Special Driving Permit for Tesla Semi

[Dave Lyon]

I am retired and considering a Tesla Semi. I am not interested in taking the long and boring diesel driving course for semies. Will/could Tesla make a deal to create their own course for Tesla Semi electric vehicles?

These are two very different vehicles use in similar situations....

Richard

If you're retired, and you're not driving for hire, you do not need a special license in most states. Many people use class 8 trucks to pull RV's. As long as the truck qualifies as an RV, no special license or training is needed.

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[Richard V.]

If you're retired, and you're not driving for hire, you do not need a special license in most states. Many people use class 8 trucks to pull RV's. As long as the truck qualifies as an RV, no special license or training is needed.

I live in Canada. I was just dreaming about the Tesla Semi, but this info might be good to others.

 

[HaulingAss]

But I love driving... They will pry my dead hands off the steering wheel...

Wait....you claim to "love driving" and yet you drive a Chevy Volt and aspire to drive a semi tractor?

OK then,... different strokes for different folks!

 

[Dave Lyon]

I live in Canada. I was just dreaming about the Tesla Semi, but this info might be good to others.

Sorry. I didn't realise you were in Canada. I don't know anything about Canadian law.

 

[Crissa]

If you're retired, and you're not driving for hire, you do not need a special license in most states. Many people use class 8 trucks to pull RV's. As long as the truck qualifies as an RV, no special license or training is needed.

I don't know if 'many' do. But it's clearly not 'none'.

Converting it to an RV without towing a gigantic trailer could change its class, too.

-Crissa

 

[SwampNut]

In the US, you do have to "de-commercialize" these trucks, at least in some states. Possibly federally. I don't know the exact law, but two friends have gone through it. There are outfitters to remove some things to make them fall under 26K GVWR. I think they remove one axle, along with adding living provisions to prove it's an RV. I don't have links or anything, just know that friends have paid a lot to do the legal requirements.

 

[Dave Lyon]

I don't know if 'many' do. But it's clearly not 'none'.

Converting it to an RV without towing a gigantic trailer could change its class, too.

-Crissa

Sorry, you misunderstood. Having a class 8 considered an RV does not require substantial changes. Many trucks with sleepers already qualify. They still pull a trailer. They don't have to create a new living area.

Although some people remove one of the rear axels, MANY don't. This really is done A LOT.

 

[SwampNut]

I think we're all aware that lots of people do lots of illegal things. I used to tow a 10' wide boat all over the country without permits. I even went so far as to ask cops about it. None of them knew the law on non-commercial towing and permits, not a single one. So I stopped bothering with the permits. Which of course are not about safety, just revenue, since there was no test or any control on getting them. Just a cash move.

I just had to know that if I caught the attention of that ONE guy who had knowledge and a bug up his ass, I was boned.

 

[Dave Lyon]

They're really not as pricey as you might think. Most people start with an older truck, and if it already has a sleeper cab, and they don't change the gearing or remove an axel, they can cost less than half the price of a fully loaded new pickup capable of pulling a large trailer. Obviously some people spend more on their rig, but some don't.

I'm seriously considering doing this with the Tesla semi. If Tesla holds the price they announced, and the feds give the 40k credit, it comes in cheaper than the new truck I was thinking about.

 

[Dave Lyon]

I think we're all aware that lots of people do lots of illegal things. I used to tow a 10' wide boat all over the country without permits. I even went so far as to ask cops about it. None of them knew the law on non-commercial towing and permits, not a single one. So I stopped bothering with the permits. Which of course are not about safety, just revenue, since there was no test or any control on getting them. Just a cash move.

I just had to know that if I caught the attention of that ONE guy who had knowledge and a bug up his ass, I was boned.

I used to do this with my commercial truck. I was not licensed properly to take it out of my home state. I rarely needed to, but on occasion I would go to a neighboring state with it. I found out it was cheaper to pay the ticket if I got caught than to be legal.

 

[Crissa]

Sorry, you misunderstood.

Sorry, you misunderstood. I didn't misunderstand. Nowhere did I say that doesn't happen.

I camp in Black Rock City, I have seen all the kinds.

-Crissa

 

[Qball]

The law is the law, simply due to vehicle size and weight you will need a class A license.

 

[SSonnentag]

FSD can't navigate my driveway, let alone something difficult. UPS, FedEx, cement trucks and propane trucks can all navigate my driveway with a human at the wheel, but FSD won't even attempt it, and it's a very well-defined drive.

 

[SwampNut]

but FSD won't even attempt it

FSD can't

Two totally different things.

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