Do Rvs want a extra License?

Okay, so you went out and did what you've wanted to do for the last dozen years, you mortgaged your house, your kids, your cat and your neighbors and purchased that Recreational car (Rv) that you have had your eye on at the local dealership.

Not Your median Vehicle

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What type of car did you purchase? The chances are good it's not your median Rv. If you've been waiting and accumulating savings for the vehicle, it's likely that it is going to be one of those monsters that's built on a bus chassis and is certainly a bus in everything but name. Believe it or not, since it is carefully an Rv, it is exempt from extra licensing requirements, either you've driving this type of rig or not. So, there's no federal requirement, and at the state level it seems like a patchwork quilt with some states not requiring anything other than a suitable license and still others requiring one or two extra endorsements for your shiny bus/Rv.

At least, that's what you will find underneath the shiny Rv outside and lovely and very home multi-room interior with its driving compartment, living space, dining space and eating space - a very large bus chassis. Driving a car this big would seem to wish extra training sessions but it's not a requirement.

Here's where it gets a bit sticky. The Federal Motor Carrier Bureau, the folks that monitor the industrial Driver's License (Cdl) program, have some very definite guidelines about when you have to get a Cdl to drive a large vehicle.

Cdl Requirements

According to the federal program, if a vehicles Gross car Weight Ratio (Gvwr) on the rear axle is more than 26,000 pounds, then it's an automatic. You will have to get a Cdl to drive your Rv. This would be especially true if you are driving a 38-foot or longer converted bus chassis. The same is true if you are using a fifth wheel Rv - a fifth-wheel is the long trailer that has an overhang and requires a extra pickup bed-mounted trailer hitch. If your truck can take the pounding - you will probably need at least a three-quarter-ton or larger pickup, likely with a tandem rear axle - and the fifth wheel meets the 26,000-pound requirement, then a Cdl is required.

It is true that you can play with the figures so that the Gvwr on the rear axle is less than 26,000 pounds, but here is where the states may get you. There are definite requirements that, while you do not have to get a Cdl to use your Rv or fifth-wheel, you will still have to meet.

States Get Into Act

Here's a list of some of the requirements you will have to meet in some states to drive your Rv or fifth wheel:

California: If the car is longer than 40-feet but less than 45-feet, you will need a Class B state endorsement to your license Wisconsin: A Cdl is required if your Rv is longer than 45 feet Texas: A extra endorsement is required if your fifth-wheel trailer Gvwr is 10,000 pounds South Carolina: Requires a Class E or F license endorsement if the car is more than 26,000 pounds Gvwr New York: A extra R endorsement is required for your license. Nevada: A extra J license endorsement is required is you car is less than 10,000 pounds Gvwr on the rear axle New Mexico: A extra Class E endorsement is required. Maryland: A extra Class A or B endorsement is required. Kansas: Requires a extra Class A or B endorsement to your license Illinois: A extra A, B or C endorsement is required for vehicles over 10,000 pounds Gvwr Hawaii: A extra Class 4 endorsement is required to drive a car over 15,000 pounds Florida: A extra Class E endorsement is required. Connecticut: A extra Class 2 endorsement is required for car over 10,000 pounds Gvwr

From this list it's quite evident, that the Cdl isn't required by most states for R Vs or fifth-wheels that are under the 26,000-pound rule, however, the states, themselves, have imposed their own limits and requirements. The reason, quite frankly, motor car safety authorities assert, is that driving potential varies all over the map.

Differing Abilities

The Cdl is the federal government's exertion to originate uniform safety standards for big rigs over the country. For example, if you usually drive double-bottoms (tandem trailers), then you will have to take a extra test for that. And, there are other requirements for drivers who usually haul hazmat materials.

Yet, even though the Cdl is available, it still doesn't cover drivers with differing abilities. For example, there are drivers on the road who can barely maneuver a single-tractor rig who are now required to handle double-bottoms and there are fifth-wheel Rv drivers who can barely handle the suitable orchad trailer. Standardized tests such as the Cdl - it is made up of two parts, written and driving - exertion to bring some order out of this mayhem, but, it's nearly impossible to result the millions of trailer and big rig drivers.

The states, in an exertion to promote safety, have imposed their own set of requirements for expert drivers, however states such as Rhode Island have exempted Rv drivers from Cdl or extra endorsement requirements. All you need is a suitable Class D license and you're on your way.

Short Answer

So, the short rejoinder proposed for this story is that the requirements for R Vs and fifth-wheel trailers vary over the country for non-professional drivers, while professionals are required to get the Cdl (Certified Driver's License) from the government.

Here's a hint that few will like but which will heighten safety on roads all over the nation. Make the Cdl the suitable either you're a pro or an Rv driver. At least, the playing field will be level at the start and, who knows, the Rv driver may learn a thing or two about safety car handling, loading, braking and driving.

Do Rvs want a extra License?