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CDL REQUIRED
I am not going to reveal the person’s name or the circumstances but a PC member was given a ticket for not having a Class B (non-commercial) license while driving a Prevost conversion in TX.
This topic has been debated hotly on almost every site associated with buses and owners are very quick to point out a CDL is not required for motor homes. This is the second person I know who lives in TX, has a coach registered in TX, and who has a TX driver’s license, and who was driving a coach that is not used for commercial purposes and which would never ever be considered anything but a motor home.
I have read and reread the TX regulations regarding what class of license is required, it is confusing, but the bottom line is a TX state police officer determined because the coach exceeded 26,000 pounds the driver has to have a Class B license. If you live in TX and you don’t have a Class B license be aware if you do get cited for driving without the proper license you may not be allowed to drive your coach until you get one. That could mean you need a tow.
The FMCA article on this topic is below and does recognize the need for the Class B. The scary part of the article is the comment that some insurers will not honor the insurance if there is a claim.
For those in other states it is my understanding if your state in which your driver license is issued does not require a Class A (possible if towing, especially a trailer in excess of 10,000#) or B you are not obligated to have one to drive thru TX for example because of reciprocity. I have no clue if the coach is registered in MT to an LLC if it is considered a commercial operation or lease. You are on your own with that situation to determine what the law calls for.
NOTE: FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON THE LINK WILL NOT WORK, BUT IT YOU CUT AND PASTE IT THE LINK APPEARS TO WORK.
https://www.fmca.com/motorhome/motorhome-news/849-texas-drivers-license-requirements.html
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6 Replies
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Jon,
When moving my license from one state to another, I asked this same question. FL has done away with the non-commercial equivalent of a class A, leaving only the class C.
Now what is interesting is on the back of the license under endorsements, I have class E listed. “Any non-commercial vehicle with GVWR less then 26,001 lbs. or any RV”.
So how does having a drivers license in one state that has an endorsement that states I can drive ANY RV work if I get pulled over in a state that is different?
On the insurance part, the insurance company will be required to pay the claim. When you sign up for insurance, they will ask you if you have a commercial drivers license. If you state you don’t, and they write the policy, they will be required to cover you. They cannot knowingly take your insurance payments and then not pay the claim. Any court will see in the favor of the insured in this case.
Basically if the insurer cannot deny coverage if the insured has reasonably come to believe that he has such coverage base on the insurer’s practices.
So if the insurer is asking policy holders if they have a class A license and the insured are saying they don’t and the insurer is then taking their money and then not covering incidents, the courts will rule in the favor of the insured.
As for the police to not allow you to drive the coach, that could happen. I know we have a built in plan for that as my wife has her CDL that she keeps current. So she could always drive the coach away if the officer doesn’t let me.
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Jon,
I read the TX DOT manual, and i read it as anything over 26,000lbs, you need a non-commercial CDL. Which i did get. Easy, written test with 24 questions, multiple guess no less. Then a driving test. Left turn, right turn, stop, turn signals. Piece of cake.The big twist is if you get a traffic ticket while in your car and try to get it thrown out by taking defensive driving, you have to be very clear that you do not have a CDL, you have a non-commercial CDL. CDL is excluded from defensive driving. Dont ask why i know this!
I asked our bus insurance folks and they favor having this type of license.
I say if you are licensed in TX, go get a non-commercial CDL. Its not that big if a deal.
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Let my class a goes years ago and driving with a class c in Texas. That would be a pita if caught and have to call a driver to get it home. Have asked several friends that are or have been city and county leo’s and one has an mci and doesn’t have a b. I guess it’s a safety issue as some drivers I’ve seen should’t be driving a car much less a coach. Might have to break down and get it back.
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An uneducated aggressive cop might enforce that rule on an out of state licensed driver and although it’s difficult to fight when you’re in a guest state, the ticket would not stand in court provided you are properly licensed to drive your vehicle in your home state.
If not, there are a multitude of other situations that would be troublesome for drivers out of their home state, or home country. Not to go into the multitude of insurance requirements from state to stare.
in other words, if you are properly licensed and insured in your state to drive your RV, you can legally drive it anywhere in the USA, legally.
my advice: don’t do anything to initiate a traffic stop, ever!
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I agree completely with Grizz, especially his recommendation to not do anything to draw a cop’s attention to you.
I don’t give a lot of thought to licensing because my coach is licensed and insured as my personal vehicle, it is not in the name of an LLC, I have no signage to suggest it might be used for commercial purposes, and I have a current Class A with a medical so I think I am safe from any ticket regarding if I have the right license.
But even if I had a regular driver license I am still legal in every state because TN does not require a Class A or B as long as I do not tow anything in excess of 10,000 pounds.
I have no clue what any state position will be if I do tow a stacker in excess of 10,000 pounds or if I have a MT LLC as owner of the coach or any of the other unclear answers regarding licensing. I don’t think any one knows. but it is clear TX does require a Class B to drive a Prevost.
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North Carolina requires a Class B non CDL if over 26,000 pounds.I had mine upgraded a couple of years ago. No matter what happens at least I know I am legal.
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