My 35' pull trailer has a GVWR in excess of 10,000LB, so I have decided I want to go get my California Non-Commercial Class-A license (to add to my Class-C and Class-M). FYI my TV is a 2012 F-250 6.7L PSD, and I am well within specs on the TV for my TH.I was planning to go get the Class-C and Class-A handbooks at my DMV down the street (I saw the PDF's online and HTML, but I like to hold and flip pages, re-read, highlight, etc. and don't want to print on my printer). I was then planning to take the written test and get my permit. For taking the behind the wheel test, I have a close friend who has his commercial Class-A that can go along with me. I was thinking to make my life much easier (and much more likely to pass) I would rent a pull flatbed trailer with a 10,000+ GVWR, preferably short too. I just need to find a place in San Diego that rents these for non-commercial use.How does all this sound? Am I missing anything? Here's a question I had though that I didn't find any info on yet. Does this non-commercial license change the way that my points are calculated, punishment enforced, and publicly reported to insurance? Right now if I attend traffic school, the point is present, but it is non-chargeable (non-visible) to the insurance company and I don't see a raise in my rate. Does any of this process change for me?

the bear II wrote:I use a C4500 chevy as my tow vehicle. It is rated to tow more than the 15,000 lb 5th wheel I tow. CA. DMV considers it a commercial vehicle which means the registration fees are based upon load capacity. I'm guessing tickets would also be more expensive. I've had this combination since 2008 with no need or problems where a non-commercial class A license was needed.I haven't even considered getting one and don't seem to need one.I have heard stories of CHP pulling people over and asking them for their license. The fee is high and once you prove you don't have the license, you cannot drive on. You must then bring someone with a Class-A to drive your trailer out of there. I just prefer not to test the waters.It seems easy enough overall to get the license. It doesn't take a rocket scientist, why not get it?Sounds kind of fun!I heard stories out at Glammis that on heavy holiday weekends the CHP will have a stop where you pass through and they are inspecting tow vehicles for overloading, and also the trailer for overloading, and sometimes (not every time) asking for the correct license and then the ticket and the fact that your trailer is stuck way out there will suck.Why not just get it?

Does anyone know if California the only state that requires this? I wonder what would happen to an out-of-state person pulling a large FW that is in compliance with their own state's requirements?Jim

TucsonJim wrote:Does anyone know if California the only state that requires this? I wonder what would happen to an out-of-state person pulling a large FW that is in compliance with their own state's requirements?JimI read in other threads you'll be OK since your licensed under a diff state that I'm guessing doesn't have these requirements.

AMG1978 wrote: Here's a question I had though that I didn't find any info on yet. Does this non-commercial license change the way that my points are calculated, punishment enforced, and publicly reported to insurance? Right now if I attend traffic school, the point is present, but it is non-chargeable (non-visible) to the insurance company and I don't see a raise in my rate. Does any of this process change for me?No,those rules are only for Class A Commercial License. The reason is that a commercial license falls under the Federal rules,that points are twice for some infractions and the traffic school is not an option.Also the DUI is .04 even when in your own vehicle when you have a Commercial license,all under federal guidelines.These are the reasons that I surrendered my Commercial Class A license when I retired after having that license for more than 40 years.

IAMICHABOD wrote:AMG1978 wrote: Here's a question I had though that I didn't find any info on yet. Does this non-commercial license change the way that my points are calculated, punishment enforced, and publicly reported to insurance? Right now if I attend traffic school, the point is present, but it is non-chargeable (non-visible) to the insurance company and I don't see a raise in my rate. Does any of this process change for me?No,those rules are only for Class A Commercial License. The reason is that a commercial license falls under the Federal rules,that points are twice for some infractions and the traffic school is not an option.Also the DUI is .04 even when in your own vehicle when you have a Commercial license,all under federal guidelines.These are the reasons that I surrendered my Commercial Class A license when I retired after having that license for more than 40 years.Great info. So non commercial doesn't have the DUI difference or the traffic school difference?

California Non-Commercial Class-A Questions | Good Sam Community

jmtandem
Explorer II
Sep 25, 2015
I wonder what would happen to an out-of-state person pulling a large FW that is in compliance with their own state's requirements?

Most states enjoy resprocity, if you are legal as to license and vehicle registration in your home state you are legal in other states.
cmeade
Explorer
Sep 25, 2015
I had a commercial class A with all the endosements until 2009 when I went on insulin and went to a class C. In 2014 we bought a 2014 Keystone Alpine 3500 RE with 15500 GVWR. I went to CA DMV took the 25 question non com class A test, completed the medical exam, and new picture. 9 days later I had my new non commercial class A in my hand. Road test was waived because I had class A in the computer. No fee charged if you can believe it!! 12804.9 CA vehicle code gives requirements. If you borrow a flat bed trailer that is not an RV you will get a Commercial A and as a minimum need 2 yr med exam by MD, drug testing program 34520 CA vehicle code, and violation while operating commercial vehicle requiring CDL is 1.5 times point count 12810 CVC.
Winged_One
Explorer
Sep 25, 2015
AMG1978 wrote:
TucsonJim wrote:
Does anyone know if California the only state that requires this? I wonder what would happen to an out-of-state person pulling a large FW that is in compliance with their own state's requirements?

Jim

I read in other threads you'll be OK since your licensed under a diff state that I'm guessing doesn't have these requirements.

Exactly.

In summary, nonresidents may tow two trailers with a non-commercial license IF their base state allows it.
Buried California DOT rules Section 12502

I swear, DOT keeps moving this around to various webpages trying to bury it. But I keep finding it. Print it and take it with you.
AMG1978
Explorer
Sep 24, 2015
IAMICHABOD wrote:
AMG1978 wrote:

Here's a question I had though that I didn't find any info on yet. Does this non-commercial license change the way that my points are calculated, punishment enforced, and publicly reported to insurance? Right now if I attend traffic school, the point is present, but it is non-chargeable (non-visible) to the insurance company and I don't see a raise in my rate. Does any of this process change for me?

No,those rules are only for Class A Commercial License. The reason is that a commercial license falls under the Federal rules,that points are twice for some infractions and the traffic school is not an option.

Also the DUI is .04 even when in your own vehicle when you have a Commercial license,all under federal guidelines.

These are the reasons that I surrendered my Commercial Class A license when I retired after having that license for more than 40 years.

Great info. So non commercial doesn't have the DUI difference or the traffic school difference?
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Sep 24, 2015
AMG1978 wrote:

Here's a question I had though that I didn't find any info on yet. Does this non-commercial license change the way that my points are calculated, punishment enforced, and publicly reported to insurance? Right now if I attend traffic school, the point is present, but it is non-chargeable (non-visible) to the insurance company and I don't see a raise in my rate. Does any of this process change for me?

No,those rules are only for Class A Commercial License. The reason is that a commercial license falls under the Federal rules,that points are twice for some infractions and the traffic school is not an option.

Also the DUI is .04 even when in your own vehicle when you have a Commercial license,all under federal guidelines.

These are the reasons that I surrendered my Commercial Class A license when I retired after having that license for more than 40 years.
AMG1978
Explorer
Sep 24, 2015
TucsonJim wrote:
Does anyone know if California the only state that requires this? I wonder what would happen to an out-of-state person pulling a large FW that is in compliance with their own state's requirements?

Jim

I read in other threads you'll be OK since your licensed under a diff state that I'm guessing doesn't have these requirements.
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Sep 24, 2015
Does anyone know if California the only state that requires this? I wonder what would happen to an out-of-state person pulling a large FW that is in compliance with their own state's requirements?

Jim
AMG1978
Explorer
Sep 24, 2015
the bear II wrote:
I use a C4500 chevy as my tow vehicle. It is rated to tow more than the 15,000 lb 5th wheel I tow. CA. DMV considers it a commercial vehicle which means the registration fees are based upon load capacity. I'm guessing tickets would also be more expensive. I've had this combination since 2008 with no need or problems where a non-commercial class A license was needed.

I haven't even considered getting one and don't seem to need one.

I have heard stories of CHP pulling people over and asking them for their license. The fee is high and once you prove you don't have the license, you cannot drive on. You must then bring someone with a Class-A to drive your trailer out of there. I just prefer not to test the waters.

It seems easy enough overall to get the license. It doesn't take a rocket scientist, why not get it?

Sounds kind of fun!

I heard stories out at Glammis that on heavy holiday weekends the CHP will have a stop where you pass through and they are inspecting tow vehicles for overloading, and also the trailer for overloading, and sometimes (not every time) asking for the correct license and then the ticket and the fact that your trailer is stuck way out there will suck.

Why not just get it?

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