Do you need a CDL to control an RV? – Jalopnik

If you are considering adding a small house with wheels to your vehicle setup, you can also be curious about the license requirements for operating such a vehicle. For example, you can ask yourself whether you need a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Most people know that you need a CDL to control large trucks such as Semis and other commercial vehicles, but do you need one to control a camper?

Well, the simple answer is no. In the US, a standard driver’s license (or, class C license) authorizes you to control vehicles that weigh less than 26,000 pounds for personal use. Most standard motorhomes are supplied with gross vehicle weights (GWVRs) well under 26,000 pounds, which means they are legally required to work with a standard driving license in the US – does not require CDL.

However, not all campers weigh less than 26.00 pounds. In addition, if you want to control a camper outside the states, different regulations may apply. The European laws, for example, impose a weight limit of 4.5 meters (just over 9,900 pounds) for standard, class B licenses. That is why it is vital that you know how much your motorhomes weigh and the local laws in your region understand. Here you can read how you can get everything right.

RV types are divided into three classes (A, B and C), and the primary determinants for the type of license you need for your camper are the weight and chassis. If your RV weighs more than 26,000 pounds or exceeds 45 feet for a long time, you may need a special driver’s license, but not necessarily a CDL-if you only operate the vehicle for personal use, you probably need a special non-commercial driver’s license or a driver’s license, depending on the laws of your state.

Of the three RV classes, class A Cotorhuizen are most likely to exceed the limits of 26,000 pounds or 45 feet, because they are often built on Buschassis. On the other hand, class C vehicles are usually built on truck chassis and are usually far below the weight limit for a standard permit. Class B vehicles are the smallest type of mobile home, are usually built on chassis and roads generally between 6,000 and 8,000 pounds. These campers are also legal to work with a standard license. For class B and C vehicles, and even some of the lighter class A vehicles, you need nothing more than a standard driver’s license – as long as you only use the vehicle for personal efforts, that is.

Whether you are planning to drag your family to the parks every weekend, to register a camper like your primary home or to perform wild experiments (like this man trying to kill a Ford Triton RV by throwing it from a cliff), adds a healthy quantities of use and entertainment to every garage. Fortunately, that utility does not create too much hassle from a legal perspective, especially if you do not use it for commercial purposes.

However, if your RV exceeds the weight or length restrictions for a personal vehicle on a standard driver’s license, you must consult your local by means of, where you can request the correct license required by your state. Most states also require that you have RV liability coverage to cause any damage that occurs as soon as you set off with your house on wheels. As long as you are properly insured and are in accordance with the licensees of your state for personal vehicles, you can start collecting the kilometers on your RV – not required CDL.