Hooray, I am now legal!!!!

Chippendale · Feb 7, 2018

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w

unctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w

oNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w

ontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w

ontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> This afternoon, I was told that after 11 years of owning and towing 5th wheels, I can now do it legally. What a relief, now I don't have to worry every time I see a DPS Trooper. Today, I received my Texas CDL Class A "Exempt" driver’s license. I don't know how it is in other states, but in Texas you do have to have a Class A license to legally tow a "large" trailer/5th wheel. The law reads in so many words, if the GVWR weight of the trailer you are towing is in "excess" of 10,000 lbs, you must add your trailer's total GVWR weight to the total GVWR of your truck and if the combined weight is in excess of 26,001 lbs you need a Class A license. It doesn't matter if the truck is a dually or a single rear wheel 1/2 ton, it is the combined weight that is the determining factor.

The general consensus is, if you got stopped, the trooper would probably not even think any thing about you towing a large trailer with a Class C license, but if you were in a wreck, you can rest assured the insurance company lawyers will all over the fact that you were towing illegally and therefore you voided your insurance coverage and they ain't paying. The test is real easy (I passed it) and consists of two parts, a "written test" of Section 14 of the manual and a driving while towing your trailer test that is covered by Section 13. Do be sure and make it plain to the drivers license employees that you are towing a recreational vehicle, I referred to it as a fifth wheel and I guess by the way I was dressed, the guy thought I was talking about a large goose neck hay trailer with air brakes because he was insisting I also be tested in the use of air brakes. I did end up also studying section 6, but finally convinced them I don't have air brakes and didn't have to take that test.

If you live in Texas, and don't have a Class A, below is a link to the Texas CDL manual, read Section 14 and go take the written test and schedule the driving/towing test and then you too can be legal.

file:///C:/Users/Owner/AppData/Local/Temp/DL-7C.pdf

ram22 · Feb 7, 2018

Great info!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

rxbristol · Feb 7, 2018

Great job!

PondSkum · Feb 7, 2018

That's awesome. I've been thinking about going to get mine also. Just to mention, it's a Class A NON-CDL endorsement that you need to get. CDL is only for commercial drivers.

Lou_and_Bette · Feb 7, 2018

Just one caveat to the good information George provides is that you CANNOT schedule the driving portion of the test until you pass the written test. Be prepared to wait for a date to take the driving portion because there is usually a back log. I had to wait 2 weeks to take mine in Livingston, Texas (Polk County) and heard in bigger cities like Houston there can be a several month wait. On top of the regular wait, if it rains on your scheduled day, you will be rescheduled. Just a heads up for those considering taking the test. The test is the easiest portion of the process.

Chippendale · Feb 7, 2018

PondSkum said:
Just to mention, it's a Class A NON-CDL endorsement that you need to get. CDL is only for commercial drivers.

"Class A Non-CDL endorsement" sounds like it would be the proper name for it. They need to come up with a special manual and test for RVers, because it is amazing how little some of the employees down there knew what I was wanting. Everyone who tows needs to look into it. It was a very easy test, and only cost $11.00 for the upgrade and sure might protect your pocket book in case of an accident.

NYSUPstater · Feb 7, 2018

Would the same hold true for folks buying big diesel pushers? Here in NY, at least as of yet, no special requirement to tow RV's that I know of. Kinda like NY's window tint law. Illegal for NY residents to have it, but if your from outta state and visiting and legal in that state, I'm pretty sure they cannot ticket you cuz of where vehicle is reg.

Chippendale · Feb 7, 2018

Lou_and_Bette said:
Just one caveat to the good information George provides is that you CANNOT schedule the driving portion of the test until you pass the written test. Be prepared to wait for a date to take the driving portion because there is usually a back log. I had to wait 2 weeks to take mine in Livingston, Texas (Polk County) and heard in bigger cities like Houston there can be a several month wait. On top of the regular wait, if it rains on your scheduled day, you will be rescheduled. Just a heads up for those considering taking the test. The test is the easiest portion of the process.

What you are saying doesn't appear to be always true, it must depend on the location and after all, remember we are dealing with the DMV. I took my written test on Wednesday Jan 31st in Pflugerville and they tried to schedule my driving test for Monday Feb. 5th but I had a conflict, so I took it yesterday, Tue. Feb. 6th in drizzling rain and cold wind. They were also testing a lot of people in cars, it is a big operation. You do have to pass the written test before taking the driving test, but in my case getting it finished was a fairly fast process.

'Lil Guy' · Feb 7, 2018

I passed my written test over a week ago and the 1st opportunity for me to take the driving part is the 26th of February at my location in Canton. If I wanted to take it sooner, I probably could have if I wanted to travel a lot further.

PondSkum · Feb 7, 2018

NYSUPstater said:
Would the same hold true for folks buying big diesel pushers? Here in NY, at least as of yet, no special requirement to tow RV's that I know of. Kinda like NY's window tint law. Illegal for NY residents to have it, but if your from outta state and visiting and legal in that state, I'm pretty sure they cannot ticket you cuz of where vehicle is reg.

Not sure on NY law, but in TX, if the diesel pusher has a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, OR you are towing something behind it that makes the COMBINED GVWR more than 26,001 lbs, then it's required. For example, if your pusher has a GVWR of 24,000 lbs, and you are towing a small trailer with a golf cart or ATV on it, if the trailer GVWR is more than 2,001 lbs, then you would need the class A. It doesn't even matter if the trailer is empty and only weighs 300 lbs, its the rating that determines it.

- - - Updated - - -

Lou_and_Bette said:
Just one caveat to the good information George provides is that you CANNOT schedule the driving portion of the test until you pass the written test. Be prepared to wait for a date to take the driving portion because there is usually a back log. I had to wait 2 weeks to take mine in Livingston, Texas (Polk County) and heard in bigger cities like Houston there can be a several month wait. On top of the regular wait, if it rains on your scheduled day, you will be rescheduled. Just a heads up for those considering taking the test. The test is the easiest portion of the process.

Thanks for that extra info. Now I know, STEP 1: go take written test.

jayc · Feb 7, 2018

Congratulations George!

pegmikef · Feb 7, 2018

Chippendale said:
"Class A Non-CDL endorsement" sounds like it would be the proper name for it. They need to come up with a special manual and test for RVers, because it is amazing how little some of the employees down there knew what I was wanting. Everyone who tows needs to look into it. It was a very easy test, and only cost $11.00 for the upgrade and sure might protect your pocket book in case of an accident.

George. What's the deal on driving your rig to the test area? Everyone I have talked to said they just drove themselves there, but technically without the class A, you're not legal. I am studying chapters 13 and 14 now and plan on taking the test when we get back to San Angelo from Mission. I didn't need it before because my gross total (per registrations) on the Big Horn was only 24,000 pounds.

avvidclif · Feb 7, 2018

I had a Class A CDL and dropped the CDL part as I didn't need it. They were going to drop it to Class C and I said NO, I have a RV I pull. My license is a regular license with the Class: AM. The M is for motorcycle. It doesn't have the Large Lettering denoting a CDL.

esscobra · Feb 7, 2018

I did the research on that as well before buying- and technically and in writing ( I read in statutes but cat remember where it is ) you have to have someone who is licensed for that weight - cdl or class a drive your unit there to test site as technically you are driving illegally- and I read in actual statutes that there is a allowance/ tolerance on weight for that 26001lb - I have it all printed somewhere at my office and the way its written that say you were pulled over ,and they brought out scales and weighed- and you were at 26002 - you would still be ok with the variance - due to the fact you may have extra items and such as a full black tank and error in scales - I want to say it was like a 500 lb leeway- l will try ad find it and put up- I still plan n getting It anyway but just didn't do before getting unit as I am squeeking by- and yes the tolerance will save a ticket but not save from lawyers incase of accident- so better to be safe than sorry

Chippendale · Feb 7, 2018

The officer/monitor who rode with and graded me did not say one thing about me driving up to take the test by myself and he had a "student" who he was training ride with us doing the test. For some reason my trailer was making more and louder chucking noises and after the ride when he brought me my new license, he asked me what the noise was, and was the trailer going to come unhitched. I think you will find that many who are conducting the tests, etc know very little about RVs and the law as it pertains to RVs. More than one I had to deal with had to ask someone else questions. It might be completely different at another testing location, I am just reporting what I experienced.

dykesj11 · Feb 7, 2018

I started this Class A commotion March and finally got Dave Tyler to get his Class A. I think he inspired some of you for which I am thankful. Way to go Tyler. I don't worry about law enforcement as much as insurance companies and somebody being devastated by unmerciful lawyers.
It is important to remember that the 26000 to which the law is referring is not the actual weight. It is the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) or the sum of the GVWRs of trailer and tow vehicle. The GVWR is the maximum rated weight of the unit fully loaded - passengers, fuel, food, etc. My 2015 GMC 3500HD DRW only weighs around 8000 lbs. But the GVWR is 13,000. I don't know the actual current weight of my 2016 Bighorn 3575EL but the GVWR is 16000 as were all 2016 Bighorn models. (Landmarks were 18,000 - I don't know what they are this year.) So my GCWR of 13,000 plus 16,000 is 29,000, far over the 26,000. For the last few years at least, I don't think there are any DRWs/Bighorn or Landmark combination that would be less than 29,000. You are all on board already but if you share this requirement, anybody with these combinations is going to need the Class A Exempt (California has same requirements by the way.)
I did my tests in Livingston and the lady told me after the written, there was no problem with me towing my rig down there. In Livingston, it would have been easy to get somebody but she told me not to worry about it.
I did ask about the actual license - it didn't appear to me to be any different than the CDL. The lady told me the only difference is just before the license number on the CDL, it says CDL. On the exempt, in that same location, it says only DL.

Pokiejoe · Feb 8, 2018

You all need to come to New Mexico we give them to anybody that has a BUCK we need the money

ksucats · Feb 8, 2018

I got legal back in December. I happened to see a you-tube video from 'Big Truck, Big RV' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UBGRpuIMEI) and went to our local DMV to check on it.

The rule here is if your trailer has a GVWR of 10000 pounds or more, or your tow vehicle and trailer are over 26000 pounds CGVW (Combined gross vehicle weight) then a non-commercial class A license is required. Brought it up to a local RV Dealership and service manager (who used to sell and then got promoted) told me that he knew that but probably could count on one hand the number of people who had gotten their 'legal' status in all the years he sold trailers.

Finally, I drove my rig to the DMV early in the morning of the same day I took the written test -- I was not asked who drove it there but the examiner did comment that whoever parked it did a good job

. I did have to wait several hours for the driving test though.

Oh, one other thing. KS is just now starting to do what I think are called National Drivers Licenses - I had to take my Birth Certificate, a bill showing my local address, and my non-expired drivers license when I went to do all of this.

JohnD · Feb 9, 2018

Chippendale said:
Hooray, I am now legal!!!!

I didn't realize that the State Of Texas raised the drinking age from 21 to ???

meagle · Feb 9, 2018

I took my California Class A driving test about a year ago. In California they make it difficult. First you have to take a written test to get a permit then you have to schedule the driving test at a Class A testing center and show up with a CDL driver along with you. The testing center was a 4 hour drive from my house! I had to pay for the CDL driver to accompany me, spend the night before the test, then drive another 4 hours to get home. It probably cost me a $1000 to get the license considering what I paid the driver, RV space, food, and fuel.

I am now moving from California to Oregon for many reasons. In Oregon they do not require a special license to tow a large fifth wheel. California is regulating its residence to death and costs keep on going up for those of us with RV's in this state. The registration on my GMC dually is now close to $1,000 annually and diesel fuel in my current city is $379 per gallon. In Oregon my registration fees are low and fuel is approximately $1 a gallon less expensive. I am in escrow on a new house and the home owners insurance is less than half what I am paying for a similar priced home and the list could go on and on! In my opinion California is not a friendly state for those of us with RV's.

Hooray, I am now legal!!!!

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Texas-South Chapter Leaders

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Moved on to the next thing...

Well-known member

Similar threads