Non CDL Class B License

[c1anchor]

So here's something I haven't seen discussed before, and wanted to bring this to other's attention.
My wife found a story about a fellow RVer who had gotten a ticket in my home state of Texas for an improper license for his rig. He had a class C license and his coach was over 26k. According to a new Texas law, there is now a non commercial class B license available to RVers for larger rigs.
Just putting this out there for those of us who drive or pull the larger RVs.
Safe travels

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by c1anchor

So here's something I haven't seen discussed before, and wanted to bring this to other's attention.
My wife found a story about a fellow RVer who had gotten a ticket in my home state of Texas for an improper license for his rig. He had a class C license and his coach was over 26k. According to a new Texas law, there is now a non commercial class B license available to RVers for larger rigs.
Just putting this out there for those of us who drive or pull the larger RVs.
Safe travels

I don’t believe that is a new law and there are a bunch of states that require a special license over 26k GVWR. SC is one of the worst I’ve seen requiring a Class E for 26k without towing or a Class F for 26k towing a trailer or TOAD.

[Lt Keefer]

My Texas class c license which I've had forever says it is good for a single or combination vehicle with GVWR equal to or less than 26,000 pounds. So it's not a new law.

[happy]

If you drive bigger equipment it pays to know what combination requires what license. Our farm community is learning this as farm trucks are now mostly tractor trailer rigs and many farms need to drive longer miles from home.
Maybe this is helpful to some here. https://trailandsummit.com/does-a-cl...ck-your-state/

[simidrm]

Would that apply to someone from Ohio that doesn’t require any special lic, that would travel to Texas or a state that has that law, just curious I have a commercial class a anyway.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by simidrm

Would that apply to someone from Ohio that doesn’t require any special lic, that would travel to Texas or a state that has that law, just curious I have a commercial class a anyway.

You drive based on your home states license.

[Dan-sr@perra-us.net]

Originally Posted by happy

If you drive bigger equipment it pays to know what combination requires what license. Our farm community is learning this as farm trucks are now mostly tractor trailer rigs and many farms need to drive longer miles from home.
Maybe this is helpful to some here. https://trailandsummit.com/does-a-cl...ck-your-state/

Ok so my 31' ACE towing a Jeep gladiator requires a CDL in Wisconsin. RV 31' towbar 3' Jeep 18' total 52' Wisconsin requires a CDL for anything longer than 45' so with a 31' motorhome if your toad is longer than 11' you need a CDL. That is 31' + 3' + 11 = 45' That means even towing a 2 door jeep wrangler that is nearly 14 ' long towed by any RV longer than 28' would need a CDL even for a Class C motorhome.

I think that makes Wisconsin the worst. Since you could be well under 26,000 Lb and still need a CDL if you exceed 45' in total length.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Dan-sr@perra-us.net

Ok so my 31' ACE towing a Jeep gladiator requires a CDL in Wisconsin. RV 31' towbar 3' Jeep 18' total 52' Wisconsin requires a CDL for anything longer than 45' so with a 31' motorhome if your toad is longer than 11' you need a CDL. That is 31' + 3' + 11 = 45' That means even towing a 2 door jeep wrangler that is nearly 14 ' long towed by any RV longer than 28' would need a CDL even for a Class C motorhome.

No. Vehicle itself over 45 feet. Go to the Wisconsin DMV site. The following is an exemption statement.

“Recreational vehicle operators (owned or leased motor home, fifth wheel mobile home or touring mobile home, provided it isn’t longer than 45 feet) not engaged in commercial activity.”

https://cdlguide.wi.gov/

[macdaddy1111]

Have yoi bought rig yet? Says still looking in profile?

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by Lt Keefer

My Texas class c license which I've had forever says it is good for a single or combination vehicle with GVWR equal to or less than 26,000 pounds. So it's not a new law.

Got my class "C" DL when I moved to TX 6 years ago. Unfortunately TX requires 85 year olds and better to renew their class "C" every two years and no online renews. I guess they think I have to walk-in, talk to the clerk and pass the eye exam to renew my class C.


It is not a bad as seeing an AME for a CFI and scheduling BFR every two years, I guess; but it is still a pain. Hope the DPS computer system doesn't go down like it did last week and I need to reschedule.

[Dan-sr@perra-us.net]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

No. Vehicle itself over 45 feet. Go to the Wisconsin DMV site. The following is an exemption statement.

“Recreational vehicle operators (owned or leased motor home, fifth wheel mobile home or touring mobile home, provided it isn’t longer than 45 feet) not engaged in commercial activity.”

https://cdlguide.wi.gov/

I read that as total length. Ambiguity leaves an opportunity for an over zealous LEO to ticket you for improper license in the event you get stopped for some other reason.

[Jimbo56]

You guys are killing me with abbreviations!

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Dan-sr@perra-us.net

I read that as total length. Ambiguity leaves an opportunity for an over zealous LEO to ticket you for improper license in the event you get stopped for some other reason.

How you read it doesn’t matter in the slightest. It’s how the state law is written that matters. Any questions can be answered by the folks at the respective DMV office. They will know far more about their laws that the “experts” on any forum.

[powerboatr]

Originally Posted by Lt Keefer

My Texas class c license which I've had forever says it is good for a single or combination vehicle with GVWR equal to or less than 26,000 pounds. So it's not a new law.

yes and we that drive rigs over 26k have a non com class b
i get a break on insurance .. i think they use it like a defensive driving class credit ?


anyway to OP this has been discussed for years here, but the last few its been not in the top 100 for sure


i have never heard of a LEO giving a ticket for not having it...but they can
and i assume some have received such violations


its an easy test, and drive portion... i had to parallel park a 40 foot bus

now that was funny

[c1anchor]

LOL that is funny! I'm going to go get the license even if it's for grits and shins. I'm a retired truck driver who had a Class A with tanker and hazmat endorsement for forty years. They took it when my med card expired and I didn't really care. I figure it might be fun to mess with the man a little bit!

[powerboatr]

Originally Posted by c1anchor

LOL that is funny! I'm going to go get the license even if it's for grits and shins. I'm a retired truck driver who had a Class A with tanker and hazmat endorsement for forty years. They took it when my med card expired and I didn't really care. I figure it might be fun to mess with the man a little bit!

the one thing that was weird ...was no AIR check required IMO the air check should have been number 1 on the list of DOs



i bet lots of folks driving rvs with air brakes have no idea what it is or how to do it




but parallel parking cracked me up she had white lines on a strip in a parking lot. i had to wedge into the spot
at the time , i thought i will never have to do this in real life, a few months later heading to south texas i had to parallel park at a rest area of all things

[c1anchor]

I agree. I basically do a DOT precheck before we roll every morning just out of habit. I cringe at the thought of those who just jump behind the wheel and blast off without at least a quick walk around. I think the license is more of a formality. And at least a step in the right direction for folks with very limited experience. I'd recommend it.
Safe travels!