Went to DMV for a FW endorsement and got class A instead

DiskDoctr wrote:
This would be a good place to talk about how some states' DMV are really messed up compared to ours.

But I've dealt with PA DMV. And WV. And MD. And FL....

I am convinced they were all hatched from the same cuckoo's nest! :E

LOL. Glad you guys are getting it worked out.

That "cuckoo's nest" is simply called "bureaucracy"... :M

Lyle

IAMICHABOD wrote:


This is the right answer,your Drivers License will NOT look like this
:B

Thanks for the pic. I have never seen a commercial license before. I just assumed, wrongly, that there was some additional text in the CLASS field.

You do have to take a one time medical exam for a non-commercial class A lic.

Pop, when you receive your lic in the mail you'll see at the top just right of California it will read "Commercial Driver License" and under that will say Class A and under that any endorcements you have. If in fact a CDL shows up you need to get it corrected as if your pulled over you'll be fined for no medical card.

This would be a good place to talk about how some states' DMV are really messed up compared to ours.

But I've dealt with PA DMV. And WV. And MD. And FL....

I am convinced they were all hatched from the same cuckoo's nest! :E

LOL. Glad you guys are getting it worked out.

I have the class C RV endorsement which is a misnomer. It's more accurately called "Restriction 41" which specifically addresses 5th wheel trailers over 10K but less than 15K. I had to take a written test which, I believe, is the same one for non-commercial class A. No medical exam, Dr. note, etc. ... just the written test. Also, there was no fee. I would have had to retake the standard class C written test. But, I had recently renewed my license within 90 days - so that was waived. The biggest challenge was finding a person who knew what it was and what test to give me. It took one clerk and a supervisor (and about 20 minutes of searching).

On the front of my license:

Class: CM1

On the back:

Class: Class C & M1-Veh w/GVWR<=26000; No A; 2whl M/C, Mtr-drvn Cycle, Scooter

Endorsements:None

Restrictions: 41-Class A restricted to operating 5th wheel travel trailer between 10,000 and 15,000 lbs GVWR

Some of you missed my point.

A California non commercial class A requires:

A written test.
A vision test.

I took no tests. I paid no fees.

This was clearly a DMV error.

I was just wondering how big the error was.

I agree that I probably will be issued a non commercial class A.

For me, an upgrade from class C to non commercial class A appears to be just walk in and then walk out.

Cumminsdriver is correct. I had quite an experience trying to get a 5er endorsement. I had an appointment, I was ready to take the written endorsement test, and just in case, I had my medical questionnaire completed and filled in by me MD. When I arrived at DMV, they had no idea what I was applying for, even though I had all of the Vehicle Code Sections pertaining to what I needed to do copied for them. They finally gave me a class "C" and RV towing written test. They then did not know what to do, so I had to return. Finally got the new license with the endorsement for towing a 5er under 15,000 lbs. Went away happy (I thought).
About two months later, I get a letter telling me that they are going to take my license under 14601 VC because my medical questionnaire declared me disabled. I was told that I had to go to Sacramento DMV (80 mi. away) for a hearing. I refused and demanded a local hearning or phone interview. After arguing for several days, I finally got the phone interview. By now, I have lost any respect for DMV. The license I was applying for did not require a medical, but because the local DMV forwarded all of the paperwork to Sacto., they were treating me as a commercial applicant.
Lucky for me, the hearing officer was former LE and we spoke the same language. He immediately saw the problem and rescended the 14601 threat. As a favor, he made the medical paperwork disappear. Since then I have renewed my license, with the endorsement, several times without issue.
What CumminsDriver said about the non-commercial Class "A" license is correct. You do have to take both a driving test and a walk around inspection. You need to get your license issue corrected immediatly to avoid the "deep, deep and dark hole of DMV ineptatude."

Ozlander wrote:

azdryheat wrote:
You wouldn't have passed the Class A commercial test.

How do you know that?
You don't have a clue.

Perhaps because I have a Class B CDL. I commercially drive motorhomes. You don't just show up at DMV and get one. For starters, go online and take any one of the free CDL written tests and see how you do. Watch one of the U-Tube videos about the pre-trip inspection and air brake test demonstration and see what it takes to pass that test.

I'm not saying the tests are hard but there is no way one can walk into DMV and pass the CDL process without prior study and training. Oh, and you aren't getting in the door at DMV without a DOT medical card.

azdryheat wrote:
You wouldn't have passed the Class A commercial test.

How do you know that?
You don't have a clue.

You wouldn't have passed the Class A commercial test.