Simple Guide to RV Driver’s Licenses by State [2026]

Do you need a special license to drive or tow an RV in the United States?

It depends.

Each state has different requirements for operating recreational vehicles. Although the rules vary, you won’t need a special license to tow a travel trailer, fifth wheel, or drive a motorhome in most states. The key issue is usually whether your state requires an RV to be operated with a CDL, a non-commercial Class A/B/C license, an endorsement, or no upgrade at all.

How to use this guide

Our RV experts wrote this guide as a tool to help you understand each state’s requirements for RV driver’s licenses. We’ve also added some helpful information about federal laws, vehicle weight ratings, and the rules for driving an RV across the United States and Canada.

Read on or skip ahead!

1. What you need to know about online sources
2. States that require a commercial driver's license
3. States that require either a noncommercial driver's license or an endorsement
4. States that don't require any special licenses
5. How GVWR and GCWR influence driver's license requirements
6. The rules for driving across state lines or into Canada

What you need to know about online sources

Before you jump into the article and locate your state, we want to point out that we found errors and conflicting information online during our research. Many blogs and articles published on RV driver's licenses didn't cite their sources or fact check. We get it. Legal language isn't easy to digest, and the different state laws for RV driver's licenses and endorsements are obscure, if not impossible, to find.

This article links to primary sources, and we've fact-checked each source to the best of our ability using the most recent documentation found online. Please get in touch with your local department of motor vehicles to verify the information presented in this article, as some regulations may have changed after publication.

States that require a commercial driver’s license

Under certain circumstances, two jurisdictions in the original guide require RV operators to deal with CDL-level requirements.

Washington, D.C.

Drivers of commercial-weight recreational vehicles weighing 26,001 pounds or more must take the written CDL knowledge test for a CDL endorsement. The article advises contacting the DMV to determine whether a driving test is required.

Wisconsin  

Recreational vehicles over 45 feet long must be licensed with a CDL. Recreational vehicles under 45 feet are exempt from needing a CDL.

States that require either a noncommercial driver’s license or an endorsement

The following states require either a non-commercial driver’s license or an endorsement to drive or tow an RV.

California  

Non-commercial Class A: Travel trailers with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or more, or a fifth wheel with a GVWR of 15,000 pounds or more.

Non-commercial Class B: A single recreational vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less and any recreational vehicle between 40 and 45 feet long.

Hawaii

Non-commercial Class 4: Any single vehicle with a GVWR between 15,001 and 26,000 pounds, or any combination where the lead vehicle’s GVWR is between 15,001 and 26,000 pounds and the GCWR is under 26,000 pounds.

Illinois  

Recreational vehicles are exempt from CDL requirements.

Non-commercial Class A: Any combination of motor vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Non-commercial Class B: Any single motor vehicle with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more or such a vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Non-commercial Class C: Any motor vehicle with a GVWR of more than 16,000 pounds but less than 26,001 pounds, or such a vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Kansas

Non-commercial Class A: GVWR over 26,000 pounds or towing over 10,000 pounds.

Non-commercial Class B: GVWR over 26,000 pounds not towing over 10,000 pounds.

Maryland  

Non-commercial Class A: Combination of towing vehicle and towed vehicle has a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.

Non-commercial Class B: A single unit with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more or a trailer weighing under 10,000 pounds GVWR.

Michigan  

RR endorsement: Permits the driver to tow two units, one behind another.

Nevada  

Non-commercial Class A: Combination of towing vehicle and towed vehicle has a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.

Non-commercial Class B: A single unit with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more.  
Endorsement J: Needed to tow a vehicle over 10,000 pounds GVWR.

New Mexico

Non-commercial Class E: Vehicles licensed and used as recreational vehicles are exempt from the standard CDL requirements with a Class E non-commercial license.

New York

R endorsement: Required for vehicles over 26,000 pounds.

North Carolina  

Non-commercial Class A: GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less, towing a unit of 10,001 pounds or more.

Non-commercial Class B: GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, towing a unit 10,000 pounds or less.

Pennsylvania  

Non-commercial Class A: Any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.

Non-commercial Class B: A single unit with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more.

South Carolina

Non-commercial Class E: A single unit with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more.

Non-commercial Class F: Combination of towing and towed vehicles has a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.

Texas  

Recreational vehicles, regardless of weight, are exempt from CDL requirements.

Non-commercial Class A: Combination of towing vehicle and towed vehicle has a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more.

Non-commercial Class B: A single unit with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. Texas DPS also makes clear that exempt RV drivers who fall into these classes may need to submit a non-CDL Class A or B application, and that written and skills testing can apply.

Wyoming  

Drivers of recreational vehicles need the non-commercial Z endorsement only when the GVWR or GCWR exceeds 39,001 pounds.

Pro Tip: If you are towing a fifth wheel, always check both trailer weight and combined weight. Many drivers only check one and miss the requirement threshold.

RV License Requirements by Weight (Quick Comparison)

States that don’t require any special licenses to drive or tow an RV  

The following states do not require any special license to drive or tow an RV:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• West Virginia

That does not mean you should ignore vehicle size, weight, insurance, or safety. It simply means those states do not generally require a special RV license beyond your normal license class for personal-use RV driving.

How GVWR and GCWR influence driver’s license requirements

In most states, you won't need a special license to tow a travel trailer, fifth wheel, or drive a motorhome if the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combined weight rating (GCWR) is 26,000 pounds or less.

These weight ratings are determined by federal standards established by the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986.

Pro Tip: Always check both GVWR and GCWR. Many drivers only check the RV weight and ignore the trailer, which can push them over the limit.

What is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating?

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is determined by the vehicle’s manufacturer and is the value at which a vehicle can safely operate. GVWR includes the vehicle’s total weight, including occupants and cargo.

In plain language, this is the vehicle's loaded operating limit. That is why a large motorhome can trigger a non-commercial Class B license in some states even when the driver is not operating commercially.

What is Gross Combination Weight Rating?

Gross Combination Weight Rating is the value determined by the vehicle’s manufacturer and is the maximum weight that a combination of vehicles can safely operate. GCWR is the combined weight of a vehicle and its trailer, plus occupants and goods.

This is especially important for travel trailers and fifth-wheel rules because the combined number, not just the trailer number, can control whether a special non-commercial Class A license is required.

The rules for driving across state lines or into Canada

Requirements for driver's licenses are based on where you're licensed. You can legally drive anywhere in the United States and Canada if you have the appropriate license for your state. However, if you decide to take your RV across international lines, you will need to be aware of What You'll Need for Driving Across the Canada-U.S. Border.

Are you licensed in Canada? Read our guide for RV driver's licenses in Canada.

Get out and explore

Trying to determine whether you might need a special license to drive or tow an RV might sound complicated, but it is usually manageable once you break it down by state, weight, and RV type. In the United States, most RV owners and guests will not need a CDL to drive or tow an RV. Since you won't have to worry about a commercial driver's license, your travel possibilities are almost limitless.

With fewer restraints and the open road ahead, what are you waiting for? Whether you rent or own your RV, the time to explore is now! And did you know? Renting an RV with RVezy is just like it sounds — EZY.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a special license to drive an RV in the USA?
In most cases, no. If your RV is under 26,000 pounds and used for personal travel, a standard driver’s license is usually sufficient. Some states require non-commercial licenses for heavier vehicles or towing setups.

What RV requires a CDL in the United States?
A CDL is rarely required for personal-use RVs. In this article, Washington, D.C. and Wisconsin are the main examples where CDL requirements may apply based on weight or length.

What is the 26,000-pound rule for RV licenses?
The 26,000-pound threshold is the key cutoff for licensing requirements. If your RV or combined setup exceeds this weight, some states require a non-commercial Class A or B license instead of a standard license.

Can I drive an RV in another state with my home license?
Yes, if you are properly licensed in your home state, you can generally drive an RV across other states without needing additional licensing.

Do I need a special license to tow a fifth wheel?
In most states, you do not need a special license if the combined weight stays below the threshold. However, heavier fifth-wheel setups may require a non-commercial Class A license depending on state regulations.