The class of license you need depends on the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of your truck, and on the GVWR of the
heaviest vehicle that you tow with your truck. The gross combination weight rating (GCWR) is the GVWR of the
tow truck, plus the GVWR of the vehicle being towed (see Diagram 1, Chapter 3, page 6). If the vehicle you tow has a
GVWR of over 10,000 pounds, and the gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of this vehicle and your tow truck is
more than 26,000 pounds, you need a Class A license with a tow truck endorsement ("W"). If the GCWR of your tow truck
and the towed vehicle does not exceed this weight limit, you will need at least a Non-CDL Class C license with a tow truck
endorsement ("W").
A car carrier can also be considered to be a tow truck. If you drive a car carrier with a GVWR of over 26,000 pounds, you
need at least a Class B license. If your car carrier has the ability to tow a vehicle of over 10,000 pounds GVWR behind
it, and the GCWR of your car carrier and this vehicle is more than 26,000 pounds, you need a Class A license.
Note: The requirement for an "R" endorsement (Class D or Class E license) to operate a recreational vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more remains in effect.
RecreationalVehicle or “R†endorsement-Recreational vehicles, with or without
air brakes, are not defined as commercial vehicles. You may apply for an “R endorsementfor yourClass D,Class E, or non-CDLClassCdriverlicense to allow
you to operate a recreational vehicle (RV) with a GrossVehicle WeightRating of over
26,000 lbs.(11,794 kg).An “R†endorsement also allows you to drive a rental vehicle
more than 40 feetin length forthe transportation of personal household goods.
Toobtainan“R†endorsement: submit a completedApplicationforDriverLicense
orIDCard(MV-44),indicating a license amendment,toa stateor countymotor vehicle
office;pay apermitfee,whichis validforuptotworoadtests; andpass a roadtestin
the size andtypeof vehicle youwillbedriving.Nowrittentestis required.Totake the
roadtest, youmustbe accompaniedby a licenseddriver atleast 21 yearsoldwhohas a
license validforthe typeof vehicle youwilldriveduring the test(e.g., adriverlicense
withan“R†endorsementorthe appropriateCommercialDriverLicense).The roadtest
willbe about 15minutes inlengthandwillinclude turns,intersections andbacking the
vehicle tothe curb.Uponpassing the roadtest, youmust gotoamotor vehicleoffice
andpay the requiredfee tocomplete the license amendmentprocess.
