Chicken or Egg?

spenceronehalf · 02-14-2017, 09:56 PM

DMV says I need my bus there to get my class C license. But I need my class C license to legally drive to the DMV. Ideas?

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lucasd · 02-15-2017, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spenceronehalf

DMV says I need my bus there to get my class C license. But I need my class C license to legally drive to the DMV. Ideas?

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I guess you have to find someone else with a license to drive you there - just like a kid getting that first driver's license had to have a parent or older friend lend a hand/car.

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cowlitzcoach · 02-15-2017, 12:57 AM

If your bus is registered and titled as an RV all you should need is a regular driver's license.

I know there are some jurisdictions that require a different regular license to drive RV's over a certain size. If that is the case with you, make sure the seats are out and anything having to do with a school bus (stop paddle, crossing arm, 8-way lights, School Bus id, etc.) need to be removed and or disabled. The less your school bus looks like a school bus the better it will be for you.

wunderhut · 02-15-2017, 06:19 AM

Yep in illinois, although I thought that big bus you got would weigh in for a class B like mine.

You just need to get someone with the right license to get it to the dmv for you.

You are licensed by weight here CDL or not.

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spenceronehalf · 02-15-2017, 06:59 AM

The bus manual I found online says 36k lbs. that's what puts us up into class c. Will find a buddy

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jctrembly · 02-15-2017, 07:23 AM

Without looking it up, what is required "in" state (intrastate) is not the same as what's required if you drive "out" (interstate) of state: ie: crossing a state line.

Anything vehicle with 16 occupants + (driver included) and traveling across state lines requires a Class B CDL per Federal regulations. Weight doesn't matter. Nor does how many seats the vehicle has, it is based on manufacturer design, even if all the seats are gone. I live 8 miles from a state line and we do 80% of most everything in that state. It kinda sucks but crossing a state line really complicates many things.

The only way around the CDL is to only drive IN state untill you re-title the bus as a motorhome.

http://www.streetdirectory.com/trave...eed_a_cdl.html

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spenceronehalf · 02-15-2017, 07:31 AM

I wish I didn't find this licensing part of things so complicated! But I think I get it now: since my bus is already classified as an RV, it sounds like I'll need a Class B (due to weight). At least that's how it sounds now ...

Big thanks!

jctrembly · 02-15-2017, 07:44 AM

Nope, motorhomes are exempt air brakes or not. Again, I haven't looked up your state laws but motorhomes are motorhomes not trucks or buses.

If one state requires anything but a regular drivers license for a motorhome they would be able to ticket most any out of state large motorhome driver.

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spenceronehalf · 02-15-2017, 09:38 AM

Okay, so you're saying that since my bus is legally a motorhome but has air brakes then I need the CDL. I think I get that.

Tango · 02-15-2017, 10:15 AM

Never heard of a CDL req for air brakes on an RV in the US. Canada...oui. US ???

Rusty · 02-15-2017, 10:33 AM

Am in Illinois (unfortunately) and have Class A, hit me up if you need help- near Chicago

Not any DMV will do CDL licensing in this wonderful State- Remember George Ryan/van full of kids that burned/bribes fiasco. I go to Morris DMV, don't forget your birth cert- is required now. DMV is incompetent in il- they get almost half of my transactions correct- They titled one of my semi tractors as a trailer.

Might want to take a class at Jr College, is good investment.

Stu & Filo. T · 02-15-2017, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

Never heard of a CDL req for air brakes on an RV in the US. Canada...oui. US ???

In Ca a Class B licence allows for comercial Transport of passengers plus theres a another I geuss you would call it a sub category added to the Class B that allows transporting school children which my wife has.

if a RV is over 40ft a Class B ENDORSMENT is req, it's not a cdl your can't drive for hire or carry passengers I believe it's to acknowledge that you know you have a vehicle with air brakes & know how to use & inspect them.

Whats kinda interesting is our 38ft Crown has air brakes but according to the DMV & CHP only a Class C license is req.

jctrembly · 02-15-2017, 11:14 AM

No. As longer as you are titled as a Motorhome you are exempt from weight air brakes. However:

Some states may require an air brake endorsement on a regular licence but that may be the exception not the rule.

Call your local DMV and ask but follow your local state law.

Can you imagine a salesperson saying .... Sorry Sir/Miss we can't sell this $800K -$1.5M motorhome to you since you can't get a CDL. Lol.

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Rusty · 02-15-2017, 11:38 AM

Feds set MINIMUM standards for CDL requirements. States can make more stringent requirements than Fed Minimums.

To rephrase- ALL States that want to continue receiving Federal Funding must abide by Fed Mandatory min req., but they can add other restrictions. Each State is unique.

What flies in your specific State doesn't fly in all States.Some lax States are fine with Fed minimum.

Non-Commercial CDL is what is required for Il- meaning no health screen and no driving for pay, no log book. They put a K on your license.

Furthermore, If you DO hold Commercial CDL, the fines and restrictions are much more harsh. Illinois DUI law is .08, but for CDL- it is .04-- even if you are driving your car. Cellphone use while driving is $1000 fine etc.

wunderhut · 02-15-2017, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowlitzcoach

If your bus is registered and titled as an RV all you should need is a regular driver's license.

LOL there is no regular license in illinois... there are 6 different classes of "regular" license. That's before you even start thinking of cdl stuff.

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Stu & Filo. T · 02-15-2017, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jctrembly

No. As longer as you are titled as a Motorhome you are exempt from weight air brakes. However:

Some states may require an air brake endorsement on a regular licence but that may be the exception not the rule.

Call your local DMV and ask but follow your local state law.

Can you imagine a salesperson saying .... Sorry Sir/Miss we can't sell this $800K -$1.5M motorhome to you since you can't get a CDL. Lol.

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I do remember looking at a 45ft with a tag axle & the salesman telling me I could buy it but couldn't drive it without the Class b endorsement

jctrembly · 02-15-2017, 11:55 PM

A Non-Commercial CDL... hmmm, a 'Non-Commercial Commercial Drivers Licence" sound like a play on words. Over length (45+) may be one thing but states are free to make there own rules more stringent than federal.

California is a good example of that.

Below is a list of driver license requirements state by state. It's pretty interesting. Of course they can't all be the same

https://www.fcrv.org/documents/legis-licenses-15.pdf

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