stevelv
Living on the island
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Joined: 05/24/2006
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wamesit wrote:Ive checked with ma rmh and youre standard liscense is fine. Ive even have it in writing. As long as it not for commercial use you can drive up to a 45 foot mh. Also I was involved with my MH in a total accident in SC and my insurance co did not give me ahard time. It seems different states have different rules. Their is no consistency. Good Luck Chuck
I'm not disputing what you have been told but from the Ma Drivers Manual which is online here Page 7 it definitely gives a limit of 26,000 lbs for a standard Class C and there is no RV exclusion that I can see.
RV Park Finder
Ex Fulltimers
Restored a 1984 Monaco Regent - now with new owner
DH,DW,Jake and Indie
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H345
Florida
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Joined: 07/25/2004
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Steve , Thank you for taking the time to research this touchy subject . When our lawmakers can not get it right , how do we ever expect the LEO's that enforce it to understand it . Add another question to the mix - if you have a Class B CDL license , but no longer drive commercial , do you need a current medical to be legal ?
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Lug_Nut
Newmarket , Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 06/13/2002
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stevelv wrote:wamesit wrote:Ive checked with ma rmh and youre standard liscense is fine. Ive even have it in writing. As long as it not for commercial use you can drive up to a 45 foot mh. Also I was involved with my MH in a total accident in SC and my insurance co did not give me ahard time. It seems different states have different rules. Their is no consistency. Good Luck Chuck
I'm not disputing what you have been told but from the Ma Drivers Manual which is online here Page 7 it definitely gives a limit of 26,000 lbs for a standard Class C and there is no RV exclusion that I can see.
A good attorney will will be your worst nightmare if you ever have a bad accident involving a fatality.
His question in court " Please read the restrictions or limits of your license".
I will leave the rest up to you.
'07 Newmar Essex 45' ISM 500 4 slides
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stevelv
Living on the island
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Joined: 05/24/2006
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H345 wrote:Add another question to the mix - if you have a Class B CDL license , but no longer drive commercial , do you need a current medical to be legal ?
I can answer that one on the basis of Nevada law - Yes you must have a valid Medical Card to be legal - HOWEVER you can take your CDL Class B and downgrade to a non-CDL Class B and remove the Medical Card requirement. Of course, your State might differ LOL
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dleslie125
Southern Ontario/Palmetto FL in Winter
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Joined: 03/21/2003
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I haven't received my Jan FMCA mag yet since we are in Florida and it is mailed north, but I seem to recall that every Jan FMCA publishes a list of 4 down toads AND the license and requirements by state and province (as well as vehicle requirements).
2011 Itasca Impulse 26QP Silver Toad 2011 Escape Ltd AWD
New W-I Class C Yahoo Group
07 Jayco 32SS on Kodiak • 06 HR Amb 40PLQ ISC 330/950 • 04 Winnie Jrny 39W CAT C7 330/860 • 2000 Triple E Cder F53
Prev toads • 07 Tahoe LTZ • 04 Colorado Z71 04/06
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luckycowgirl509
Southern Ca.
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Joined: 08/30/2005
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According to the DMV Handbook for Recreational Vehicles in the state of California:
If you have a Class C you may drive:
1) any 2-axle vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs or less
2) any 3-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 lbs. or less gross
3) any housecar 40 feet and under, in length
If you have a Non com'l Class B you may drive:
1) all vehicles under Class C
2) a housecar over 40 feet but not over 45 feet, with endorsement.
It's interesting to know these things, especially in our state.
Luckycowgirl
2010 Tiffin Allegro Bus
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Tom_Anderson
Concord, CA
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Joined: 04/23/2006
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H345 wrote:Add another question to the mix - if you have a Class B CDL license , but no longer drive commercial , do you need a current medical to be legal ?
In California, I'm 99% sure that if your medical card is not valid, you're still legal to drive non-commercial vehicles. Just not anything that requires a medical card.
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stevelv
Living on the island
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Joined: 05/24/2006
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I'll finish the list off tomorrow - my head hurts 
If this info is in the FMCA mag then please publish it - I looked high and low to try and find it before downloading every states driver manual  and couldn't find it.
I am sure some people are unaware of the requirements (and some will probably choose to ignore it) but it's very useful information especially for new owners or those who upgrade to DPs.
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gcyeaw
New Jersey
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Joined: 04/12/2006
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I must admit that when I purchased a 26000 pound class A RV with air brakes, I was surprised there was no special licencing requirement. The air brakes alone are something that needs to be understood by the driver. Ignorance about air brakes is dangerous for everyone on the road around you, and yourself and passengers as well. But New Jersey motor vehicle assured me that I needed nothing special to get behind the wheel.
I made it my responsability to learn about air brakes and other aspects of large vehicle handling, but not everyone realizes this is needed. This is a good thread to raise awareness of what is a national problem. With the growing number of RV owners the potential for an increase in accidents is there. If the drivers don't know how to handle the rig, the insurance rates will surely follow the rising accident trend. It is in all RVers best interest to have special licencing requirements.
Gardner
78FC33 Bluebird
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luckycowgirl509
Southern Ca.
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Joined: 08/30/2005
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Tom_Anderson wrote:H345 wrote:Add another question to the mix - if you have a Class B CDL license , but no longer drive commercial , do you need a current medical to be legal ?
In California, I'm 99% sure that if your medical card is not valid, you're still legal to drive non-commercial vehicles. Just not anything that requires a medical card.
This is true. But failure to maintain a valid Health Report form with DMV will mean that your license is valid only for Class C.
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