Do you need a license to drive an RV? — PickRV editorial

RVs & motorhomes · 9 min read

RV towing license requirements

Towing adds a second weight question on top of the motorhome one. Two scenarios come up: towing a trailer (a travel trailer or fifth wheel) with a truck or SUV, and towing a car behind a motorhome (a 'toad' or 'dinghy'). For most renters and most trailers, a regular driver's license is enough — but a few states attach a non-commercial endorsement once the combined weight gets high.

This guide is the licensing side of towing. For the physics — tow capacity, payload, tongue weight, and how not to overload — see our towing deep-dive linked at the bottom; the two go together.

The combined-weight idea

Towing licensing rules generally key off the combination's weight, not just the tow vehicle's. The relevant federal CDL number for combinations is a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) at or above 26,001 lb where the towed unit is over 10,000 lb — but again, the CDL is commercial, and personal RV/trailer use falls under the recreational exemption in most cases. The place to watch is the state non-commercial layer.

In practice, most renter setups — an SUV with a mid-size travel trailer, or a motorhome towing a small car — stay under the thresholds and need only a regular license. The combinations that can trigger a state non-commercial endorsement are the heavy ones: a large fifth wheel behind a big truck, or a heavy diesel coach towing a heavy trailer.

Licensing often keys off the combined (truck + trailer) weight, via GCWR.
26,001 lb GCWR (with the towed unit over 10,000 lb) is the established federal CDL combination number.
Personal towing usually falls under the recreational exemption — the state non-commercial layer is what to verify.

States with a non-commercial towing endorsement

A few states require a non-commercial Class A (or a specific towing endorsement) once a personal combination crosses a weight threshold — for example, towing a trailer above a certain weight, or exceeding a combined-weight figure. Most states do not, and let you tow a typical trailer on a regular license. As with motorhomes, this is the most state-variable part, and it follows the state that issued your license.

Verify locally: Whether your state requires a non-commercial towing endorsement — and the exact combined-weight trigger — varies by state and changes over time. Do not rely on a memorized list. Confirm with your state DMV using your tow vehicle's and trailer's actual weight ratings.

Towing a car behind a motorhome (a 'toad')

Towing a small car behind a motorhome is extremely common and, for licensing, is usually treated like any other combination: a regular license covers it in most states unless the combined weight is high enough to trigger a state non-commercial endorsement. The bigger practical constraints here are equipment and state operating rules — safety chains, supplemental braking on the towed vehicle, and lighting — which several states mandate.

Many states require a supplemental braking system on a towed car above a weight threshold.
Safety chains and working tail/brake lights on the towed vehicle are commonly required.
Some states restrict double-towing (towing two units) or set max combined length.

Verify locally: Supplemental-braking, safety-chain, lighting, double-tow, and length rules are state operating laws that vary widely. Verify the towing equipment and operating rules for every state on your route, not just your home state.

How to check before you book

Get the numbers, then ask the authority. You need the tow vehicle's GCWR and the trailer's (or toad's) loaded weight, then your state's threshold.

Find the GCWR on the tow vehicle and the GVWR on the trailer/toad (door-jamb stickers or spec sheets).
Search your state DMV for 'non-commercial Class A' or 'towing license requirement' and compare to your combined weight.
Check the equipment/operating towing rules (braking, chains, lights, length) for every state you'll drive through.
When unsure, call your state DMV with your specific weights — and keep the rig under the threshold by choosing a lighter trailer.

Common questions

Do I need a special license to tow a travel trailer?

For most trailers and most renters, no — a regular driver's license is enough. A few states require a non-commercial endorsement once the combined (tow vehicle + trailer) weight crosses a threshold. Because it varies by state and follows your licensing state, confirm with your DMV using your actual weights.

Do I need a special license to tow a car behind my motorhome?

Usually not — it's typically treated like any combination, covered by a regular license unless the combined weight is high enough to trigger a state non-commercial endorsement. The bigger requirements are equipment and operating rules (supplemental braking, safety chains, lights), which vary by state.

What is GCWR and why does it matter for towing licenses?

GCWR is the Gross Combination Weight Rating — the maximum combined weight of the tow vehicle plus everything it tows. Towing licensing rules often key off the combination's weight via GCWR. The federal CDL combination threshold is 26,001 lb GCWR with the towed unit over 10,000 lb, and some states mirror that in their non-commercial rules.

Are there equipment rules for towing, separate from licensing?

Yes. Many states require a supplemental braking system on a towed vehicle above a weight, plus safety chains and working lights, and some restrict double-towing or combined length. These operating rules vary by state and apply to every state on your route — verify each one.

RV towing explained — capacity, payload, tongue weight (physics) →Do you need a license to drive an RV? (cornerstone) →Can you drive an RV on a regular license? State-by-state →Browse travel trailers & fifth wheels on PickRV →Pick your state and plan your towing route →

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