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Last Updated on March 21, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Learning How to Drive An RV via 3 RV Driving Schools
Learning how to drive an RV is not just about getting from point A to point B but also about ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey for you and your loved ones.
- Size and Dimensions: Familiarize with RV size for safety.
- Pre-drive Check: Conduct a thorough safety check before driving.
- Master Controls: Understand steering, brakes, and mirrors.
- Practice Maneuvering: Practice in open spaces like parking lots.
- RV Systems: Understand electrical, plumbing, and gas systems.
- Weight Distribution: Ensure even distribution for safe handling.
- Towing Skills: Learn safe hitch connection and driving techniques.
Buying an RV is life-changing. It’s usually the start of an adventurous life for most RVers.
On the other hand, driving an RV is a different matter altogether. See, driving/maneuvering an RV differs from driving a standard car. It has a steep learning curve and takes some time to get used to.
Of course, many RVers drive around without expert training and do just fine. But driving such a huge rig comes with plenty of responsibility you shouldn’t take lightly.
An ideal way to understand an RV is to sign up for a driving school. Owning an RV is much more enjoyable when you truly understand every detail of your rig and how to best handle and travel in it.
What’s An RV Driving School?
An RV driving school is a driver’s course or lesson for those who want to learn about RV. The lessons are presented both in class and on the road.
The RV driving course is more than just the actual driving. Instead, it consists of actionable tips for managing an RV, including maneuvering an RV, pre-trip inspection, learning RV controls, and much more.
In a nutshell, the lessons capture the ins and outs of RV handling, inspiring more confidence to enjoy driving your rig.
From experience, taking advantage of the resources and information from RV driving schools can put you at the top of your RV driving game.
Experienced and steady RV drivers can also pick a thing or two by returning to an RV driving school. For example, it may help licensed car drivers break from undesirable driving behaviors and improve their driving skills.
Do I’ve to Attend an RV Driving School to Drive an RV?
No rules require you to attend an RV driving course or school. Some RV drivers have opted not to attend driving school.
However, just because you must doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.
Attending an RV school is even more crucial if you’re new to RVing or driving large vehicles. Even experienced RV drivers can still learn something from RV driving schools.
The only category I would excuse from RB driving schools is those experienced long bus or truck drivers. Everyone else needs RV driving school.
Why Attend an RV Driving School?
If you’re feeling nervous or need some RV driving practice, attending an RV driving school can considerably improve your RV driving & handling skills and confidence.
Signing up for an RV school isn’t mandatory, but from experience, you can gain more from your RV instructor than you would discover on your own.
Some of the general aspects you’ll learn from an RV driving school include:
- How to operate your RV safely and ensure you have an enjoyable ride
- How to perform a safety inspection routine before hitting the road
- How to handle your RV in different weather conditions and situations such as icy roads, poor conditions traffic, or complex terrains
- How to make the correct turns, how to back up, how to reverse, how to park, and other RV driving skills
Find an RV School Near Me
Today, there are many RV driving schools in different states. While most schools are on a permanent site, some are usually seasonal or temporary.
If you think you could benefit from RV driving schools, look them up online. A simple search such as “RV schools near me” will bring up several RV schools in your locality to pick from.
That’s not the only option. You could also ask for recommendations from friends or family with RVs. It should give you first-hand information about the best school and what to expect.
RV schools also appear at RV events and shows. Attending some of these RV shows can help you easily identify an RV school.
How Do I Identify the Right RV School
If you’re in a major city, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of RV driving schools to pick from.
Also, understand that all driving schools in your city will have pros and cons. None is perfect.
However, you can always use my litmus test to determine which is an ideal school. Let’s see to identify a good RV driving school:
1) Reviews and Recommendations
While Google search may provide overwhelming RV driving school options, it also provides the good, the bad, and the ugly.
RV driving school reviews are usually my first step to identifying a good school. I usually eliminate the schools that get consistent negative reviews and those that do not meet customer expectations.
But it would help if you didn’t overly rely on online reviews. Ask around and talk to friends, acquaintances, and relatives about a particular school.
2) Quality and Up to Date Training
Service delivery is also crucial when selecting the ideal RV driving school. Inquiring how a driving school has set up its course outlines is essential.
Their manuals and training sessions should be sorted, straightforward, purposeful, and approved by the relevant bodies.
The perfect RV driving school should also combine in-class, group, and one-on-one lessons to provide you with a solid scope of understanding.
It’s not to mention that the training should be updated to provide you with the most current regulations and accurate information.
3) Certified Drivers
Certified instructors are a great asset to the RV driving school because they are knowledgeable and familiar with driving RVs.
More importantly, they’re responsible for imparting knowledge and the right skills to students before they get behind the wheel.
4) Check the Facility
An ideal RV driving school should fully equip with all the training materials and tools. They should also have modern training RVs and a designated area for practice.
5) Pricing
Finally, the cost of RV training should be within a reasonable range. The best way to know what’s reasonable is to get quotations from different schools in your area.
This ensures that you don’t pay more than enough for the training.
Choosing the best RV driving school is difficult but not impossible. With a bit of research, it’s easy to identify a school that will provide value for your money and ensure you become a competent driver.
What’s The Best RV Driving School?
There are plenty of RV driving schools in the US, but some names regularly appear when the term driving school is mentioned.
These RV driving schools are popular for a reason.
While they may not be the perfect choice for you, they’re usually the go-to schools for most RV students.
My RV School is a popular and well-respected RV training school in the RVing community. It often provides RV training at major rallies and shows, an excellent opportunity for out-of-state customers.
RV School has a team of professional instructors who develop training courses and teach you everything behind the wheel. Their training is to ensure you arrive safely at your next destination.
RV Basic Training is yet another great resource for learning to operate your RV confidently. Their training program is usually a one-on-one session with trained instructors.
Online Education
You could take advantage of online learning if you don’t have the time, resources, or flexibility to attend a physical RV training class.
There are plenty of online education platforms for RV driving schools. You could learn safe driving techniques through RV driver DVDs and downloads from places like RV Education 101 or RV Masters.
How Hard is it to Learn to Drive an RV?
Learning how to drive an RV isn’t overly complicated. However, it requires practice and patience.
As I mentioned earlier, driving an RV is different from driving a standard car, and you can’t expect to get behind the wheel of an RV without prior experience and becoming the best driver.
Failure to take an RV driving lesson will endanger you, your family, and other motorists. That’s why I strongly suggest you take one.
Practicing RV Safety
Even with an RV driving school certification, it’s still crucial to be mindful when driving an RV.
Here are some of the crucial details to keep in mind after training:
- Don’t speed: As with a regular car, the ability to turn, stop, or react in dangerous situations is greatly hindered by your speed. It’s essential to drive your RV slowly.
- Watch out for blind spots: RVs may have more oversized windows and side mirrors than cars, but they have more blind spots. Invest in blind-spot cameras for guidance when reversing or changing lanes.
- Know your RV: RVs are generally taller and broader than standard cars, so be cautious when driving in a garage with low-hanging wires and overpasses.
This video has been included to clarify the topic. Credit goes to RV Masters
What is the most accessible RV to drive?
It’s important to consider factors such as size, maneuverability, and overall handling. Generally, a class B RV is considered the easiest to drive, especially for new RVers.
These models are compact and nimble, providing a driving experience similar to a large van’s. Despite their smaller size, they still offer all the essential amenities for comfortable living on the road.
Wrapping Up
Learning how to drive an RV is a comprehensive process that involves several critical steps. Understanding the size and dimensions of an RV is crucial to ensuring safety while on the road.
This knowledge assists in navigating the journey with ease. Before hitting the road, conducting a thorough pre-drive check is essential. This includes checking the brakes, tires, and lights and ensuring all systems are functioning correctly.
Mastering the RV’s controls, such as steering, brakes, and mirrors, is another integral part of learning how to drive an RV. This mastery improves your vehicle control, reducing the chances of accidents.
Moreover, practicing maneuvers in open spaces like parking lots can significantly enhance your driving skills and build confidence.
Understanding the RV’s systems, such as electrical, plumbing, and gas systems, is also important, as it helps prevent potential issues and enhances convenience during the trip.
Attention to weight distribution within the RV ensures safe handling and balanced driving. Lastly, if you tow additional vehicles or trailers, learning safe hitch connection and driving techniques is key.
In conclusion, learning how to drive an RV involves combining technical knowledge and practical skills for a safe and enjoyable experience.
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