So what s a cdl anyway and do you need a cdl to drive an rv.
Do you need a cdl to drive an rv with air brakes.
In the vast majority of cases the answer is no.
Drivers of vehicles with air brakes that don t otherwise qualify as a commercial vehicle.
Any michigan resident who intends to operate the following commercial vehicles is required to have a commercial driver license.
According to the federal motor carrier and safety administration you do not need a cdl with air brake endorsement to drive a vehicle that is under 26 000 gvwr that has air brakes.
Combination vehicles towing a trailer or other vehicles with a gvwr of 10 001.
A commercial license commonly known as a cdl is the same kind of license commercial bus drivers and truckers get.
Emergency vehicles such as fire trucks or ambulances.
But most importantly many states require a special non commercial license for rvs over 26 000 lbs or certain towing combinations.
So do you need a cdl to drive a skoolie.
School buses carrying fewer than 16 passengers including the driver but you will still need a school bus endorsement and to pass the school bus and commercial driver tests.
A non commercial special license may also be required by the state for those looking to drive large weighty vehicles for their own private purposes.
However you may need an air brake certification or special license based on the weight of your skoolie depending on your state of origin.
States and situations that require special licenses california.
There are also some large towing combination lengths that might require a cdl in some states.
If you are towing a fifth wheel plus a trailer behind that you need a license called a recreational double.
You do not need a cdl for the following types of vehicles.
While most states do not require a cdl for driving large rv s some do require special non commercial licenses structured after the federal classification.
Fmcsa defines several cdl classes based on vehicle weight type and cargo.
Once you have registered your skoolie for personal use usually as a recreational vehicle you do not need a cdl.
Even though a vehicle is equipped with air brakes it doesn t automatically mean the driver must have a cdl.
However if you happen to be a rare bird driving a big rig motorhome in hawaii you might need a cdl.
You need a class b non commercial license to drive a vehicle weighing over 26 000 pounds.
The two classes applicable to rv s are a b which are defined below.
Recreational vehicles and rented moving trucks used for.