I just obtained my Class B non commercial license allowing me to drive a motorhome in excess of 40' in California. Thankfully, I had the good sense to enroll in a training class to prepare for the driving exam. In addition to normal over the road driving of surface streets and freeway driving, I was tested for specific skills. The skills test included backing 200' in a straight line, right angle dock parking, and the capper was parallel parking. I highly doubt I would have passed the skills test without taking the training class. My testing far exceeded anything I have ever heard or read about.So, my advice to all is come to the DMV expecting a very thorough exam....

I did mine about a year and a half ago and had the same tests as you. I didn't take any training, as I had been driving my rig for 6 months and felt I had plenty of experience with it. My previous coach was a 36' dp and the extra 6' really didn't bother me all that much.I found that the pre-driving test was more involved, as the examiner was real picky about most things and not so much on others so he kept me off balance with my answers. Anyway, congratulation on passing...it's not a trivial experience.Ron

I believe I could pass the test with no problems. We don't have to take it in TN.Good to hear about what you went through if our requirements ever change.MM.

California wants to regulate, license, or tax every part of a person's life.

Reality check:Just exactly WHEN do they think anybody will parallel park a motorhome?OR, back it up to a dock at right angles?IMO, if they are going to have a "skills test" it should be a "Real World" test; something on the order of backing the rig into a campsite from a narrow access road (a la Forest Service campgrounds).Congratulations to the OP for passing what is, IMO, a silly, pretty much useless, test.

I have parallel parked my 34 ft on multiple occasions in the past 5 yrs of ownership that on many occasions after parking on an empty residential street visiting family and friends, others have parked in front and back off meI was forced to use those skills to extradite myself from the tight parkingbut yes, i have parallel parked my self back into those spaces from whence i had left, when i returned from, getting LP or dump etc..Being longer would make it harder, the training was good practiceCongratulations

Non commercial Class B license Calif | Good Sam Community

mpierce
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
mowermech wrote:
Reality check:
Just exactly WHEN do they think anybody will parallel park a motorhome?
OR, back it up to a dock at right angles?
IMO, if they are going to have a "skills test" it should be a "Real World" test; something on the order of backing the rig into a campsite from a narrow access road (a la Forest Service campgrounds).

Congratulations to the OP for passing the silly, pretty much useless, test.

I would think a 90 deg dock test, might mimic backing into an angled campsite pretty well. I have seen a number of MH drivers take a loooooong time, and more than 10 attempts, to back into a relatively easy spot. Great entertainment!

I have also parallel parked my MH, and have even parallel parked my Peterbilt with 53' reefer a number of times.

I think it shows, that if you can do those things, along with the road portion, you are capable of meeting the demands of the road.
Executive45
Explorer III
Apr 26, 2015
The California test is set up for real life experiences ON PUBLIC STREETS! This is where the safety part comes into play. Being able to back into a camping space won't jeopardize anyone's safety. Taking 45 minutes to parallel park might tax someones patience enough to do something stupid. Also, if you can parallel park and do a 90 degree park, you can do pretty much anything else. I saw nothing out of the ordinary with their testing. The instructors can be taxing though.

To the OP... congratulations on joining the ranks....Dennis
MrWizard
Moderator
Apr 26, 2015
I have parallel parked my 34 ft on multiple occasions in the past 5 yrs of ownership
that on many occasions after parking on an empty residential street visiting family and friends, others have parked in front and back off me
I was forced to use those skills to extradite myself from the tight parking

but yes, i have parallel parked my self back into those spaces from whence i had left, when i returned from, getting LP or dump etc..

Being longer would make it harder, the training was good practice
Congratulations
mowermech
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
Reality check:
Just exactly WHEN do they think anybody will parallel park a motorhome?
OR, back it up to a dock at right angles?
IMO, if they are going to have a "skills test" it should be a "Real World" test; something on the order of backing the rig into a campsite from a narrow access road (a la Forest Service campgrounds).

Congratulations to the OP for passing what is, IMO, a silly, pretty much useless, test.
azdryheat
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
California wants to regulate, license, or tax every part of a person's life.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015
I believe I could pass the test with no problems. We don't have to take it in TN.

Good to hear about what you went through if our requirements ever change.

MM.
lanerd
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2015
I did mine about a year and a half ago and had the same tests as you. I didn't take any training, as I had been driving my rig for 6 months and felt I had plenty of experience with it. My previous coach was a 36' dp and the extra 6' really didn't bother me all that much.

I found that the pre-driving test was more involved, as the examiner was real picky about most things and not so much on others so he kept me off balance with my answers.

Anyway, congratulation on passing...it's not a trivial experience.

Ron

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