House Transportation hears how H.284 could require vision checks and CDL training for some RVs

Patrick McManamon, supervisor of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Education Unit, told the Vermont House Committee on Transportation on Wednesday that House Bill H.284 would require vision testing at renewal for drivers over certain ages and would force some recreational-vehicle owners to obtain commercial driver—s licenses and training if their rigs meet federal weight thresholds.

The bill, as discussed in the committee hearing, would require anyone who renews a license and is over age 70 to get an eye exam at DMV. Separately, H.284 would require specialized training for anyone who purchases an RV with a gross vehicle weight rating above 10,001 pounds and would trigger CDL requirements where the vehicle or combination meets federal CDL thresholds (for example, a straight vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, or a combination where the trailer exceeds 10,001 pounds and the combined GVWR exceeds 26,001 pounds), McManamon said.

The change would not affect most private, noncommercial RV use, McManamon said: a private Vermonter who buys a large straight vehicle for personal use is not currently required to hold a CDL unless the vehicle meets the state—s passenger- or weight-based exemptions that already trigger CDLs. He contrasted that with…