NYS RV "R" endorsement road test

[B47]

Originally Posted by wnytaxman

NY is not the only state that requires special licensing for RV's over 40 feet or over 26,000 pounds. It is getting to be more common and is probably a good thing.

Someone mentioned the costs to live here in Upstate NY and what surprises many is that it is cheaper to live here than many states for retirees. There is no tax on Social Security income and your first $20,000 of retirement income is exempt for each person over 59 and a half and government pensions are not taxed at all. No personal property taxes either.

Perhaps - but most of the things you mention here are applicable to retired persons. What about the young couple trying to buy a home and raise a family or people who are not able to retire?

The day to day taxes, fees, tolls, etc. are overwhelming. I paid 10-15 cents more for a gallon of diesel once I crossed into NYS than I paid in any of the other states. And the tolls on the NYS Thurway - that road was being build when I was a teenager in the 1950's and it surely must be paid for by now, but you would never know that by the toll amounts.

In Texas, private investors built a toll road between Dallas and Fort Worth with the stipualation that when the building costs were paid off, the road would become toll free. Several years ago, the costs were paid off and that highway that was once a toll road is now the toll free Interstate 30.

And while I believe we Texans pay more for property and auto insurance and our electricity costs are high, we do not have a state income tax - so that helps.

[WEMig]

Oh yea, I've seen some that were very entertaining!

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by 87CrewDually

Ever sit down at the ramp and watch some people try to back in the trailer to launch their boat? Pure entertainment.

I couldn't agree more .
Watched some (hd ) try and back a trailer 2 weeks ago down a ramp .
10 minutes later my dw asked him if she could do it for him ! I'm sitting in my boat watching, waiting and laughIng waItIng for him to get out of the way so my dw can back ours in.
He was so pissed that she had asked he unhooked the trailer and pushed it down the ramp then 're hooked.

[caper]

Never mind making people towing take a test make the young female drivers more knowledgeable about the dangers of cutting a vehicle that is towing off. I have had several close calls when a young girl in her sports car takes up my safety margin and slams on her brakes.

[Len & Cheri]

I don't think requiring a license will help anything. People have to have a drivers license and they still can't drive worth a crap.

If they don't like the way I drive, they can just stay off the sidewalk.

[strokendiesel002]

with me? I'm not talking about a required license... fwiw, I'm 28 and have been driving with trailers since I was 16- but my dad taught me when I was 14. I also have a class A CDL. Don't get me wrong, I love freedom, but I think safety is too often overlooked. I also have my Motorcycle endorsement, I used to race, but still took the class to save on insurance, I also took the Boater safety course when I was 12...

[wnytaxman]

Once while tooling down I-75 in my car in Michigan I spot an RV gaining on me. Now I'm running just under 80 mph and this guy is gaining on me. Soon he passes me in a 45' Motorhome pulling a Durango. I look over and see this tiny little old man who can barely see over the steering wheel driving. My guess is that he was hitting right about 90 MPH in his rig. He probably just wanted to drive his age.

Should there be licensing for motor homes and trailers of certain sizes? I would have to say yes there should be. I'm not crazy about paying the fees or taking the test, but there are a lot of folks out there who shouldn't be driving an RV. As RV's become more prevalent on the highways you'll see a bigger push for special licenses for them. It's too bad that they don't grandfather some like they did when the CDL's first came about.

[WEMig]

Why licensing? How about enforce current traffic laws; speeding, driving wrecklessly, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, dangerous vehicle. Don't "tax" me for other's stupidity.

[18CrewDually]

Originally Posted by WEMig

Why licensing? How about enforce current traffic laws; speeding, driving wrecklessly, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, dangerous vehicle. Don't "tax" me for other's stupidity.

You're misunderstanding, not a tax but a required training endorsement. It's crazy to think anyone with a license can buy and drive away in a class A "bus" or a 5th wheel trailer with no formal training. That's the jist of it.

[WEMig]

Originally Posted by 87CrewDually

You're misunderstanding, not a tax but a required training endorsement. It's crazy to think anyone with a license can buy and drive away in a class A "bus" or a 5th wheel trailer with no formal training. That's the jist of it.

Just don't want to shell out more money for an already expensive hobby in the spirit of the 1% of our community that makes us look bad. Cheers!

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by lindy

I know I'll catch a lot of flak about this but, I wish EVERY state would require drivers to be licensed to drive/tow the RV type they have. I also think it needs to be more specific then NYS makes it, i.e. 1 endorsement for TT, 1 for 5th wheel, and 1 for MH's, also size specific, i.e. TT and 5th wheels under 30', another for TT and 5th wheels over 30', also the same for MH's. I've seen way too many perople out there driving/towing with no idea what they're doing. Licensing test should also include a mechanical protion with the examiner inspection the TT hook-up/WD setup, and MH test including Toad and tow bar setup.

Ditto here...also need to have continual renewal drive test, not only for RVer'S but motorist also, something to help keep the roads a little safer