Commercial Driver's License Standards: Application for Exemption; Recreation Vehicle Industry Association

Summary: FMCSA announces that the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) has requested a limited exemption from the Federal requirement to hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) for transporters of certain newly manufactured motorhomes and recreation vehicles (RVs) that are individually transported one at a time and are always empty. RVIA is requesting the exemption because compliance with the CDL requirements prevents its members from implementing more efficient and effective operations. The exemption would apply to individuals who are employees of U.S. driveaway-towaway companies, RV manufacturers, and RV dealers transporting RVs between the manufacturing site and dealer location and for movements prior to first retail sale. The exemption would apply when transporting RVs with an actual vehicle weight not exceeding 26,000 pounds, or a combination of RV trailer/tow vehicle with the actual weight of the towed unit not exceeding 10,000 pounds and the gross combined weight not exceeding 26,000 pounds. RV units that have a combined GVWR rating exceeding 26,000 pounds would not be covered by the exemption. RVIA believes that such a change would maintain a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level achieved without the exemption.