License class requirement in California

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.