Hi All...I hope I can gain some insight as to what or who might be the best resource to help me. My wife and I are contemplating traveling full time in the next 4 yrs. In the meantime we would like to buy a trailer or motorhome.My issue is this... I see that a non commercial A will allow me to drive both a 45 foot fifth or toy hauler as well as a class A 45' motorhome. From what I can tell the non commercial class b only allows me to drive the motorhome but not the fifth wheel. I would like to get the A to give me the most options.I have a couple of issues too... First is the health cert.. for a class a it is a dl546 according to the dmv website, and for a class B it is the dl546A.. The a form is filled out by a dr. where the 546 is a self filled out doc? Any ideas why that is?The questions about the are because I am 45 almost 46.. but I have had high BP since being a kid, about 1.5 yrs ago I had open heart surgery to fix several birth defects, including a new valve. At this point my bp is good.. but I am on BP meds.. Should I be worried about the medical?Since I don't own either a trailer or a motorhome yet, how do I test in one? Can I just rent one? The other thing about getting the license is you have to drive it to the dmv and or to practice with someone that has a non comm class A.. I don't know anyone who has that.. So ? How do I legally get a license and follow the rules for CA?Any suggestions?

Are you sure about the medical cert for a Noncommercial Class A? I thought the Noncommercial didn't require the cert.Even if you do though, don't sweat the exam. I took the exam about a year and a half ago when I joined a vanpool at work. It was all very simple. I was surprised when I had to pee in a cup, but I don't have any illegal vices so there was nothing to worry about.I'm on BP meds and it wasn't an issue at all.

If you are concerned that they will kick back your self signed 546, you can just go with the dl51 and use it for a non commercial A. You should call the commercial licensing unit in Sac. Even the local dmv doesn't know all the commercial license ins and outs and they will sometimes have to call the commercial unit right in front of you to find out what to do.

Thanks for the advice about the medical... Any suggestions on how to be legal to get a license if you can't drive it on a permit without someone else? :)

So much to cover ....... the self certified med is needed for the non com A and done every 2 yrs. The non com A is for 5vers trailers with a GVWR over 15K (rated not weighing). Com A is for towing trailers over 10K GVWR commercially. Endorsement and self certified med required for 5vers over 10K to 15K GVWR on a class C. A commercial A with current med cert by MD or LPN would allow towing everything over 10K GVWR. This is just an overview and you can read all about it in 12804.9 of the CA DMV code book.

I'll try to answer a few... did it about 1-1/2 years ago.You WILL need the medical form. Can be downloaded from DMV. Not a big deal.How to test w/o your own rig is a good question because they checked my registration to be sure it was my rig.I drove to the test (and the 3 mos. during the whole process cuz I had no one else around to do it)For 5th wheel it is weight not length. 15,000 lbs. or more you need Non-commercial class A.About the testing. Apparently it varies by community. The written part was not tough, but you need to know the applicable rules.The pre-drive inspection process is NOT to be taken lightly, my guy wanted A LOT of detail description of my inspection.The parking, straight line driving and backing no big deal unless your rig is huge (mine is) and they had to make some concessions in the test because my rig would physically not fit in the space they wanted me to put it.The road test not too bad if you know the rules of the road when turning long vehicle (lane intrusions etc.)So, first thing schedule the test and then they will start the process. Unfortunately for me they took forever to make appointments so the entire process took about 3 mos. from start of scheduling tests to having DL.Good luck!

California help with non commercial class A | Good Sam Community

Kevin8520
Explorer
Aug 30, 2016
jspfeffer wrote:
Hi Kevin!

So Sorry I didn't reply earlier... I had checked the site on my phone.. and totally missed what you offered... I truly appreciate the offer. I just may take you up on it!

Thanks again, and sorry for the late reply!
John

Sounds good John. Just make sure you private message me if you choose to take me up on the offer. Sometimes the message forum doesn't alert me when someone replies :)

Have a great week!
jspfeffer
Explorer
Aug 30, 2016
Hi Kevin!

So Sorry I didn't reply earlier... I had checked the site on my phone.. and totally missed what you offered... I truly appreciate the offer. I just may take you up on it!

Thanks again, and sorry for the late reply!
John
Grit_dog
Navigator
Aug 28, 2016
jspfeffer wrote:
Thanks for the advice about the medical... Any suggestions on how to be legal to get a license if you can't drive it on a permit without someone else? :)

Drive it to the dmv around midnight, camp out. In the am, go take the test and if they ask, your buddy the truck driver dropped it off for you last night after work!

Get er done!
I don't usually post this stuff, but My wife, at the young age of 44, has gone through all that you have, twice now. Makes every day a lot more precious....
starcraft69
Explorer
Aug 28, 2016
Kevin8520 wrote:
I have my non comm class A and I live in Buena Park. If you need someone to go with you I'm happy to help.

Kevin

This is very cool!!!!! This is what this board should be about.

Nice job kevin
Kevin8520
Explorer
Aug 28, 2016
I have my non comm class A and I live in Buena Park. If you need someone to go with you I'm happy to help.

Kevin
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Aug 26, 2016
As for as driving it for you....do you know any school bus drivers? Or even if you don't know one, perhaps contacting a school bus office to put in a request. For a nominal fee I bet someone would jump at the chance to drive a spiffy motorhome. :)
jspfeffer
Explorer
Aug 26, 2016
Hi Rskeans....

I believe you... navigating the different dmv rules can be confusing... The current website listed the stuff I posted.. I am just trying to be safe.. since I am usually the unlucky guy... lol.. 100 people be could be driving our of class.. and I would be the 1 that gets waterboarded and impounded.. LOL
Have a good weekend..
rskeans
Explorer
Aug 25, 2016
jspfeffer - - I just took a look at the back of my Class A license and in the Restrictions notes it says, '71-CL A may only tow non-CDL single trlrs-no CL B veh.'
My Class A license specifically states NO Class B, i.e. a motor home greater than 40'. Maybe that is because I didn't test with a MH, or maybe the regulations have changed.
jspfeffer
Explorer
Aug 25, 2016
Just to be clear I am looking at the non comm class a license... I want to be able to drive a 45' motor home... And or a 15k + fiver... The a allows either and I want options

Thanks for all the help
cmeade
Explorer
Aug 25, 2016
John Wayne wrote:
So for the Class A stay at 40 feet and don't go over 40 feet and you can use your reg. CA. drivers lic. Only need the endorsement if you go over 40 feet.
replace the word endorsement with "noncommercial B" and you are correct.