And the good news is in the majority of cases no you do not need a special license to drive an rv.
Do you need a cdl to drive an rv in ohio.
Some states require you to have a non commercial special license in order to drive a recreational vehicle over a certain length or weight.
The key word in that phrase is commercial and as long as you aren t driving for business a cdl is not required in most states.
Fmcsa defines several cdl classes based on vehicle weight type and cargo.
However you will need a medical examination certificate to drive any vehicle over 10 000 pounds or that transports more than 8 passengers including driver for monetary compensation or which transports more than 15 passengers.
If you re driving any vehicle under 26 000 pounds and most rv classes are you are clear to drive with a regular operator s driver s license according to current dmv laws in all 50 states.
Sometimes a class a license will satisfy the requirements of a class b license so you won t need to get both.
For these vehicle categories the driver is exempt from cdl requirements.
It s one of the most common questions we hear when we re telling people about the awesomeness that is this style of travel.
Operated by a farmer for transportation to or from a farm for a distance of no more than 150 miles.
While most states do not require a cdl for driving large rv s some do require special non commercial licenses structured after the federal classification.
Commercial driver cdl classes class a.
Professionals might get this type of cdl if they want to drive a flatbed truck a livestock carrier a tank vehicle a large truck with a trailer or a tractor trailer.
It s hard for people to believe that driving a 40 class a motorhome towing a 15 car behind it doesn t require a cdl or commercial drivers license like big rig truckers are required to get.
Here is the simple answer.
That said there are some more specific rv license requirements to keep an eye on depending on the total weight of the vehicle and the state you re planning to drive it in.
Other states will require you to have a commercial driver s license cdl the kind of license needed for large and heavy vehicles likes buses or tractor trailers.
For federal cdl requirements applicable to every state click here.
Class a license is required to drive any combination of vehicles with a combined gross vehicle weight rating of 26 001 pounds or more if the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of 10 000 pounds.
Truck must not be used in the operation of a motor transportation company.
The two classes applicable to rv s are a b which are defined below.
A vehicle weight over 26 000 pounds by itself is not enough to require a cdl.