Community Forums

Ice-Man · 12-02-2007, 03:01 AM

Hi All RVers
I am in the process of buying my first RV, favouring towards Winnebago Tour or Vectra as we plan to travel full time across America and then back to England. Now in England I have found out that they won't allow a MH of more than 12m into the country and I have to have a Driving License for HGV's (Heavy Goods Vehicle). What type of Driving License do I need in the States? Do you drive on regular licenses or do you have to take a particular test if your rv is over a certain weight or length and is this also affected if you tow another car? Not a size queen you understand, but I do like room to move around

Thanks in advance
Icey from Blighty

Ice-Man · 12-02-2007, 03:01 AM

Hi All RVers
I am in the process of buying my first RV, favouring towards Winnebago Tour or Vectra as we plan to travel full time across America and then back to England. Now in England I have found out that they won't allow a MH of more than 12m into the country and I have to have a Driving License for HGV's (Heavy Goods Vehicle). What type of Driving License do I need in the States? Do you drive on regular licenses or do you have to take a particular test if your rv is over a certain weight or length and is this also affected if you tow another car? Not a size queen you understand, but I do like room to move around

Thanks in advance
Icey from Blighty

lthrnk · 12-02-2007, 03:12 AM

Icey,

There is no requirement for special licensing here in the USA for operation of a motorhome. This has been discussed in prior threads here on the site, being a novice myself I had asked the same question. Go to the find button and type in licenses, etc. and you should be able to find the discussion.

RV Wizard · 12-02-2007, 03:16 AM

Our citizens do not need a special license to own and drive motorhomes and even towed vehicles across the country. I am not sure what wil be required by visiting RVers from abroad. What state are you looking to buy in? You might contact that state's drivers license dept.

Ice-Man · 12-02-2007, 03:26 AM

Cheers Guys - I am still learning how to use this site too - thanks Ithrnk as for state to buy in, It will depend on what and where the best deal is as I shall be ordering and paying from over here and will fly out to the States just before delivery. This is about the most flexible element of this purchase - lol

Route 66 · 12-02-2007, 04:04 AM

There is a bit of misinformation posted here.

Several states do in fact require a higher class of drivers license if the motorhome is over a certain weight or has air brakes.

However, one needs to be a resident of a state to obtain a drivers license.

Visitors to our country only need an International Drivers License, which is obtained in the visitors home country according to THIS web site.

Wingding · 12-02-2007, 06:17 AM

Ice-man,
If I were you...I would buy the motorhome in the state of Montana.........Alaska is probably not a good starting point. Delaware and I believe New Hampshire are going to be more costly for numerious factors-{East coast cost of living and all the stuff you pay for to put the RV on the road.. Which leaves only Oregon..and I am not up to date on their latest laws... Your best bet is to buy your motorhome out of the state of Montana... You will defenitely keep more of the Queen's Pounds in your pocket !!!

Wingding · 12-02-2007, 06:23 AM

Also Ice-Man,
I am not coming right out and saying it but if you wish, I will happy to have a private email disscussion on the subject.

You have all to gain with the least amount of headaches going through the state of Montana.
The benefits are many.
I will be happy to go over that with you.

Besides, it is a great state to visit !!!!

parmm · 12-02-2007, 07:30 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Route 66:
There is a bit of misinformation posted here.

Several states do in fact require a higher class of drivers license if the motorhome is over a certain weight or has air brakes.

However, one needs to be a resident of a state to obtain a drivers license.

Visitors to our country only need an International Drivers License, which is obtained in the visitors home country according to THIS web site. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Route 66 has it right!! Gave you the info you need and the right link!!
Pat

Sandman · 12-03-2007, 05:41 AM

Icy,
Greetings from The Virginia Grant of Thomas, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron.. all's forgiven please come back, and bring $$$$$

The issue of where to purchase an RV is more related to where to license the RV..

Our motor vehicle tax structure is very different than yours. First ours are all State taxes and no two are exactly alike.

Almost all states have a sales tax (Virginia is 3% on vehicles but some may be as high as 6 or 7%)The sales tax in most states is collected when the tags are issued by the Division of Motorvehicles (DMV), not at the RV store when the vehicle is sold. (the RV dealer may provide a service where they handle the DMV paperwork for you, called "tax & tags".. as in "New Car on sale for $xxxx.xx, tax & tags additional") And sometimes they will charge you a fee for the service.. (that is why Dealerships are called Stealerships sometimes)

This is the reason one needs to plan the purchase/titling/licensing state for a purchase such as yours..

For us Homeboys, we must register any vehicle in our home state, if/when we bring it into our home state and pay all fees that our DMV has been waiting for..

Ice-Man · 12-03-2007, 10:15 AM

Hi Guys and thanks for all your sound advice.
So there is also the issue of the taxes too! My word I can see why they might be called 'stealerships' I shall add this to my list of checks too.

Gary the Wombat · 12-03-2007, 04:32 PM

Ice-Man. We had another British visitor here about 6 months ago who also wanted to buy a MH here and then ship it to the UK.

The main problem he was unable to resolve was not the length issue, but the width. Most US built MHs are very close to 8ft 6in wide (259 cm). I believe the maximum width allowed in the UK is 255 cm, and that is generally non-negotiable. You had best check that out before making a purchase here, and then finding it illegal in the UK.

Here is a link that shows that size limitation:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/Wh...igations/DG_10037875

NeilV · 12-03-2007, 04:54 PM

You may want to contact LazyDays in Sefner, Florida. I believe they have agents who specialize in international sales. Even if you do not purchase from them you may be able to learn more accurate details about the process and requirements.

http://www.lazydays.com/

Regards,

Jo/Lee · 12-06-2007, 11:07 AM

Ice-Man,
I could be off the wall here but is renting or leasing a possibilty? It would certainly cost less and you wouldn't have the expense of shipping it back home or the problem of size back home.

Jo/Lee