CDL for motorhomes/tour buses with air brakes

Don't believe that to be the case but Chaff. license would be needed

 

what is a chaff license ?

 

I don't believe that's the case....It has been tried in the past to require special licensing for motorhomes but the AARP and travel industry have lobbied hard against it.

As far as tour busses go...That's a whole different animal. They would be required to have a CDL and all required endorsements for carrying passengers because they are "For Hire" and are therefore involved in commerce.

If it has changed recently I'm unaware of it.

 

None for Mototrhomes....

 

Some states require special licenses for particular motoromes. As an example, CA requires a Class B non commercial if the motorhome is over 42 feet. Also for trailers and 5th Wheels over 16,000 or combination of vehicle and trailer over 25,999 lbs.
Several other states have the same requirements. I know N Carolina has the requirements, as I've seen the police hauling over larger rigs to the POE on 95 coming out of South Carolina. If you don't have the license, they make you park it until you can find someone licensed to move it for you.
I have moved three of those rigs for people up the road to the KOA campground just above Fayetteville. (I was paid)
The special license is being supported by the industry and AARP, etc.
It is not nearly as difficult to get as a CDL, but it does require a written and driving test. There is talk of bringing the requirements down to anything over 25,999 GVW and some states...not sure, possibly CA require that now.
Times are a changin'!

 

If the motor home for the musician meets the requirements for a CDL the driver must have a CDL and be D & A tested:

So if the motor home has a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more or seats more than 16 passengers including the driver then the CDL is required.

The CDL rules are tied to employment, if a person operates a vehicle that requires a CDL for an employer then the CDL is required:

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=383.5

Mom & pop operating a motor home that meets the definition of a CMV are not employed by the motor home manufacturer; therefore, mom & pop are excluded from the federal requirements for a CDL.

Employment is the key, if you're employed and operating a vehicle that requires a CDL then you must have a CDL.

Be safe.

 

Chauffer license

 

Your facts on California law are not correct. A non-commercial class B is required for any motorhome over 40 ft. and an airbrake endorsement if the coach has air brakes. A non-commercial class A is required to pull a trailer with a GVWR of 10,000 lb. or a fifth-wheel with a GVWR of 15000 lb.

 

I know in my State, a CDL is not required for a RV that is being used as a recreation vehicle. Now if someone like roadmedic is hauling it from the manufacturer to the dealer, it is required then if the vehicle is large enough. A non commercial class A is required if the combination is 26,001 lbs or more CGVWR and the trailer (5th wheel or travel trailer GVWR is in excess of 10,000 lbs. A non commercial Class B is required if the power unit GVWR is 26,001 lbs or more. This has changed within the last 5 years. I see folks I know don't have a class B non commercial license pulling those 40 ft diesel pushers around the campgrounds I visit, who have a difficult time backing into a site, I can only imagine how they drive on the road. I wish they would make it a standard law in regards to license requirements for all the State's to follow for non commercial vehicles. Another one that chapps my backside is a farm vehicle from some State's can be a 53 ft trailer being yanked by a 379 Pete, and the 16 year old kid driving can have a Class C non commercial license, because that driver's home State allows this. In my State, I have to honor whatever that driver's home State allows. I have a 55,000 lbs 3 axle straight truck being used as a farm vehicle and the kid has a class C non commercial and have to allow him to continue. But if another person is doing commercial work, he gets shut down. That's the part that is irritating.