CDL Requirements?

[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by Okplowboy

My home state of Oklahoma exempts all RV's from the typical 26,001 lb. maximum weight before a CDL is required. Some states require one. If questioned on the issue in those states, what documentation, if any, should I carry to prove I'm legal with my regular OK. DL? Has anyone ever been confronted with this situation?

You carry your OK driver's license.

I have driven all over this county with an Alaskan DL for the past 6 years and have never been confronted by a LEO for anything.

My rig is 72 feet in length and have driven through numerous states and Canadian Providences where the commercial regulation is 65 feet max which BTW does not apply to RV's.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[JoeB1]

MH are exempt from length restriction?

[Dr4Film]

Find me a federal or state regulation that specifically addresses combo RV & Tow vehicle length that is NOT a commercial regulation?

I know there are specific roads in CA where 45 foot motor-homes are not allowed but the state of CA has a web site listing where those specific roads are located.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[Dale & Mark Bruss]

Find me a federal or state regulation that specifically addresses combo RV & Tow vehicle length that is NOT a commercial regulation?

Road dimensional regulations (length, width, height, and weight) are functions of the state as the state owns the road, not the registration state.

Commercial codes only cover commercial vehicles.

That would require 51 searches of State Code databases. If you want that, do it yourself. You could start with the Towing Guide. Before you dismiss that is for trailers, the RV length limits are for motorhomes with trailers as well as trucks with trailers.

In general 65' overall for a rig is the norm. Some states are longer. Some states have a restriction on a motorhome/bus at 45'. This is from my research for the requirements on when an exempt CDL (non-CDL) license is required for an RV, State Lists of RV License requirements.

Here is a descriptive document from Texas, Length Limits

[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by Dale & Mark Bruss

Road dimensional regulations (length, width, height, and weight) are functions of the state as the state owns the road, not the registration state.

Commercial codes only cover commercial vehicles.

That would require 51 searches of State Code databases. If you want that, do it yourself. You could start with the Towing Guide. Before you dismiss that is for trailers, the RV length limits are for motorhomes with trailers as well as trucks with trailers.

In general 65' overall for a rig is the norm. Some states are longer. Some states have a restriction on a motorhome/bus at 45'. This is from my research for the requirements on when an exempt CDL (non-CDL) license is required for an RV, State Lists of RV License requirements.

Here is a descriptive document from Texas, Length Limits

I am not attempting to be argumentative BUT....

States do not own the Dwight Eisenhower Interstate System which travels through 48 states.

I've already done the research!

When looking at any of the "towing" guides they reflect the commercial codes for each state which again do NOT pertain to private RV's.

I realize there are different driver's license requirements for RV's in various states but I am specifically referring to combo towing regulations not driver's licenses.

In all of my research I have yet to find specific regulations that refer to combo lengths for RV's. If there are someone please post where.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[mpierce]

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

I am not attempting to be argumentative BUT....

States do not own the Dwight Eisenhower Interstate System which travels through 48 states.

I've already done the research!

When looking at any of the "towing" guides they reflect the commercial codes for each state which again do NOT pertain to private RV's.

I realize there are different driver's license requirements for RV's in various states but I am specifically referring to combo towing regulations not driver's licenses.

In all of my research I have yet to find specific regulations that refer to combo lengths for RV's. If there are someone please post where.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Did ONE Google search. This was at the top of the list:

Good Sam Camping

Shows RV Motorhome and Trailer and Overall length restrictions, by state, for RV's!

[Dale & Mark Bruss]

States do not own the Dwight Eisenhower Interstate System which travels through 48 states.

Your premise is wrong. The Interstate Highway System (which is in all 50 States and the District of Columbia BTW) is built by the state using 90 percent funds from the Federal Government is the road is free or 50 percent funds for a toll road. In the District, it is 100 percent Federal. The Interstates are built to a Federal standard but they belong to the state.

The Interstate Highways and many US Highways fall into a category called the National Road Network which was established in 1995 along with the establishment of the CDL (which is a Federal License for all intents and purposes) to make the movement of commercial vehicles across the country uniform. Before that, there were problems like Maryland with a 55' limit on I-95, the major East Coast Artery.

The recommendation for non-commercial RVs on the National Network is 65' rig length. The individual states generally accept the Federal recommendation on the National Network but can have exceptions.

Off the National Network, it is strictly what is in the state codes. A good example is in the Camping World guide in the post above. It states for Maryland the limit is 55' which is for Maryland roads. On the National Network roads, 65' is accepted and that is in the Maryland Codes 24-104.1 (m)(2)(i).

In Michigan, a 75' double RV trailer is allowed since 2007 so the Camping World Guide is a little behind.

So

I've already done the research!

means you have more to do.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by MnTom

I would suggest you check with your state's DMV. I know of no state that requires a Commercial Drivers License to drive or tow an RV unless you are delivering them for a living. Many states do require a NON commercial license appropriate for the vehicle driven.

What Tom said!

[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by Dale & Mark Bruss

So means you have more to do.

Yep, you're right!

Dr4Film ----- Richard