Can I Drive an RV With a Car License? (Statewise List For US!)

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Yes, you can drive all RVs under 26,000 pounds of GVWR with a regular car license. If you have an RV over 26,000 pounds (GVWR) then you’ll need a commercial license but don’t worry with a commercial license you can drive both car and an RV in your state without any problem.

Read the coming table to know which state requires which type of license to drive most vehicles, including RVs, motorhomes, cars, and vans under 26,000 pounds of GVWR.

Statewise List For DL Class – Can operate RV and Car

States	Go for these classes to drive your RVs and cars under 26,000 pounds (GVWR) with the same license
New York	Class D
New Mexico	Class D
Idaho	Class D
Texas	Class D
New Hampshire	Class D
New Jersey	Class D (For all types of vehicles registered by the MVC) Not for Commercial Vehicles Like large trucks, buses, and vehicle hauling hazardous materials
California	Class C
Florida	Class C
Nebraska	Class O (Any Motor vehicle except commercial)
Illinois	Class C for Motor Vehicle between 16,000-26,000 pounds. Class D for Motor Vehicle less than 16,000 pounds
Massachusetts	Class B
Utah	Class D (Non-commercial – max weight not mentioned)
Minnesota	Class D
Washington	PDL or regular driver license
Pennsylvania	Class C
Tennessee	Class D (Regular Car License)
Alabama	Class D (Regular operator, private passenger)
Alaska	Class C
Colorado	Class R
Delaware	Class D
Iowa	Class C – Operator (for cars and RVs under 16,000 pounds)
Michigan	Operator’s License
Mississippi	Class R or Class D – Operator
Hawaii	Class 4
Georgia	Class C
West Virginia	Class C
Arizona	Class D (Operator License)
Indiana	Standard License
Ohio	Class D (You can’t tow a trailer with a gross weight of over 10,000 pounds)
North Carolina	Regular Class A, B, or C (Contact local drivers license office to know which class you need to go for)
Oregon	Class C (Towing a trailer up to 10,000 pounds is granted)
Montana	Class D
Maryland	Class C (Tow trailers 10,000 pounds or less)
Maine	Class C (Regular Drivers License)
Missouri	Class F
Wisconsin	Regular Driver License (8-year validity) Probationary License (Class D – Valid for 2 years)
Louisiana	Class E (RV or any single vehicle under 10,000 pounds)
Connecticut	Class D
Kentucky	Class D
Nevada	Class C (Towing a vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less)
Arkansas	Normal, Class D
Wyoming	Class C
Kansas	Class C
Rhode Island	Operator’s license (Tow a trailer up to 10,000 pounds)
Vermont	Class D, Operator’s driver’s license
North Dakota	Class C
Oklahoma	Class D

Commercial Vs. Non-Commercial (CDL Vs. Non-CDL) License For RV

Through my research on driving an RV with a car license, Nearly all US states have commercial and noncommercial driving licenses. In all cases, I’ve found that the weight of your vehicle, seats, and work type of your vehicle will determine the type of license you need to have.

To say, any vehicle that is less than GVWR 26,001 pounds, including towing vehicle or combination of vehicles and not transporting hazardous goods, does not require a CDL.

Whereas if the vehicle’s overall weight exceeds 26,001 pounds, you’ll need a commercial license, and you’ll need CDL even if the weight is less than 26,001 pounds if you’re transporting hazardous goods or vehicles can accommodate more than 16 passengers seat including driver.

Anyone who is driving commercial vehicles needs a commercial license, and anyone who is driving private vehicles for traveling purpose are fine with Non-CDL.

And I don’t think you’ll ever need a CDL if you’re driving an RV and car because, according to RVblogger.com, the average weight of an RV is about 10,000 pounds. And the average weight of a car is about 2,870 pounds.

This tells us that RVs and cars are usually less than 26,000 pounds, and RVs do not transport hazardous goods and can’t facilitate 16 people.

How to get a commercial license for an RV?

Here we are talking about the commercial license requirements as a US citizen.

You need to have a CDL if your RV’s GVWR weighs over 26,001 pounds, including the weight of towing vehicle (camper, etc.).

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Be at least 18 years of age to drive intrastate
• Create an application for your CDL, submit it to your local authority, and pay the necessary fee.
• Provide your SSN (Social Security Number) and your Identity (Check what your state requires)
• Provide proof of state and your US residency.
• Complete and submit the Medical Examination Report Form and Medical Examiner’s Certificate Form.
• You need to pass the vision test
• Pass a knowledge exam
• After you pass the exam, you’ll get a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
• You may have to weigh a minimum of 14 days before you can schedule your CDL road skill examination
• Pass the pre-trip inspection
• Pass the driving and road skills examination (you must bring your vehicle)
• After passing all the tests and exams, pay the fee needed for your new CDL
• You may optionally require to submit a 10-year Record check if you previously have a CDL in any other state than which you’re applying.

Note: The given criteria are provided by the website name driving-tests.org. So I will not be responsible if there are any errors or failures in requirements.

Do RVs have to go through weigh stations?

In most states, Private RVs do not need to stop at any weigh station unless the police officer asks it. Until then, you’re fine.

But in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, Iowa, Rhode Island, Washington state, Wisconsin, and Nevada, you need to stop at the weighing station if the RV weighs 10,000 pounds.

And all commercial vehicles must stop at the station regardless of weight in California, Connecticut, Kansas, and Texas.

If they ask to stop at the station, you should stop to avoid any problems.

Classes Of RV

For those who are curious to know the different classes of RV, here is the list of them. Moreover, the RV class can increase or reduce the weight of an RV because each type of RV comes with different qualities and features.

• Park Model ‘Cottager’ (Known for all four seasons)
• Park Models (It is a compromised version of the house and an RV)
• Truck Campers
• Pop-up Trailer
• Travel Trailer
• Fifth Wheel
• Class A, Class B, and Class C Motorhome

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