Do I need a CDL?

[RVTRKN]

I wonder if it would be considered an RV. My fathers RV weighs more than 26,000, and he isn't required to have a CDL. Is there a loophole for those that drive an RV? I had that conversation with someone that had been pulled over a while back pulling his drag car. He told the officer it wasn't for a business, it was for pleasure. He said he was hassled about it while driving through Georgia.

Well in Georgia there is one cope every one mile waiting for you to go over 1mph and then hold you ransom until ticket paid.

 

[RVTRKN]

Well in Georgia there is one cope every one mile waiting for you to go over 1mph and then hold you ransom until ticket paid.

Sorry that is 1mph over the speed limit and is cop not cope.

 

[PC12Driver]

If the truck says rv on the registration you do not need a cdl period. If it does not and the gross weight is 26001 or greater you do. All the rest is BS. I have had this discussion with DOT cops and the fed. law states 10,000 or more #'s is going to be in the comercial class no-matter how it is registerd unless it is registerd as an rv.

Halfway correct. If the vehicle is registered as an RV, you are correct - you do not need a medical/CDL. But as soon as the vehicle is used for commerce, then it legally cannot be registered as an RV, and needs to be registered as a commercial vehicle and the driver needs to be licenced as such. Even if the vehicle is clearly a motorhome, it needs to be registered as commercial if it is involved in the money making process.



Case in point: Double Eagle makes sleepers for semis that have all the comforts of home, including built in plumbing. Legally, they could be registered as an RV, if it was used for personal recreation. But since they're used to make money, they fall into the commercial category.



It doesn't matter what the vehicle actually is; the intended use is what determines how it should be registered and how the driver is licenced.

 

[RustyJC]

Yep, some of the LEOs here in Harris County are citing the landscaping crews (F-150 towing a landscaping trailer) for no CDL - even though vehicle weights wouldn't require one. The fact is, they're in commerce.



Rusty

 

[DRadzierez]

Halfway correct. If the vehicle is registered as an RV, you are correct - you do not need a medical/CDL. But as soon as the vehicle is used for commerce, then it legally cannot be registered as an RV, and needs to be registered as a commercial vehicle and the driver needs to be licenced as such. Even if the vehicle is clearly a motorhome, it needs to be registered as commercial if it is involved in the money making process.



Case in point: Double Eagle makes sleepers for semis that have all the comforts of home, including built in plumbing. Legally, they could be registered as an RV, if it was used for personal recreation. But since they're used to make money, they fall into the commercial category.



It doesn't matter what the vehicle actually is; the intended use is what determines how it should be registered and how the driver is licenced.

Thats the point I was trying to make. If it is used comercialy they wont let you reg. it as an RV. He asked if he could drive it home. If it is reg. as an RV he can drive it home. He will not be makeing money with it at this point. And if you are useing it as a toy hauler you are always doing it as recreation----never compatition. NO TROPHY,NO MONEY,NO ADVERTISEING. Recreation only.

 

[BHaden]

Thats the point I was trying to make. If it is used comercialy they wont let you reg. it as an RV. He asked if he could drive it home. If it is reg. as an RV he can drive it home. He will not be makeing money with it at this point. And if you are useing it as a toy hauler you are always doing it as recreation----never compatition. NO TROPHY,NO MONEY,NO ADVERTISEING. Recreation only.

OK, I'll throw in another aspect of this. To me and the IRS, being in business (commerce) means there is an expectation of making a profit. If you declare

a loss every year, the IRS will have a field day with your tax return. I compete

in SCCA autocross competition, where, at the local level the most you ever get is a trophy or free entry at the next event ($30-35). At the National Championships the most you typically have a shot at is a free set of tires

for first place and a case of oil or something. There is NO WAY any of us in this sport have an expectation of making a profit. It is purely for fun and the competition/social aspects. If someone tried to tell me I was "in commerce" because I MIGHT win a $10 trophy with my $5-50,000 car, towed with a $40,000 truck inside a $20,000 toy hauler (emphasis on TOY), I believe I would have a legitimate gripe with them. I understand government agancies don't always (or often) function with common sense as a requirement, but I can see some of these scenarios getting downright stupid.

 

[Diesel Dually]

As stated earlier the best and only real way to know is to check with your home state (state vehicle is registered in). The example of registering as an RV may not apply as not all states have an RV class registration. My state does not require me to register my 3500 dually as commercial even though it is over 10K lbs. since I don't use it in a commercial venture. And my state does not have a special RV registration. I register as a regular passenger vehicle. If I tow a camper I can have a GCVW (registered weight) in excess of 26K lbs. and not need a cdl. If I tow a flat bed trailer and my GCVW (registered weight) is in excess of 26K lbs. I had better be able to show to the officers satisfaction that I am not in any commercial enterprise or I will need to prove it in court if I don't have a class A cdl with all the "fixins":-laf .

My state does not require a cdl of any kind until you reach 26001 lbs. and are a commercial enterprise, RV's are exempt unless it is being used in a commercial venture. Commercial does not mean you make money. If you receive or may receive anything of value you are commercial.

 

[DRadzierez]

I understand all the legality of this. But I am giveing him an answer to his original question. He would be legal to drive it home if it had RV tags on it.

 

[Diesel Dually]

RV tags aren't available in all states. Maybe they are in his. He needs to check with his state. All states are supposed to follow the same guidelines according to the feds. But that didn't happen...

I thought he asked if he needed a cdl or not.

 

[jnelson]

Just go get your CDL. If you cant pass the test, then you dont need to be driving the truck. PERIOD.

 

[GAmes]

Just go get your CDL. If you cant pass the test, then you dont need to be driving the truck. PERIOD.

Are you trying to say that without a CDL he would be a poorer driver? There are sometimes good reasons not to have a CDL. One is the "no dismissal of tickets for going to drivers safety courses" rule that came into being not long ago. Another would be insurance rates. A guy who was leased to the same company as I am had a full sized Pete with a single rear axle. It had commercial Oregon tags and GCWR 26,000 painted in 3 inch letters on the cab. Without a CDL he enjoyed all the comforts of a big sleeper. He had to be careful how much his trailers weighed but that was the only drawback.

 

[tron1959]

I assume the original poster is from Florida. I was trying to post info from Florida statutes but it was too much for here. I think if the weight qualifies for a CDL, the recreational vehicle exemption would not apply here because the definition of recreational vehicle is that is its primary purpose and this seems to be a tow vehicle primarily. I agree with earlier posts to contact local Motor vehicles office.



Read definition of recreational vehicle at this link, statute 320. 01, you have to scroll down a ways to find it.



http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0320/ch0320.htm