License class requirement in California

[PappyRichard]

I just discovered a NON-COMMERCIAL CLASS A license (similar in class to a semi-truck driver license) is required in California to legally pull a 5th Wheel trlr with a 15,000lb GVWR rating or higher. To obtain such, one must first get a "permit" that requires being accompanied by a Class A licensed driver to pull the rig anywhere, including having to now make a 2 hour trip from my home to the DMV office in El Centro to take a required "skills" test before a license can be issued. I don't know anyone who is willing to travel with me while pulling my rig, not even to the required "skills" testing facility 100 miles from home. What is a person expected to do with this catch-22 situation? Should I be stopped for any vehicle infraction right now, having only the "permit" with no Class A licensed person with me, results in an expensive citation and my rig subject to tow and store since I'm not legally licensed to pull it.

[srx-6]

Double or triple towing:
The only drivers allowed to do so in California, require a Class A Commercial license. I think it has to a California license.

Can be a Class A CDL(Commercial Drivers License) from any state as long as you have the T endorsement

[mrw8i]

LLeopold wrote:
Ummm. Some clarification is in order from the post in Beginning RVing.

All from the CA DMV Recreational Vehicles and Trailers Handbook where one may download a copy from: https://apps.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648.pdf and from the CA DMV license chart available at: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/cdl_htm/lic_chart.htm#classc

Assertion #1: If you are a California resident, to legally pull a 5th wheel with 15K GVWR in California, you must have a NON-COMMERCIAL CLASS A license.

Clarification #1: You may pull a 5th wheel that is 10K GVWR or less with a Class C license. You may pull a 5th wheel between 10K and 15K GVWR with a Class C license with a "Restriction 42" endorsement (I have this particular endorsement and it is not well-known at the DMV). Over 15K requires the non-commercial Class A license.

Assertion #2: To legally pull a travel trailer (bumper tow)with 10K GVWR, you must have a NON-COMMERCIAL CLASS A license.

Clarification #2: One may pull a travel trailer that is 10K GVWR or less with a Class C licence. Over 10K does, indeed, require a non-commercial Class A license.

Assertion #3: To legally drive a Motor Home that is 40 ft or greater, you must have a NON-COMMERCIAL CLASS B license.

Clarification #3: One may drive a motor home that is less than 40 ft. with a Class C license. Over 40 ft. does, indeed, require a non-commercial Class B license (a non-commercial Class A is also permitted).

If we're going to cite items, let's try to be as complete as possible and include citations to official sources.

As to visitors, the state recognizes other states' licensing to a degree. Double or triple towing (5th wheel towing a boat, for example) gets a bit dicey.

Hope this helps with full clarification.

Error Correction for Clarification #1. It's a "Restriction 41" not "42" and it is not considered an endorsement. Actual wording on the back of my brand new drivers license:

Class: C - Veh w/GVWR <= 26000, No M/C
ENDORSEMENTS: None
Restrictions: 41-Class A restricted to operating 5th wheel travel trailer between 10,000 and 15,000 lbs GVWR

Double or triple towing:
The only drivers allowed to do so in California, require a Class A Commercial license. I think it has to a California license.

[Greg_The_Hammer]

Ummm. Some clarification is in order from the post in Beginning RVing.

That is some good reading... Thank you for posting. I pull a fiver with a motorcycle trailer behind. I don't read anything in the manual regarding that combo. Is it illegal in Cali? Seems it should be spelled out somewhere!

[bpounds]

SCVJeff wrote:
So in order to get a motorcycle endorsement I have to tow the bike on a trailer to DMV? May be true but it's pretty silly

No. MC are an exception. Your learners permit allows you, and only you, to ride the MC and learn. No passengers allowed.

[SCVJeff]

So in order to get a motorcycle endorsement I have to tow the bike on a trailer to DMV? May be true but it's pretty silly

[bpounds]

I would NOT advise showing up at the DMV pulling the trailer. They do check on how you got there. Guaranteed you won't pass after they write you up for that.

I think what I would do is call a truck driving school. They've probably got some new graduates who would be willing to earn a few bucks by spending the day with you. They could probably answer any questions you had too. Not sure how far away your nearest school might be. Easy to search and find out.

[LLeopold]

Ummm. Some clarification is in order from the post in Beginning RVing.

All from the CA DMV Recreational Vehicles and Trailers Handbook where one may download a copy from: https://apps.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648.pdf and from the CA DMV license chart available at: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/cdl_htm/lic_chart.htm#classc

Assertion #1: If you are a California resident, to legally pull a 5th wheel with 15K GVWR in California, you must have a NON-COMMERCIAL CLASS A license.

Clarification #1: You may pull a 5th wheel that is 10K GVWR or less with a Class C license. You may pull a 5th wheel between 10K and 15K GVWR with a Class C license with a "Restriction 42" endorsement (I have this particular endorsement and it is not well-known at the DMV). Over 15K requires the non-commercial Class A license.

Assertion #2: To legally pull a travel trailer (bumper tow)with 10K GVWR, you must have a NON-COMMERCIAL CLASS A license.

Clarification #2: One may pull a travel trailer that is 10K GVWR or less with a Class C licence. Over 10K does, indeed, require a non-commercial Class A license.

Assertion #3: To legally drive a Motor Home that is 40 ft or greater, you must have a NON-COMMERCIAL CLASS B license.

Clarification #3: One may drive a motor home that is less than 40 ft. with a Class C license. Over 40 ft. does, indeed, require a non-commercial Class B license (a non-commercial Class A is also permitted).

If we're going to cite items, let's try to be as complete as possible and include citations to official sources.

As to visitors, the state recognizes other states' licensing to a degree. Double or triple towing (5th wheel towing a boat, for example) gets a bit dicey.

Hope this helps with full clarification.

[waltbennett]

I read on a different forum that someone asked a CHP about this and was told they do not check unless you're commercial (including deliveries & driving someone else s for $$).

[discovery4us]

Just my opinion but the chances of being stopped are pretty slim so I would head over to El Centro and take the test. If you were to get stopped at least having the permit shows the officer that you have the intent to do the right thing. Most CHP officers are not going to be aware of the laws pertaining to a non commercial class A. I haven't followed the rules in a few years but it used to be any triple axle trailer or trailer 10,001 lbs. or over you needed a non commercial class A. Another unenforced law was that any operator of a FW recreational trailer was required to submit a DMV medical questioner to be legal. It is unfortunate that in CA you have to jump through hoops to be legal doing something that you probable having been doing for years with no issues so kudos to you for getting your non commercial class A.

[PappyRichard]

Thanks KCFD Capt for the response. I got my answers from officials with the DMV when I made the skills test appointment. It is up to me to locate someone who is willing to spend at least half a day with me because of "catch-22" red tape BS!

[KCFDCapt]

Aren't you glad your dealer told you about license requirements before you bought your fifth wheel? My local Camping World in Bakersfield, CA insisted I was legal to tow my fifth wheel with a regular class C license. I needed a Class A commercial.

I would suggest you talk to the CHP commercial officer to get his take on things. Those commercial officers are usually the most informed about how to work things with towing requirements.

You are wise to wait for guidance before heading to DMV to wait for hours for an examination or worse, a wrong answer.