CumminsDriver wrote:
Russ,
It sounds as if you are buying an Arctic Fox 29-5T. I've been to the West Sacramento Commercial test facility 4 times. Once for my driving test, and 3 times as a Class A co-driver so that my friends could take their Non Comm A test. After you take and pass the written test, you can schedule an appointment to take the driving test. My last friend that took the driving test was able to get his driving test about 2 weeks after taking his written test. West Sacramento does give driving tests on Saturdays also if that helps with your scheduling.
The hardest part in my opinion is the pre-trip inspection that you do before any behind the wheel testing is done. I suggest you go on You Tube and look up Pre-Trip inspections. They are all for the Big Rigs but the concept is the same for our RV's. Watching the Truck Driving school drivers while I waited for my friends to do their tests, I noticed that many of them failed the pre-trip which stops the test for that day for them. Behind the wheel experience is critical for the driving test, and if you get your permit I suggest someone who has the proper license ride with you to give you that behind the wheel time you need.
You could also tow a 5th wheel that is under the 15k cutoff for GVWR, and tow it around for practice to get the behind the wheel experience and to get a feel for how 5vers tow and handle and back up.
I can go into detail if you'd like on what they do for the driving test. The whole test which includes checking all the lights, registration, insurance, pre-trip, skills test in the DMV facility, and the driving test takes a little over an hour. Your Class A co-driver will also have to show his/her license when you check in. It really isn't that bad to do, but California does make it difficult requiring the co-driver until you get the license.
Rich
Thanks Rich.
Yes, I've ordered a 29-5t.
I'm not so worried about the tests as I am about being able to find someone who owns a rig I can use and to accompany me.
I could, as you suggest, practice with a smaller rig but I don't know anybody at all with a truck and fiver. I would have to look around, which I may do.
I'll check out YouTube, for sure.
Meanwhile a couple things have occurred to me: first I may not have to worry about driving in Oregon (where I'll pick upmy fiver) and Washington (which is on our travel plans before returning to CA) because they may not have any special licensing requirements. I will have to check. Next, my better half has a driver license from a state that may not have a special licensing requirement and it just may be that with her as my copilot I'd be OK driving my fiver in CA with a learner's permit. I'm not sure I'll be able to get that question answered but I will call the CA DMV to ask.
