raphaman Posted October 23, 2015 Report Share Posted October 23, 2015 Hi Guys Debbie and I just bought a 2006 Monaco Diplomat 400 Cummins diesel. I was just told today I need a special license. I've already driven 600 miles. Is that true and what does California require test wise? I appreciate your help. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest THE TRAILERKING Posted October 23, 2015 Report Share Posted October 23, 2015 Check with your jurisdiction is the best.......However, you should take it upon yourself to know and understand the "Air Brake" system anyways. Just because you can and already have drove it 600 miles......When something goes wrong you better understand what's going on. Then you won't hurt yourself and/or others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIBERNUT Posted October 23, 2015 Report Share Posted October 23, 2015 Learn how to do a REAL DOT brake test procedure, and do it frequently. It's not that hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Heiser Posted October 23, 2015 Report Share Posted October 23, 2015 In CA you can drive any motorhome under 40 feet in length, regardless of how it is equipped, with a standard Class C license (the same license you need to drive a car). Here is a link to the CA driver handbook where this is described: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/hdbk/lic_classes If the motorhome is between 40 and 45 feet in length, you need a non commercial Class B license with endorsement. Here is the link to the commercial driver handbook where this is discussed (scroll to page 3): https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/42c566ef-31ac-4df2-a8ed-480619084886/comlhdbk.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CONVERT_TO=url&CACHEID=42c566ef-31ac-4df2-a8ed-480619084886 If you are going to tow a trailer or Toad, you can tow up to 10000 lbs on one of the above class licenses (obviously you need to be within specs on your motorhome's towing capacity). If your trailer or Toad is over 10000 lbs, you need to have a Class A license to tow it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest THE TRAILERKING Posted October 23, 2015 Report Share Posted October 23, 2015 Do you not need ANY endorsement and training on "Air Brake" equipped vehicles?? We can't get away with that here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Heiser Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 N Do you not need ANY endorsement and training on "Air Brake" equipped vehicles?? We can't get away with that here. No, not for a regular motorhome. Wealthy retirees buying big diesel pushers didn't want to have to test for new licenses, so they had their friends in high places get the laws set accordingly. Not saying it is right, but it is what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest THE TRAILERKING Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 N No, not for a regular motorhome. Wealthy retirees buying big diesel pushers didn't want to have to test for new licenses, so they had their friends in high places get the laws set accordingly. Not saying it is right, but it is what it is. I knew there was a simple explanation......Thanks Chad Heiser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dons118 Posted October 28, 2015 Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 N No, not for a regular motorhome. Wealthy retirees buying big diesel pushers didn't want to have to test for new licenses, so they had their friends in high places get the laws set accordingly. Not saying it is right, but it is what it is. Oh, come on. Do you really believe that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Heiser Posted October 28, 2015 Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 Oh, come on. Do you really believe that? It is called lobbying and it is exactly what happened. I am not denigrating it, I am just explaining why in California you can drive up to a 40 foot diesel pusher with air brakes that weighs in excess of 30000 lbs with the same drivers license you need for a two door coupe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WOBentley Posted November 5, 2015 Report Share Posted November 5, 2015 California is not alone, in Oregon you can drive any motorhome without a special license. I will add that I didn't really buy that so I checked the Oregon Driver's rules and they state that you need a special license if the MH is over 26,000lbs, mine is 31,000lbs (GVWR) so I called the DMV and asked directly. They told me that the Law in Oregon is actually that you can drive any MH/RV no matter the size with a standard driver's license. I questioned her regarding the printed information in the handbook and she told me that it was in error...Of course it is the DMV so I have my doubts, but I can't find anyone to contradict her so I am believing it...for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted November 6, 2015 Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 It is called lobbying and it is exactly what happened. If you do some checking you will find that most of the states do not require any special licensing to drive any size of RV. That same thing is true when it comes to the maximum age for keeping a driving license. Senior citizen lobbyists have a lot of impact upon state legislators. It is kind of funny how most of us change our views as our birthday counts increase. About 30 years ago I was an advocate for everyone over the age of 70 needing to take a driving test just to renew an ordinary license, but for some reason, I don't think that way so much today? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveandLiz Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 FYI http://changingears.com/rv-sec-state-rv-license.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 A while back we did a page on Drivers License required for HDTs in the HDT Resource Guide. In many cases, HDTs, as RV trailer haulers, are considered as RVs. The page State Listing of Drivers Licenses has links to the state codes that define whether a RV is subject to CDL (exempt) licenses or not. The listings are for all RV purposes, not just HDTs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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