Drivers license oops!

[Kaadk]

Originally Posted by N3HCP

Interesting. I have tried to find any specific information on licensing reciprocity between the US and Canada and specifically Ontario, no luck.

Hard to believe Ontario would pass up all those tourist bucks and that RVers would need to go back into the States to go from Quebec to Manitoba.

Right from the MTO:

Driver licence reciprocity
Ontario permits an out-of-province driver to drive a vehicle or combination of vehicles in Ontario if the driver is properly licensed to drive the vehicle or combination in their Province or State of residency and the licence is valid.

Information found here: RV Information for Drivers - Class of driver's licence

[Ford Idaho]

An RV in most cases in NOT a Commercial Vehicle.
CDL.

https://www.google.com/#q=+CDL

A commercial driver's license (CDL) is a driver's license required in the United States to operate any type of vehicle weighing more than 26,000 lb (11,793 kg) or more for commercial use, or transports quantities of hazardous materials that require warning placards under Department of Transportation regulations, or that is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver. This includes, but is not limited to, tow trucks, tractor trailers, and buses.[1]
The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 was signed into law on October 27, 1986. The primary intent of the Act was to improve highway safety by ensuring that truck drivers and drivers of tractor trailers and buses are qualified to drive Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs), and to remove drivers that are unsafe and unqualified from the highways. The Act continued to give states the right to issue CDLs, but the federal government established minimum requirements that must be met when issuing a CDL.[2]

[DaveSchwartz]

Originally Posted by N3HCP

Interesting. I have tried to find any specific information on licensing reciprocity between the US and Canada and specifically Ontario, no luck.

Hard to believe Ontario would pass up all those tourist bucks and that RVers would need to go back into the States to go from Quebec to Manitoba.

Was not hard to find... Licence Types, follow the link under the class G change and look at Q2 of the FAQ. Reciprosity works both ways: if you are properly licenced in you home state/province you are legal here.

[N3HCP]

So to summarize what we've learned, Pennsylvania, along with about 14 other states, require something beyond the normal driver's license when the combined GVW (that is the GVW found on the manufactures plate) exceeds 26,000 pounds. Only DC requires a CDL for such vehicles while a few others require it for vehicles longer then 45 feet. In PA that is a Class A license instead of the normal Class C.

I have found no instances where a state or province does not honor my PA license as long as I'm legal in my home state.

So our F-350 at 14,000 pounds and our Surveyor at 11,952 pounds means I'm under the weight allowed by my Class C license by 48 pounds!

[prof_fate]

Originally Posted by bagged123

your fine, your not using your rig for commercial use. When someone can go buy a motor coach with air brakes and don't need an air brake endorsement, then no special endorsements are needed (as of yet) for towing a TT, 5'er, etc. I know someone that owns a KW that he uses to tow his 5'er with and due to its private use, all he had to do was put 'not for hire' on the side of it and he's fine. He replaced the factory 5th wheel plate with a smaller one for his 5'er.

(note: at the end of the day, it comes down to your state)

I've seen 'not for hire' on quite a number of commercial trucks and thought when it said 'lowes' or something on it that it was stupid to say 'not for hire' as it was obvious...but now I see there is a reason for it.

I've driven a few trucks with air brakes, not often, with previous employers, and nobody ever said anything about anything.

As for PA (or any gov't office) not know their own rules, it's common. I've had the experience with penndot myself and with post offices on a regular basis.

[prof_fate]

Originally Posted by wnytaxman

If you have any doubt that you should make the effort to be legal, then just turn on your TV and see how many attorneys are out there soliciting lawsuits. If you've ever had to appear in a courtroom you know that attorneys will twist things into a way that will cost you mucho $$$$. Be safe.

Exactly. We're in court in a few weeks for something stupid. Our dog ran to the end of our yard, a car stopped fearing the dog would run into the road. They got rearended and are suing US! Really? They chose to stop and someone hit them...how is that possibly our fault?

Been over 3 1/2 years in the making now...fortunately our homeowners insurance cover this, so far with no deductible from us.

[CLT]

Originally Posted by prof_fate

Exactly. We're in court in a few weeks for something stupid. Our dog ran to the end of our yard, a car stopped fearing the dog would run into the road. They got rearended and are suing US! Really? They chose to stop and someone hit them...how is that possibly our fault?

Been over 3 1/2 years in the making now...fortunately our homeowners insurance cover this, so far with no deductible from us.

Wow, so when a squirrel or a stray cat does the same thing then what happens? This is crazy!

[doc73]

Squish is what happens....
As for the not for hire it does depend on how the veh is being used in pa. A vehicle like a tow truck for instance is required to have certain info on it by law. If it is a private hauler only (tows a race car lets say) the not for hire allows them to skip the required labeling. You'll see the same on the large enclosed car carriers and such that haul private vehicle's.

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[prof_fate]

I was told long ago hit the critter - swerving and hitting say, a tree or fence and the critter runs off and guess what? Reckless driving, loss of control..no insurance for that one. But if you have collision then a deer/dog crash is covered.

Our lawyer says PA law is quite clear - you must be in control of your vehicle at all times. You rear end someone and you pay - period, no discussion. I experienced that in college when a guy behind me got all irate with road rage (not called that then) - so I stopped in the middle of the road. He stopped just shy of my truck. Guy behind him, however, didn't stop. That guy in the back paid everyone. No tickets or nothig for me.

But as they say, you can sue anyone for any reason - winning is a separate issue.

[Still Kickin]

Originally Posted by wnytaxman

Perhaps this link can be helpful.

RV Driver's License Requirements

I just took and passed my NYS driving test for my 'R' endorsement. The test was easy and not a big hassle at all. If you have any doubt that you should make the effort to be legal, then just turn on your TV and see how many attorneys are out there soliciting lawsuits. If you've ever had to appear in a courtroom you know that attorneys will twist things into a way that will cost you mucho $$$$. Be safe.

Excellent reference taxman. The dept. Trained you well.

[prof_fate]

Update: got a letter they settled out of court on the dog thing - our insurance is paying $12k and the guy that hit her $23k.
I suppose her lawyer is getting a good portion of that.

According to our lawyer we did nothing wrong, broke no laws and had insurance. However, had we been doing something illegal then the insurance co as the right to not pay as we'd be in violation of the policy.

Based on the fact we did depositions, had an investigator hired by the injured party at our propery, they had copies of police reports, medical, photos of everything...

Don't break the law - it will come out!

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by prof_fate

Update: got a letter they settled out of court on the dog thing - our insurance is paying $12k and the guy that hit her $23k.
I suppose her lawyer is getting a good portion of that.

According to our lawyer we did nothing wrong, broke no laws and had insurance. However, had we been doing something illegal then the insurance co as the right to not pay as we'd be in violation of the policy.

Based on the fact we did depositions, had an investigator hired by the injured party at our propery, they had copies of police reports, medical, photos of everything...

Don't break the law - it will come out!

...and that's why we pay too much for all insurance policies... $12K because a dog head faked a car!?

[jevanb]

Originally Posted by N3HCP

So our F-350 at 14,000 pounds and our Surveyor at 11,952 pounds means I'm under the weight allowed by my Class C license by 48 pounds!

how in the world is 14k your truck weight, that is about 5k over what a factory rig weights

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by jevanb

how in the world is 14k your truck weight, that is about 5k over what a factory rig weights

GVWR not actual weight.

[Herk7769]

Was just reading the rules for PA endorsements and just realized that a Class B non-commercial is required for all trailers (travel and 5th wheel) with a GVWR greater than 10,001 pounds.

Good thing I don't need to upgrade!
Herk

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by N3HCP

So to summarize what we've learned, Pennsylvania, along with about 14 other states, require something beyond the normal driver's license when the combined GVW (that is the GVW found on the manufactures plate) exceeds 26,000 pounds. Only DC requires a CDL for such vehicles while a few others require it for vehicles longer then 45 feet. In PA that is a Class A license instead of the normal Class C.

I have found no instances where a state or province does not honor my PA license as long as I'm legal in my home state.

So our F-350 at 14,000 pounds and our Surveyor at 11,952 pounds means I'm under the weight allowed by my Class C license by 48 pounds!

Hate to break the news, but your Surveyor's GVWR at 11,952 pounds requires a Class B license endorsement. Bummer...

[doc73]

CDL class b is needed only for comercial useage. So he is fine. He only would need the NCDL A if both his truck and trailer (over 10, 000) added up to over 26, 000. Regular cdl's do not apply to personal vehicles only commercially operated ones, bus semi large landscaping truck and trailer etc....

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[N3HCP]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

Hate to break the news, but your Surveyor's GVWR at 11,952 pounds requires a Class B license endorsement. Bummer...

Don't think so! I've been all over this stuff and never heard of a "Class B license endorsement". My Class C license allows me to drive anything noncommercial that doesn't require a Class A or B. My license states "Class C - Single/combo <26,001"

From the PennDot website:

CLASS A (minimum age 18): Required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, where the vehicle(s) being towed is/are in excess of 10,000 pounds. Example: Recreational Vehicle, when the towing vehicle is rated at 11,000 pounds and the vehicle towed is rated at 15,500 pounds (total combination weight of 26,500 pounds).
<LI abp="61">CLASS B (minimum age 18): Required to operate any single vehicle rated in excess of 26,000 pounds. Example: Motor homes rated at 26,001 pounds or more. <LI abp="63">CLASS C (minimum age 16): A Class C driver’s license will be issued to persons 16 years of age or older, who have demonstrated their qualifications to operate any vehicles, except those requiring a Class M qualification, and who do not meet the definitions of Class A or Class B.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by doc73

CDL class b is needed only for comercial useage. So he is fine. He only would need the NCDL A if both his truck and trailer (over 10, 000) added up to over 26, 000. Regular cdl's do not apply to personal vehicles only commercially operated ones, bus semi large landscaping truck and trailer etc....

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You are so right.
Somehow I slid down too far and read the CDL Class B.
My bad.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by N3HCP

Don't think so!

You are right. I scrolled down too far on that page.
I must have been tired.
I plead old age waiver...