I was surprised to learn that folks still believe that RVs are exempt from cdl requirements.

While is true the the federal cdl rules exempt rvs, many states have adopted their own cdl requirement for rvs.


n most states, RV operators are listed under the exemptions

Check this list to find out if your state requires a CDL.

3 states require a cdl for rv with combined over 26k
16 states require a cdl for varying conditions of gvwr involving rv’s

http://changingears.com/rv-sec-state-rv-license.shtml

is my 20k 5th camper pulled by my 14k truck exempt???? Depend on the state.


is my 30k flat bed and 14k truck that pulls my personal racing cars exempt???? Depends on the state.

most states allow RVs with a class D. Some states require class A or B for over 26k. Class D only, not good enough in those states.

 

Nobody here is driving to Hawaii.

Pretty sure every one avoids DC for the obvious traffic congestion reasons. Plus its relatively small in area.

Indiana and Wisconsin only require a CDL if the RV is longer then 45ft. Very few own an RV longer then 45ft. Very very few of them out there.

So the conclusion is RVs are exempt from CDL except in DC.

🙄

 

Each state will recognized the other, So if you were so inclined to drive throught DC with your rig you could.

But why? There is no place to park. So the beltway is as close you will get to DC. Most of that is either Maryland or Virginia.

Maryland is RV exempt up to 26K then you need a non commercial CDL,

 

Here is how they spell it out in the People’s Republic of New York:

https://dmv.ny.gov/commercial-driver...lass-c-license

Changes for Drivers with Current Class D Licenses.

A driver with a Class D license can now operate a passenger vehicle, a limited use automobile, or:

· A truck with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 lbs. or less. (Before, a Class D driver could only operate a vehicle with a GVWR of 18,000 lbs. or less.), and

· A truck with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less that tows another vehicle, and the other vehicle has a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less, and

· A truck with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less that tows another vehicle that has a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs., but the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of the two vehicles together must be 26,000 lbs. or less.

A driver with a Class D license can now operate a personal use vehicle (for example a rental vehicle or a recreational vehicle or RV) with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 lbs. or less that tows another vehicle that has a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or more, but the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of the two vehicles together must be 26,000 lbs. or less.

Note: The requirement for an "R" endorsement (Class D or Class E license) to operate a recreational vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more remains in effect.



My interpretation of the above 3 scenarios… a class D license is good for:

1. A single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs or less

2. A vehicle towing a trailer where the Tow vehicle GVWR is 26,000 or less, and the trailer GVWR is 10,000 lbs or less. (Theoretically the total combined weight could be 36,000 lbs.?)

3. A vehicle towing a trailer where the Tow vehicle GVWR is 26,000 or less, and the trailer GVWR is more than 10,000 lbs. and the GCWR of the 2 is 26,000 lbs or less.

When I asked about the R endorsement at my local DMV, they told me it was for large motorhomes.

Here is my situation: I have a Ford F-350 with a GVWR of 11,400. I would like to tow a 5th wheel trailer with a GVWR of 16,500. It has two 7000 lb axles meaning anything over 14,000 lbs must go against the F-350 cargo capacity as pin weight.

Hypothetically… if I loaded the trailer to the max GVWR while not exceeding the axle rating and connect it to the F-350. Taking this combination to scales to get it weighed shows the truck weight, with the 5th wheel connected, comes in right at the Truck GVWR of 11,400. The trailers axles show 14,000 for a combined weight of 25,400 lbs.

Is that the correct way to determine GCWR of the two vehicles together? I think in that situation that a Class D license is valid because the combined weight of the 2 vehicles, when loaded at their max GVWR’s, is less than 26,000 lbs.

 

I think the gotcha will always be the combined gvwr.

as quoted below from your extract.



“ but the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of the two vehicles together must be 26,000 lbs. or less.”

 

I'm having trouble finding how to calculate GCWR for 2 vehicles.
Simply adding GVWR isn't valid without accounting for the Pin Weight which must be factored in the Tow vehicle GVWR.

 

If you're not in a scale situation you'l probably be OK. A roadside stop by law enforcement most likely entails the officer adding up the GVWR for each of your registrations to determine where it is in relation to the 26k threshold.

 

Pin weight is not part of the combine gvwr rating math.

 

In this example I’m getting 27900 as the max rated gvwr. So in my state, you could not drive it with just a class D license.

the actual weight is irrelevant if the scale weight is below the the combined gvwr and a violation if above the combined gvwr

 

That is the rub.
Both vehicles loaded to the max based on GVWR and keeping GAWR in mind can't exceed 25,400 going down the road together.

 

The GAWR seems irrelevant to the CDL requirement. GCWR Is the weight rating of the truck, plus the weight rating of the trailer. As in, what you could theoretically load everything to, plus the empty weight of everything. Therefore your Gross Vehicle Weight.... Rating. Its theoretical but for the paperwork. You might be registered for less. But that total paper capability is your GCWR. Taken right off the plates on your vehicles. The gross axle weight rating could only get you if they are weighing you. Often its impossible to legally achieve gross weight rating while staying withing gross axle ratings or axle weight limits by state. Commercially speaking. I have been out of the trucking business for years but I maintained my class A because my boat is 9' wide. They will never bother you. Until they do. And then it could be very costly. I have not done so yet but at some point I will tow my boat between Florida and N.J. When I do Ill find out what the various state requirements for over-sized loads are. Anything over 8'6" is considered over dimensional. Its "only" 6" right. But if your in a state that has a permit requirement and some clown runs into you. You could be in a costly situation as you are now illegally transporting your trailer. Maybe your insurance co decides not to pay on those grounds. Many states have severely costly fines which they are literally joyous to inflict on the trucking industry. Even for minor paper infractions.
Mostly no one bothers private citizens. But in this day of revenue generation it seems to me its cheap insurance the make sure your paperwork is legal wherever you travel.

 

smoke and mirrors!

 

And I don’t worry about it, because there is an RV exemption in my home state.......so your home state has to honor it! End of discussion.

 

In that case, neither do I. I've had a Class A CDL for over 30 years.

 

It absolutely is as simple as adding the two ratings together. Non-CDL towing commercially: the two CGWR cannot exceed 26,000 pounds. If your truck (like mine) has a GVWR of 14,000 pounds, the maximum GVWR camper you can pull (TT or 5er) is 12,000 pounds. CDL towing commercially, of course, does not have this limitation. Pulling privately, in most states, is not subject to this regulation.