Changes to Texas Class A/B Exempt Dirver's License Drocedures

[usroamer]

I've been told by full timers that use South Dakota as a domain that you'll need plan F if you want to have Medicare access all over the U.S. They are both on Medicare and said it hasn't been a problem for them.

I'm using SD address. Both my wife and I are on Medicare and Plan F. insurance. Medicare, SSA, my Plan F insurance company as well as medical providers all have my SD address as my address of record. I have had no issues using Medicare anywhere in the U.S. Medicare has paid every claim as well as plan F picking up the balance. In fact most of our doctors are in Texas as that is where we spend the better portion of our time. No issues at all. One item to keep in mind. If one signs up for a Medicare Advantage plan then that will only be good in SD as it is basically an HMO type plan. Medicare is taken nationwide and the F plans is taken anywhere Medicare is accepted.

Back to the OP issue. SD also has a special license for combinations over 26K #. The rules have recently changed but I have 2 more years to research before my license is up for renewal.

 

[Booneyrat]

South Dakota is attempting to crack down on out of staters registering their rigs , it seems surrounding states are moaning about loss of revenue.

 

[CWSWine]

South Dakota is attempting to crack down on out of staters registering their rigs , it seems surrounding states are moaning about loss of revenue.

I have heard from several motorhome owners that created a LLC in a different state to register motorhome to get out paying taxes and was pulled over by State Police was ask for CDL, log book and DOT numbers since they were register commercial business (LLC). I have register and leased vehicles for my own business and never been told I had to have a CDL to drive them but I have no reason not to believe that it hasn't happened.

 

[JCZhome]

South Dakota is attempting to crack down on out of staters registering their rigs , it seems surrounding states are moaning about loss of revenue.

Where does your information come from?

If your domain and your legal address are South Dakota then your vehicles should be registered there as well.

 

[TucsonJim]

Where does your information come from?

If your domain and your legal address are South Dakota then your vehicles should be registered there as well.

True, but according to the attached article, there are always people trying to scam the system. It's very complex and even SD recognizes it's a problem for other states.


Jum
http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/so...cle_3d0515e8-7d34-11df-b02e-001cc4c002e0.html

 

[JCZhome]

Thanks Jim. Doesn't look like we have anything to worry about at this point. We do not have any other address.....South Dakota is it and we'll be spending all of this coming summer in Rapid City.

 

[Booneyrat]

Where does your information come from?

If your domain and your legal address are South Dakota then your vehicles should be registered there as well.

My information comes from many friends who have registered their land yachts in SD,and..the Rapid City,SD newspapers. Also...Wyoming..Nebraska..North Dakota have also been involved in cracking down on these people.My thoughts are if you own property in a state..then you should also register your vehicles in that same state..along with your drivers license...no more free lunches for cheaters.

 

[JCZhome]

Thank you Booneyrat. Looking at the article that Tucson Jim posted a link to, above, it looks like it's directed at those that still live in other states and are using a South Dakota address just to register their vehicles. Doesn't look like it applies to full timers that don't live/have an address in another state.

 

[MarkF450S390RK]

Resurrecting this old thread... what do you need to study to be prepared for the written and driving tests? Looking at setting up Domicile in Texas. Additionally since I don't know the Texas area which testing center is closest to Livingston that tests Class A Exempt?

Pretty sure I need the Class A with an F450 and 390RK.

Thanks!

 

[Second Chance]

Resurrecting this old thread... what do you need to study to be prepared for the written and driving tests? Looking at setting up Domicile in Texas. Additionally since I don't know the Texas area which testing center is closest to Livingston that tests Class A Exempt?

Pretty sure I need the Class A with an F450 and 390RK.

Thanks!

Go read this thread on the Escapees forum from the very start. It's several years old but the initial entry is excellent and the thread has been updated with any changes that have occurred. The TX drivers license in Livingston does testing for the Class A/B exempt licenses last I knew.

http://www.rvnetwork.com/topic/125345-texas-class-a-or-b-license-upgrade-faqs/?tab=comments#comment-868304

Rob

 

[gbkims]

Class A Exempt sounds correct for truck GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds

Written was:
CDL Handbook https://www.dps.texas.gov/internetforms/Forms/DL-7C.pdf

Sections
6: Combination Vehicles
14: Special Requirements for Texas Commercial Motor Vehicles

https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/dlClasses.htm
https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/appointments.htm
https://www.dps.texas.gov/rolodex/search.asp - Zip 77351 for Livingston
[MENTION=870]Second Chance[/MENTION],
I suppose you have to obtain a Class C TX license 1st?

 

[TheLexx]

This whole class A non-commercial (California's classification) thing is how I ended up with our Reflection 28BH. The GVW of my truck is 14k lbs. The trailer is 10,995. That means my total combo is 24,995 lbs, so I'm under the requirement for a non-commercial class A. However, in California if your trailer is over 10k but under 15k lbs, you need a special trailers endorsement known internally to the DMV as "Restriction 41". You have to take a written test. I did this and on the back of my Calif DL is printed "Restriction 41".

The biggest difficulty was actually getting the DMV folks to figure out what this was. The branch manager actually had to get involved and make some phone calls lol.

 

[Second Chance]

[MENTION=870]Second Chance[/MENTION], I suppose you have to obtain a Class C TX license 1st?

Not sure - we were already Texas residents so I had one, but one would have to check with the TX DL office and ask that question. I think you can probably go straight for a Class A, though.

Rob

 

[Ra&Ta350]

Resurrecting this old thread... what do you need to study to be prepared for the written and driving tests? Looking at setting up Domicile in Texas. Additionally since I don't know the Texas area which testing center is closest to Livingston that tests Class A Exempt?

Pretty sure I need the Class A with an F450 and 390RK.

Thanks!

Mark, study chapter 14 of the Texas CDL handbook. You can find it online at Texas.gov. Practice parallel parking your rig (that’s right you’ll have to park it parallel park your rig). The instructions for reversing in a straight line and parallel parking are found in the handbook. The written test covers the info in chapter 14. The road test is just basic trailer driving clearing corners; proper braking; and equipment to inspection. All class A drivers should have the three road triangles and a fire in extinguisher mounted in the cab as well as in the trailer. I bought my triangles at a truck stop.

Can’t help you with the nearest DPS DL station in Livingston. I did my test at Paris, TX.

 

[Ra&Ta350]

I have heard from several motorhome owners that created a LLC in a different state to register motorhome to get out paying taxes and was pulled over by State Police was ask for CDL, log book and DOT numbers since they were register commercial business (LLC). I have register and leased vehicles for my own business and never been told I had to have a CDL to drive them but I have no reason not to believe that it hasn't happened.

For a few years now the RVs and horse trailers with LLC registration have to have CDLs and electronic logs. Any time you are paid, have the RV in a Corp shell, or accept endorsement / sponsorship money you’ll be subject to Commercial regs. Corp cars are not subject to the DOT comm towing regs.

As an aside, I recently asked a DPS Cpl if my rig is 50 state legal since I don’t have a DRW. Answer, keep the inspection, registration and insurance papers in the glove box and all they can do upon inspection is wag a finger that I don’t comply with the People’s Republic of Cali regs. Legal in Texas means legal on the nations roadways. Thankfully Texas has a very broad towing regulatory framework.

Cheers

 

[SummitJim]

Go read this thread on the Escapees forum from the very start. It's several years old but the initial entry is excellent and the thread has been updated with any changes that have occurred. The TX drivers license in Livingston does testing for the Class A/B exempt licenses last I knew.

http://www.rvnetwork.com/topic/125345-texas-class-a-or-b-license-upgrade-faqs/?tab=comments#comment-868304

Rob

Rob, do you happen to know: I have a California Class B commercial license, which meets all my needs. I'm contemplating moving to TX and wonder are they going to make me take all the tests as if I were applying for a new license? Or will they take my money, my California license and just issue a Texas license?
Thanks

 

[Second Chance]

Rob, do you happen to know: I have a California Class B commercial license, which meets all my needs. I'm contemplating moving to TX and wonder are they going to make me take all the tests as if I were applying for a new license? Or will they take my money, my California license and just issue a Texas license?
Thanks

In Texas, a Class B Exempt is for motorhomes over 16,000 lbs. GVWR towing a tow'd less than 10,000 lbs. GVWR. You don't say what your rig is but in Texas, for a combined weight over 26,000 lbs. GVWR and a trailer over 10,000 lbs. GVWR, you would need a Class A Non-Commercial Exempt (or commercial if you want to keep your commercial rating). I don't know how your CA license would translate to Texas - you would have to check with them. We moved to Texas from South Carolina. At the time, I only needed a Class C license (trailer was over 10K but the combo was just under 26K). When we upgraded the truck, I had to upgrade my license which involved taking the written and driving tests. It's no big deal - not the entire CDL handbook (all explained in the Escapees thread above).

Welcome to Texas!

Rob

 

[SummitJim]

In Texas, a Class B Exempt is for motorhomes over 16,000 lbs. GVWR towing a tow'd less than 10,000 lbs. GVWR. You don't say what your rig is but in Texas, for a combined weight over 26,000 lbs. GVWR and a trailer over 10,000 lbs. GVWR, you would need a Class A Non-Commercial Exempt (or commercial if you want to keep your commercial rating). I don't know how your CA license would translate to Texas - you would have to check with them. We moved to Texas from South Carolina. At the time, I only needed a Class C license (trailer was over 10K but the combo was just under 26K). When we upgraded the truck, I had to upgrade my license which involved taking the written and driving tests. It's no big deal - not the entire CDL handbook (all explained in the Escapees thread above).

Welcome to Texas!

Rob

Rob, sorry I omitted that one crucial piece. I'm actually thinking more about my motorhome and Nissan Frontier as a toad. Combined gross rating on the entire rig is 24,000, which ought to be OK even with a Class C license. I want to keep my commercial license but don't really relish having to take the full battery of tests when I move to Texas. No upgrades planned but I want to keep what I have, just in case. Thanks.

 

[GuidoTheGuide]

For what its worth, I Just thought I'd update this for 2022 Texas license seekers.

https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/classes-driver-licenses