Can a resident of CA driving a 3500 SRW with a 11.7k GVWR legally tow (for recreational, non-commercial reasons) a bumper-pull RV trailer with a GVWR less than 10k or a 5th wheel RV with a GVWR less than 14.3k (11.7k + 14.3k < 26,001) with a standard Class D driver's license?What special registration requirements (and additional costs) are needed to register a privately-owned/operated 3500 SRW with a 11.7K GVWR in CA?Thanks!

No special license is needed if the bumper-pull trailer is less than 10,001 pounds or the 5th wheel is less than 15,001 pounds.

Pickup trucks are registered as 'commercial' in CACA doesn't have a Class D license.....Class A, Class B, Class C and Class MDifferent 'CA Classes' of DLshttps://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/cdl_htm/lic_chartUse this 'CA DMV Calculator' for fees requiredhttps://www.dmv.ca.gov/wasapp/FeeCalculatorWeb/newResidentForm.doShould be enough info....if not......CALL CA DMVhttps://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/dmvfooter2/contactus

You are ok with tt less than 10k with class c. Need rv endorsement on class c for 5ver gvwr between 10k and 15k. 3500 pickup not used commercially just need commercial reg and weight fee based on unladen weight. Technically a pickup has a gvwr of less than 11.5k and an unladen weight of less than 8,001 lbs. A box type bed of less than 9 ft. 3 of 3 definitions in 575 CA vehicle code. License requirements in 12804.9 CA vehicle code. It will just get more confusing from this point on.

azdryheat wrote:No special license is needed if the bumper-pull trailer is less than 10,001 pounds or the 5th wheel is less than 15,001 pounds.Thanks.Old-Biscuit wrote:Pickup trucks are registered as 'commercial' in CACA doesn't have a Class D license.....Class A, Class B, Class C and Class MThanks for the links, Old-Biscuit. They were very helpful! So, a standard driver's license in CA is called a Class C. That's good to know.cmeade wrote: . . . Need rv endorsement on class c for 5ver gvwr between 10k and 15k. 3500 pickup not used commercially just need commercial reg and weight fee based on unladen weight. Technically a pickup has a gvwr of less than 11.5k and an unladen weight of less than 8,001 lbs. . . . What do you need to get an RV endorsement?When I used the Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator to check fees for a commercial, diesel vehicle it gives you the option to choose unladen, GVWR, or GVWR. Not surprisingly, unladen resulted in the lowest fee. I assume unladen is a valid choice for a privately owned/operated truck with a 11.7k GVWR that does not qualify as a pickup?Thanks again.

otrfun wrote:azdryheat wrote:No special license is needed if the bumper-pull trailer is less than 10,001 pounds or the 5th wheel is less than 15,001 pounds.Thanks.Old-Biscuit wrote:Pickup trucks are registered as 'commercial' in CACA doesn't have a Class D license.....Class A, Class B, Class C and Class MThanks for the links, Old-Biscuit. They were very helpful! So, a standard driver's license in CA is called a Class C. That's good to know.cmeade wrote: . . . Need rv endorsement on class c for 5ver gvwr between 10k and 15k. 3500 pickup not used commercially just need commercial reg and weight fee based on unladen weight. Technically a pickup has a gvwr of less than 11.5k and an unladen weight of less than 8,001 lbs. . . . What do you need to get an RV endorsement?When I used the Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator to check fees for a commercial, diesel vehicle it gives you the option to choose unladen, GVWR, or GVWR. Not surprisingly, unladen resulted in the lowest fee. I assume unladen is a valid choice for a privately owned/operated truck with a 11.7k GVWR that does not qualify as a pickup?Thanks again.The 5th wheel endorsement is called a "Restriction 41".VERY easy 25 Q test, no driving test req'd.ANYTIME you want to conduct business at the CA DMV - make an appointment! Otherwise you will wait, and wait, and wait, and wait some more.Usually the DMV will accept the ratings the factory assigned to your pickup - saves "declaring".*If* you or your spouse are handicapped (as registered owner/s), the DMV will wave the commercial fees included in the Commercial license. For *one* vehicle only. You will pay the normal license fee - no additional fee (about $250) for the commercial plates - which will still have the "commercial benefits" - if they could be called that.BTW - one last......you might want to look at the requirements as posted by CA DOT - "Who must stop at scales" - there are a few surprises there.....which only apply to CA licensed trucks - including pickups!~

CA License & Registration Req for 3500 SRW with 11.7k GVWR?

otrfun
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2017
azdryheat wrote:
No special license is needed if the bumper-pull trailer is less than 10,001 pounds or the 5th wheel is less than 15,001 pounds.
Thanks.
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Pickup trucks are registered as 'commercial' in CA

CA doesn't have a Class D license.....
Class A, Class B, Class C and Class M
Thanks for the links, Old-Biscuit. They were very helpful! So, a standard driver's license in CA is called a Class C. That's good to know.
cmeade wrote:
. . . Need rv endorsement on class c for 5ver gvwr between 10k and 15k. 3500 pickup not used commercially just need commercial reg and weight fee based on unladen weight. Technically a pickup has a gvwr of less than 11.5k and an unladen weight of less than 8,001 lbs. . . .
What do you need to get an RV endorsement?

When I used the Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator to check fees for a commercial, diesel vehicle it gives you the option to choose unladen, GVWR, or GVWR. Not surprisingly, unladen resulted in the lowest fee. I assume unladen is a valid choice for a privately owned/operated truck with a 11.7k GVWR that does not qualify as a pickup?

Thanks again.
cmeade
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
You are ok with tt less than 10k with class c. Need rv endorsement on class c for 5ver gvwr between 10k and 15k. 3500 pickup not used commercially just need commercial reg and weight fee based on unladen weight. Technically a pickup has a gvwr of less than 11.5k and an unladen weight of less than 8,001 lbs. A box type bed of less than 9 ft. 3 of 3 definitions in 575 CA vehicle code. License requirements in 12804.9 CA vehicle code. It will just get more confusing from this point on.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Aug 10, 2017
Pickup trucks are registered as 'commercial' in CA

CA doesn't have a Class D license.....
Class A, Class B, Class C and Class M

Different 'CA Classes' of DLs
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/cdl_htm/lic_chart

Use this 'CA DMV Calculator' for fees required
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/wasapp/FeeCalculatorWeb/newResidentForm.do

Should be enough info....if not......CALL CA DMV
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/dmvfooter2/contactus
azdryheat
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
No special license is needed if the bumper-pull trailer is less than 10,001 pounds or the 5th wheel is less than 15,001 pounds.

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CA License & Registration Req for 3500 SRW with 11.7k GVWR?

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