bobblinn

Let another RVer add his two cents based on experience in Illinois. For a long time I've driving my motorhome, which weighs 31,000, on my regular Class D state driving license based on advice from many sources that stated the Illinois traffic code saying RV drivers are exempt from having a CDL license as long as the vehicle is used primarily for personal use. I erroneously equated CDL with class A, B or C license. Based on the latest table published in the Jan 2010 FMCA magazine I did some more reading and checking. What I found was that I ( and many others who have addressed this issue in the past) was not reading all the information in the CDL waivers/exemptions area of the traffic code. At the beginning of the section in the Illinois code and publications you can obtain from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, it clearly states that while drivers of certain types of vehicles are exempt from obtaining a Commercial Driver License (CDL) they are not exempt from having a license of the appropriate Class for the vehicle being driven. CDL refers to a type of license, not a class. Each type of license, commercial, non-cdl, special purpose, etc has classes of license under the type. The classes of licenses for Illinois non-cdl licenses are A through D which are based on the weight of the vehicle or vehicle combination being driven and L and M for Motor Scooters and Motorcycles. Bases on my MH weight and the weight of the vehicle I’m towing, I need a Class B License. Upgrading to a non-cdl class A, B or C license in Illinois is relatively easy. Take a 25 question written test based on standard “Rules of the Road†booklet and a second publication called “Non-CDL vehiclesâ€. Then you must pass a road test in the class of vehicle for which you are being licenced to demonstrate you can properly and safely operate the vehicle. My testing facility says it will involve a pre-drive safety check to demonstrate that the vehicle has the required equipment, and that it is working (lights, horn, seat belts, etc) and then some driving with both right and left turns on city streets, possible a short section on an open road and some straight backup driving. Keep in mind that being caught driving on an improper license can result tickets, fines, license suspensions and possibly causing your insurance to deny coverage because you were not properly licensed! I found talking to the Sec of State office responsible for managing licensing activities and facilities and the local driver testing facility personnel to be very helpful in clearing up my confusion and obtaining the correct information.