califnornia non commercial class A

[jareddustin]

i have searched the forum before I posted to ask but could not find what I was looking for.
has anyone taken the CA non commercial class A test? my TH has a gross weight of 10,900 so I need to take the test. the written part looks simple but the skills part is what I am a little more concerned about. when backing up is there a way this has to be done? as in driver position? the handbook for RVs does not really state and the class C handbook says to look over your right shoulder. I am not good at backing up the trailer using the mirrors. I am used to looking over my right shoulder as well as the mirrors, Im sure this comes from backing up boats down ramps. will they not allow this since technically your vision is blocked. also with backing in the "camp site" I normally have a spotter talking to me on my Bluetooth. are you allowed to get out and look and reposition the trailer, I think I read somewhere you have 6 try's at this.
any advise or tips would be awesome.

[1L243]

If your trailer has a max sticker rating over 10,000lbs, can you have re certified for 9999 lbs so you will be under the 10,000 lbs limit?

[1L243]

CumminsDriver wrote:

1L243 wrote:
Weighing over 10,000 lbs... Key word weighing.. Curious if the DMV Tech checked the weight rating on your truck to see if it met the Max GVWR rating of your trailer?

Yes, he did look at and record the trucks GVWR, just like he did with the trailer.

I was just thinking, (I know that's a bad thing) If CA DMV uses max sticker rating on trailers to determinee weight and not actual weight, with your trailer rated near 16k unless you have a Dually would'nt that put you over the CGWR (Combined Gross Weight Rating) of most 3/4 and 1 ton trucks? I know it would mine. So, by DMV administering the test, they are giving you a license for a trailer you can't legally tow?

[Dtank]

CumminsDriver wrote:

1L243 wrote:
The way I read the section is that the TT can't WEIGH over 10k and the Fifth Wheel can't WEIGH over 15k..It pertains to actual weight not perceived weight based on the sticker on the side of the trailer..... Otherwise the section would read not to exceed posted sticker GVWR?

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/dl648/dl648pt2

The first line says this "•Travel trailers weighing over 10,000 lbs. GVWR, not used for hire."

It does say GVWR. It's the rating, not actual weight. The first thing the DMV Driving Test Tech did was look at my 5th wheels GVWR sticker, and confirmed what I already knew, that I needed the Non Commercial A because of the GVWR. They didn't weigh the 5th wheel, so he had no idea what the actual weight was.

Use the furnished link above.

In the search box - upper right, enter:

"Recreational Trailer Endorsement"

quote
Recreational Trailer Endorsement
A driver must have a fifth-wheel recreational trailer endorsement added to his/her Class C driver license to pull a fifth-wheel recreational trailer over 10,000 lbs., but not over 15,000 lbs. GVWR, which is not used for hire. This endorsement is not required if the driver has a commercial or noncommercial Class A driver license.

To obtain an original fifth-wheel recreational vehicle endorsement-

Adults must:
Complete an application for a driver license (DL 44).
Pass the Recreational Vehicles and Noncommercial Class A trailers law test.
Pass the basic Class C law test,unless you renewed your Class C license within the last 12 months.
Pass a vision test.
You are not required to submit a Health Questionnaire or Physician's Health Report.
You are not required to take a pre-trip, skills, or driving test to add a Recreational Trailer endorsement to your current license.

End quote.

My California Class C Drivers License reads (on the back) -
Class C-Veh w/GVWR <2600.
ENDORSEMENTS: NONE
RESTRICTIONS: 41-May tow fifth-wheel recreational trlr between 10,001/15,000 lbs GVWR.

However - although I can't find the change anywhere, a poster on Escapees indicated his Class C renewal now reads (on the back) -
"RESTRICTIONS: 41-Class A restricted to operating fifth-wheel travel trailer between 10,000 and 15,000 lbs GVWR.

He was also (now) required to submit a Health Questionnaire (every two years).
(Which is no big deal).


SKPs Thread: Go to Page 3, See Posts #45 and #46

BTW - I played all the same 'games' at the DMV as the poster in #45.
No such thing (wrong), MH test (wrong), Non-commercial Class A test (wrong) -
They finally got it right with the 25 question endorsement (Restriction 41) test.

Just another day at the CA DMV..:W


On edit: The knowledgeable CA hauler builders have been rating "bumper pulls" at 9,999 GVWR for looooong time!
BILs custom built enclosed race-car trailer is rated 9999 - and he's had it about 20 years.

With the amount of RV sales in CA, wonder why the TT mfgrs can't figure that out..:S


.

[Rich1961]

1L243 wrote:
I came across this tread on another forum about this topic..Read through the threads pay attention to the ones authored by "NYB" who seems to know what he is talking about. He agrees with you that CA CHP and DMV goes by the sticker simply because they have no way to weigh trailer for actual weight.


Worth the read
http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f32/do-you-need-non-commercial-class-license-393202/index2.html

Thanks for posting that link. Good read there.

[Rich1961]

1L243 wrote:
Weighing over 10,000 lbs... Key word weighing.. Curious if the DMV Tech checked the weight rating on your truck to see if it met the Max GVWR rating of your trailer?

Yes, he did look at and record the trucks GVWR, just like he did with the trailer.

[1L243]

I came across this tread on another forum about this topic..Read through the threads pay attention to the ones authored by "NYB" who seems to know what he is talking about. He agrees with you that CA CHP and DMV goes by the sticker simply because they have no way to weigh trailer for actual weight.


Worth the read
http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f32/do-you-need-non-commercial-class-license-393202/index2.html

[1L243]

Weighing over 10,000 lbs... Key word weighing.. Curious if the DMV Tech checked the weight rating on your truck to see if it met the Max GVWR rating of your trailer?

[Rich1961]

1L243 wrote:
The way I read the section is that the TT can't WEIGH over 10k and the Fifth Wheel can't WEIGH over 15k..It pertains to actual weight not perceived weight based on the sticker on the side of the trailer..... Otherwise the section would read not to exceed posted sticker GVWR?

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/dl648/dl648pt2

The first line says this "•Travel trailers weighing over 10,000 lbs. GVWR, not used for hire."

It does say GVWR. It's the rating, not actual weight. The first thing the DMV Driving Test Tech did was look at my 5th wheels GVWR sticker, and confirmed what I already knew, that I needed the Non Commercial A because of the GVWR. They didn't weigh the 5th wheel, so he had no idea what the actual weight was.

[1L243]

The way I read the section is that the TT can't WEIGH over 10k and the Fifth Wheel can't WEIGH over 15k..It pertains to actual weight not perceived weight based on the sticker on the side of the trailer..... Otherwise the section would read not to exceed posted sticker GVWR?

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/dl648/dl648pt2

[mrw8i]

CumminsDriver wrote:

1L243 wrote:
I admit I did not read through all of these comments but the 10k for a TT has to be actual weight and not just sticker weight. What brand make toy hauler do you have? Are you sure your trailer weighs over 10k when loaded? I am 1500lbs under my trailers max rating when loaded. Have you had it weighed? If not I would get it weighed and see where you stand then...

In California, it goes by the GVWR of the Travel Trailer. Doesn't matter what the actual scaled weight is. It could weigh 100 lbs, but over 10K GVWR and it's time for a Non Commercial A. I just went through this last month with my 5th Wheel. 5th Wheel between 10 and 15k, you need the Class C endorsement for 5th Wheels, over 15k and it's a Non Commercial A.

Rich

Although doesn't change anything about what you said in terms of requirement. The 10K - 15K GVWR 5th wheel is not an endorsement to your Class C license. It's actually a Class A with a Restriction 41. I've got one. The back of my driver's license says:
CLASS C - Veh w/GVWR <= 26000
ENDORSEMENTS: None
RESTRICTIONS: 41-Class A restricted to operating 5th wheel travel trailer between 10,000 and 15,000 lbs GVWR

Easy to get this. Had to take 1/2 of a Class C written, and the same written test you take for Class A non-commercial. And pay some money.

[Rich1961]

1L243 wrote:
I admit I did not read through all of these comments but the 10k for a TT has to be actual weight and not just sticker weight. What brand make toy hauler do you have? Are you sure your trailer weighs over 10k when loaded? I am 1500lbs under my trailers max rating when loaded. Have you had it weighed? If not I would get it weighed and see where you stand then...

In California, it goes by the GVWR of the Travel Trailer. Doesn't matter what the actual scaled weight is. It could weigh 100 lbs, but over 10K GVWR and it's time for a Non Commercial A. I just went through this last month with my 5th Wheel. 5th Wheel between 10 and 15k, you need the Class C endorsement for 5th Wheels, over 15k and it's a Non Commercial A.

Rich

[1L243]

I admit I did not read through all of these comments but the 10k for a TT has to be actual weight and not just sticker weight. What brand make toy hauler do you have? Are you sure your trailer weighs over 10k when loaded? I am 1500lbs under my trailers max rating when loaded. Have you had it weighed? If not I would get it weighed and see where you stand then...

[raroberts]

You are technically unlicensed to pull the trailer until you have the non-C class A, so you should have a licensed driver pull the trailer to the DMV. I did it myself and there were no questions asked.

[sin_cal_hd]

K6DKO wrote:

bman916 wrote:
hired a local truck driving school instructor to be with me when I went to the drive test..,

I am curious why you did this??

He needs someone with him to drive down there. Not to my knowledge the instructor can be with during the actual testing in the cab.