Not sure of a the details about this but I was at my neighbors trailer shop yesterday when he received a call from his brother in Ga. When he got off of the phone he said that the Feds had just passed a bill that would require anyone with a trailer of 20ft or more, or even a moterhome or travel trailer to obtain a cdl. He said that they were basing this off of the number of traffic accidents involving these types of vehicles. Like I said I dont know the details about this "new law" not even sure where to inquire where to look. Thought that somebody here may know or be able to get the facts about it.

 

I see nothing about it on the FMCSA.dot.gov website

 

The federal government doesn't issue driver's licenses - the states do. The feds may want to coerce the states into changing their driver's license laws, but ultimately that will be up to each state legislature.

In Texas, a non-CDL Class A license is required only (1.) if the truck's GCWR is 26,001 lbs or more and (2.) the GVWR of the towed vehicle is over 10,000 lbs (ref. Texas Transportation Code § 521.081). A non-CDL Class B license would cover the motorhome at 26,001 lbs or greater GVWR or a truck/motorhome with a GCWR of 26,000 lbs or more towing a trailer with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs or less (ref. Texas Transportation Code § 521.082).

Rusty

 

I rate this as having no merit. First, there aren't that many RVs involved in wrecks. Second, having a CDL doesn't automatically make you a safer driver. Third, a lot of state laws would have to change. Fourth, it would dilute the skill level required to obtain a CDL because for testing all you would need is a half ton pickup and an empty flatbed trailer and lastly, can you imagine the workload and hassle of DMV testers with thousands of RVers showing up for a driving test?

 

I don't know how true this is,however I say adjust it and make it happen.Why should some guy be exempt when he's driving stuff as heavy and as large as the truckers,with air brakes and weighing in at god knows what?.I don't think fire dept. should be exempt either.I think that if the vehicle qualifies for cdl, and if you drive it ,have a cdl.The only ones hurt by that would be the manufacturers of these motorhomes and large trailers.If you really need to have one of these things, get a cdl. Just my .02 (I have my CDL)

 

Before they could pass a regulation like that it would have to be listed here . http://dms.dot.gov/reports/fr.htm . Haven't seen anything close .

 

I have my CDL, but it doesn't make me a better driver As far as fire dept. where I am at it is all volenteer adding this requirement will discourage new people from joining.
Your CDL might make you legal but does it make you a better driver?

 

well there are both ups and downs to this. There are quite a few dangerous drivers out there but the ones who already do the reckless stuff are the ones who wont pay any attention to new laws anyways. Just today I saw some guy with a 1/2 ton chevy truck(standard straightside bed, no flat bed or anything) with pallets stacked about 10 or 12 feet above the top of the bed. The thing was swaying all over the place and the wheel wells mustve been about 3 inches from rubbing the tires.

 

I agree ,a CDL Does not make you a better driver. I can see how it effects the Vol. Fire service, but I'm full time and I can tell you that it would only make things better here,some of these new drivers are scarrry. I don't want to offend anybody here but,You see alot of elderly folks tooling down the road in a 40' RV bus,what experience do most of these people have.I suppose I have never heard of any diasters from this.It just seems strange,if you want to make a living driving, you need a CDL,if your going on vacation don't worry about it. I guess, welcome to Gov't 101

 

No it does not make you a better driver just because you have a CDL(they gave me one!) but it may help to make you a more educated or informed driver and you might accidentally learn something I got the chance to take a driving course called DRIVE TO SURVIVE in one of those hydraulically controlled skid cars like stunt drivers and cops use. I would be in favor of making all drivers take that class it was a blast!!! and you learn a few things too BTW it is amazing how much data the state police had on how many wrecks could have been avoided it people would just check the pressure in their tires and keep them at the right PSI.

 

i have my class A CDL. i have taken one of the skid control accident avoidence classes in a big rig. most people dont realize just how fast you can loose control. in my class you would go 20 mph, hit an oil pad that was like ice literally. then they would lock the brakes on the rig for 3 seconds then you had to try and take control. its hard to say if a cdl should be required for any trailer over 20ft. i think it might be easier for certain size/weight trailers to require at least a written test for an endorsement on their regular liscense or somthing. being their are so many rv's on the road it would be hard to have to make everyone come in for a road test, i cant see that happening. but you never know. i used to drive OTR semi's and have seen some rigs where i would think the driver should need some sort of liscense endorsement, not a road test but at least make them read a book and take a written test so you know they are at least aware of what going on towing heavy or long trailers. its just hard to say what the perfect answere will be.

 

Any time legal requirements are mentioned, it just starts a several page flamethrowing match.

That being said, and I also am Class A, with N, T, (and one other-but I ain't digging out the license to see), endorsements, I have never, ever, seen a written CDL requirement that said anything about length of trailer.

The CDL requirements are strictly weight classified requirements.

I hear a lot of country-store around-the-stove truck driving stories from those that have never much more than rode in the passenger seat of a truck; and, they all claim that "old so-and-so got stopped and was told he was gonna have to have a CDL, because his gooseneck was more than sixteen feet long", --- pure hogwash.

 

I would probably support an RV license...seen too many idiots that think they just hook up & go. Then again, it may be the rest of us that do know what we are doing, making it look easy

Tony

 

I am in the CDL-A club. The ones on the road I really wonder about are the guys out there pullin a 5th wheel camper and thier boat or an enclosed behind the camper. Do they have dubles endorsement? Should they be required? As far as someone said about being able to take the CDL test in a half ton with a trailer Id say they, the states, would just have to make a class of license for that. CDL-E or something. The truck and trailer you take the test in is what your licensed for. I have heard here in Illinois if you have a half ton and pull anything you are now going to be required to take it through the test lane every six months. 3/4 and 1 tons already have to if plated properly. Any trailer plated for over 5k also has to be tested. When the test the one tons here they do look for fire extinguisher, flares or triangles, first aid kit, and spare fuses and lights. Never ask about log books at the test lane though.

 

Urban Legend - they tried requiring a differnt license in Florida. In fact my brother was stopped once in his motor home and once in his 3/4 ton pickup both times the FHP telling him he didn't have the correct license. WELL - after much to do about nothing the Florida Legistlature realized they screwed up and pulled the requirement. The sad part now is just about everyone and their brother is towing something and I go the other way when I see the guy pulling a 15k 5th wheel with a pin weight of 2.3K with a 1/2 ton pickup and you can just see the tires on the rear of the truck are ready to pop (but he has airbags on the rear axle - another thread). I don't think here in Florida they will try again to require a CDL or anything other than an operators license for anything up to GVWC 25K anytime soon. Unless of course you are driving commerical then its a little differnt regardless of the size truck.