Do You Need A CDL To Drive An RV?

You are dreaming of starting an RV adventure? Many RV drivers still wonder whether they have to acquire a Commercial Driver’s License to operate this kind of vehicle. Generally, for personal use, a CDL is not required to drive an RV. However, the answer is also based on your vehicle’s size and weight, and also the state you are living

Understanding your concern, this blog post will delve into licensing requirements and provide you with states that specifically require CDL to drive an RV. Whether you are planning for a short trip or a cross-state journey, understanding RV driving regulations ensures that your travels are both legal and enjoyable. Now let’s scroll down and find out useful information.

Do you need a CDL to drive an RV?

The answer is: It depends. In fact, in most cases you are not required to have a CDL to drive an RV since CDL is only applied to commercial driving purposes. However, some states do have specific licensing requirements for RV drivers based on the vehicle’s weight or length. For example, if your RV exceeds a certain weight limit (usually 26,000 pounds) or is a large motorhome, you may need a special non-commercial license.

The fact is that not all the states in the US require RV drivers to acquire a CDL, and even when they do require it, their regulations are often different. Therefore, it is crucial to check your state’s regulation to ensure compliance before hitting the road. By understanding these requirements, you can enjoy your RV travels worry-free and focus on the adventure awaiting.

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What other types of special licenses may be required to drive an RV?

In addition to Commercial Driver’s License (CDLs), there are several types of special licenses that may be required to drive larger or heavier RV, depending on the state:

Non-Commercial Class A or Class B License
R endorsement
P endorsement

States that require CDL

As mentioned above, some states do require RV drivers to acquire a CDL while others do not. Here is the list of states that has licensing requirement for RV drivers and their particular license needed:

States	License Requirement
Arkansas	Any vehicle over 26,000 pounds requires a CDL
Hawaii	A Class A CDL is required for vehicles with gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds A Class B CDL is required for a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds
Kansas	A Class B CDL for a single vehicle over 26,000 pounds A Class A CDL for multiple vehicles with a combined weight above 26,000 pounds.
Michigan	a Double R Endorsement added to their regular driver’s license
New Mexico	A Class E endorsement on their driver’s license for drivers with an RV weighing over 26,000 pounds
New York	A class D license If the GVWR of your RV is over 26,000 pounds, you will need Endorsement R added to your Class D license.
Wisconsin	A CDL for operating RVs over 45 feet long
Wyoming	A Class A CDL for vehicles has a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, and the vehicle being towed is 10,001 pounds or more

States that require non-CDL

The states below are those requiring non-commercial driver’s licenses. Let’s check it out!

States	License Requirement
California	a non-commercial Class A license for travel trailers at or above 10,000 GVWR and 5th wheels at or above 15,000 GVWR A non-commercial Class B license is required for a single RV at or below 10,000 GVWR and any RV between 40 and 45 feet long
Maryland (including the territory of Washington, D.C)	A Class A non-commercial license driver’s license authorizes you to drive combinations of Class G trailer (over 10,000 lbs.) vehicles (GCWR 26,001 lbs.). A Class B non-commercial driver’s license for vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. A Class C non-commercial driver’s license for vehicle or combination of vehicles with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds.
Nevada	A non-commercial Class A or B license for vehicles 26,001 pounds or heavier An Endorsement J is needed to tow a vehicle over 10,000 GVWR
North Carolina	A non-commercial Class A license is required for any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of over 10,000 pounds. A non-commercial Class B license is required for a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more or tows another vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less.
Pennsylvania	A Class A non-commercial license is required for any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. A Class B non-commercial license is required to operate any single vehicle with a GVWR in excess of 26,000 pounds or any vehicle towing a trailer having a GVWR of less than 10,000 pounds.
South Carolina	A Class E non-commercial license for a single vehicle with a GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds
Texas	A Class A non-commercial license for driving a single vehicle or combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more A Class B non-commercial license is required for driving a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more that is towing another vehicle that does not exceed 10,000 pounds.

Drop by Class A and Class B requirements for full understanding of these two classes!

States that do not require any special licenses

Besides those demanding special licenses to drive an RV, some states do not have any special license requirement.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Dakota – Note: If you are a full-time RVer, you must have a physical residential address or complete a residency affidavit if you use a mail forwarding service to be eligible for a South Dakota Driver’s License.
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia

FAQs

1. What is the largest RV you can drive without a CDL?

In most states, you can drive an RV up to 26,000 pounds without needing a CDL. This limit generally applies to non-commercial RVs, including many class A motorhomes and large travel trailers. However, some states have specific size or weight restrictions, so it is recommended to frequently verify your state’s regulations.

2. Can you drive an American RV with a regular license?

Yes, in most cases you can drive an American RV with a regular license as long as it does not exceed the weight limits set by your state (typically around 26,000 pounds).

3. How much does a class A RV weigh?

A class A RVs typically weigh between 13,000 pounds and 30,000 pounds. The exact weight depends on the models, features, and other factors involved. In fact, luxury class A motorhome can reach the upper end of this range while smaller models weigh less.

Final thoughts

In short, depending on which states you are living, you might be or might not be required to have a Commercial Driver’s License when driving a RV. While some states do not require CDL of RV drivers, a non-commercial driver’s license is needed to legally operate an RV on the road. Therefore, you are recommended to carefully check states’ regulation to ensure that you do not violate any transportation laws. Now that you have an answer for “Do You Need A CDL To Drive An RV?”, do not forget to drop by CDL Prep to practice diverse CDL test questions.