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  • Texas license requirements

    Posted by Chip & Pam on March 20, 2018 at 10:40 pm

    Hi, just a quick note about today’s dealings on eBay & important lesson learned.

    I posted our rig on eBay last week. I stated that unless you were properly licensed to drive a Air braked equipped 46000+ pound Bus, by your state, I would not allow you to drive it. My reason, Texas has 3 classes of license. Class C is the normal drive a car one. If you have a recreational vehicle that weighs more than 26001 pounds, Texas requires you to get a Class B non CDL. I have discussed this with the Texas Department of Public Safety. The DPS said I had to have a non CDL Class B to drive my rig. I know each each state has different rules and Texas is different than other. What gets my blood up is this:

    In the last 2 days I had received an emails on eBay from a guy with the name “ cooltempcharter “in Hampstead North Carolina stating:

    “I have owned provosts since 2004 & we don’t want this special license idea to ever get started. So please take that out of your ad”

    I explained what the Texas DPS has written and what I was told.

    ”And you my friend didn’t read it correctly, it states that OPERATORS OF A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE FOR PERSONAL USE IS EXEMPT & DOESN’T HAVE TO OBTAIN A CLASS OR B or a COMMERCIAL LICENSE. So that being said and read, Alls I ask is that you remove that from your ad, because the rest of us that do drive RV’s for personal use (NOT FOR HIRE) don’t want some idiot to try to start changing the law just to collect more fees. And add to confusion. And if you obtained that special license, I guess you didn’t read the law correctly”

    i thanked him for his unsolicited inputs and have blessed day.

    “Good luck talked to marathon motor coach, and we all hoping you sell soon and get off the internet”

    i told him he should contact the Texas DPS and ask them.

    “ New message from: cooltempcharter:I have bought a coach in Texas, no issues, we all hope you just take your prospective buyers for a ride and you drive please sell soon and get off the internet”

    I’m really aggravated that a self appointed spokesman for all Prevost sellers was telling me Texas Law and to remove my ad. Since when are North Carolinians experts on Texas license requirements? I have asked the DPS in person, I was told if your rig is over 26001 lbs, you need a non CDL class B. End of story. The big concern is this: If the Self appointed spokesman for all Prevost sellers is saying Marathon says you don’t need one, how many Texans are driving on the wrong license? If they are, and get into an accident, they will get ticketed, sued and screwed.

    needtocamp replied 8 years, 5 months ago 18 Members · 38 Replies
  • 38 Replies
  • Jerry

    Member
    March 21, 2018 at 7:41 am

    Chip,

    Why beat yourself up, block his email and forget he exists. There are many morons out there, you should see the crap Jon and I get. He probably doesn’t own anything bigger than a 28’ Winnebago.

  • Jerry

    Member
    March 21, 2018 at 8:01 am

    This has always been a touchy subject to discuss and you are correct in noting that different states have different requirements relative to licensing. I am not in a position to list all the requirements but I do know a person driving “out of license” runs a risk of not only being cited for the infraction, it is probable the coach is going to be parked until a licensed driver can move it. If someone cops an attitude with a cop it is also likely the cop will not work with you, and may have it towed off the highway.

    This is a fast read on the topic…..

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

  • Archived

    Member
    March 21, 2018 at 8:24 am

    Have driven mine all over Texas for many years, and not gonna get my class B until they stop me, hopefully never. Funny as I’ve asked a couple DPS Troopers in my hometown here in Kingsland and they both said they wouldn’t and haven’t wrote anybody up in a Private Coach for license requirement and acted like they hadn’t heard about it. The DOT/Weight boys are the ones that will pop you. When I have time probably will do the deed. Problem out here you have to drive a county or two over to get to a DPS office for the driving test. On my coach when I get ready to sell, will take them out in the country and let them dive it. They have the cash, they get the coach.

  • Jim/Chris

    Member
    March 21, 2018 at 8:53 am

    While the cops may not ticket you, if you get in an accident your insurance company can deny coverage, since you are an unlicensed driver. In addition, the attorneys may use it against you.

    I do know NC Troopers, especially on the interstates, know which states require advanced licenses. They will find a reason to pull over and after asking for driver’s license and registration, they will tell you you need to call a driver or tow truck to move the vehicle, while they are giving you a ticket.

  • Dan

    Member
    March 21, 2018 at 9:44 am

    Understand your pain with listing on eBay or another website.

    You would not believe some of the conversations I had with folks while trying to sell my coach.

    I think some times a license should be required to get on the web and an IQ test be given before the right to vote.

  • Dorel

    Member
    March 21, 2018 at 10:02 am

    Over the years I have looked into the license requirements. The best answer I have found is that your “State of Residence” requirements dictate what you need. Then that license is valid in all other states. When I lived in Maryland, I tried to get a Class B license. Went to DMV and talked to State Trooper in charge, he said they would not give me the test and they didn’t care one way or the other. I documented the discussion and carried that with me. I actually tried twice and got the same answer.

    Florida specifically exempts RV’s from any advanced licensed requirements. So I carry a Florida DMV book with me that states that. I have been told that Federal law states that my license is good in every other state, regardless of Florida requirements that may be different then other states.

    Maybe one of our members who is a lawyer will chime in.

  • Tim

    Member
    March 21, 2018 at 11:34 am

    I have a customer that didn’t have the correct license in Texas, and when they were broke down on the road the police came, while waiting on the wrecker wrote them a ticket for improper license to operate the coach…

  • Chip & Pam

    Member
    March 21, 2018 at 11:52 am

    Folks, I am sorry for venting on this forum. I was totally frustrated & a bit angry at the fool in NC. I appreciate your inputs and for the information.

    When we bought our coach we were stationed @ Tyndall AFB Florida. Pam & I were Texas residents serving in the USAF. I did my homework on the license requirements and read up on what I could and could not drive. I found out about the Class B Non CDL CDL requirement Texas has. Not only does Texas require a written exam they also require a practical exam with a trooper on board.

    Since we were in Florida, the bus was for sale in Hickory and Texas is where Texas is, I had no choice. I changed my residence to Florida and got a Florida license. I could have chanced it but I read about the Texan that had an accident with a Prevost. He was on a class C,not non CDL class B. The cops ticketed him. The insurance would not pay and the other accident vehicle owners lawyers sued him. I researched this and found it to be true. Knowing my luck and Mr. Murphy’s Law, I got my Florida license.

    Now that we are selling our rig. In order to test drive My Bus, I wanted the potential buyer to be properly licensed by their respective state. If they are Floridians, no special class needed, if they are Texans, they better have the Class B, non CDL. If they don’t, they enjoy the ride from the passenger seat. It’s that or no test drive. Being attacked by the North Carolina Barracks Lawyer about Texas requirements pissed me off.

    I am running with the wisdom Tom shared. Block the fool & move on. Sound advice that I am Heeding. Thank You Tom. I was stationed in DC for 12 of the last 15 years. Life is to short. I am so done with fools.

    Our new course of action: We have pulled all of our 4-sale Ads. We are placing our bus into consignment. I will let the coach dealer deal with it.

    Thanks y’all

  • joel

    Member
    March 21, 2018 at 12:18 pm

    Chip

    cooltempcharter is who bought our last bus fall of 2015.


    1999 XLV X-6872,  liberty #440
  • Chip & Pam

    Member
    March 21, 2018 at 12:23 pm

    ColoradoBus

    Hmmmm…the barracks lawyer has a bus. Does anyone know if North Carolina a requires any special endorsement of class license? Looking at his eBay, I thought he was a online clothing salesman.

  • Joe

    Member
    March 21, 2018 at 12:33 pm

    Jon’s article breaks it down to basically this:

    States with special requirements: (Not all of these states have the exact same requirements; some require different license classes and have different length and weight requirement).

    ● California
    ● Maryland
    ● Michigan
    ● NORTH CAROLINA!!!!!
    ● New Mexico
    ● Nevada
    ● Pennsylvania
    ● Texas
    ● Washington, D.C.
    ● Wyoming

    States That require a commercial license for RVs that clock in at higher than the maximum weight requirements:

    ● Connecticut
    ● Hawaii
    ● Kansas
    ● Michigan
    ● New York
    ● South Carolina
    ● Indiana
    ● Wisconsin

  • Gerald

    Member
    March 21, 2018 at 4:36 pm

    Here is a pretty good explanation. Start about 45 seconds in to skip the advertisement.

    According to this clip, Chip is correct.

    (click on statement above)

  • Andy

    Member
    March 21, 2018 at 4:44 pm

    Interesting. Oregon has no special requirements to drive RVs of any kind including Prevosts. My understanding is that the home state rules apply regardless where you drive in the US. Isn’t that correct?

    Gerald

  • Archived

    Member
    March 21, 2018 at 5:34 pm

    I find the terse list confusing. South Carolina does not require a commercial license.

    They do require a Class E for a motor home above 26,000 lbs or a Class F if above 26,000 lbs and you have a tow. These require a written test and a road test.

    My daughter lives in Ga, she can drive the Prevost legally. But there is no way in H– she will drive mine.

  • Archived

    Member
    March 21, 2018 at 6:52 pm

    Here is the Texas Statute governing a motorhome over 26000LBS. And what form you fill out.

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