Texas RV Drivers License

[mrkane1952]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Chuck Wheeler" wrote:
>
> Curious what the Texas test consisted of. I had a CDL until I retired from
> the railroad but never thought about needing something special for the
> Wanderlodge.
>
> - Chuck Wheeler-
> 1982 FC 31SB Fort Worth TX
>
>

First a couple details: The Texas requirements are based on the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating, not the actual weights. If the main vehicle
GVWR is 26,001 lbs or greater, but the towed vehicle GVWR is less
than 10,000 lbs, a non-commercial class B license is required. If
the combined GVWR of the tow vehicle and trailer is greater than
26,001 lbs and the trailer GVWR exceeds 10,000 lbs, a non-commercial
class A license is required.

Fortunately my toad has a GVWR of 9900 lbs, so I only need a class B
license.

Non-commercial licenses are exempt from log book and medical
requirements.

I took my tests in Denton, a college town north of Dallas. First the
application was completed and a form certifying you will not be
driving for hire. A (computerized) written test on general rules
from the Commercial Drivers License manual was passed. Road testing
followed on another day: This office only conducted class A and B
road tests one day per week. This DMV office is in a very suburban
area.

My examiner was not in uniform. She did not ask how the coach got to
the testing site (with no licensed drivers in evidence.) She did a
brief walk-around to see the inspection and registration stickers,
and general condition I suppose. I pulled into traffic from the
shoulder, then drove about a mile to where the road becomes a
divided, limited access bypass, then about another mile to the next
exit. Here we circled under the freeway and went back the same road
past the DMV. The route was under construction, with no shoulders,
and included several traffic lights. (I lost points, but did not
fail for going through a yellow.) Before returning to the office,
the final task was to pull into the left-hand lane on a four-lane
side street and stop. The examiner got out to watch while I backed
up into the curb lane. Sort-of like parallel parking, which I had
practiced for real in a marked lot, but way easier.


That was it. No air brake questions or pre-trip inspection.


You need not use the DMV office near your residence, rather select
an office where driving through tight turns in city traffic is avoided.

--M.R.Kane
1987 PT40
currently Pecos, TX