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Old 03-05-2019, 07:28 PM   #1
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Kindly point me in the right direction

Researching away and trying to find info on license requirements. I know that air brakes and anything 26000 gvw requires a cdl. Not having a cdl license I'm trying to find all/any other guidelines for Massachusetts drivers. My schedule for work makes it quite difficult to get to the dmv which would probably answer most of my questions with ease. The last thing I would want to do is purchase a Skoolie I cannot drive as I may not have the proper licensing to do so. Any info or direction would be much apprecited.

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Old 03-05-2019, 08:29 PM   #2
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As far as I can find, MA does NOT require a CDL for RV's. A standard class D license covers RV's over 26k.

This only applies if you are titled as as an RV.
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Old 03-05-2019, 08:51 PM   #3
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Once there is seating for less than 16 passengers, it is no longer considered a commercial vehicle if privately owned in most states. If it's not used for business, it isn't commercial.
Mass. does not require a CDL or special license for RV's or over 26K lbs.
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Old 03-06-2019, 09:49 AM   #4
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Echoing what was said above. Different states have different requirements to qualify as an RV. Once registered as an RV, you are exempt from having to have a CDL even if your RV has air brakes and is over #26,000.. that is, most states. In Oregon I had to have seating for less than 16 people and have a permanently mounted bed and stove. It was all pretty easy to mock up. Obtaining RV insurance can be a bigger challenge. Commercial vehicle for private use is another way to go.
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Old 03-06-2019, 10:42 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
As far as I can find, MA does NOT require a CDL for RV's. A standard class D license covers RV's over 26k.

This only applies if you are titled as as an RV.
This is true, I have friends in MA with class A motorhomes and no CDL. Your best bet is to re-title the bus as an RV either through MA RMV or VT asap after purchase. Also helps with local zoning issues that you may or may not have. Some places will limit the number of commercial vehicles in a residential neighborhood, but don't restrict RV's. The change in title status prevents that from becoming an issue, and should help with insurance rates as well.
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Old 03-06-2019, 11:11 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
Once there is seating for less than 16 passengers, it is no longer considered a commercial vehicle if privately owned in most states. If it's not used for business, it isn't commercial.
Mass. does not require a CDL or special license for RV's or over 26K lbs.
Be aware that laws vary by state. The above may be correct in Georgia but not in WA. Here, if it is registered as a bus and has a gvrw over 26k you must have a CDL.

Best to verify the rules in your own state.
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Old 03-06-2019, 11:14 AM   #7
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in Canada if a vehicle has air brakes you must be certified for air brakes
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Old 03-06-2019, 11:19 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
Be aware that laws vary by state. The above may be correct in Georgia but not in WA. Here, if it is registered as a bus and has a gvrw over 26k you must have a CDL.

Best to verify the rules in your own state.
I covered Wash. when I said "most states".
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Old 03-06-2019, 12:15 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
Be aware that laws vary by state. The above may be correct in Georgia but not in WA. Here, if it is registered as a bus and has a gvrw over 26k you must have a CDL.

Best to verify the rules in your own state.

Actually, I'm betting WA has something similar to a Class A/Class B non-CDL as many other states do (I know GA does). Probably an endorsement for air brakes too.


Some of you might wonder why non-CDL's are a thing, if they aren't required for RV's. WA may require the appropriate class of license for the weight/size of the vehicle (basically, no RV exemption), where in GA there is an exemption. For "everyone else", it covers all sorts of non-commercial usage of larger vehicles - trailering your car/horses to the races, hauling (your) farm produce to the market, a contractor hauling waste from job sites to the dump, etc.
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