Legal Requirements for Owning and Driving an RV

What You Need to Know about Driving an RV

When owning an RV, you are required to follow the same laws as for any other vehicle. Your California RV Dealer recommends you to check the laws considering RVs. You will be expected to obey traffic rules, including speed limits and signaling when changing lanes or turning. There are also other regulations that may affect your ownership of an RV. For example, if you have a motor home with air brakes on all axles and it is equipped with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 26,000 pounds then you need to get a CDL-A license in order to drive it.

When you are driving an RV, there are also certain regulations in place. In the state of California for example, you must turn on your headlights anytime you’re operating the vehicle, even if it’s during daylight hours.

California RV Dealer

You need to be at least 18 years old in order to obtain a CDL-A license and operate an RV with air brakes that is equipped with a GVWR over 26,000 pounds. In order for someone else other than yourself or family members who have permission from you can legally tow your recreational vehicle they need to either be licensed drivers themselves (CDL) or meet specific requirements as spelled out by law (RH22). For example, only persons 21 and older may provide commercial transportation services without restrictions when providing such services for compensation; but minors 16 or older may provide transportation services without restrictions when providing such services for compensation, and only in the course of their employment.

Also, be sure to check the specific laws in your state for any other legal requirements.

Some states require an RV to be registered as a commercial vehicle.