Retiring W/Class A And Want To Drive Personal 26K+ RV W/Air Brakes

I can't seem to get a straight answer anywhere. In Florida I have been driving straight trucks since 1964 when I was 12 ( private property). Got my restricted Chauffer's license at 16. Full chauffer's license at 18. Driving 18 wheel since 1984. Grandfathered in CDL "A" at the start with Haz Mat, Triples. Always owned my own fleet. Have 2Mil+ OTR miles, one not at fault rear end accident no injuries, and zero moving CMV tickets. I am lucky or good, not sure. I retired 1/1/23, bought a 78 passenger Thomas diesel/Auto bus with air brakes, used. I want to convert rear of bus to enclosed sloped race car compartment hauler, front half to RV living quarters and add a tow behind hitch to transport a daily driver, and see the country at my pace, while I can. I don't see how with all the fixings and 2nd vehicle I can stay under 26K gross even with an lightweight alum trailer.

So, this is the confusion, it seems a number of states require a class A CDL in an RV when over 26K. My usage will NEVER be commercial in any way, so with a required CDL A when driving a personal RV:

a. Am I required to have DOT Medical card? b. Do I need to be part of a random drug testing program? (I don't do drugs) c. Is there zero tolerance for alcohol when driving a RV? (I have had 2 drinks in last 6 months, I'm not much of a drinker) d. Do HOS rules and record keeping apply with a RV and a required Class A? e. Is a Class A required RV required to have annual DOT inspections? f. Do I have to do a daily walk around pretrip inspection?

Additionally, Florida does not offer a non-commercial Class A. I am getting ready to exceed 20/40 vision in one eye, if I must wear glasses to pass my DOT medical, which is noted on the medical card, does that force me to wear glasses and have a backup when driving a personal vechilcle ort motorcyle if I pass the standard vision tests upon normal renewal exams?

A thru F above mainly revolve around the central question, once they require me to have CDL, does that imply everything else must treated as if it's a CMV, even though it is not?

I like to play it straight, and prefer not to bend the rules, as if I am arguing on the side of the road, I want to believe I am in the right.

a. Am I required to have DOT Medical card?

If you're required to have a CDL (due to weight of 26k) yes.

Do I need to be part of a random drug testing program? (I don't do drugs)

I don't think you would as you're not being employed and it's not for hire. You wouldn't have DOT numbers or anything.

Is there zero tolerance for alcohol when driving a RV? (I have had 2 drinks in last 6 months, I'm not much of a drinker)Do HOS rules and record keeping apply with a RV and a required Class A?

If CDL is required you're bound to the same regs in regards to alcohol (confirmed by DOT a couple months ago) while operating that vehicle, such as trace being out of service and .04 DUI

e. Is a Class A required RV required to have annual DOT inspections? f. Do I have to do a daily walk around pretrip inspection?

Not entirely sure on these. I would highly recommend reaching out to the DOT for your state and getting a concrete answer. They will be able to make sure you're operating legal. I've reached out to the DOT (Motor Vehicle Enforcement Officers) for Iowa on Facebook for clarification. I'm not sure if Florida has similar, but a phone call or visit into the scalehouse will work as well.

BTW, I searched all over the internet and RV forums, no luck finding clarity, I would have thought others have dealt with this, maybe they just let their high dollar lawyers work it out. You are my last hope LOL.

BTW, I searched all over the internet and RV forums, no luck finding clarity, I would have thought others have dealt with this, maybe they just let their high dollar lawyers work it out. You are my last hope LOL.

I think the reason why you are not finding much information is that having an RV weighing enough to require a CDL is not too common. This is intentional on the part of the RV manufacturers so that more of the vehicles can be sold.

As has been stated, your best resource is a DOT officer in Florida. People sometimes think that asking these questions directly to DOT will not be received well. On the contrary, these officers want people to be safe and legal, so they welcome the questions. They are not going to mislead you. The information you get will be much more thorough and accurate than anything a member here is able to provide.

BTW, I searched all over the internet and RV forums, no luck finding clarity, I would have thought others have dealt with this, maybe they just let their high dollar lawyers work it out. You are my last hope LOL.

I think the reason why you are not finding much information is that having an RV weighing enough to require a CDL is not too common. This is intentional on the part of the RV manufacturers so that more of the vehicles can be sold.

As has been stated, your best resource is a DOT officer in Florida. People sometimes think that asking these questions directly to DOT will not be received well. On the contrary, these officers want people to be safe and legal, so they welcome the questions. They are not going to mislead you. The information you get will be much more thorough and accurate than anything a member here is able to provide.

Your suggestion is reasonable. However, a few years back, I attended a Florida sponsored CDL seminar, led by 4 FHP CMV troopers. I posed a question during the 4hr class, and the 4 troopers all got into an argument over the correct answer, they finally got exasperated and gave up and told the attendees to go online and look it up, I kid you not.

Two lingering questions remain and thankyou everybody for helping out, with a CDL driving an RV, how does HOS fit in or does it, and on the alcohol trace amount, does it apply with a CDL driving a personal vehicle?

Two lingering questions remain and thankyou everybody for helping out, with a CDL driving an RV, how does HOS fit in or does it, and on the alcohol trace amount, does it apply with a CDL driving a personal vehicle?

My understanding from when I asked the DOT a couple months back about alcohol, if you're operating a vehicle that requires a certain license you're bound by those rules while operating that vehicle. So driving the rv/ bus you'd be regulated the same for both HOS and alcohol especially since FL doesn't have a non commercial class A. If you were to buy a smaller bus (under 26k gvwr)and pull a trailer less than 10k no CDL would be required.