MrTuxTravels

On 3/5/2019 at 7:51 PM, MrTuxTravels said:

Tried to take the written test today but they said I got there too late.  So they just processed my application so I can take the test faster next time.  They kept trying to tell me I had to get a CDL A.  I told them all the research I've done and RVers I've talked to said I needed the non-commercial CDL A.  She said ok if that's what you want then sign this line here where she wrote that she explained to me I needed the CDL but I wanted the non-CDL.

Afterwards I asked if I could take the skills test with the dump trailer that meets the weight requirement.  She said yes, then said hold on I think you have to take the test representative of the vehicle you are applying for and she went and asked someone else.  I said it meets the non-CDL A requirements but does not match the fact that I said I'm getting this for an RV.  She came back and said if I'm getting the license to drive an RV then I have to take the skills test in an RV.

I don't think anyone at DPS knows what's really required.

Few Questions:

1. When I go online to schedule the skills test it has a button for RV... is that what you all selected to schedule?

2. It's now saying I have to take an ITD test as well and show certificate of completion when I go for skills test.  I feel like this is wrong.  It says, "Completion of Impact Texas Driving (ITD) is required for all individuals taking a drive skills test.  You are required to present a certificate of completion before taking the drive test and it must be dated within 90 days of the scheduled appointment.  Complete ITD requirements may be viewed at:  https://impacttexasdrivers.dps.texas.gov."

3. Does anyone in DFW area want to lend me their 12,001 pound or greater travel trailer or fifth wheel so I can take this test on Tuesday, March 19th at 2pm at the Carrollton location at 4600 State Hwy 121 Carrollton, TX 75010?

So about three weeks ago I did successfully get my class A license but still had more hoops and issues to get through.

1. Went in to take the written test they told me I did not need the combinations test.  I asked to take it anyway because I knew they were wrong and they said you do not need it so I didn't take it.

2. Day before appointment, get a call from the other DPS office where I had appointment scheduled calling to let me know that I cannot take test until I pass the combinations test.  I told them I knew that and tried to take it but they wouldn't let me at the other office.  She said she could reschedule for later in the week but I already had the rental paid for an everything so I said I have to do this as scheduled and would drive up there immediately to take the test.  They expedited me when I got there and let me study before I took it.  I passed.

3. They said ok show up as scheduled and someone would be out at 2, park all the way to the right.  No one would be out before 2 so didn't matter if I showed up early.

4. Get up early, drive an hour away to pick up 44' Fifth Wheel and drove it an hour to the DPS location.  I had to learn quick and on the fly haha.  Get there and pull into a nearby parking lot to practice  backing up one time.  Drive over to DPS and wait.  Someone comes out and asks what I'm there for.  I tell them and they say did you check in.  I said no I was told to come here, park to the right, and wait til 2 and someone would be out at 2.  She said ok and said she'd let them know I was there.  2 comes, 2:15, 2:30, someone comes out and says someone will be out here soon for you.  Almost 3 pm and hour late lady comes out and says I'm so sorry I thought I was testing a farm truck and have been looking for a farm truck this whole time.

5.  I'm pissed but am nice because I want the license.  We check papers, lights, horn, back up in straight line, go for a pretty long drive I thought, then get back and she passes me.

6. Drive an hour to drop off rented RV, drive an hour home.  About 7:30pm when I get home... long day.  Finally license after all that and four trips to DPS.

The person I rented RV from said Class A license wasn't needed because it's for personal use.  Told them they did and showed the papers but they didn't seem interested in getting it.

Attached is a picture of my truck and RV after the test.  Quite the rig to drive an RV for the first time ever and then get tested.

This thread really helped me figure it all out so thank you!  Now buying the RV has turned into another nightmare that I never expected.  My credit union and dealers cannot agree to the transaction process.

Jeff

On 2/28/2019 at 9:15 PM, David-and-Cheryl said:

Yeah, I'd definitely have that conversation with someone at the DPS office where you're going to take the test before renting the trailer. Let us know what happens.

Tried to take the written test today but they said I got there too late.  So they just processed my application so I can take the test faster next time.  They kept trying to tell me I had to get a CDL A.  I told them all the research I've done and RVers I've talked to said I needed the non-commercial CDL A.  She said ok if that's what you want then sign this line here where she wrote that she explained to me I needed the CDL but I wanted the non-CDL.

Afterwards I asked if I could take the skills test with the dump trailer that meets the weight requirement.  She said yes, then said hold on I think you have to take the test representative of the vehicle you are applying for and she went and asked someone else.  I said it meets the non-CDL A requirements but does not match the fact that I said I'm getting this for an RV.  She came back and said if I'm getting the license to drive an RV then I have to take the skills test in an RV.

I don't think anyone at DPS knows what's really required.

Few Questions:

1. When I go online to schedule the skills test it has a button for RV... is that what you all selected to schedule?

2. It's now saying I have to take an ITD test as well and show certificate of completion when I go for skills test.  I feel like this is wrong.  It says, "Completion of Impact Texas Driving (ITD) is required for all individuals taking a drive skills test.  You are required to present a certificate of completion before taking the drive test and it must be dated within 90 days of the scheduled appointment.  Complete ITD requirements may be viewed at:  https://impacttexasdrivers.dps.texas.gov."

3. Does anyone in DFW area want to lend me their 12,001 pound or greater travel trailer or fifth wheel so I can take this test on Tuesday, March 19th at 2pm at the Carrollton location at 4600 State Hwy 121 Carrollton, TX 75010?

2 hours ago, heitjer said:

Sorry for not being clear. Its was my understanding that the officials made 100% sure this was my owned trailer and it was not used commercially or as farm equipment to be considered to be used under this non commercial Class A type. It took a while for them to allow the test drive to start. They asked for the title and the registration details for the trailer and the truck and went inside for 30 minutes to check on this before we could start the test drive.  

The trailer company told me they had someone rent a trailer for a real CDL in the past.  They said they just gave the person the registration white paper which they said they would do for me.  DPS customer service said I can do this today but they would not provide confirmation to me in writing and could not point to anything on the website specific to using a trailer in place of an RV.   They told me to just point to the requirements on the website that the trailer meets the requirements and have the registration documents but they recommended I go in person to talk to the local DPS before I spend the money renting the trailer.

4 hours ago, heitjer said:

The renting of a trailer will not work for you.

Here is my situation. I have a large horse trailer (17.5k#) and a large low boy (14k#). Both get me over 26k#. When I filled out the paper work I crossed both option but the officials would only allow me to cross one. So I opted for the low boy and they asked why this is a recreational item. I told them that I need this to haul hay for my farm and equipment to/from the deer lease. Then I showed up with the low boy trailer and luckily I had all the registration paper work and the ownership papers with me. They wanted to see that this trailer was not registered as a commercial trailer, was not registered as a farm trailer (I do not have a farm exemption) so that it would fall under the claimed recreational category. 

After that it was a breeze. Its much easier to drive a 20ft low boy then a 38ft horse trailer around in Pasadena. But the officials were confused all the way with this option. 

Anyhow - all worked out for me. I think there is no visibility later to what vehicle you took to the test ones you have the class A document in hand.

Good luck!

Hello heitjer, I am not following why you do not think it'd work for me.  Is it because you are saying the trailer would be registered as commercial since it's with a rental company?  I'll look into the registration of the specific trailer.  Big Tex said for all of their other trailers over 12,001 GVWR I would need a CDL but for this one I do not so I'm thinking it might work since I'm assuming it must be registered so that they can rent it to any typical driver.

4 hours ago, Kirk W said:

Welcome to the Escapee forums! Since you live in Ft. Worth, my suggestion would be to drop by one of the driving license offices and discuss it with them. I am not aware of anyone who has done what you have in mind as most people buy the RV and then take the test in that RV. I have never found a clear answer to what the legal issues might be if you were to have an accident with the RV before proper licensing was obtained. 

I actually live in Dallas but the closest trailer I could find to rent that meets the GVWR requirement I need is in Fort Worth and it happens to be pretty close to the DPS testing site there.  I'm going to try and call them and see what they say.

Agree, I think the insurance question is avoided by the insurance companies and then we'd only find out if a claim and investigation happened with the situation.

4 hours ago, David-and-Cheryl said:

Just guessing here, but I think the answer is yes. Your certification on the CDL-2 applies to the purpose for which you'll be using your Class A license, not specifically to the vehicle you're using for the test. You're just taking the test in a vehicle different from what you'll ultimately be driving. You may have to explain this to your examiner, though.

Not sure which "list" you're referring to. If you mean the list on the CDL-2, it doesn't matter--as noted above, that certification applies to how you'll ultimately be using your license. You should check the RV box.

By the way...does your tow vehicle have a GVWR of at least 12,000 lbs? It would need to in order to qualify as a Class A vehicle in combination with that dump trailer. If it's under that, then the combination is a Class C, and in that case I don't know that they'd let you take the test in it.

If it were me, I wouldn't bother renting the trailer and taking the test before you get your RV. When you come back to Texas with your new RV, plan to take the test shortly thereafter in the rig you'll actually be driving. In the extremely unlikely event that you get stopped before then, you could explain that it's a new-to-you RV purchased out of state and that you're aware of the licensing requirements, but couldn't take the test until you had the RV. It's simpler and more in the spirit of the law, if not the letter. My guess is that a law enforcement officer would just be happy to know that you're aware of the requirement, which most RVers are not, and intend to comply with it as soon as is reasonably possible.

David

Yes, my Ram 3500 Dually has GVWR of 14,000 pounds so I need a trailer of 12,001 pounds or more.

I would not stress about driving without the license in terms of law enforcement... if I get a ticket oh well I'll pay it and it would be close to the cost of the rental trailer for the test anyway.  However, I am not comfortable driving a camper around for potentially eight months before I'll be back around the Texas area to take the test with my rig at that time.  I fear that if I have an accident insurance will not pay if it's serious enough that they re-create the accident and check weight and all of that and find out I was not licensed properly.  I called Escapees, they could not verify if insurance would typically pay.  I called Holiday World and they didn't even know what I was talking about in regards to the license.  I called Progressive who insures my truck and after about an hour on the phone being thrown back and forth between the same two or three departments someone finally said they don't look at the license when reviewing claims so they would pay up to $500 for the RV (any trailer actually) if not insured and then pay based on the policy if the RV was insured with them.  I asked for that in writing and they said they could not do that.  Without it in writing, it's meaningless to me and I'm not comfortable driving over the 26k GCWR until I get the license.

Hi All, I just filled out the CDL-2 form and will choose certification 4 an RV.  However, I have not purchased my RV yet and am trying to get my class A license before I leave Texas for a few months to visit family up in Pennsylvania. I plan to purchase my RV during that time most likely in that area so want to get the license now.  My plan was to rent a dump trailer that has a GVWR of 14,000 lbs from Big Tex Trailer World to take the skills test since its pretty close to the Fort Worth testing center so that will minimize my risk driving without the proper license to the testing site and possible insurance not paying if there is an accident.

1. Since I have to certify on the application that I'm getting the license for an RV, will they allow me to take the test with a dump trailer?

2. Also, which option would a dump trailer even fall under on this list?