Class A non-commercial license

[ramair455]

NC requires a Class A license for a diesel pusher (over 26K pounds), but nobody at the NCDOT or the local DMV seems to know what is involved. They hear "Class A" and go into CDL mode requiring me to show up with a tractor-trailer. I got rid of my rig 20 years ago. Does anyone have experience dealing with NC and their complete lack of knowledge about their own rules? I'll need the license in order to drive the RV off the lot.

 

[Laura & Charles]

Welcome to the forums! I don’t know any state that requires any kind of special license for a private RV.. I believe there’s one state that requires something for a rig with air brakes, but pretty sure it’s loosely enforced.

 

[rvlifer]

Pa had a similar requirement but only for towables and most dmv employees were equally as clueless. I finally stumbled on one who knew the requirements. You were tested on parts of the commercial requirements. They required you take a drivwrs test with a trailer but it didnt have to be a tractor trailer. Check with employees at the locations that do commercial dl tests. They should know more than the avg dmv worker

 

[Lou Schneider]

Welcome to the forums! I don’t know any state that requires any kind of special license for a private RV.. I believe there’s one state that requires something for a rig with air brakes, but pretty sure it’s loosely enforced.

Nevada has a similar requirement for a non-commercial Class A license for any rig over 26,000 lbs GVWR. Interfered with a Class A I wanted to buy from out of state a while back. I could take the written test in Pahrump but first had to show proof of owning a rig requiring that license. The driving test for a Class A license was only held in North Las Vegas so I would have had to hire a Class A driver to take the motorhome to the DMV office there. I couldn't drive it there myself.

 

[uchu]

NC requires a Class A license for a diesel pusher (over 26K pounds), but nobody at the NCDOT or the local DMV seems to know what is involved. They hear "Class A" and go into CDL mode requiring me to show up with a tractor-trailer. I got rid of my rig 20 years ago. Does anyone have experience dealing with NC and their complete lack of knowledge about their own rules? I'll need the license in order to drive the RV off the lot.

I'm not sure about NC, but here, in Ontario, the requirement applies to vehicles over 24,000 lbs (10,000 kg). That's combined RV plus toad, in the case of a motorhome.

The MTO office here ask you to show up with a truck 5-ton truck or above for the road test, after passing the written (screen) part of the test, in order to get the proper licence. So renting a U-Haul truck for the test would do the trick. The requirements are the same than those for a commercial licence.

 

[SuwanneeDave1]

Did the dealer tell you that you needed that license?

 

[Hvactech]

Here in Tx a Claas A or B NON-CDL is required for any private vehicle or combination with over 26001 GVWR. It's confusing cause the class C book says RVs are exempt but the CDL handbook spells out the EXCEPTIONS to the exemptions. Look at the NC CDL handbook and I bet its all there.
It was no big deal, written test over a few chapters then a driving test towing my 5er. I was told by a friend that does safety audits of trucking companies for the State that the Feds give extra hwy dollars to states that have this license upgrade.

 

[Fyrflie]

Found this on the web. For those that didn’t know.
Relates to RV operations.
I know first hand that in California, the average DMV employee will have little or no knowledge about special licensing. As suggested above, contact the commercial division and you may get some useable information.

 

[Utclmjmpr]

MOVE TO UTAH !!!

 

[95f5334j]

I believe there’s one state that requires something for a rig with air brakes, but pretty sure it’s loosely enforced.

.... until someone is involved in an accident insurance claims are voided for lack of compliance!

 

[Robert K1]

NY over 26000 lbs on motor home needs an R endorsement.
No test for permit but a road test for endorsement

 

[Kirk]

I don’t know any state that requires any kind of special license for a private RV.

There are 17 states that require some kind of special license for a private RV, depending on the size and weight of the RV.
Special RV Driving Licenses by State

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Welcome to the forums! I don’t know any state that requires any kind of special license for a private RV.. I believe there’s one state that requires something for a rig with air brakes, but pretty sure it’s loosely enforced.

Check the state licensing requirements and I think you will find you are mistaken. Depending on how you define "special license", about 17 states some some requirement above and beyond a private passenger car license. Weight, length, and air brakes are some of the criteria that may lead to the need for special licensing.

Here are a couple sites that summarize the requirements by state:

https://escapees.com/do-you-need-a-special-license-to-drive-an-rv/

https://www.rvezy.com/blog/rv-drivers-license-requirements-usa

 

[ramair455]

Did the dealer tell you that you needed that license?

The NCDOT website does. But it provides no further information beyond saying you need one.,

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

.... until someone is involved in an accident insurance claims are voided for lack of compliance!

That's a myth. The insurance covers both the vehicle and the operator, even if the driver has no license at all, e.g. a teenager joy riding or a thief. About the only thing that could cause denial of coverage is fraud in your application for the insurance, and even then the basic liability near always remains in effect (because the state's insurance regulators insist on it). So unless the insurer asked if you are properly licensed in your state and you lied, there is no fraud.

What can happen, though, is that your defense in any lawsuit is drastically weakened because you are legally not qualified to safely operate the vehicle. The settlement awarded might well exceed the limits of you liability policy.

 

[Kirk]

NC requires a Class A license for a diesel pusher (over 26K pounds), but nobody at the NCDOT or the local DMV seems to know what is involved.

As I look at the NCDOT website, it appears that you do need a CDL.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

NC requires a Class A license for a diesel pusher (over 26K pounds), but nobody at the NCDOT or the local DMV seems to know what is involved. They hear "Class A" and go into CDL mode requiring me to show up with a tractor-trailer. I got rid of my rig 20 years ago. Does anyone have experience dealing with NC and their complete lack of knowledge about their own rules? I'll need the license in order to drive the RV off the lot.

Know what the NCDOT & DMV rules say and ask to speak to a supervisor if the clerk goes off the script. They aren't all oblivious.

 

[Ronniem1]

NC requires a Class A license for a diesel pusher (over 26K pounds), but nobody at the NCDOT or the local DMV seems to know what is involved. They hear "Class A" and go into CDL mode requiring me to show up with a tractor-trailer. I got rid of my rig 20 years ago. Does anyone have experience dealing with NC and their complete lack of knowledge about their own rules? I'll need the license in order to drive the RV off the lot.

I have taken the NC non commercial class a license test and got my non commercial class A. You have to read the CDL manual. You only have to read the General knowledge, Airbrakes and combination section of the manual. Your test is only 50 questions and you can miss 10 and still pass the written test. The driving test is a regular driving test to show that you can drive a big/ heavy vehicle and or pull a big trailer. The driving test is simple and easy. The CDL manual is the only study guide for the written test. You tell the DMV that you want to get a class A or a Class B normal license. Class B driving test is the same without pulling a trailer and written test don't have and towing questions. Their is no pre trip or med card required. You might have to go to different DMVs to get to someone who know what you are talking about.

 

[ramair455]

I have taken the NC non commercial class a license test and got my non commercial class A. You have to read the CDL manual. You only have to read the General knowledge, Airbrakes and combination section of the manual. Your test is only 50 questions and you can miss 10 and still pass the written test. The driving test is a regular driving test to show that you can drive a big/ heavy vehicle and or pull a big trailer. The driving test is simple and easy. The CDL manual is the only study guide for the written test. You tell the DMV that you want to get a class A or a Class B normal license. Class B driving test is the same without pulling a trailer and written test don't have and towing questions. Their is no pre trip or med card required. You might have to go to different DMVs to get to someone who know what you are talking about.

Thank you. I guess I'll have to find someone who will loan my their RV to take the test. I hate making friends.

 

[Laura & Charles]

Check the state licensing requirements and I think you will find you are mistaken. Depending on how you define "special license", about 17 states some some requirement above and beyond a private passenger car license. Weight, length, and air brakes are some of the criteria that may lead to the need for special licensing.

Here are a couple sites that summarize the requirements by state:

https://escapees.com/do-you-need-a-special-license-to-drive-an-rv/

https://www.rvezy.com/blog/rv-drivers-license-requirements-usa

Thanks Gary and I stand corrected. Thought I was relaying something I had read… thought wrong.