Florida drivers license requirements?

[RobOfYork]

Is anyone familiar with the florida drivers license requirements for driving a school bus that has not been titled as an RV yet? 35' to 40' bus.

From reading the exemptions I see these two.

Drivers of recreational vehicles used for recreational purposes; or

Drivers who operate straight trucks (single units) that are exclusively transporting their own tangible personal property which is not for sale.

It seems I would be exempt from needing a CDL even if the vehicle is over 26,000 pounds even when it's just registered as a commercial vehicle and being used for private use.

Am I correct or way off base?

[john61ct]

CDL can really only be required for driving for commercial purposes.

Even if not registered as "an RV", it is still recreational.

Ask a state trooper what they think not theory but IRL. I bet you're OK, so long as you have insurance, and don't take years getting the RV rego done.

Or just do the VT route and eliminate the uncertainty

[RobOfYork]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Or just do the VT route and eliminate the uncertainty

Thanks. I have been researching the VT route and then re-title it to Florida after that.

Of course all the seats will be taken out before I start driving it around on a regular basis.

[ewo1]

Originally Posted by RobOfYork

Thanks. I have been researching the VT route and then re-title it to Florida after that.

Of course all the seats will be taken out before I start driving it around on a regular basis.

It is easy to title your bus as an RV in Florida, no need to go anywhere else.

FLORIDA TITLE INSTRUCTIONS -> https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f18/f...ons-21010.html

Once it is titled as an RV, then you do not need a CDL to drive it.

What part of Miami are you from?

I'm in Cutler Bay!

[EastCoastCB]

No reason to go the vermont route in FL.

[RobOfYork]

Sounding very good. I guess I just need to find out if I need any special endorsement on my regular drivers license for a heavy vehicle and or air brakes. Can't seem to find any info on this that does not pertain to a CDL.

[EastCoastCB]

if its privately owned and for personal use you are good to go man.

[ewo1]

Originally Posted by RobOfYork

Sounding very good. I guess I just need to find out if I need any special endorsement on my regular drivers license for a heavy vehicle and or air brakes. Can't seem to find any info on this that does not pertain to a CDL.

In Florida, a personal recreational RV with air brakes, you are exempt from needing an air brakes endorsement on your drivers license.
You do not need to get a CDL either!

But what I would strongly suggest, is go ahead and study the air brakes portion of the CDL test and take the journey and go to the DMV and take the official test once you are confident in passing it.

This serves two purposes.

FIRST - You will now better understand how an air brake system works and learn how to do a pre-trip inspection on your air brakes system. This inspection is very, very important for safety purposes, yours, your family and every else out on the road. Not understanding why you are losing air or not building up pressure really comes from not learning how the system operates.

SECOND - There are a small handful of states that do require "Their" residents to have an air brake certificate/endorsement on their DL for handling RV's equipped with air brakes.

By getting the test done and out of the way you will be on safe ground in other states in case you run into a hard-headed cop!

So two good reason on why I would suggest it, but again, not required by law at least in Florida.

Here is a video on testing / pre-trip school bus air brakes.

Module 3 School Bus Air Brake Test Training

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujIvtzRO3K4

[dwood443]

in Ohio you can't get the air brake endorsement unless you have a CDL. Can't get with a regular class D license

I do agree to read up and learn about them.

[EastCoastCB]

no air brake endorsement needed in FL for a motorhome.

[john61ct]

There may be an issue travelling into Canada, but I believe all 50 states must abide by your registering state's rules, or lack thereof.

California's trying to override that principle with older diesels, but I bet won't stand up to court challenges.

[RobOfYork]

ewo1 - Now that was extremely helpful. Thank you very much.

[Native]

Bear in mind that it is very simple to have it registered in Florida as a motorhome ... you only need one of three things:


- Wired for 110V A.C.
- Plumbed for gas
- installation of a water system (to include a flushing toilet)


... only ONE of these is needed.


You sign an Affidavit of Conversion, take it to the DMV, get it changed.

[ewo1]

Originally Posted by RobOfYork

ewo1 - Now that was extremely helpful. Thank you very much.

You are very welcome, Glad I could help!

[Ms Blue Sky]

Until you get it changed to rv, it is most definitely considered a commercial vehicle regardless of what anyone says. You need a CDL and depending on your city, like st Petersburg, until it's an rv, you can't even have it visible on your property. We got an ordinance violation but got it changed to rv quickly. Even then, you have to abide by rv ordinance. But that's a little more lenient.