California help with non commercial class A
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 wou...
Forum Discussion
My Class A non-commercial is not valid for a MH over 40'. That requires a Class B. For medical only submit a form. No Doctor's sig required. Most DMV commercial test centers require you to arrive with somebody with the required license. I got lucky. If you like I'll PM you with the details. I made notes of my experience getting my license. Big NOTE!! For the pre-inspection You must approach the inspection as if you have never seen the rig before. Check EVERYTHING! I failed the firat one. Didn't pop the hood. Here is my experience.- - -
========================
It is NOT a piece of cake. First is the Pre-Test inspection. You must approach the inspection as if you are going to take a trip in a vehicle that you have never seen before. Check EVERYTHING and vocalize it to the Examiner. i.e. Show the 3 emergency triangles, check all hitch connections, verify the mud flaps, verify the lug nuts. Pop the hub caps an all wheels. Check for cracks on the rims and lug nuts. Show the seat belts, verify the windshield. Pop the hood and check the engine oil, belts, hoses, radiator fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid. Open the passenger door, verify the seat belt, window, and one I don't understand, the glove box? Then on to the trailer. Check all storage doors, fire extinguisher lug nuts, condition of rims, tires, lights, signals, brake pads (where visible), and it goes on. I was prepared with a Torque wrench. If you pass the above - -
Then the driving test. It's broken into two sections. The Skill test then the driving test.
Skill test. No more than 10 errors total!
Straight Line backing. Up to 5 pullups, up to 5 encroachments (hitting cones), and must stop within 2' of a backup line.
Right turn. Must make a 90 degree right turn within 2' of the cone without touching.
Alley Dock. Back into a 90 degree parking space. Allowed 5 each of pullups and encroachments. Must stop within 2' of dock line and honk your horn when you think you are finished. The biggest problem was not being allowed to physically check the parking space first to get a handle of the size, width, cone placement, etc. You cannot get out of your truck!
Note: The max of 10 dings total still apply for all of the above.
=============================
I did the above in Feb '15. I'm guessing that it is the same.
Then you have the driving test. This is the easiest one. You are allowed 45 dings. I only had 6. They check for Intersections, checking traffic, yields, gear use, speed. How you stop and start.
They check turns, traffic check, signal, braking, lane position.
the driving test was very common sense. The major sections tested are:
Intersections, Through, Stop, Start.
Turns, Approach, Stops, Turning, and completed turn
Freeways, Enter/Merge, Lane Changes, Exit.
Start/Stop on Grade, going up and going down
And a few more sections.
The DMV test site had 3 driving school trucks for students trying to get their CDL. NOBODY PASSED!! The only guy that passed was a Fire Truck driver getting his license for the Fire Truck. He was inside when I went in to Check in. As he was issued his license my comment was 'I wish I had that!!'
So that's it. The Alley Dock was my biggest problem. I missed 4 pullups there, allowed 5.
The Behind the wheel testing took about an hour.
========================
It is NOT a piece of cake. First is the Pre-Test inspection. You must approach the inspection as if you are going to take a trip in a vehicle that you have never seen before. Check EVERYTHING and vocalize it to the Examiner. i.e. Show the 3 emergency triangles, check all hitch connections, verify the mud flaps, verify the lug nuts. Pop the hub caps an all wheels. Check for cracks on the rims and lug nuts. Show the seat belts, verify the windshield. Pop the hood and check the engine oil, belts, hoses, radiator fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid. Open the passenger door, verify the seat belt, window, and one I don't understand, the glove box? Then on to the trailer. Check all storage doors, fire extinguisher lug nuts, condition of rims, tires, lights, signals, brake pads (where visible), and it goes on. I was prepared with a Torque wrench. If you pass the above - -
Then the driving test. It's broken into two sections. The Skill test then the driving test.
Skill test. No more than 10 errors total!
Straight Line backing. Up to 5 pullups, up to 5 encroachments (hitting cones), and must stop within 2' of a backup line.
Right turn. Must make a 90 degree right turn within 2' of the cone without touching.
Alley Dock. Back into a 90 degree parking space. Allowed 5 each of pullups and encroachments. Must stop within 2' of dock line and honk your horn when you think you are finished. The biggest problem was not being allowed to physically check the parking space first to get a handle of the size, width, cone placement, etc. You cannot get out of your truck!
Note: The max of 10 dings total still apply for all of the above.
=============================
I did the above in Feb '15. I'm guessing that it is the same.
Then you have the driving test. This is the easiest one. You are allowed 45 dings. I only had 6. They check for Intersections, checking traffic, yields, gear use, speed. How you stop and start.
They check turns, traffic check, signal, braking, lane position.
the driving test was very common sense. The major sections tested are:
Intersections, Through, Stop, Start.
Turns, Approach, Stops, Turning, and completed turn
Freeways, Enter/Merge, Lane Changes, Exit.
Start/Stop on Grade, going up and going down
And a few more sections.
The DMV test site had 3 driving school trucks for students trying to get their CDL. NOBODY PASSED!! The only guy that passed was a Fire Truck driver getting his license for the Fire Truck. He was inside when I went in to Check in. As he was issued his license my comment was 'I wish I had that!!'
So that's it. The Alley Dock was my biggest problem. I missed 4 pullups there, allowed 5.
The Behind the wheel testing took about an hour.
