I do not think this assumption is correct Tim.
I suspect your right Jackie.
Here is what i am understanding from everything i have read on here, on DMV sites and on actual state legislature.
1/ All states require you to have a Commercial Drivers Licence
(CDL) in various class' for vehicles over 26,000lbs GVWR/GCRW and/or if you are towing over 10,000lbs GVWR
2/ GVWR means Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. These weight ratings are determined by
federal standards established by the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986. PLEASE NOTE: even if your actual weight is under the limit but the rating is over the greater of the two (actual weight or GVWR) would be used. All vehicle manufacturers RV or otherwise are required to display GVWR information on the vehicle.
3/ These 33 states you
DO NOT need to have a "special licence" (CDL, endorsement or non-CDL) It has been waived for a recreational vehicle of private use (non commercial) when the weights are over 26,000lbs GVWR/GCWR and/or if you are towing over 10,000lbs GVWR:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia & West Virginia
some state legislation refers to H.R.3419 — 106th Congress (1999-2000) the right to waive in this case, Yet i cannot find any reference within the federal bill referring to recreation vehicles
4/ Each state and also Canada has reciprocity agreements (also known as unrestricted licences) with all of the other states to honor the home states licence. So if your home state (i.e. where your licence is from) if your home state is in the list above (3) you can drive ANY WEIGHT in any state and in Canada as long as it is a recreational vehicle for your own pleasure and NOT for commercial gain. With a normal drivers licence.
5/ States that
DO require you to have a "Special Licence" or CDL are listed in the table below with their requirements:
| State | CDL Required? | Special License Required? |
| Arkansas | Yes, CDL (Class B) required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; CDL (Class A) required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb | No |
| California | Yes, if over 40′ motorhome or towing 10,000lb+ travel trailer or 15,000lb+ 5th wheel | No |
| Connecticut | Yes, CDL (Class B) required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; CDL (Class A) required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb | No |
| Illinois | No | Yes, Non-CDL (Class B) required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; Non-CDL (Class A) required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb or towing over 10,000 lb; Non-CDL (Class C) a single vehicle over 16,000 lb but under 26,000lb towing under 10,000 lb |
| Kansas | Yes, CDL (Class B) required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; CDL (Class A) required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb | No |
| Maryland | No | Yes, Non-CDL (Class B) required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; Non-CDL (Class A) required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb |
| Nevada | Yes, CDL (Class B) required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; CDL (Class A) required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb | An Endorsement J is needed on any license to tow a vehicle over 10,000 GVWR. |
| New Mexico | No | Yes, a Class E (CDL exempt) License is needed for vehicles that are registered and used as RVs. |
| New York | No | Yes, Non-CDL (Class B) required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; Non-CDL (Class A) required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb requires an “R” recreational vehicle endorsement. |
| North Carolina | No | Yes, Non-CDL (Class B) required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; Non-CDL (Class A) required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb |
| Pennsylvania | No | Yes, Non-CDL (Class B) required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; Non-CDL (Class A) required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb |
| South Carolina | Yes, CDL (Class B) required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; CDL (Class A) required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb | No |
| Texas | No | Yes,Non-CDL (Class B) required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; Non-CDL (Class A) required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb |
| Washington D.C. | Yes, CDL (Class B) required for single vehicle over 26,000 lb; CDL (Class A) required for multiple vehicles with combined weight over 26,000 lb | No |
| Wisconsin | Yes, CDL required over 45 feet | No |
| Wyoming | No | Yes, Z endorsement authorizes the holder of a class C license to operate a recreational vehicle or combination of vehicles which have a GVWR 39,001lbs or more |
Hawaii not included
I cannot confirm Illinois as i cannot access Illinois DMV USA only residents
6/ Trains or double/triple towing is regulated by each state. Each state has its own laws and i feel it is another topic.
7/ Some states do reference "where the recreational vehicle is registered" but this is vague at best and does not clearly outline if the vehicle registry location has an impact on licence requirements.
8/ There is only "an agreement" (i cannot find the any form of this agreement only references to it.) that a UK drivers licence are good for 12 continual months at a time after the 12 months they would like you to get a USA licence. The agreement gives you the right to hire, drive and use a vehicle under your home countries licence there is no reciprocity agreement between USA and UK. Meaning your UK class 1 HGV means nothing in the USA or any UK class of licence. the agreement gives you the same rights as a basic USA drivers licence (quite good in some states as there are no limits on RV's in some states.) There are reciprocity agreements for other countries to exchange licence for equivalent types but this does not include the UK.:
9/ Gaining a USA drivers licence or at least reading stories of a foreigners gaining a driving licence remains a massive mystery to me. Most states require a SSN. Then if you manage to convince the DMV you don't need a SSN or go to a state where they allow licences for foreigners. If then you gain the licence the state is supposed make it temporary to match with the length of your stay i.e. the record on your I-94 arrival/departure record. Be aware this would not be a CDL type licence. You must have held your normal USA licence for 1 year before you can apply for any type of CDL or Non-CDL.
www.usa.gov
uk.usembassy.gov
