Texas Driver License's Requirements for Motorhomes over 26,500 lbs empty weight

[Pete Masterson]

While checking driver's licensing requirements in various states
(when I thought I'd be going full time), I ran into that requirement
in Texas. Over 26,000 lbs. requires a "non commercial class B"
license. California doesn't have a weight restriction, but over 40'
requires a "non commercial class B" license. And since my coach is
42', I have a California "non commercial Class B" license. Frankly, I
don't think many folks get them, cause it sure bolexed up the DMV
system when I entered my application. I did, however, have to pass an
extensive driving test -- and since the test included "demonstrating
driving skills on a hill" I had to cross the width of the City of
Oakland on the city streets in typical busy city traffic to reach the
hills from the DMV office (one of the few in the state that does
commercial licenses) that's located on flat land near the bay
shore... <sigh>... It was a very long test drive with the examiner
watching my every move. However, I passed.

Note that it's not the actual vehicle weight, but rather the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating. So, you could have a vehicle that weighs, say
22,000 lbs, but has a GVWR or (say) 27,000 lbs, and therefore be
required to have the Class B (or better) drivers license.

Quoting from Texas Transportation Code, Secton 521:
SUBCHAPTER D. CLASSIFICATION OF DRIVER'S LICENSES


§ 521.081. CLASS A LICENSE. A Class A driver's license
authorizes the holder of the license to operate:
(1) a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of
26,001 pounds or more; or
(2) a combination of vehicles that has a gross
combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, if the gross
vehicle weight rating of any vehicle or vehicles in tow is more than
10,000 pounds.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.


§ 521.082. CLASS B LICENSE. (a) A Class B driver's
license authorizes the holder of the license to operate:
(1) a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating that
is more than 26,000 pounds;
(2) a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of
26,000 pounds or more towing:
(A) a vehicle, other than a farm trailer, with a
gross vehicle weight rating that is not more than 10,000 pounds; or
(B) a farm trailer with a gross vehicle weight
rating that is not more than 20,000 pounds; and
(3) a bus with a seating capacity of 24 passengers or
more.
(b) For the purposes of Subsection (a)(3), seating capacity
is computed in accordance with Section 502.162, except that the
operator's seat is included in the computation.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.


§ 521.083. CLASS C LICENSE. A Class C driver's license
authorizes the holder of the license to operate:
(1) a vehicle or combination of vehicles not described
by Section 521.081 or 521.082; and
(2) a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of
less than 26,001 pounds towing a farm trailer with a gross vehicle
weight rating that is not more than 20,000 pounds.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.


§ 521.084. CLASS M LICENSE. A Class M driver's license
authorizes the holder of the license to operate a motorcycle or
moped.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

end quote

You can find this at
<http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/tn.toc.htm>

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
El Sobrante CA
aeonix1@...



On May 9, 2008, at 1:01 PM, Ron Thompson wrote:

> <snip>
> Now though here is the kicker, the State Police officer told me
> that I had to have a Class B, CDL license because it was over
> 26,500 lbs. You Texas boys and girls out there that have been
> driving RV's for awhile, is this true and if not can you tell me
> what authority it is that states that a Class B, CDL license is not
> required and if it is required then I would like to know what
> statute give authority to require that.
>
> Thanks I will wait for your answers.
>