Do You Need a Special License to Drive an RV?

When you see a big luxurious RV driving down the highway, it’s pure to marvel, ‘do you need a special license to drive an RV?’ With trendy motorhomes being comparable in measurement to semi-trucks, it’s a official query to ask. 

For most RVs, you’ll solely want a legitimate driver’s license to hire an RV and drive it legally, however some states or RV sorts would require a business driver’s license (CDL) or one other sort of particular license. 

Whether you’re trying to hire a category A motorhome with Good Sam RV Rentals otherwise you’re purchasing for a large RV your self, right here’s what you could find out about driving and maneuvering leisure autos.

What Are The Different Types of RVs?

If you’re new right here, let’s start with an summary of the assorted RV sorts and courses:  

Motorized RVs

• Class A RVs: The largest motorhomes, typically stretching as much as 40 ft lengthy. 
• Class B RVs: The most compact motorhomes and the greatest choices for van life.
• Class C RVs: The “Goldilocks” of motorhomes. Most are simpler to drive than class A RVs whereas providing extra facilities and room than class B RVs.

Towable Campers

Towable campers embody journey trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and pop-up campers. Truck campers are type of in their very own class, however they nonetheless depend on you having a truck that may deal with the camper’s weight. 

Because a lot of these campers require a truck or SUV rated to tow them safely, you’ll usually solely want a category C driver’s license to tow them. However, some states do require further licensing for driving bigger towables over a sure weight. 

What is a Special License?

Driver’s licenses may be damaged into business and non-commercial classes. Most of us acquired a non-commercial class C license once we accomplished our driver’s check except we took the additional time to get a category M license for working bikes. 

But there are business licenses (CDLs) that you could be must drive an RV legally in your state.

Commercial License Types

• Class A CDL: For mixed business autos with a gross mixed weight score (GCWR) exceeding 26,001 kilos, as long as the towed automobile weighs greater than 10,000 kilos.
• Class B CDL: For single business autos with a gross automobile weight score (GVWR) exceeding 26,001 kilos or towing a business automobile weighing lower than 10,000 kilos.
• Class C CDL: Different from a non-CDL class C, this license is required for single autos with a GVWR of fewer than 26,001 kilos, a towed automobile weighing lower than 10,000 kilos, or a automobile transporting 16 or extra passengers.

Certain states might use totally different letters for licenses which have comparable necessities. Your state DMV’s web site is your greatest useful resource for licensing necessities in your space. 

Which States Require a Commercial License to Drive an RV?

It’s necessary to acknowledge that whereas some RVs meet these weight standards, RV stands for “recreational vehicle” – not “commercial vehicle.” If your RV weighs lower than 26,000 kilos, you received’t want a CDL in any state. 

If it weighs greater than 26,000 kilos, right here’s a breakdown of the state CDL necessities that apply to only a few RV homeowners and renters.   

Which States Require a Special Non-Commercial License to Drive an RV?

Even in the event you don’t want a CDL in your house state, you should still want a particular license to function an RV or a towable camper. If your RV weighs lower than 26,000 otherwise you’re towing lower than 10,000 kilos, you most likely don’t want a particular non-commercial license. 

If your leisure automobile doesn’t meet these standards, right here’s a listing of further necessities in sure states. 

Which States Don’t Require a Special License to Drive an RV?

It’s basically all the remaining! But if you wish to make sure you’re within the clear, right here’s the listing of states the place no business license is required to function any leisure automobile: 

How to Avoid Getting a Special License to Drive an RV

Whether you’re serious about renting or talking with a Camping World Personal Shopper about shopping for an RV, there’s one easy answer to keep away from needing a particular driver’s license: go along with a smaller sort of RV. Camper vans, compact class C RVs, and small towable campers are the most effective choices you probably have much less expertise driving a bigger automobile or towing a trailer. 

Here are just a few extra assets that will help you study driving and maneuvering RVs into campsites: 

Once once more, examine along with your native DMV to make sure you meet all licensing necessities for driving an RV. And get conversant in these RV guidelines, rules, and highway restrictions to arrange to your subsequent highway journey. 

Did you need to get a particular license to drive an RV in your state? Tell us about your expertise within the feedback beneath!

Tucker Ballister is a Technical Content Writer for Camping World and a lover of the open highway. You can try extra of his adventures and out of doors recommendation at thebackpackguide.com.