Drivers License for a Class A Diesel-pusher RV - RV-Dreams Community Forum

RonandBee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Drivers License for a Class A Diesel-pusher RV

RonaldNC · RV-Dreams Family Member

RE: Drivers License Class A Endorsement

RonandBee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ron, it's the same thing here. I haven't done either yet, but I am reading the study manual. It sounds as if the driving part is pretty cut and dry. Thanks for the info!!

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

RE: Drivers License for a Class A Diesel-pusher RV

RonandBee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Barb, I agree! I used to drive a truck for an air freight company so I'm not too concerned about it. I'm just curious how many people out there had/have to do it. I will say though that my wife thinks otherwise. Hahaha She's really worried about the driving part. She's scared to drive our Yukon XL! Hahaha

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Practice, practice,practice that is what it takes!

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Along with Knowledge, Knowledge, Knowledge that really helps.

jlb27537 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I got my Texas Non CDL Class A back in 2003 or so. Had a F350/5th wheel. Took test in it. Written was basic stuff, 20 questions if I remember. Driving was just a few miles to show I did not run over anyone. Then had to parallel park the thing. No biggie.

The test and cost for a Non CDL Class A is the same as a Non CDL Class B in Texas. Just get the Class A and be done with it.

Jim

Flyerone · RV-Dreams Community Member

I was wondering how you get your RV to the DMV for testing, do they issue some sort of learners permit?

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've always driven whatever vehicle I'm being tested to the DMV office/facility. No one has ever questioned me in ???? years.

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Barbaraok wrote:
- if you can't pass them you shouldn't be driving a bigger rig.

Barb

BINGO................We have a Winner!

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Flyerone wrote:
I was wondering how you get your RV to the DMV for testing, do they issue some sort of learners permit?

In Texas they never ask how you got there. We took our test in Tyler, Tx because that is where we lived when we purchased the rig - large parking area in front where they had you back up and then a big circle drive through town and back out that had you on urban streets, 2-lane FM road, 4-lane freeway, and back to a county road. And no parallel parking. Other places ask you to parallel park a motorhome.

Barb

RonandBee · RV-Dreams Family Member

As Barb wrote previously, and I say this all the time even with people driving cars, if you can't drive it, you shouldn't by it. I can't tell you how many times I've watched somebody pull in, or pull out of a parking spot, in a Smart Car sized vehicle and would swear they thought they were driving an 18-wheeler.

I did find out over this past weekend though, which I'm going to verify with the DMV today, is that if you're not going to drive commercially, i.e., get paid to drive, you do not need an endorsement on your license here in Nevada. I have to go to the DMV today anyways so I'll ask while I'm there just to be certain.

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think that you will find in Nevada you don't need a CDL, but you do need one of their higher endorsements DL - and I do know a couple of people who said that the examiners were not at all nice towards RVers getting their licenses and that they bragged about RVers having to do it at least twice to get the license. Not what I would consider a friendly attitude.

You might want to look at this: www.dmvnv.com/pdfforms/dlbookabj.pdf

Barb

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

RonandBee wrote:
As Barb wrote previously, and I say this all the time even with people driving cars, if you can't drive it, you shouldn't by it. I can't tell you how many times I've watched somebody pull in, or pull out of a parking spot, in a Smart Car sized vehicle and would swear they thought they were driving an 18-wheeler.

I did find out over this past weekend though, which I'm going to verify with the DMV today, is that if you're not going to drive commercially, i.e., get paid to drive, you do not need an endorsement on your license here in Nevada. I have to go to the DMV today anyways so I'll ask while I'm there just to be certain.

not just smart cars... BMW owners watch this http://www.bmwblog.com/2014/12/20/worst-driver-ever/... pull up a chair.... you won't believe it.

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

RonandBee wrote:
As Barb wrote previously, and I say this all the time even with people driving cars, if you can't drive it, you shouldn't by it. I can't tell you how many times I've watched somebody pull in, or pull out of a parking spot, in a Smart Car sized vehicle and would swear they thought they were driving an 18-wheeler.

I did find out over this past weekend though, which I'm going to verify with the DMV today, is that if you're not going to drive commercially, i.e., get paid to drive, you do not need an endorsement on your license here in Nevada. I have to go to the DMV today anyways so I'll ask while I'm there just to be certain.

Those registration fees there are crazy high in NV..Just moved to FL from Vegas..

It was over 1k a year for my pick up truck..

-- Edited by The Junkman on Monday 12th of January 2015 05:07:10 PM

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

biggaRView wrote:
not just smart cars... BMW owners watch this http://www.bmwblog.com/2014/12/20/worst-driver-ever/... pull up a chair.... you won't believe it.

UNBELIEVABLE...................My 4 year old Grandaughter could drive better than that. On that note, I do ride along with her when she wants to drive the Komatsu Forklift or the Bobcat. She's actually pretty good too. She'd rather do that than play with a doll.

A bit off track but I had to share....

RonandBee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Junkman, I totally agree, but I guess that's one of the reasons why there's no State tax, retirement is not taxed, etc. Gotta love all the visitors that pay my taxes for me! Hahaha We lived all over, FL, VA, PA, CO...VA was by far the worst for registration and taxes. We left VA about 13 years ago. I just traded in my Mercedes and that was running me about $1500 a year for the registration. On the other end of the spectrum, in PA it only cost $37 there. I was born and raised in PA, but I'd much rather be out here in the West.

So I went to the DMV today to transfer my plates from a car I traded in to the new car, and I asked about the Non-Commercial Class B license for a Class A RV, and the response was, "Um, I'm not sure, I don't think so, but let me look online." So after some looking, it says that "you need" to have a Non-Commercial Class B license. So I guess that answered my question. We talked to an RV dealer two days ago and he said, you don't need one of those. I guess when in doubt, get the license.

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

RonandBee wrote:
Junkman, I totally agree, but I guess that's one of the reasons why there's no State tax, retirement is not taxed, etc. Gotta love all the visitors that pay my taxes for me! Hahaha We lived all over, FL, VA, PA, CO...VA was by far the worst for registration and taxes. We left VA about 13 years ago. I just traded in my Mercedes and that was running me about $1500 a year for the registration. On the other end of the spectrum, in PA it only cost $37 there. I was born and raised in PA, but I'd much rather be out here in the West.

So I went to the DMV today to transfer my plates from a car I traded in to the new car, and I asked about the Non-Commercial Class B license for a Class A RV, and the response was, "Um, I'm not sure, I don't think so, but let me look online." So after some looking, it says that "you need" to have a Non-Commercial Class B license. So I guess that answered my question. We talked to an RV dealer two days ago and he said, you don't need one of those. I guess when in doubt, get the license.

Yea, I think it's all the same everywhere.. no taxes.. just add Fees and more fees.. Electric is outrageous there too.. Lot of states have no state taxes..Food is double.. Fuel is high..Insurance is crazy.. I guess it's normal being in a desert..and on a island..

Everyone gets as much as they can.

You said you are buying a new DP ? How much will that cost to register that? 8k a year? lol? It would have been like $3500 for my 5th wheel, I think.

We had a new 2013 rubicon out there.. cost us like $600/ year registration..

I guess if you have a ton of tax saving.. enough to cover all the inflated cost.. it makes sense.. I didn't have that kind tax savings there, so I don't know.

Colorado_Kid · RV-Dreams Family Member

In Colorado you don't need a special license.

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Colorado_Kid wrote:
In Colorado you don't need a special license.

Blows my mind to find a lot of places you do not require any special endorsements........Especially when it comes to the air-brake system not to mention the size & weight.

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

TRAILERKING wrote:
Colorado_Kid wrote:
In Colorado you don't need a special license.

Blows my mind to find a lot of places you do not require any special endorsements........Especially when it comes to the air-brake system not to mention the size & weight.

Usually because people fuss and fume about governmental regulations - "I have been driving all my life, I don't need no 'guvment' telling me what to do" - instead of realizing that the requirement is really good for everyone.

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

Driver testing and licensing is a good thing. I watched people fail their eye test, down here in "gods waiting room".. Sorry to say it. But someday you get too old to be driving .. period. Let alone a 45 foot DP.. Most of these folks do not know when it's time to stop driving.. so maybe it's a good thing , for all of our sake, that the goverment steps in and stops them.

I watch a guy in a escalade hit 2 cars in a walmart parking lot.. and keep going.. he never knew he hit them. he could have ran over a family of 5 , and never knew it. I'm sure they caught up to him. walmart folks was standing there laughing.

my .02

RonandBee · RV-Dreams Family Member

I personally have no problem getting my endorsement. The only issue I have is trying to find an answer here in my State. DMV couldn't even give me a for certain answer. Some RV dealers here say you don't need it, some say you do. So we're just going to err on the side of caution and go ahead and get the endorsement.

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

RonandBee wrote:
I personally have no problem getting my endorsement. The only issue I have is trying to find an answer here in my State. DMV couldn't even give me a for certain answer. Some RV dealers here say you don't need it, some say you do. So we're just going to err on the side of caution and go ahead and get the endorsement.

I gave you the link above for the information provided by the state in written form. That brochure is quite specific. RV dealers are the last place to find out specific information regarding (1) laws and (2) anything to do with RVs. DMVs are also notorious for having people at the front who have limited experience. If in doubt, ask for a supervisor and go armed with the printout of the brochure.

Talensnana · RV-Dreams Family Member

We live in Kansas and it was the same way here. The highway patrol did not know and it depended on who we talked to at motor vehicles the answer we got. The one answer everyone said was DO NOT get a CDL. Doing so would make you have to keep drive time logs and possible other restrctions in some states. So he got a class B license. This allows him to legally drive our RV but not have the same requirements of a CDL license.

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

The real "Waker-Upper" would be if not licensed and insured properly and get into an accident. Especially with fatalities involved.

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

TRAILERKING wrote:
The real "Waker-Upper" would be if not licensed and insured properly and get into an accident. Especially with fatalities involved.

Don't forget registered for your weight as well..in some states.

Vagabond · RV-Dreams Family Member

Interesting topic. How does this apply to people traveling through a state? I've never heard it mentioned before, now that I think of it. If my Wife and I pack up a 30'+ travel trailer, and want to tour the country, are there some states we just need to avoid, or get a "special license" for? Washington requires nothing, but I agree with the posts above. I hate Guvment' intrusion in my life as much as the next guy, but man oh man, some of the blue-hairs driving monstrous MH's and towing 5'ers scare me to death...
Regards, Kyle

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

As long as you are legal in your state, you are legal in all states because of drivers license reciprocity. That does not apply to lengths, double/triple towing, or weight requirements.

Barb

Vagabond · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the clarification, Barb. I can check one more thing off my list of concerns. I was wondering if I needed one of those foot long wallet fold outs, for all the special licenses. :) It's almost that bad for fishing or hunting here in Wa., but they are remarkably lax on RV's.

Kyle

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

California passed some laws about longer RVs, which caused all RVs made in California to be under 40'. They assigned a Highway Patrol person to keep track of RV issues. The guy would go to rallies and educate people, plus answer questions. His job was also to keep track of RV related issues in case they needed more laws, like special licensing. He found there really were no extra issues and now California doesn't seem to worry about it and eliminated the position as unneeded. Yes, there were accidents with RVs involved, but statistically there were less than trucks and others with special licenses. If California, which loves laws and regulations, found no cause for special licenses, why did Texas? I suspect that if you compare states with and without these extra endorsements, you will find little difference in real accident rates for RVs.
We can all sit around and come up with reasons for regulations and laws, but are the problems real or do they happen in reality? Plus there are those unintended consequences which seem to always come up. Prohibition is a great example of people thinking they were doing the right thing, but if you look at the history it was a horribly bad idea.

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

bjoyce wrote:
If California, which loves laws and regulations, found no cause for special licenses, why did Texas?

..................'CAUSE THINGS ARE ALWAYS BIGGER IN TEXAS! HAHAHA

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Actually those states that do have upgraded licenses are following the model the US DOT put out. I believe that there are some benefits for the states if they follow the national model. Don't know why California went with length, not weight. And since most people don't know about the specifics of those regulations, most people with bigger rigs will be driving with the incorrect licenses. Usually it is people who frequent RV forums, find out about the requirements and then get theirs - certainly not from information provided by RV dealerships.

Barb

nosoxsdon · RV-Dreams Community Member

Since I recently retired and sold my Tractor and Trailer, the state of Georgia let me keep my CDL-A but I signed a voluntary endorsement not to drive for hire so I wouldn't have to maintain my DOT physical.

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

nosoxsdon wrote:
Since I recently retired and sold my Tractor and Trailer, the state of Georgia let me keep my CDL-A but I signed a voluntary endorsement not to drive for hire so I wouldn't have to maintain my DOT physical.

Up here in Saskatchewan I have to get a medical done every three years to keep my Class 1A.

mpierce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Talensnana wrote:
We live in Kansas and it was the same way here. The highway patrol did not know and it depended on who we talked to at motor vehicles the answer we got. The one answer everyone said was DO NOT get a CDL. Doing so would make you have to keep drive time logs and possible other restrctions in some states. So he got a class B license. This allows him to legally drive our RV but not have the same requirements of a CDL license.

You only need to keep a log, IF you are driving a commercial vehicle. I have a CDL A. I do not keep logs when I drive my car, my pickup, or even my 48,000 Class A Bluebird.