PA non-commercial Class A license?

Wow Thanks Todd,from what I read from your link I should be able lower my truck class from a class 10 to a class 5,License will go from $782.00 to $335.00.5th wheel license from $36.00 to $90.00.I'll be making a trip to DMV in next couple months.Thanks again!

ToddD wrote:
Well, regardless of what combined weight registration regs were for non-commercial vehicles, it seems that as of last year, recreational trailers are officially exempt.

I was discussing the licensing topic on another forum and someone pointed this out.

https://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/DVSPubsForms/BMV/BMV%20Driver%20and%20Vehicle%20Bulletins/Bulletin%2019-08%20Special%20Edition%20-Senate%20Bill%20796%20-%20Act%20138.pdf

Re-title your trailer from TRL class to RECT class and your tow vehicle is exempt from combined weight classification.

Thanks Todd this honestly makes more sense in the recreational world...I could understand it in the commercial world but not for rec use. That combo registration seemed more like a $ making scheme than anything, just like our Pa turnpike tolls ha!...
I appreciate you getting back to me on this as I am looking to upgrade in the next year or two and want to get this all straight before I do. Now to stay under that 26,001 lb threshold so I won't need a Class A non-commercial or not. It wouldn't bother me to get it but I'm not so sure the wife would want to go through with all of that also.

Well, regardless of what combined weight registration regs were for non-commercial vehicles, it seems that as of last year, recreational trailers are officially exempt.

I was discussing the licensing topic on another forum and someone pointed this out.

https://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/DVSPubsForms/BMV/BMV%20Driver%20and%20Vehicle%20Bulletins/Bulletin%2019-08%20Special%20Edition%20-Senate%20Bill%20796%20-%20Act%20138.pdf

Re-title your trailer from TRL class to RECT class and your tow vehicle is exempt from combined weight classification.

Gary O wrote:
Yes they checked mine.I went from a class 5 weight to a class 10.My truck had a GVWR of 14000 but to tow my 5th wheel and be legal, over 26001, I had to get a GCWR of 33000 lbs.I had to go to Ford dealer and have a licensed inspection tech fill out a form that my truck could legally tow that weight.I had to get a new title for my truck, titled for a GCWR of 40000 lbs but I only license it for 33000 lbs.It was a big pain in a$$,but I'm legal anywhere I tow. I'll try to find out what form I needed and will let you know.

This makes absolutely no sense to me to be honest. GVWR and GCWR are two totally different things. Pa classes are registered gross weight (GVWR) not registered combined weight (GCWR). I have a half ton truck with a GVWR of 7050 and a trailer with a GVWR of 7200 that's 14250 combined. I pay for 2 stickers one for the truck and one for the trailer for the correct GVWR of each. Nowhere does it state that you must register your vehicle as the combined weight of your sole vehicle registration. If so you would have SUV's out there towing 6k travel trailers needing a class 5 sticker on the vehicle. The GVWR of the vehicle is the max that vehicle can weigh and that is what you register it for.

Can you please show me a link where it states you must register your vehicle for the GCWR and not its GVWR.

In here it states about GCWR when trucks towing trailers over 10k must be registered as a combined weight...but this is for commercial registration...where does it state this for non-commercial??

https://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/PubsForms/Publications/PUB%20194.pdf

Yeah, I think the new Real ID requirement is what triggered the need for the extra documentation. I think anyone renewing their driver licenses these days needs to upgrade to Real ID.

When I took my test the young lady testing entered it on the computer that I passed and now was a non cdl class a then I went to next dept and had picture taken and they handed me my new drivers license. My license was due for renew at that time.Test and new license little over a hour,did not need passport or birth certificate just license renewal . There needs to be better communication between the DMV and there testing points.

Thanks for all the advice, Gary, I book marked this thread for reference as I went through the process.

The truck class change was definitely more challenging than I thought it would be.

Did you have to present passport or birth certificate to get your new license?

Wondering what further surprises I have waiting for me when I go back there.

I was wondering how you ever made out getting your class a,glad you got it.The main problem I had was the people at the DMV in Harrisburg had no idea what a class a non cdl was.

So, it’s been 2 years since I started this quest.

It took multiple trips to the DMV to clear up a speeding ticket from NJ in the 80s that popped when they ran my license on the National Drivers Register (forgot about that one).

Then I finally got my permit in November, 2019.

Then I spent hours and hours getting my truck reclassified from 5 to 10 due to multiple rejections from PenDOT without explanation.

Then I spent more time and money requesting a duplicate registration and class sticker when it got lost in the mail.

And then, today, I finally took my driver test in Norristown.

I passed, but I still don’t have my license.

Sometime along the way, the ID requirements were updated, now requiring you to present birth certificate or passport to process the license reissue.

So now I need to go back to the DMV.... again!

At least I’m now technically legal.

FYI to those with a drivers test scheduled.

Yes they checked mine.I went from a class 5 weight to a class 10.My truck had a GVWR of 14000 but to tow my 5th wheel and be legal, over 26001, I had to get a GCWR of 33000 lbs.I had to go to Ford dealer and have a licensed inspection tech fill out a form that my truck could legally tow that weight.I had to get a new title for my truck, titled for a GCWR of 40000 lbs but I only license it for 33000 lbs.It was a big pain in a$$,but I'm legal anywhere I tow. I'll try to find out what form I needed and will let you know.