USA RV licence requirements

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Geoffc

Senior Member
As part of our US holiday we hired an RV for the first week. It was only a 25' standard class and I think I would get a 32' next time as the layout is much better. In the Uk a normal car licence allows you to drive up to a weight of either 7700lb or 16500lb depending on when you obtained it. For trucks and buses you need a different licence and test.

How does it work in the US as some of the big RVs must weigh a lot? Do you need a special licence for such things. Also do you need a special licence for trucks?


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Eyelight

Senior Member
No special license for a motorhome that is registered as a recreational vehicle. Seems like there may be a length limit of 45'.

Commercial vehicles require a commercial drivers license (CDL) and there are different classes depending on the vehicle. It can get a little gray depending on who owns the vehicle, who drives the vehicle, how far the vehicle travels, but generally a truck weighing 26,000 lbs or more and any truck with a 10,000 lb trailer requires a CDL.

A bus registered as a commercial vehicle (passenger bus or vehicle for hire) would require a CDL. There are buses (meaning same chassis as a passenger bus) registered as recreational vehicles that do not require CDL.
 
Browncoat

Browncoat

Senior Member
I used to work @ an RV dealership many moons ago. I would think that the place that rented the RV to you would've covered this if there were an issue...so I would assume you are in the clear.

Licensing in the US is governed by the individual states, so laws can vary by area. @Eyelight is correct. 26,000 GVWR (vehicle + cargo + passengers) is the breaking point for needing a CDL.

It's been awhile, but if memory serves, you don't get into that kind of weight class until the larger units with slide-out areas.
 
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Geoffc

Senior Member
Thanks for the replies Browncoat and Eyelight. I don't think I was in trouble on this trip as they only ask for a standard drivers licence, I was just wondering as a general rule if those really big RV rigs needed any special licence or if anybody could jump in and drive them. I just want to know how worried I should be as one comes towards me:) Some of the big rigs like this are 44000lb, so do you think that would still be ok if it wasn't commercial?
 
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Eyelight

Senior Member
Geoffc said:
Thanks for the replies Browncoat and Eyelight. I don't think I was in trouble on this trip as they only ask for a standard drivers licence, I was just wondering as a general rule if those really big RV rigs needed any special licence or if anybody could jump in and drive them. I just want to know how worried I should be as one comes towards me:) Some of the big rigs like this are 44000lb, so do you think that would still be ok if it wasn't commercial?
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I imagine there are a few that may not have the capability, but generally speaking most I pass or who pass me, seem to be handling the job. But licensing wise, a recreational vehicle only needs a standard drivers license in most states. Found a site that list the 50 US states RV licensing. Don't know how accurate it is, but does show there are some states that use weight or length.

RV Driver's License Requirements
 
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FastGlass

Senior Member
Yes here in the US it baffles me to think any dingaling can hop in a 45' motor home and travel the states with no training or additional license. And yet someone who wants to ride a motorcycle needs a road test.
 
Browncoat

Browncoat

Senior Member
FastGlass said:
Yes here in the US it baffles me to think any dingaling can hop in a 45' motor home and travel the states with no training or additional license. And yet someone who wants to ride a motorcycle needs a road test.
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Going back to the previously mentioned RV dealership I used to work at...

There were a lot, and I do mean A LOT, of new owners who couldn't even make it out of the parking lot without hitting something. It got to the point where they had to reorganize the entire dealership so that people had to drive further away from the building to avoid hitting it or other parked cars.
 
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Geoffc

Senior Member
Browncoat said:
Going back to the previously mentioned RV dealership I used to work at...

There were a lot, and I do mean A LOT, of new owners who couldn't even make it out of the parking lot without hitting something. It got to the point where they had to reorganize the entire dealership so that people had to drive further away from the building to avoid hitting it or other parked cars.
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LOL.


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Geoffc

Senior Member
It's funny that during my trip to the states I've been surprised at how relaxed certain rules are. The RV thing is one example. Another is in the national parks where the trails don't have barriers on many big drops and the park service simply says that safety is your own responsibility.

In the uk you need a licence for everything and barriers are everywhere.


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skater

New member
What us it with the internet where someone has to bring politics into any and all discussions? Are you really that insecure?
 
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weebee

Senior Member
I've been researching motorhomes for awhile now. If I were to get a large 45' Class A diesel pusher then I would need a CDL license to ensure I understood certain features that rigs this size share with tractor trailers.
 
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