RV Driving Tips

Details: Written by The RV Guy

At our RV Boot Camp Trainings, we begin by determining what our audience knows about the operation of large vehicles. See if you need to learn more about driving your RV - test your RV knowledge.

How wide is an Interstate freeway lane?
In your State, what is the maximum width an RV can be?
In your State, what is the maximum legal height a vehicle can be?
If your motor home is over 40 feet, what do you require?
What is the weight of your RV?
What is the height of your RV?
What is Off-Track?
In your State, what is the maximum combined length of your truck and RV?
Can you tow more than one vehicle in your State?
When towing, what is the legal speed limit in your State?
What is a Gator?
What is an easy way to keep your RV centered in the lane?
Why is it important to adjust your mirrors?
What is the easiest way to get more miles per gallon?
If you double your speed, your stopping distance increases by...
If you double your weight, your stopping distance increases by...
If you double weight and speed, stopping distance increases by...
Name the primary braking system when descending a steep hill?
If you're in high wind conditions, what should you do?
If there are 3 lanes, in which lane should an RV travel?
When stopping in urban traffic, how must space should you leave between your vehicle and the one in front of you?
On the freeway, how far ahead should you scan the road?
When driving on the freeway, how many seconds should there be between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you?
At 55 MPH, how many feet will you travel in 1/2 a second?
If your vehicle has air brakes, why is this figure important? Explain the COLA check?

If you didn't know many of the answers, you're not alone. At our RV Boot Camp Trainings, very few non-commercial drivers know the answers.

Details

non commercial class b 2020

If the calls we’re receiving so far this year are any indication of what’s happening in the RV Industry, 2020 is going to be the year of the Big RV and Trailer!

Who needs a non-commercial license?

In California if you’ve purchased a motor home that is over 40 feet
in length, you DO require a non-com Class B license.
If you have a 5th wheel trailer that weights more than 15,000 lbs or a bumper tow trailer that weights more than 10,000 lbs, you DO require a non-com Class A license. The good news is that for the majority of RVers, you do NOT require a special license!Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Wyoming require a non-commercial license for an RV weight over 26,000 lbs.
Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Kansas, New Mexico, Washington D.C or Wisconsin, check with your local DMV because if your vehicle is over 26,000 lbs you require a Commercial Driver’s License! For the rest of the country and if you’re traveling to Canada, you are good to go!

How you’ll be tested:

In California the testing procedure is as follows; the examiner will inspect your registration papers, your insurance papers and your interim license, all must be current. He/she will then make sure all of the lights and turn signals are working on the RV and if applicable, they will explain the Air Brakes to you and check to make sure there are no air leaks. (In California you do NOT require an Air Brake Endorsement). Then the examiner will have you do three of the four basic driving skills, straight-line backing, off-set backing and 90 degree dockside backing, no parallel parking. To pass the skills test, you must have no more than 12 errors overall. You are allowed to have two “Looks” and three pull-ups for the dockside backing.

Once you have passed the drive skills test it is out on the road to do your road test. The road test is no different than what every commercial driver experiences. To pass the road portion, you must have no more than 30 errors and no marks in the automatic failure section. You will then have your noncommercial Class A or Class B license.

Remember the non-commercial license is just that, NON COMMERCIAL so do NOT try to get one if you’re being paid to drive! If you receive compensation to drive, you MUST have a full CDL.

This in a nutshell is what the non-commercial is all about. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Thank you! Gary