10 RV legal issues you need to know

By Cheri Sicard
Izzy and MJ of Endless RVing (one of the winners of our 2024 RV video awards) produced an interesting and useful video about RV legal issues that many RVers are unaware of. As they say, what you don’t know can hurt you, so be sure to watch the video below.

Now, if you are a seasoned RVer you already know most if not all of these, but maybe not.  Newbies will especially appreciate these points.

10 RV legal issues you need to be aware of

Most of these vary by location, so you need to research where you live and where your RV is registered. Izzy and MJ give more details on each of these points, so be sure to give the video a view.

# 1 Specific driver’s licenses: Since our hosts are from NJ, they used that state to start their research and found that you do not need any special licenses, regardless of how huge your RV might be, as long as it is not registered as a commercial vehicle.

Other states have different rules, so you need to check the requirements in your state.

And what about if you drive to a state with different licensing rules? Izzy says what matters is that you are compliant in the state where you are licensed.

#2 Registration and insurance: Again, this will vary from state to state. Our hosts talk about some of those often substantial variations in the video.

#3 Zoning and parking: Depending on where you live, you may or may not be allowed to park your RV in your driveway, or even on public streets. HOAs can also be problematic in this regard.

#4 Height and weight restrictions: Depending on what type of RV you have, you might be subjected to height and weight restrictions.

#5 Waste disposal: Believe it or not, some newbies don’t know that you should NEVER dump your black water on the ground. (Don’t be that person. Eeewwwww!) With rare exceptions, gray water should also not be let loose on the ground around your RV.  Depending on where you are, either of these can result in substantial fines.

#6 Taxes: Depending on where you live, your RV might provide certain tax breaks, and/or it can present some tax liabilities. It’s best to consult your tax professional.

#7 Safety implications: You want to make sure everything on your RV is working properly in order to avoid being stopped or fined.

#8 Towing: This goes hand in hand with the above point. If you are towing, you need to make sure everything, such as lights, brakes, safety chains, etc., are properly working and that your weight is within limits. Otherwise, if there is a crash, you could be liable.

#9 Full-time RV living laws: This is another area that varies by locale, but it has medical, financial, and political implications.

#10 Border crossings: When you cross the border into Canada, Mexico, or any other country, you need to be sure you are abiding by the regulations and laws of that country.

#11 RVing with firearms: Izzy, who is a cop in his day job, has done many in-depth videos on the topic of RVing with firearms, so he only touches on the topic in this video. The bottom line is it varies from state to state. Some states offer reciprocity with their gun laws, others don’t. This book can help you wade through the legalities.

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