What kind of RV can you drive with a regular drivers license?
What kind of RV can you drive with a regular drivers license?
Posted on December 12, 2022
Using an RV is one of the best ways to go camping or enjoy a road trip. It’s convenient, comfortable, and adequately protects you from the outdoor elements. However, you might worry about whether you’re legally allowed to drive an RV. After all, these motorhomes are much bigger than your average car. We look into what types of RV you can drive using your regular driver’s licence.
The Standard Canadian Licence
Before you get your unrestricted licence, you need your GDL (Gradual Driver’s Licence). However, once you have your unrestricted licence, you can be on your way. For most of Canada, you’ll find a Class 5 unrestricted licence to be the standard. For Ontario residents, that’s a Class G.
Types of RV You Can Drive
The good news is that almost all RVs can be driven with a regular license, motorhome classes from Class A and B motorhomes to Class C. You can also drive regular or fifth-wheel travel trailers/toy haulers. Class A motorhomes are commercial-sized vehicles built on heavy-duty frames. These RVs are known for their space and luxury, presenting more like a mini-home.
Class B motorhomes are also widely known as camper vans and are smaller RVs. They generally fit into standard parking spaces and are more compact. However, a person of average length can still stand up straight in the interior, and this class gets the best gas mileage of the different classes.
A Class C motorhome is a step up from Class B, with more space and an over-cab sleeping area. These medium-sized RVs can generally sleep between four to eight people and will struggle to fit into standard parking spaces. While it’s possible to drive all three classes of motorhomes, the single exception is if these RVs use air brakes.
Air Brakes and Why They Matter
Air brakes are used in many Class A and Class C motorhomes. These brakes are used as they’re more dependable when stopping heavier, larger vehicles. Overall, compressed air is more reliable than using a hydraulic brake system, but it also operates differently from hydraulic brakes. As such, you need an RV special licence. This refers to the air brake endorsement or code added to your regular one in order to operate a vehicle using air brakes. Vehicles with air brakes usually refer to vehicles weighing over 11,000 kg.
For the added code to your RV licence, Canada has different codes or endorsements depending on your state. So if you’re considering buying or renting an RV for a trip, it’ll be best to ask whether the motorhome uses air brakes.
Rent or Buy an RV Without Worries
Rent or buy an RV without worries, as you know most can be driven without special RV licence requirements. While motorhomes operating with air brakes are out of the question without the special code or endorsement, it doesn’t need to stop you. There are many motorhomes from various classes available to the average Canadian camper.