A GMRS radio reaches farther than a basic walkie talkie, which is why RV caravans, overlanders and campground families use them. The catch is that GMRS is a licensed radio service. The good news is that the license is simple: no exam, a $35 FCC fee, a 10-year term, and it covers your immediate family. Here is who needs one, how to apply, and what the license lets you do, based on the FCC's GMRS page and the rules in 47 CFR Part 95.
Do you need a GMRS license?
It depends on what the radio transmits on:
| Radio type | License needed? | Example we stock |
|---|---|---|
| GMRS two-way radio (handheld or mobile) | Yes, an FCC GMRS license | Midland GXT1000VP4 |
| FRS walkie talkie | No | Midland T51VP3 X-Talker |
| Weather radio (receive only) | No. It only listens. | Midland ER310 |
The FCC says plainly that a license is required to operate a GMRS system. If your radio box says GMRS, plan on getting the license before you key the mic.
Who can get one
- Age 18 or older. The rules limit new GMRS licenses to individuals who are at least 18.
- Individuals only. Businesses cannot get new GMRS licenses. Some licenses issued to companies before July 31, 1987 are grandfathered.
- Not a representative of a foreign government.
- No test. Unlike ham radio, there is no exam.
Your family is covered too
One license covers your whole family. Under 47 CFR 95.1705, the licensee may let immediate family members operate the radios: spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and in-laws. The FCC adds that family members can operate regardless of age, so the kids can carry a radio around the campground.
Friends are not covered. If your caravan includes another family on GMRS, they need their own license. In an emergency, though, the rules let anyone use your radio to send an emergency message.
What it costs and how long it lasts
- Fee: $35 for a new license, under the FCC's personal license fee table (47 CFR 1.1102). Renewal is also $35. Confirm the total ULS shows before you pay.
- Term: 10 years. The FCC extended it from 5 years in 2017.
- Renewal: You can renew from 90 days before your license expires up to the expiration date. Once it lapses, you have to apply for a new license.
How to apply, step by step
- Get an FRN. Register in the FCC's CORES system (Commission Registration System) at fcc.gov. That gives you an FCC Registration Number (FRN), which identifies you in every FCC filing.
- Log in to ULS. Use your FRN to sign in to the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS) License Manager.
- Apply for a new license. Choose to apply for a new license and pick radio service ZA - General Mobile Radio Service.
- Answer the questions and certify. You give your name and address and certify that you are eligible. There are no technical questions about your equipment.
- Pay the fee. ULS sends you to pay online once you submit.
- Get your call sign. When the license is granted, it shows up in ULS with your call sign, and you can download the license from there.
Keep your address current in ULS. The FCC uses it to reach you about your license.
Using your call sign
Under 47 CFR 95.1751, you identify by saying your call sign:
- at the end of a transmission or a series of transmissions, and
- every 15 minutes during a conversation that runs longer than 15 minutes.
You say it by voice in English, or send it in Morse code. You may add a unit number after it, which helps a family tell radios apart: your call sign plus "unit 2" for the tow vehicle, for example. Family members operating under your license use your call sign.
What your license lets you do
GMRS has 30 channels around 462 and 467 MHz. Most GMRS radios label them 1 to 22, the same numbers FRS uses, plus repeater channels. Power depends on the channel and the type of radio:
| Channels (usual numbering) | Frequencies | Who can transmit | Power limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15-22 (main) | 462.550-462.725 MHz | Handheld, mobile, base, repeater | Up to 50 W for mobile, base and repeater stations |
| 1-7 (interstitial) | 462.5625-462.7125 MHz | Handheld, mobile, base | 5 W ERP |
| 8-14 (interstitial) | 467.5625-467.7125 MHz | Handheld only | 0.5 W ERP |
| Repeater inputs (often 15R-22R) | 467.550-467.725 MHz | Through a repeater, or for brief tests | Same as main channels |
For comparison, a license-free FRS radio is capped at 2 W on channels 1-7 and 15-22, and 0.5 W on channels 8-14 (47 CFR 95.567). GMRS's higher power on the main channels, plus repeaters, is where the extra range comes from. The FCC puts typical GMRS range at 1 to 25 miles, depending on the type of station, the terrain and whether you use a repeater. Mileage claims on radio packaging assume ideal line of sight. In timber or canyons, expect a few miles or less.
The license also allows:
- Repeaters. You can talk through a local GMRS repeater to stretch range. Most repeaters are privately owned, so ask the owner before you use one. The FCC does not allow repeaters to be linked over the internet.
- Short texts and GPS location from GMRS handhelds that support them.
- Talking to FRS radios. GMRS and FRS share channels, so a licensed GMRS user can talk with someone on a license-free FRS radio.
And it does not allow: music, advertising, coded messages (10-codes are fine), or nonstop transmissions. Any channel may be used for emergency messages, and emergencies always get priority. No channel belongs to one user, so listen before you talk.
Picking a radio for the RV
- Caravans, convoys and overlanding: GMRS. The extra power and repeater access matter when vehicles spread out on a highway or trail. The Midland GXT1000VP4 2-pack has 50 channels, NOAA weather alerts, eVOX hands-free talk and headsets in the box. More trail gear is in our Overlanding & 4WD Gear collection.
- Backing into a site and campground chatter: FRS is enough and needs no license. The Midland T51VP3 X-Talker 2-pack is made for spotting the rig.
- Storm warnings off-grid: a receive-only weather radio like the hand-crank Midland ER310 needs no license at all.
FAQ
Do I need a license for GMRS?
Yes. The FCC requires a license to transmit on GMRS. Listening does not need one, and FRS radios need no license.
Is there a test for a GMRS license?
No. You apply online, certify that you are eligible and pay the fee.
How much is a GMRS license?
$35, under the FCC's current fee table, for a 10-year license.
Does one GMRS license cover my whole family?
Yes. Your immediate family, of any age, can operate under your license and call sign. Friends need their own license.
Can I use a GMRS radio without a license if I stay on low power?
No. The license requirement applies to every GMRS station, whatever power it uses. If you want license-free radios, buy FRS radios.
Can my GMRS radio talk to my friend's FRS walkie talkie?
Yes. The 22 FRS channels are shared with GMRS, so set both radios to the same channel and privacy code.
Can I use a GMRS radio to talk to ham radio operators?
Not normally. The rules prohibit messages to amateur radio stations except emergency messages.