License class requirement in California

srx-6 wrote:
Double or triple towing:
The only drivers allowed to do so in California, require a Class A Commercial license. I think it has to a California license.

Can be a Class A CDL(Commercial Drivers License) from any state as long as you have the T endorsement

Thanks.

To the OP. Do the right thing. You don't want to be on the wrong end of that ticket/fine. LEO like to hang out at popular OHV areas during the holidays. Possibly sign up for a Commercial Class A truckers class. They normally take care of everything for you with the DMV including helping you take the tests and supply the tractor-trailer. Might have the DW go this direction just because she doesn't take direction very well from me.

The biggest difference between the Class A commercial and noncommercial is the requirement for physicians health update every 2 years - noncommercial is just you saying you are healthy every 2 years. The skills test is slight different, but if you can pass the commercial skills then you could pass the non-commercial skills test.

Is it really worth the price if you are caught.

My friend drove the rig and I drove his car. He parked it outside and left. He had to go to work. :D

discovery4us wrote:
Just my opinion but the chances of being stopped are pretty slim so I would head over to El Centro and take the test. If you were to get stopped at least having the permit shows the officer that you have the intent to do the right thing. Most CHP officers are not going to be aware of the laws pertaining to a non commercial class A. I haven't followed the rules in a few years but it used to be any triple axle trailer or trailer 10,001 lbs. or over you needed a non commercial class A. Another unenforced law was that any operator of a FW recreational trailer was required to submit a DMV medical questioner to be legal. It is unfortunate that in CA you have to jump through hoops to be legal doing something that you probable having been doing for years with no issues so kudos to you for getting your non commercial class A.

Bad advise, one of the things the DMV examiner will ask is who is your fully licensed companion. If you show up without a licensed driver with you, you could be cited and not allowed to pull your rig out of there.

Steve

LLeopold wrote:
Ummm. Some clarification is in order from the post in Beginning RVing.


Assertion #2: To legally pull a travel trailer (bumper tow)with 10K GVWR, you must have a NON-COMMERCIAL CLASS A license.

Clarification #2: One may pull a travel trailer that is 10K GVWR or less with a Class C licence. Over 10K does, indeed, require a non-commercial Class A license.

This is what I got from the CA DMV website.

With a class C license one may tow a single vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs or less

and: If the towing vehicle weighs 4000 lbs or more you may tow a trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 lbs gross.

So I think I am OK with a Suburban that weighs about 7K lbs and a trailer that weighs in at 8500 lbs with a GVWR of 10400.

All very confusing.

LLeopold wrote:
Ummm. Some clarification is in order from the post in Beginning RVing.

All from the CA DMV Recreational Vehicles and Trailers Handbook where one may download a copy from: https://apps.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648.pdf and from the CA DMV license chart available at: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/cdl_htm/lic_chart.htm#classc

Assertion #1: If you are a California resident, to legally pull a 5th wheel with 15K GVWR in California, you must have a NON-COMMERCIAL CLASS A license.

Clarification #1: You may pull a 5th wheel that is 10K GVWR or less with a Class C license. You may pull a 5th wheel between 10K and 15K GVWR with a Class C license with a "Restriction 42" endorsement (I have this particular endorsement and it is not well-known at the DMV). Over 15K requires the non-commercial Class A license.

Assertion #2: To legally pull a travel trailer (bumper tow)with 10K GVWR, you must have a NON-COMMERCIAL CLASS A license.

Clarification #2: One may pull a travel trailer that is 10K GVWR or less with a Class C licence. Over 10K does, indeed, require a non-commercial Class A license.

Assertion #3: To legally drive a Motor Home that is 40 ft or greater, you must have a NON-COMMERCIAL CLASS B license.

Clarification #3: One may drive a motor home that is less than 40 ft. with a Class C license. Over 40 ft. does, indeed, require a non-commercial Class B license (a non-commercial Class A is also permitted).

If we're going to cite items, let's try to be as complete as possible and include citations to official sources.

As to visitors, the state recognizes other states' licensing to a degree. Double or triple towing (5th wheel towing a boat, for example) gets a bit dicey.

Hope this helps with full clarification.

.

The Mod has it right - except he shouldn't call them assertions - the requirements he cites are *FACTS* !

However, the assertion that the CHP doesn't check is partly correct and partly incorrect.
Does the CHP (or other LEO's) go out of their way to pull over drivers towing 5th wheels (or other RVs) to check for a correct DL? NO.

Would the CHP (or other LEO's) check for the appropriate DL *if* he/she pulled you over for some infraction?
Yes / Maybe/ possibly. (take your pick)

Tow a CA licensed toad behind a MT licensed MH - and chances are you will have a "chat" with the CHP - and produce your ? DL.
(Yes, that's a fact also - and a whole 'nother story)

Could you be sued if you were in an accident, without the proper DL for what you are driving/towing?
Emphatic - *YES* !
Any attorney worth his salt will thoroughly explore ALL / EVERY avenue/s to insure a successful outcome (and put $ in his/her pockets).

Regarding the last - I was required to give a deposition regarding an accident that had occurred two years previously.
The driver (who was at fault) was suing the *estate* of the other driver for compensation.
(The other driver had died - due to causes *completely unrelated* to the accident).

Back to licensing - the Class A NON-commercial DL is becoming a "standard" requirement in many states, not just CA.

IMO - can't see any reason a "driver" towing/driving something well above a car/pickup shouldn't be tested for his/her abilities to do same in a safe manner - just like a commercial driver.

BTW - "KCFD" has incorrect info. He is not required to have a "commercial" DL (CDL) for his RVs - or driving Fire Apparatus.
(In CA, drivers of Fire Apparatus has it's own driver's license designation).

Roll on!..:)

~

It can't hurt. On the other hand, I see drivers who took the driving test and scare the living hell out of me.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

joegray wrote:
In British Columbia if you want to tow a RV over 10,000lbs you need to do a written exam, eye test, and a road test. The way some people drive,,, I don't really have a problem with this. Happy travels everyone.

Really think a test will change someones driving habits?

Failing one might.

joegray wrote:
In British Columbia if you want to tow a RV over 10,000lbs you need to do a written exam, eye test, and a road test. The way some people drive,,, I don't really have a problem with this. Happy travels everyone.

Really think a test will change someones driving habits?

In British Columbia if you want to tow a RV over 10,000lbs you need to do a written exam, eye test, and a road test. The way some people drive,,, I don't really have a problem with this. Happy travels everyone.