One of the first questions many people ask when considering purchasing a motorhome or travel trailer is, “Do I need a special license to drive an RV?” After all, these vehicles are quite large, and it wouldn't be at all surprising to learn that driving one would require special testing and a special driver’s license.
However, the answer to this common question may surprise you. In most cases, RV owners do not need any special license in order to drive their rig. As long as your motorhome weighs in at less than 26,000 lbs—and most are well below this threshold—then you’re good to go in every single state, without needing to meet any special driver’s license requirements.
34 States Do NOT Require Any Special License
No matter the size or weight of your vehicle
States That Require a Special License for RVs
If you’re looking at an especially large RV, it is important to note that there are a few states that will require a special license.
There are two types of special licenses out there:
- A non-commercial, RV-specific license.
- A commercial license (CDL), which is also used by professional drivers of buses and tractor trailers.
To discover whether you need a special license, you will need to reference the requirements of your state of residency. Some states look at the length of your vehicle, but more often, the weight is what is taken into consideration. If you do need one, the type of special license required will also depend on the state you call home.
States That Require A Special Non-Commercial License
- California — Class B license required for motorhomes exceeding 26,000 lbs or 40 feet in length. Class A license required to tow trailers exceeding 10,000 lbs.
- Maryland — Class B license is required for RVs over 26,000 lbs.
- Michigan — If you plan to tow a fifth wheel in addition to a trailer, you will need a recreational double “R” endorsement.
- North Carolina — Class B license required for motorhomes exceeding 26,000 lbs. Class A license required for those towing with a total rig weight of 26,000 lbs or more.
- Nevada — Class B license required for motorhomes exceeding 26,000 lbs. Class A license required for those towing with a total rig weight of 26,000 lbs or more. Special “J” endorsement required to tow a vehicle over 10,000 lbs with a total rig weight under 26,000 lbs.
- New York — “R” endorsement required for all RVs with a GVWR of more than 26,000 lbs.
- Pennsylvania — Class B license required for motorhomes exceeding 26,000 lbs. Class A license required for those towing with a total rig weight of 26,000 lbs or more.
- South Carolina — Class E license required for motorhomes exceeding 26,000 lbs. Class F license required for those towing with a total rig weight of 26,000 lbs or more.
- Texas — Class B license required for motorhomes exceeding 26,000 lbs. Class A license required for those towing with a total rig weight of 26,000 lbs or more.
- Wyoming — Class B license required for vehicles over 26,000 lbs with or without a towed vehicle under 10,000 lbs. Class A required for vehicles over 26,000 lbs and a towed vehicle over 10,000 lbs.
Where Do You Need a CDL to Drive an RV?
As mentioned above, some states go so far as to require an actual commercial driver’s license for large rigs. This driver’s license is typically a bit more difficult to obtain than the non-commercial licenses mentioned above, but should cover RV drivers in all 50 states no matter the size of their rig.
Wondering which states you might need a CDL in? Below is a list of those states, as well as the vehicle sizes at which they consider the commercial driver’s license necessary:
- Arkansas — CDL required for RVs over 26,000 lbs.
- Connecticut — Class B CDL required for a single vehicle over 26,000 lbs. Class A CDL required for those towing with combined GVWR weight over 26,000 lbs.
- Hawaii — Class B CDL required for motorhomes over 26,000 lbs. Class A CDL required for those towing with a combined GVWR of 26,000 lbs or more.
- Kansas — Class B CDL required for motorhomes over 26,000 lbs. Class A CDL required for those towing with a combined GVWR of 26,000 lbs or more.
- New Mexico — Class B CDL required for motorhomes over 26,000 lbs. Class A CDL required for those towing with a combined GVWR of 26,000 lbs or more.
- Washington, D.C. — Class B CDL required for motorhomes over 26,000 lbs. Class A CDL required for those towing with a combined GVWR of 26,000 lbs or more.
- Wisconsin — CDL required for motorhomes over 45 feet in length.
What If I Have A Tow Vehicle or Trailer?
If you plan on towing a travel trailer behind a truck, or you plan on towing a small tow vehicle (or “toad”) behind your class C or class A motorhome, you may be wondering how this affects you in terms of licensing.
For the most part, if the trailer or vehicle you will be towing has a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 10,000 lbs, you will not need a special license in any state. However, if A) the vehicle or trailer weighs more than 10,000 lbs, B) your entire rig clocks in at more than 26,000 lbs, or C) you plan to tow more than one trailer at a time, you may need to look into that CDL or non-commercial RV license.
You can reference the lists of states with special licensing requirements above to learn whether your towing setup will require you to go through testing and obtain a new license.
Do You Need A Special License to Drive an RV in Canada?
Plan on heading north to Canada? If so, you’ll definitely want to ensure you’re driving legally while there. However, because Canada law can vary greatly from US law, knowing how to go about this can seem confusing.
Fortunately, it isn’t actually confusing at all. You see, Canada only requires that RV drivers comply with the laws of their home state. Therefore, as long as you’re driving legally at home, you can rest easy knowing you’re driving legally in Canada as well.
If you are still feeling a bit confused about whether you need a special license to drive your RV, know that you aren’t alone. For those who are still shopping around, our best advice is to go with a small to mid-sized RV. Generally, a class C motorhome or lightweight travel trailer fits well into this category. Doing this will ensure you are well under any weight restrictions, making the conversation of a special license completely unnecessary.
However, if you already own a large rig, or if you must have an especially big motorhome for any reason, your best bet is to call your local DMV. They will be able to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information on driver’s license requirements so you can know without a doubt that you are driving safely and legally.