook states drivers of recreational vehicles used for personal use do not need a CDL (Commercial Driver License)

You are correct SD does not require a special license for RVs.

ElJefe · 05-21-2014, 07:38 AM

Thanks - didn't know SM didn't do Class A or Class B. Will definitely go to Seguin then. Not that far from me & my wife went to school there anyway (TLU).

Will likely get the Class B first. I won't have my own MH to take the test with (the subject of this thread) and I don't have a trailer > 10K either. (Mine's under). Once I get the class B, then the MH, I'll likely flat tow the Jeep & put the Gold Wing up on the Hydralift. If that ends up changing, that will be down the road & I can take my MH to the Class A test.

Thanks again all.