We have been fulltimers for a whole 2+ months now.  Through all my years of researching to finally hitting the road, it was only last week that I learned I had to have a Class B driver license here in Texas.  I was amazed that I had not heard of this before.  Why a CDL Class B exempt/non-commercial driver license, to be more exact?  Because our combined weight (tow vehicle + RV) is over 26,001 pounds.  Having been taught how to drive by one of the world's best ice road truckers, Glyn Carson (RV Driving School), driving is no problem at all for me.  I'm very comfortable with driving... and love it!  However, I was not crazy about having to take a written driver license test.  It stressed me out just thinking about it, and the burden became heavier each time the thought crossed my mind.  Having been out of school a number of years , I had no idea how much I would retain... or not retain.  So, I read through Section 14 (only section necessary for study) of the CDL section (online) a couple of times before heading to the DMV to take the written portion of the test today.  Luckily, the office was pretty much empty.  I walked in, filled out a couple of quick forms, answered some questions, took my mug shot, and off to my assigned computer I went to take the 20 question multiple choice test.  I sat down, began touching the screen, and 8 minutes and 1 second later (to be exact) I was finished.  For the results, you must stay tuned...

Having missed only 3 out of 20... I passed!

The moral of the story is... if I can do it, so can you!

What ever state it is, them's the rules. When our time comes, if we have to have a class A of B or C license to operate then that's what we'll get.  Gotta take a different test than the standard rules of the road? Just show us  the book we have to study.  No big deal, just sayin'. Like Jo & Craig say... you can do it!

South Dakota does not require any class of license other than the normal class C. We just got back to Texas after purchasing our HDT truck in Michigan, driving it to South Dakota thru the winter storms, to get it registered and deal with some other issues.
One of those issues was that our mail forwarding company, Alternative Resources, has been bought and the new owner has changed the name to Dakota Post. along with the name change is an address change to a larger facility. It's the same great staff to work with though!
Since we were in SD, we went to change our addresses on our drivers license, drove the HDT to the licensing agency, got up to the window and asked the gentleman if there was any upgrade I needed to drive the HDT. He asked if it was commercial or not, and how it was registered, non-commercial and registered as a motorhome requires nothing other than a normal drivers license.

The NON-CDL Class “A” or “B” license is a common requirement in many states now.  Barb’s comments very pertinent.   

In GENERAL, you need a Class “A” NON-CDL for trailers when the combined weight of the rig (the truck plus the trailer) exceed 26,000 lbs.  A Class “B” is required for a single vehicle (i.e. a Motorhome) if the rig weighs over 26,000 lbs.

Don't forget about the air-brake endorsement if you have air-brakes on the motorhome or HDT.  That's a separate section on some of the tests and you have to make sure you take that section of the written if required.

Some states require a Class “A” if the TRAILER weights over 10,000 lbs.

A Class "A" is good for Class "B" driving. But a "B" is not good for Class "A" operations.  Good reason, the Class "B" test has nothing about towing a trailer on it.

None of these weights are the rating of the vehicles.  They are what the vehicles weigh on a scale and have nothing to do with registrations or declared weight.

There have been a lot of discussions about this on this forum in the past and in general these are the facts. The requirements are determined by your state of residence.  Not the state you are driving in.  If you don't need a Class "A" in your state of residence then you are good in all 50 states.

In my state, for example, pulling my rig with a Class “C” (i.e. a “car” driver’s license) is the same as driving without a license and it is the same for many states.

Most DMV Driver’s License offices are clueless about this as pertains to RVs and I actually had to walk the examiner through the law until she said, “yep, your right.  Go take the CDL written test and I’ll give you the driving test.”

Again, the part where you read in many handbooks that RVs are CDL exempt is for the CDL, as in Commercial License, part.  Not the CLASS of license, as in “A” or “B”, part.

Check your state of residency and don’t believe anything an RV salesman tells you about the laws.

On edit: The following link may be helpful but check out your state specifically.  I did find some errors here in the past.

 http://changingears.com/rv-sec-state-rv-license.shtml

Barbaraok wrote:

---

It isn't just a book test, you also have to do a driving test. In some places in Texas the examiners require you to parallel park, in others they don't. Depends upon where you take your license. Livingston (and Tyler) don't require the parallel parking, just backing up in a straight line.

Bill and Linda,

The weights are the rating weights, not the scale weights. It is based upon the MOST weight that your vehicle COULD be, not what it is. Written test for Class A and Class B is the same. Difference is usually the driving test with a trailer on behind. HOWEVER, if your hitch on a MH will allow you to pull a trailer > 10K, then Class A is what you should get. Still the same driving test for a MH.

Barb

---

Barb, I left out the detail of 10K behind a motorhome just to keep it less complicated as few tow 10K behind a MH. But yes, that is correct a MH with a 10K+ toad requires a Class “A”.  And yes, it is a driving test as well, not the old "Chauffer's" license written I used to have. 

At least in my state, if you are over 26,000lbs scale weight, for example, you need a Class “A” (non-CDL) regardless of what the weight GVWR sticker or registration says.  If you are over the registration weight, that is another fine and another subject.  And how much you have to register weight wise is different in different states and I can site examples. For example: NC only cares about the weight on the truck for registration – not the weight of trailer. I.e. you don’t have to count the weight of an RV trailer on the RV axles, but you do have to count the RV pin weight on the truck.  If it is a boat – not an RV you - have to register the truck for the full weight of the boat trailer. I say all this to say “It depend” on the state.)

But the DOT, in many states, is concerned with what the rig weighs, not what the vehicle is placarded for as far as what driver’s license is required.

Perhaps Texas is different and that could well be.  But the overall point is, a lot of RV drivers are diving without a proper (legal) license and that is my point and if you are stopped, or worse have an accident, it could be a major issue.  I know SC and CA are getting to be sticklers about this – the Class “A” / “B” thing.  Check your state – they are not all the same.

Glenn West wrote:

---

Well, then all new generation duallys drivers need it. All are rated over 26000#.

---

 For a truck + trailer combo,  only if the trailer is rated at > 10,000#.   If so, then in Texas the answer is yes a Class A is needed.   

Barb

To clarify once more as to what I said pertaining to what Driver’s License is required. This not related to the registration weight.

If you are stopped, as people have been by a DOT officer with a set of scales and he finds your combined weight is over, for example over 26,000 lbs, and you don’t have the appropriate license for your state then he can turn you in for Highway Patrol enforcement.  They do work in teams. 

That has been the fact in some states as reported.

If you are lucky and live in a state that does not require more than a car DL excellent.  Or if your state has different rules, also excellent. But as the officer in charge of the DOT in our state capital told me over the phone when I investigated this, for our state, my comments are correct as stated and other states are starting to check on this more closely, especially with big rigs.

I am just trying to save someone from having a problem.  We all are free to do our own research for our particular state.

-30-

Glenn West wrote:

---

I have never seen scales on a private camper. Can't say it has never happened but I have never witnessed it. Several on commercial though.

---

You will.

The Junkman wrote:

---

Glenn West wrote:

---

I have never seen scales on a private camper. Can't say it has never happened but I have never witnessed it. Several on commercial though.

---

You will.

---

 Don't know about that. I'm 58 now and never seen it. Traveled over lots of this country.