Drivers License for New Resident, More Questions Options

[Nick Munoz]

We are considering changing our domicile to TX (currently CA) and of course there are several questions we have. I think I have read every relevant thread on this forum so I do have some understanding of the issues involved. I do have a few questions or two I don't recall having been discussed and they have to do with getting that first license in TX and full-time insurance.

1. When you apply for a license, do you have to take a test or do you just exchange your current license?
2. Will the expiration date be the date on our current license or will it be changed?
3. When will you be required to take an actual driving test?
4. Does full time RV insurance cost significantly more than routine coverage?

I've enjoyed all the reading I've done so I will be looking forward to your responses.

Nick

[Jack Mayer]

If you want the equivalent class license to what you currently have then it will exchange with no testing other than vision. If you want, or need, to upgrade your class then you will have to take a written and driving test - at least to upgrade to a class A or Class B. The driving test is given after you successful pass the written test. In Livingston, because they typically only have one examioner for driving tests, it is often scheduled several days later. In other locations you may be able to take it the same day.
The expiration date will be based on the date the license is issued - nothing to do with your current license.
The cost of fulltimers insurance will likely be far less than your CA insurance. It was far less than our PA insurance. But I find it reasonable. It will also depend on the coverage levels you select. You can get estimates from Poliseek or other companies and compare to what you have now.

[Barbaraok]

Nick,

It would help if you would include your rig in your signature line - - that way we can give you the best information possible.

If your rig is more than 26,000# then you need to take the written and driving tests for a Class B or Class A license. The written test is easy if you study Chapter 15 (if my memory is correct) of the handbook - things like the position of clearance lights, length and height of combination rigs allowed, etc. The driving test is to see if you can handle your rig - not a big deal. We took our tests in Tyler, Texas.

The expiration date will be 5 or 6 years from your last birthday, not sure how they figure it.

You need the fulltime coverage because you don't have a house anymore so you don't have the personal liability that you get with homeowners or renters insurance.

Barb

[LindaH]

1. When you apply for a license, do you have to take a test or do you just exchange your current license?

As others have stated, it depends on the weight of your vehicle(s). If you have a motorhome with a GVWR of 26,001# or greater and you pull something weighing less than 10,000#, then you'll need to upgrade to a non-CDL Class B license. If what you're pulling behind your motorhome weighs in excess of 10,000#, then you'll need to upgrade to a non-CDL Class A license. If you have a fifth wheel and the GVWR of the truck plus the GVWR of the fifth wheel is equal to or greater than 26,001#, and your trailer weighs more than 10,000#, then you need to upgrade to a non-CDL Class A license. Both a Class A and a Class B license require a written test plus a driving test. If you fall under these weights, then just a regular Class C license will suffice and you'll just exchange one for the other.

2. Will the expiration date be the date on our current license or will it be changed?

As Jack said, the expiration date on your new Texas driver's license has nothing to do with the expiration date on your California driver's license. It's based on your birthday and is good for 5 years (I don't remember if they calculate it based on your nearest birthday or your attained age).

3. When will you be required to take an actual driving test?

See #1, above. I don't know if Texas starts requiring you to take driving tests once you reach a certain age...someone here will surely know.

4. Does full time RV insurance cost significantly more than routine coverage?

Everything else being equal, yes, fulltimers insurance will cost more than just "regular" RV insurance. That's because fulltimers insurance has a liability portion like you'd have with homeowners insurance that "regular" RV insurance doesn't have. Don't even consider skimping on this very important insurance!

[Mark Nemeth]

Hi Nick

If you haven't already, drop by our domicile page at http://www.escapees.com/ResidenceDomicile.asp

There's some good info there, and a link to download the "Texan Booklet" that has more info on establishing a Texas domicile

Having left CA to go fulltime myself, I strongly suggest that you take all possible steps to clearly define and establish your new legal domicile to prevent CA from hounding you "down the road"

[Nick Munoz]

Hello Mike, thank you for your reply. I know CA can be a problem and my only concern is that we are unable to sell our home at this time due to the economy, etc. We will have a caretaker and keep the home until conditions improve and we can let it go.

Others asked about our rig, well, it is a Journey 32T and does not exceed the weight limit which requires a special license. Actually it is my wife that is most concerned as she gets nervous at the thought of taking a drivers test in a new state. In CA as long as you have a good record you get auto nenewal until you get a get a bit older. If all we have to do is exchange then she will be OK with that.

Nick
Journey 32T

This post has been edited by Nick Munoz: Nov 2 2009, 06:36 PM

[Barbaraok]

Nick,

Please tell her that if she learns how to drive the rig, she would find the test no problem at all. Once you get use to your rig, you just drive carefully as you always do with a big piece of equipment. A big school parking lot on a Sunday is a great place to practice, practice, practice with that new rig, including backing up between the lines using the mirrors and rear view monitor, and putting out orange cones for going around corners, etc.

Barb

[mrfrank]

I have a class B CDL from Alabama due to the fact that I drove a Boy Scout bus that was over 16 passengers a few years ago and have maintained the license "just in case" because Alabama has no special license requirements for larger motorhomes. If we were to "move" to Texas, would they swap it out, or make me take the tests again?

[Jack Mayer]

Unless the rules have changed recently they would swap it for a TX B.

[Kirk]

Frank,

The best thing to do is to call the office and ask them. They are very good about answering questions and helping new residents.

For Driver's License Information:
Texas Department of Public Safety
1735 N. Washington
Livingston, TX. 77351
936-327-6806

[Gwen]

Here is a link to the State of Texas driver license FAQs from the Texas Department of Public Safety. I may be wrong, but I believe that you can get a Texas driver's license in any Texas driver's license bureau. I don't think you have to be in the town where you plan to establish your Texas domicile. I may be wrong, though but surely the answer is in the FAQs or you can get it by calling the Livingston, Texas, license bureau as a poster previously said. I have renewed my Texas driver's license in other offices before, and I've also renewed by mail a couple of times.

Whenever you go to Livingston, be sure to check out Lake Livingston State Park while you're there.

[Barbaraok]

Gwen,

You can, indeed, get your license at any DMV in the state. However, if you are going to have a NON-CDL Class B (or Class A) endorsement then there are a few places that better for taking the drivers test with your big rig - - and none of the big cities would be where I would want to take my test. Even though our address is Livingston, we took our written and driving tests for our Class B licenses in Tyler, Texas. Others will take theirs in Livingston. If you take it in Corpus Christi you might be required to parallel park your rig - a friend of ours had to to get his Class B.

Barb

[LindaH]

Barb is correct...you can get your driver's license any place in the state. When we were domiciled in Texas, we needed to get Class A non-CDL licenses. We took our tests in Van Horn where we did have to parallel park. I had never backed up the rig before, but Earl took me out to a large empty lot and I practiced for about half an hour and passes the test, including parallel parking. So, if I can go it with limited experience backing up, anyone can do it!