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

[Ron Thompson]

I just had a hell of a time getting an inspection on my 1995 WLWB 42 footer, empty weight 43,800 lbs. At first the grease monkey in charge told me that I had to have a DOT inspection because of its weight being over 26,500 lbs an dhe was refusing to do the inspection. I stood my ground and told him that if he was going to refuse to inspect it I wanted to know what authority he was using for that refusal. Well that sort of got his attention and he decided to call and find out. He called about 4 different places and most of them told him it was a regular inspection costing $14.50. Well somewhere along the way he called the State police and he got in on it claiming that I had to have a DOT inspection, but I stood my ground on my ascertion that it was a regular inspection requirement because it was a non-commercial vehicle. Well the State Police officer called at least two places and got the answer that sided with my ascertion. I told
him that I wanted to know the statute that he was using as authority for not giving me an inspection and that triggered him to call Austin DPS headquarters and they told him that it was only a regular inspection. Well that settled it and a disgruntled mechanic had to do the inspection and it was obvious that eating crow was not his favorite thing.

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.




Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx.
1995 WLWB 42'Blue Bird
(cockyfox@...)

[Don Bradner]

Yes, Texas is one of the sates where you need more than a Class C for over
26,000 lbs. If you were a California resident, the weight wouldn't matter, but
the over-40 feet would. Probably the combination of those two will trigger more
than a Class C in most states.

Texas rules can be found the driver's handbook,
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/DLhandbook.pdf

Page 1-4 and 1-5 have the classes and what they allow.

Note that it is not 26,500, it is 26,000

On 5/9/2008 at 1:01 PM Ron Thompson wrote:

>I just had a hell of a time getting an inspection on my 1995 WLWB 42
>footer, empty weight 43,800 lbs. At first the grease monkey in charge
>told me that I had to have a DOT inspection because of its weight being
>over 26,500 lbs an dhe was refusing to do the inspection. I stood my
>ground and told him that if he was going to refuse to inspect it I wanted
>to know what authority he was using for that refusal. Well that sort of
>got his attention and he decided to call and find out. He called about 4
>different places and most of them told him it was a regular inspection
>costing $14.50. Well somewhere along the way he called the State police
>and he got in on it claiming that I had to have a DOT inspection, but I
>stood my ground on my ascertion that it was a regular inspection
>requirement because it was a non-commercial vehicle. Well the State
>Police officer called at least two places and got the answer that sided
>with my ascertion. I told him that I wanted to know the
> statute that he was using as authority for not giving me an inspection
>and that triggered him to call Austin DPS headquarters and they told him
>that it was only a regular inspection. Well that settled it and a
>disgruntled mechanic had to do the inspection and it was obvious that
>eating crow was not his favorite thing.
>
>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.
>
>
>
>
>Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx.
>1995 WLWB 42'Blue Bird
>(cockyfox@...)

[Ron Thompson]

Don.
Are you a resident of Texas? The handbook that you reference in your email is for a regular drivers license non- commercial..However, on page 1-7 it states in Item 4 that no CDL license is required if you are operating a recreational vehicle for personal use. Nowhere else does it talk about a Recreational RV vehicle requiring a CDL license of any class.

I did pull the Commercial Drivers License and it states the same thing in there and only mentions weight class of 26,001 lbs requiring a class B CDL ()commercial drivers license)

It is my finding that a Class B CDL license is not required if you are non-commercial, operating a Recreational Vehicle (RV for you own personal use.

If you know for a fact that it is required please enlighten me and quote the page number where you found that requirement. Remember though that we are talking about a non commercial vehicle.

I do thank you for the link that you provided. Cut
short my search time. thanks again

Ron

Don Bradner wrote:

Yes, Texas is one of the sates where you need more than a Class C for over 26,000 lbs. If you were a California resident, the weight wouldn't matter, but the over-40 feet would. Probably the combination of those two will trigger more than a Class C in most states.

Texas rules can be found the driver's handbook,
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/DLhandbook.pdf

Page 1-4 and 1-5 have the classes and what they allow.

Note that it is not 26,500, it is 26,000

On 5/9/2008 at 1:01 PM Ron Thompson wrote:

>I just had a hell of a time getting an inspection on my 1995 WLWB 42
>footer, empty weight 43,800 lbs. At first the grease monkey in charge
>told me that I had to have a DOT inspection because of its weight being
>over 26,500 lbs an dhe was refusing to do the inspection. I stood my
>ground and told him that if he was going to refuse to inspect it I wanted
>to know what authority he was using for that refusal. Well that sort of
>got his attention and he decided to call and find out. He called about 4
>different places and most of them told him it was a regular inspection
>costing $14.50. Well somewhere
along the way he called the State police
>and he got in on it claiming that I had to have a DOT inspection, but I
>stood my ground on my ascertion that it was a regular inspection
>requirement because it was a non-commercial vehicle. Well the State
>Police officer called at least two places and got the answer that sided
>with my ascertion. I told him that I wanted to know the
> statute that he was using as authority for not giving me an inspection
>and that triggered him to call Austin DPS headquarters and they told him
>that it was only a regular inspection. Well that settled it and a
>disgruntled mechanic had to do the inspection and it was obvious that
>eating crow was not his favorite thing.
>
>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.
>
>
>
>
>Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx.
>1995 WLWB 42'Blue Bird
>("cockyfox%40sbcglobal.net")

Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx.
1995 WLWB 42'Blue Bird
(cockyfox@...)

[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.
>

[Ron Thompson]

Pete,
Thanks for your input. I agree, reluctantly, that I will have to get that Class B non commercial cdl license. Since it is Friday will have to wait till Monday to get the handbook. Have no idea what kind of driving test they will give here in this rural area. Hopefully won't be bad. Plenty of room to drive here, However the DPS office where I will have to go has no parking. guess I will have to find a shopping center with room to spare. LOL...

Thanks again to everyone.
Ron

Pete Masterson wrote:

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%40mac.com"

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.
>

Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx.
1995 WLWB 42'Blue Bird
(cockyfox@...)