What States Require a Cdl to Drive a Motorhome

If you're looking at a 22,000-pound Class A motorhome and wondering, "Are they actually gonna allow me drive this thing?" then you're non alone!

When purchasing a motorhome or renting an RV, 3 common questions are:

• Practise I need a special license to drive an RV?
• Which RV class needs a special license?
• Do I demand a CDL to drive a Class A motorhome?

You lot may even be wondering if you need a specialty CDL or other certification. Or can you really only bulldoze an RV with a regular motorcar license?

Here'southward the simple answer:

By and large, no, you don't need a special driver'south license to drive an RV.

According to current laws across all 50 states, if your motorhome weighs less than 26,000 pounds or your trailer weighs less than 10,000 lbs, you do non need a special license to operate.

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Exercise I Demand a Special License to Drive an RV?

That means unless you're the pilot of a Form A motorhome the size of a bout bus, you're probably exempt from RV license requirements. Class A's can weigh every bit little as 12,000 pounds to as much as xxx,000+!

Thankfully, nearly no Form B or Class C motorhomes weigh more than 26,000 pounds. Most Class C's counterbalance 12,000 – 12,000 pounds; Form B'southward, even less.

Most towables weigh less than 10,000 pounds. Nonetheless, some destination trailers, park models, luxury fifth wheels and mega-sized toy haulers exceed that limit.

If you lot exceed the limit, and so in nigh states:

• You demand a Class B license for a single-vehicle over 26,000 pounds
• A Grade A license (universal CDL) to drive a combination of vehicles that weigh over 26,000 pounds

In that location is a difference betwixt a commercial and non-commercial license (more on that afterwards).

Please recall!The weight is based on the actual towed weight and/or GVWR (sometimes whichever is greater), non necessarily just the GVWR or factory weight!

If your camper trailer weighs 8,700 pounds dry and y'all add i,500 pounds of gear, your towable rig at present weighs 10,200 pounds and you would exist required to possess a special license in many states!

Wondering how much your camper weighs? If you don't own an RV yet, you can get a good idea of common weights at the commodity, "How Much Do Campers (Really) Weigh?"

RV Driver's Licensing FAQs

What Near Maximum Length and Width of an RV?

Generally, driving or towing excess weight requires a special license. Driving or towing an excessive size may crave a special allow.

All states have rules regarding the maximum length of bumper-pull, fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers in add-on to rules regarding maximum length (tip-to-tail of combined vehicles).

States besides have rules regarding maximum height and width. In fact, these limits can even change past route type! In some states, the maximum height on the Interstates and major highways is 14 feet, but in other areas the maximum pinnacle may be but 13.v feet. In older areas of the state where low urban underpasses are mutual, individual roads may limit height to less than 10 feet!

In mountainous areas, many roads take maximum size stipulations because of tight road turns, narrow lanes, low tunnel ceilings, and extended steep grades. Recollect, but because your truck was rated for "ix,000 lbs towing capacity" doesn't hateful it can tow 9,000 lbs charging upwardly a colina at 55 mph!

So in improver to agreement licensing requirements, you should double-check that your rig doesn't require an oversize permit and special routing!

You should read our guide to driving an RV for the first time, where we dissect restrictions about RV width, height, length, and weight!

Once more, thankfully, oversize RVs are somewhat rare. However, exceptionally big motorhomes, fifth wheels, park models, and travel trailers may fall outside the norm.

If your towable camper is wider than viii′, taller than 12.5′, or longer than 32 feet, you should carefully plan your route and double-check country and local road restrictions and conditions! You may exist required to obtain an oversize allow.

Also, if your combined tow vehicle + trailer length is greater than 60 feet, you should carefully plan your road and double-check state and local route restrictions and weather! You may be required to obtain an oversize permit.

If your motorhome RV is wider than 8′, taller than 12.v′, or longer than twoscore anxiety, you lot should carefully program your route and double-cheque local and land route restrictions and conditions! You lot may exist required to obtain an oversize permit.

For a full listing of size restrictions by state, run across the AAA Digest of Motor Laws.

Information technology is important to understand that licensing requirements are set by states! If you accept questions, delight speak direct with your state Department of Motor Vehicles.

If you lot're driving a "schoolie" bus conversion capable of conveying more than 16 passengers, you may exist required to possess a special driver's license likewise.

To larn more about the dissimilar types of RVs and campers, visit our RV types guide here!

RVIA Advocacy for Driver Requirements

You lot tin give thanks the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) for making the RV lifestyle so accessible. Here'southward what RVIA advocates:

The RV Industry Association opposes any additional requirements other than a machine driver's license to operate an RV.

RVIA goes on to merits that RV drivers are among the safest drivers on the road, that they are non stressed, neither hurried nor impatient, conscientious and quietly defensive.

… which means that RVIA has plainly never towed a 32-ft travel trailer through the Chesapeake Bay tunnel with my spouse.

What About a Special License to Drive an RV in Canada?

Good news! As long as you meet the requirements of your dwelling house state, you lot're free and clear in Canada. If you live in Canada, of grade, y'all are required to see Canadian provincial and federal requirements.

Commercial Commuter's License

When discussing driver'south license requirements for large RVs, the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) topic often follows closely behind. To answer common questions near the CDL, nosotros accept compiled the following summary:

• CDL is administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Condom Administration (FMCSA)
• FMCSA defines minimum requirements that all states must meet when issuing CDL'southward
• States are complimentary to define more stringent CDL rules
• FMCSA regulations only accost [an error occurred while processing this directive]s (CMV)
• RV's used strictly for recreational and other non-commercial functions practise not run across the FMCSA definition of a CMV

Federal Class A & B CDL Requirements

Disclaimer: All content equally is, no warranty. More than »

FMCSA defines several CDL classes based on vehicle weight, type, and cargo. While most states donon require a CDL for driving large RV's, some do crave special not-commercial licenses structured after the federal classification. The 2 classes applicable to RV'south are A & B, which are divers below:

• Class A: Any combination of vehicles with a GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in backlog of 10,000 pounds.
• Course B: Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle non in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.

Application and blessing requirements also vary by land. For instance, in some cases, RV drivers may be required to pass a Class A knowledge exam only not the total route test.

If y'all are non sure what the various weights mean, please see Understanding RV Weights.

RV Land Driver'due south License Requirements

Individuals operating big motorhomes oft enquire if a special driver'south license is required. Because driver's licenses are issued by each state (and Washington D.C.), the rules vary.

We have researched RV driver'due south license requirements for all fifty states plus D.C. and compiled the summary below.

Our primary source of data were the official driver's license web sites for each jurisdiction. In cases of bereft or conflicting data, nosotros chosen the appropriate departments to ostend.

For our full chart, see beneath! Otherwise, here is the abbreviated version:

The post-obit states require a Class B CDL commercial driver'southward license for single vehicles over 26,000 pounds; most require a Form A CDL commercial driver's license for combined vehicles that weigh more than 26,000 pounds.

• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• Hawaii
• Kansas
• New Mexico
• Washington, D.C.
• Wisconsin:

The following states require a non-commercial driver's license or RV endorsement. Requirements vary by state.

• California
  • Class B license: 26,000+ lb or over 40 ft
  • Grade A license: towing over 10,000 lbs
• Maryland
  • Class B license: 26,000+ lb
• Michigan
  • Recreational Double "R" Endorsement required in order to tow a fifth wheel and a trailer
• N Carolina
  • Form B license: single vehicle 26,000+ lb
  • Class A license: combined vehicle weight 26,000+ lb
• Nevada
  • Class B license: single vehicle 26,000+ lb
  • Course A license: combined vehicle weight 26,000+ lb;
  • "J" Endorsement required to tow a vehicle over 10,000 lb
• New York
  • Recreational Vehicle or "R" endorsement required for vehicles 26,000+ lb
• Pennsylvania
  • Class B license: single vehicle or combined vehicle weight 26,000+ lb
• S Carolina
  • Class E license: single vehicle 26,000+ lb
  • Class F license: combined vehicle weight 26,000+ lb
• Texas
  • Class B license: unmarried vehicle 26,000+ lb
  • Class A license: combined vehicle weight 26,000+ lb
• Wyoming
  • Course B license: vehicle 26,000+ lb and towing under x,000 lb
  • Course A license: vehicle 26,000+ lb and towing over 10,000 lb

Source: RVIA Special Driver's License Requirement sheet.

Other states do not require a special driver's license for an RV, normally due to an exemption in state constabulary.

List Last Updated: June 19, 2021

Land Driver'south License Summary

This department contains a summary of not-commercial RV driver's license requirements of the fifty states plus Washington D.C.

Legend:

State – State or Washington D.C. code CDL – Indicates if CDL is required for not-commercial RV's Special – Indicates if special commuter's license is required DL – Abridgement for "driver'southward license" Review – Appointment of information review Information Confidence Levels:  – High, documents specific or confirmed with officials  – Medium, confirm with your state  – Low, confirm with your state  – Incomplete information or still researching

> – Greater than Y – Yes N – No k – 1,000

State	CDL	Special	DL Spider web Site	Comments	Review
AK	N	N	DL Web Site		January 8
AL	N	N	DL Web Site		Jan 8
AR	N	Due north	DL Spider web Site	Driver's license transmission states that a Class D license is valid upwardly to 26,000 lb GVWR. We confirmed by phone that the Course D license is valid forall RV's.	Jan viii
AZ	Northward	N	DL Web Site	Driver'southward license and CDL manuals imply that a CDL is required above 26,000 lb GVWR. Still, A.R.Southward. 28-3102 exempts RV'south from CDL requirement.	Jan fourteen
CA	N	Y > 10k lb or > twoscore′	DL Web Site	Motor homes over twoscore′ but not longer than 45′ crave not-commercial Class B. Trailers over 10,000 lb GVWR and fifth wheels over 15,000 lb GVWR require non-commercial Grade A. Run into Recreational Vehicles and Trailers Handbook.	Oct 08
CO	N	North	DL Web Site	While CDL manual states that a CDL is required for trucks to a higher place half-dozen,500 lb, we confirmed by phone that CDL isnot required for any RV.	Jul 05
CT	North	Y > 10k lb	DL Web Site	Class two license required for trailers higher up x,000 lb	Jul 05
DC	Y > 26k lb	N	DL Spider web Site	According to officials, a CDL is required in a higher place 26,000 lb. Must pass the CDL knowledge test, but the route test isnot required.	Jan 06
DE	Northward	Due north	DL Web Site		Jun eleven
FL	N	N	DL Web Site	Driver'southward license manual states that a Class E license is valid upwards to 26,000 lb GVWR. Even so, Florida statute 322.53(2)(d) exempts all RV'due south from CDL requirement, regardless of weight.	Jan 14
GA	N	Y > 26k lb	DL Web Site	Grade E or F required over 26,000 lb.	Nov xvi
Hullo	Y > 26k lb	Y > 15k lb	DL Web Site	Class 4 license required for trailers weighing more than than 15,000 lb and less than 26,000 lb. CDL implied in a higher place 26,000 lb.	Jul 05
IA	North	North	DL Web Site		Jul 05
ID	N	N	DL Spider web Site		Jul 05
IL	North	Y > 16k lb	DL Web Site	Above 16,000 lb GVW, or towing above 10,000 lb, requires non-commercial Class A, B or C.	Aug 07
IN	Y > 45′	Due north	DL Web Site		Aug 09
KS	N	Y > 26k lb	DL Web Site	Above 26,000 lb GVW requires non-commercial Course A or B	Feb 14
KY	N	N	DL Web Site		Jul 05
LA	Northward	Northward	DL Web Site		Jul 05
MA	N	N	DL Web Site	Commuter'south license manual states that a Grade D license is valid up to 26,000 lb registered weight. We confirmed past phone that the Grade D license is valid forall RV'due south.	Jul 05
MD	N	Y > 26k lb	DL Spider web Site	Above 26,000 lb requires non-commercial Class A or B	April 20
ME	N	Northward	DL Web Site		Jul 05
MI	Due north	Y > 1 trailer	DL Web Site	"R" endorsement required if pulling two trailers	Jul 05
MN	Northward	Due north	DL Spider web Site		Jul 05
MO	N	N	DL Web Site		Jul 05
MS	N	N	DL Spider web Site		Jan xiv
MT	N	Northward	DL Spider web Site	Driver's license manual states that a Form D license is valid up to 26,000 lb GVW. We confirmed by phone that the Class D license is valid forall RV'southward.	Jan 14
NC	Northward	Y > 26k lb	DL Web Site	Above 26,000 lb GVWR/GVW requires non-commercial Course A or B	Jul 05
ND	Due north	N	DL Web Site		Jul 05
NE	Due north	Due north	DL Web Site		Jul 05
NH	N	Northward	DL Web Site	Driver'south license manual states that a Grade D license is valid up to 26,000 lb GVW. We confirmed by phone that the Class D license is valid forall RV's.	Jan 06
NJ	North	North	DL Web Site		Jul 05
NM	N	Y > 26k lb	DL Web Site	Above 26,000 lb GVW requires class Due east. See sections 18.nineteen.5.30 and eighteen.xix.5.112 in TRD Publication xviii.18 & 18.nineteen NMAC.	Oct 08
NV	Due north	Y > 10k lb	DL Web Site	When towing trailer above 10,000 lb GVWR, requires "J" endorsement. In a higher place 26,000 lb GVWR/GVW requires non-commercial Grade A or B.	Jul 05
NY	Due north	Y > 26k lb	DL Spider web Site	Above 26,000 lb GVWR requires "R" endorsement. A new law enacted 7/2005 has eliminated the non-CDL class C. See The Emptying of the Not-CDL Class C License.	Jan 07
OH	Northward	N	DL Web Site		Jul 05
OK	North	Due north	DL Web Site		Jul 05
OR	N	North	DL Web Site		Jul 05
PA	N	Y > 26k lb	DL Web Site	Above 26,000 lb GVWR/GVW requires non-commercial Class A or B	Sep 09
RI	N	N	DL Spider web Site	According to DL officials, above 26,000 lb GVWR or [an error occurred while processing this directive] requirescommercial Form A or B. However, RI statute 31-x.3-xvi (5) speicifally exempts RV's.	Aug 07
SC	N	Y > 26k lb	DL Spider web Site	Above 26,000 lb GVW requires Grade Eastward or F	Jan 07
SD	N	N	DL Web Site		Jul 05
TN	N	N	DL Web Site		Sep 10
TX	N	Y > 26k lb	DL Spider web Site	Above 26,000 lb GVWR/GVW (while towing > 10,000 lb) requires not-commercial Class A or B	Jan 14
UT	N	N	DL Spider web Site	Besides run across theLicense Grade department in the Utah Investigators Vehicle Crash Report Instruction Transmission.	Jun 10
VA	N	N	DL Web Site	Information confirmed by a VA state trooper.	Jun 08
VT	N	Northward	DL Web Site		Jul 05
WA	Due north	N	DL Web Site		Jul 05
WI	Y > 45′	North	DL Web Site	RV exemption in CDL manual: "motor home, fifth cycle mobile home,…provided it isn't longer than 45 feet"	Jul 05
WV	North	N	DL Web Site		Jul 05
WY	Due north	Y > 26k lb	DL Web Site	Above 26,000 lb GVWR/GVW requires non-commercial Form A or B	Jul 05

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Source: https://changingears.com/rv-drivers-license-requirements/

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