andrao
Scotland
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Can anyone advise if a UK car/van drivers licence (not truck or bus) would be sufficient to drive an A Class in Canada or the US?
Thanks
Andy
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The Texan
Home: Idaho - Location: Texas
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Joined: 01/16/2004
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In the US you need an International Drivers License, which is just a legal interpretation of your European license. The IDL can be had at many places, including your local Embassy. You will be allowed to drive whatever you are legally allowed to drive in Scotland, nothing more and that is the reason for the IDL, so a LEO in the US will know what you can legally drive.
EDIT*****
Here is what the USA.Gov site says about driving in the US.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) translates information contained on your driver's license into 10 languages so that officials in foreign countries are able to interpret your license. An IDP supplements a valid government-issued license--it does not serve as a replacement for a license. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you will most likely be asked to produce both your IDP and your official driver's license. The United States does NOT issue International Driving Permits to foreign visitors, so you will need to obtain this document before traveling to the U.S.
EDIT*****
* This post was
edited 07/28/10 06:19pm by The Texan *
Bob & Betsy - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever"
'05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins W/ 540w/35A solar system -Pulling our '05 GMC Sierra LT, CC, Z-71, w/ 2010 Silver Rzr in back.
Where the wheels are stopped
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driveby
Vancouver BC Canada
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Go West rentals these guys rent a ton of MH to Europeans. They'll know for sure what is required.
come on over 
2008 Itasca Sunova 35J Class A
1997 TJ Sahara, hard and soft tops and AC
Held together via Roadmaster Falcon 2 tow bar and stopped by US Gear Unified Brake system.
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thunderstruckhd
Ft.lauderdale and Key West,Florida
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If your license permits you to drive a car in the U.S. then you'll be fine driving a class A...
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And Zoie the Doberman.(01/26/01 - 07/23/11) R.I.P.
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robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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Generally Yes. However there may be some Endorsement requirements that would restrict driving certain vehicles.
In Canada an Air Brake Endorsement is required in order to operate a Motor Vehicle equipped with Air Brakes.
If You are Renting an RV for Your Visit the rental Company will be responsible for making sure that You are properly licensed .
You can also obtain an International Drivers License from Your UK Auto Club that is valid in most Countries around the World!
Rob & Jean
98 Dutch Star Diesel Pusher ..92 Tracker 4X2
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JeepBus
Vancouver, BC
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andrao wrote:Can anyone advise if a UK car/van drivers licence (not truck or bus) would be sufficient to drive an A Class in Canada or the US?
Thanks
Andy
In BC yes, provided that you're legal to drive a similar vehicle at home. Most provinces and US states recognize licenses from other areas. If the Class A is a diesel pusher with air brakes then you probably won't be legal. I can't imagine a rental place using DPs though. In the interior of BC we get a lot of visitors from Europe driving rental RVs. No problems that I'm aware of.
ICBC Drivers Licensing FAQ
Quote:Non-resident drivers who hold a valid driver's licence from their home jurisdiction may drive in B.C. with their out-of-province driver's licence for a maximum of six months. This applies regardless of whether they hold a valid international driving permit. For more information contact the Driver Licensing Information line at 1-800-950-1498 or 978-8300 in Victoria.
2004 Discovery 39L
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exeter_acres
North of Atlanta, GA
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I cannot speak to your EXACT situation....
but there are no special license requirements to drive RV's here.
(I could go into the politics of really strong lobby groups finding exemptions for RV's and Really big buses not for commercial use and how scary it is that anyone can drive a 50000lb RV with absolutely no training whatsoever.... but this isn't the place. And how, even though I own one, I think RV's (class A's specifically) should have more stringent driving tests and requirements...
I won't go there.)
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andrao
Scotland
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M.ny thanks for your quick and interesting responses. I will contact one of the hire companies to get their take on the subject.
Thanks again,
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meshe
Vancouver, Canada
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exeter_acres wrote:I cannot speak to your EXACT situation....
but there are no special license requirements to drive RV's here.
(I could go into the politics of really strong lobby groups finding exemptions for RV's and Really big buses not for commercial use and how scary it is that anyone can drive a 50000lb RV with absolutely no training whatsoever.... but this isn't the place. And how, even though I own one, I think RV's (class A's specifically) should have more stringent driving tests and requirements...
I won't go there.)
Apologies for possibly furthering a potential derail, but I was just at the licencing branch here in BC while my husband was getting his learners permit. I asked a few questions about whether or not he could drive a Class A with a toad while in his learners stage.
Surprisingly and scarily, on a learners permit here in BC (including any province or state that does learners reciprocity which is all but 5 of them) he can drive a 20,000lb 40' motorhome with a toad as long as he has a qualified supervisor in the passengers seat. The rules for the supervisor is a full drivers licence at least 25 years of age.
meshe
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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I think the tag on the back of the rig will have a lot to do with it. Most states do not require a special license but a few do if over 26,000lbs or like CA over 40'. Agree with asking someone who actually rent them.
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
04 Monaco Dynasty 42' quad slide
Where am I?
How I tow.
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