I didn't quite know where to put this - Howard, move it to a more appropriate place if there is one.
For those of you contemplating going full-time (or already are) and establishing domicile in Texas, there have been some changes to the Class A/B Non-Commercial Exempt driver's license procedures. This applies only to those with rigs that exceed the weight criteria for a regular Class C driver's license (see link below):
Previously, one had to go to a CDL (commercial driver's license) testing location to take the skills (driving) test. While "streamlining" (read: making things more complicated for the consumer) and bringing their requirements and processes into alignment with the Department of Transportation, Texas DPS has reduced the number of these CDL testing sites to 25 statewide - and it's a BIG state! The good news is, they have separated the exempt license skills testing from the CDL sites and there are now 114 sites that can/will do the skill test for the exempt licenses we RVers need (see link below):
Now for the confusing part: one can take the written test on a walk-in basis, but the skills test must be scheduled on-line. The only problem is that, when you click on one of the locations to schedule a test, the only options are "Regular Car / Pickup Truck" or "Commercial Vehicle." (Some locations only offer the "Regular Car / Pickup Truck.") What is found nowhere on the DPS web site is the fact that you need to schedule a driving test for a "Regular Car / Pickup Truck." If you take the written test before scheduling the driving test, the driving test location will have paperwork for you when you walk in and will know that you are there for the Class A or Class B skills test (you will need to take this test in your rig).
This took me two months and an in-person visit to a Texas DPS driver's license office to discover - and then only because a very helpful lady told me! All phone numbers for local offices are now shunted to Austin and all emails go to Austin - where you will receive canned responses that don't answer your questions.
I hope someone finds this helpful. Let me know if I can answer any other questions.
PS - the material covered on the written exam is from Section 14, "Special Requirements," of the Texas CDL handbook which can be found on-line and downloaded.
Rob
-- Edited by Second Chance on Friday 5th of May 2017 12:52:49 PM
RonC said
12:33 PM May 6, 2017
The Texas Class A non CDL renews every 2 years. Since this is my first time to go thru this, what happens at the renewal time? Is it a full blown test with skills or just an eye test like the class C was?
RonC said
12:35 PM May 6, 2017
BTW,
Thanks Rob for all the great info on this. Much appreciated.
Second Chance said
01:29 PM May 6, 2017
RonC wrote:
The Texas Class A non CDL renews every 2 years. Since this is my first time to go thru this, what happens at the renewal time? Is it a full blown test with skills or just an eye test like the class C was?
Actually, the Class A/B exempt licenses renew every six years (same as your class C). They have to be renewed in person (walk-in OK) to make sure you can still see and walk on your own, but it's my understanding that nothing but the eye test has to be repeated. When I was in the office for my written, an older man (at least older than me...) came in to renew his. His wasn't due to expire for a month or two, but they were leaving the state and wouldn't be back in time. They just checked his eyes in the little tester thingy there, did the paperwork, and renewed his license. The first time around your Class A/B will expire on the same date as the Class C you surrendered - in my case, February, 2022.
Rob
Barbaraok said
01:32 PM May 6, 2017
The Texas Class A/B can be renewed BY MAIL at the first 6 yr point, then in person at the next one. You can not renew online because you have to submit a notarized exemption statement. Dave renewed his by getting the statement notarized at a DMV facility in Yakima, WA and sending it in.
Barb
Second Chance said
01:37 PM May 6, 2017
Barbaraok wrote:
The Texas Class A/B can be renewed BY MAIL at the first 6 yr point, then in person at the next one. You can not renew online because you have to submit a notarized exemption statement. Dave renewed his by getting the statement notarized at a DMV facility in Yakima, WA and sending it in.
Barb
Thanks for that clarification, Barb.
Here's a link to a sticky over on the Escapees' forum - a member put together a very good FAQ write-up on the topic (with posts at the end about recent changes on locations, etc.):
My assumption about the 2 year renewal was based on my getting the class A in 2016 and the renewal is on my birthday in 2018. That was probably the renewal on my class C, which I already knew was every 6 years. Thanks for schooling me up😄
I didn't quite know where to put this - Howard, move it to a more appropriate place if there is one.
For those of you contemplating going full-time (or already are) and establishing domicile in Texas, there have been some changes to the Class A/B Non-Commercial Exempt driver's license procedures. This applies only to those with rigs that exceed the weight criteria for a regular Class C driver's license (see link below):
https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/dlClasses.htm
Previously, one had to go to a CDL (commercial driver's license) testing location to take the skills (driving) test. While "streamlining" (read: making things more complicated for the consumer) and bringing their requirements and processes into alignment with the Department of Transportation, Texas DPS has reduced the number of these CDL testing sites to 25 statewide - and it's a BIG state! The good news is, they have separated the exempt license skills testing from the CDL sites and there are now 114 sites that can/will do the skill test for the exempt licenses we RVers need (see link below):
https://www.dps.texas.gov/administration/driver_licensing_control/rolodex/cdlExemptVehTestSites.htm
Now for the confusing part: one can take the written test on a walk-in basis, but the skills test must be scheduled on-line. The only problem is that, when you click on one of the locations to schedule a test, the only options are "Regular Car / Pickup Truck" or "Commercial Vehicle." (Some locations only offer the "Regular Car / Pickup Truck.") What is found nowhere on the DPS web site is the fact that you need to schedule a driving test for a "Regular Car / Pickup Truck." If you take the written test before scheduling the driving test, the driving test location will have paperwork for you when you walk in and will know that you are there for the Class A or Class B skills test (you will need to take this test in your rig).
This took me two months and an in-person visit to a Texas DPS driver's license office to discover - and then only because a very helpful lady told me! All phone numbers for local offices are now shunted to Austin and all emails go to Austin - where you will receive canned responses that don't answer your questions.
I hope someone finds this helpful. Let me know if I can answer any other questions.
PS - the material covered on the written exam is from Section 14, "Special Requirements," of the Texas CDL handbook which can be found on-line and downloaded.
Rob
-- Edited by Second Chance on Friday 5th of May 2017 12:52:49 PM
Thanks Rob for all the great info on this. Much appreciated.
Actually, the Class A/B exempt licenses renew every six years (same as your class C). They have to be renewed in person (walk-in OK) to make sure you can still see and walk on your own, but it's my understanding that nothing but the eye test has to be repeated. When I was in the office for my written, an older man (at least older than me...) came in to renew his. His wasn't due to expire for a month or two, but they were leaving the state and wouldn't be back in time. They just checked his eyes in the little tester thingy there, did the paperwork, and renewed his license. The first time around your Class A/B will expire on the same date as the Class C you surrendered - in my case, February, 2022.
Rob
Barb
Thanks for that clarification, Barb.
Here's a link to a sticky over on the Escapees' forum - a member put together a very good FAQ write-up on the topic (with posts at the end about recent changes on locations, etc.):
http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?/topic/125345-texas-class-a-or-b-license-upgrade-faqs/
Rob