Is An RV Driving School Worth It? 2026

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Last Updated on November 22, 2025 by Paul Clayton

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Is An RV Driving School Worth It?

Key Takeaways

- Necessity & Safety: Attending an RV driving school is deemed “absolutely” worth it, as it significantly enhances safety and enjoyment during long RV trips.
- Skill Coverage: Courses teach essential skills, including pre-trip vehicle inspection, navigating difficult situations (heavy traffic, narrow roads, downhill), and crucial maneuvering skills like pull-through and back-in campsite parking.
- Target Audience: Lessons are necessary for nearly all new RV owners, as operating a recreational vehicle differs significantly from driving a standard car. Only experienced long bus or truck drivers are generally excused.
- Licensing Requirements: A special RV driving license is not required in most states for campers under 10,000 pounds or motorhomes under 26,000 pounds. However, a specific license is mandatory for heavier vehicles in many states (e.g., California, Texas, New York).
- Instruction Types: Hands-on, in-person training is considered the most effective method, though less expensive video-based courses are also available.
- Cost Range: Hands-on group lessons typically cost around $400, while private lessons are about $650. Comprehensive, long courses can cost up to $800 and cover topics such as defensive driving, corner negotiation, and backing techniques.
- Easiest RV Type: Class B RVs are recommended for beginners due to their compact size and ease of maneuvering, comparable to a standard pickup truck.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is an RV driving school truly worth the investment?

A. Absolutely. The article emphasizes that attending a school is “absolutely” worth it as it significantly enhances safety, enjoyment, and preparedness for long trips by teaching specific maneuvering and vehicle operation skills.

Q Who specifically needs RV driving lessons?

A. Lessons are considered necessary for nearly all new RV owners, as the vehicles are much larger and heavier than standard cars. The only exception is typically experienced professional long bus or truck drivers.

Q. What types of critical skills do these courses cover?

A. Courses cover essential skills like pre-trip vehicle inspections, navigating challenging situations (e.g., heavy traffic, narrow roads, driving downhill), and crucial campsite maneuvering, including both pull-through and difficult back-in parking.

Q. How much should I expect to pay for RV driving school?

A. Costs vary by instruction type and duration. Hands-on group lessons typically cost around $400, private lessons are about $650, and comprehensive, long courses can cost up to $800.

Q. Is a special driving license required to operate an RV?

A. A special RV license is generally not required in most states unless the vehicle is very heavy—specifically, if the camper is over 10,000 pounds or the motorhome exceeds 26,000 pounds.

First of all, congratulations on buying your first RV! The answer can depend on several factors, including your existing driving skills, comfort level with larger vehicles, and the specific requirements of your insurance provider. It’s crucial to weigh the benefits against the cost to make an informed decision.

Hopefully, this is the start of an adventurous lifestyle that will see you visiting everywhere you’ve always wanted to visit and see everything you’ve always wanted to see.

However, before you hit the road for your first adventure in your RV, you need to familiarize yourself with driving an RV. After all, most RVs are more prominent and much heavier than standard cars. You also need to understand how to operate RV systems.

The best way to familiarize yourself with driving an RV and to learn how to operate RV systems is to take lessons at an RV driving school.

In this post, I will answer the question: Is an RV driving school worth it? I will also share everything you need to know about RV driving schools.

Is an RV Driving School Worth It?

Absolutely! Attending an RV driving school is worth it. This is because by following a good RV driving school, you will learn skills that will make your long RV trips safer and more enjoyable.

Most RV driving schools offer courses that teach learners how to inspect a recreational vehicle to ensure it is ready and safe for a long drive.

RV driving schools also offer courses that teach learners to maneuver recreational vehicles in various challenging situations.

More specifically, RV driving schools teach you how to drive an RV downhill, on a narrow highway, and in heavy traffic.

Almost all RV driving schools also teach learners in their courses how to park in both pull-through and back-in campsites.

In other words, if you attend an excellent RV driving school and learn as much as possible, you will be much better prepared to take your RV on a long trip than if you don’t.

If you do not attend an RV driving school, you will not know what to expect on the road and will be unprepared to drive in difficult situations.

This could be frustrating or even dangerous for you and the people you are traveling with.

For example, if you attend an excellent RV driving school, you will be taught how to drive slowly when going downhill while towing a heavy camper.

If you don’t, you could drive downhill at high speed, and the trailer behind you could gain so much mass that it could break the hitch and cause a serious accident.

So, instead of just embarking on an adventure straight after buying an RV, you should take RV driving classes to learn how to drive or tow big RVs and to prepare for challenging situations on the road, as well as when parking or exiting campgrounds.

Do You Need RV Driving Lessons?

Only experienced long bus or truck drivers can be excused from taking RV driving lessons.

This is because such drivers have experience maneuvering and controlling heavy/long vehicles in different situations. Everyone else needs RV driving lessons.

Everyone else needs RV driving lessons because driving/ maneuvering an RV differs significantly from driving an average car.

Furthermore, many recreational vehicles are on the market, and they all have challenges when driven.

Therefore, every new RV owner needs to learn how to maneuver and drive the specific type of RV they have purchased. The best way to do this is by taking RV driving lessons.

You also need RV driving lessons to be safer while on the road, avoid accidents, and protect your RV from damage while parking or exiting a small RV campsite.

This is because most RV driving lessons are practical lessons that teach you how to maneuver an RV out of difficult situations and stay safe while driving a big rig.

You also need RV driving lessons if you do not like embarrassment. Damaging your RV while exiting a campground or jack-knifing your RV is embarrassing.

Maneuvering your RV so it looks like you’re an amateur driver is also embarrassing. To avoid getting embarrassed, you need to learn how to drive an RV like a pro, and you can only do this by attending RV driving classes.

Is Attending An RV Driving School Necessary For Obtaining an RV License?

Generally, you do not need an RV license to drive an RV. This is because most states in the United States do not require a special driving license for towing campers under 10,000 pounds or motorhomes under 26,000 pounds.

So, if your RV is a camper and weighs less than 10,000 pounds, you do not need a driver’s license. If you own a light motorhome, you do not need a driving license.

However, if your camper weighs more than 10,000 pounds or your motorhome weighs more than 26,000 pounds, you need a specific RV driving license in many states nationwide.

And attending an RV driving school makes it easier for you to obtain such a license. Therefore, if you have a heavy camper or motorhome, you should attend an RV driving school to make it easier for yourself to obtain a driving license to travel across any state you want to visit.

Which States Require a Special Driving License?

Many states require individuals to have a special driving license to drive an RV on their roads; these states include:

Wyoming, Texas, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Michigan, Maryland, California, Wisconsin, Washington D.C., New Mexico, Kansas, Hawaii, Connecticut, and Arkansas.

The states that do not require a special driving license for RV drivers include:

West Virginia, Washington, and Virginia. Vermont, Utah, Tennessee, South Dakota, Rhode Island, Oregon, Oklahoma, Ohio, North Dakota, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Nebraska, Montana, Missouri, Mississippi, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Maine, Louisiana, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Delaware, Alaska, and Alabama.

Therefore, when planning the route of your RV trip (something that you will also learn in any good RV school), you should know what routes to take or how to make sure you are always on the right side of the law.

Which Are The Best RV Driving Schools?

The best RV Driving Schools are those that teach RV driving in person. So, if you are looking for an RV driving school, go for a local one that will provide you with hands-on training on how to drive and maneuver RVs like yours.

The best RV driving schools have camps where they teach learners to drive. Some schools also send professional instructors to instruct learners on how to move their new RVs.

I also know of RV driving schools that take learners on out-of-state camping trips to teach them everything about driving, maneuvering, parking, and maintaining RVs on the highway and in an actual campground.

While driving schools that teach RV driving in person are the best, they are also somewhat pricey compared to driving schools that teach RV operation on video.

Regarding video driving, schools usually require learners to download and watch several hours of videos on driving RVs. They are great, especially in recent times when all states are urging people to practice social distancing.

However, the best RV driving schools offer hands-on training for those who want excellent training and to become RV veterans after graduating.

How Much Does It Cost To Attend An RV Driving School?

RV driving schools that offer hands-on training frequently charge approximately $400 for group lessons and $650 for private lessons.

Short courses usually cost much less to attend (around $200), while long courses with comprehensive RV driving curricula can cost up to $800.

Some of the things you can expect to learn if you choose to attend long RV driving courses include:

Defensive driving
How to negotiate tight corners
Interstate driving
How to drive downhill
GPS navigation
Lane management
Turning radius
Backing into a campsite
Braking and use of towing mirrors or backup cameras

What is the Easiest RV to Drive?

Generally, it’s a class B RV. Ideal for beginners in RVing, Class B RVs offer a comfortable transition due to their compact size. Their length is comparable to that of a standard pickup truck, making them relatively easy to steer and maneuver.

This ease of maneuverability extends to parking lots and gas stations, places where larger RVs might struggle.

Therefore, a class B camper is recommended for those venturing into RV driving for the first time and searching for a smooth introduction.

Final Thoughts

Is an RV Driving School worth it? Absolutely! Enrolling in one provides many benefits that significantly outweigh the initial cost. Firstly, the acquisition of skills and confidence is a significant advantage.

Proper training ensures you understand the unique dynamics of driving an RV, including weight distribution, handling, and braking techniques. This knowledge instills confidence in your ability to operate your vehicle safely in various conditions.

Secondly, understanding RV-specific laws is crucial. RV driving schools provide comprehensive knowledge about these laws, ensuring you adhere to all regulations and avoid potential fines or penalties. This understanding extends to the complex world of RV maintenance.

Lastly, one cannot overlook the insurance benefits. Completing a certified course may lead to insurance discounts, making it a financially sound decision in the long run. Furthermore, attending an RV driving school enhances safety for all road users by ensuring you’re well-equipped to handle your vehicle on public roads.

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