> Special license for Tag Axle, over 10k, & air brakes

[Ocean_Mist]

In my reading it seems like i may need to acquire a Non-Comercial Class A licesne...

for California non commercial vehicle drivers (including Rv's)


1. there are lane and speed restrictions to right lane only and 55 mph to any vehicle of combo of vehicles that has more than 2 axles.
(so a 3 axle motorhome or any trailer).
2. there are special drivers license requirements for vehicles over 40 foot, or a gvw of over 29k lbs.
3. and a special license is required for trailers with a gvw of more than 10k lbs
4. a special license and endorsement for air brakes."


So does one get this prior to picking up the DP tag, or after you drive it home?

[msmith1199]

I'm not an expert in those areas, but I'm pretty sure the lower BAC limits apply to "commercial" licenses and not the "non-commercial" Class A and B. Also, I'm pretty sure they only apply when operating the commercial vehicle. But I do know if you have a commercial license and you do get a DUI driving your personal car, the commercial penalties apply to your license. So you may find yourself with a longer license suspension just because you have a commercial license.

[TacomaSailor]

I was a large Charter Bus operator in Washington State for many years. When I retired and moved to California I dropped all my CDL endorsements and asked for a plain Class C license.

The reason I did so was in both Washington and California a Commercial B license exposed me to the 1/2 the non-CDL blood alchohol limits. Even when driving my small personal vehicle! That means a BAC of .04 in WA or CA would be considered DUI. I love dark and strong beer and just one pint can put me over the .04 limit for an hour or so.

Does procession of a California B license that will enable me to operate a 45' Class A expose me to that same .04 BAC limit?

My wife and I been wandering the North American West Coast (from SW Mexico to SE Alaska) in our 40' sailboat as full time cruisers for many years. We are now seriously looking at some really big Class A coaches. We would like to spend six months a year sailing our boat in the Florida Keys and Bahamas and six-months in the coach exploring the US west of the Rockies. We had planned to make our home base in San Diego, which is the place we love over all the other wonderful places we've visited.

[msmith1199]

RE_Todd wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:


California actually has very easy requirements for RV's unlike stories of other states I have heard. The only think you need the Class B for in an RV over 40 feet.

I live in New Mexico, my standard license covers any RV I want to drive

A quick search shows you are likely not correct. New Mexico has a special license class for non-commercial vehicles with a GVWR of over 26,000 pounds. You have to get a Class E license. My 35 foot DP has a weight rating higher than that so most all DP's would need it, and some of the bigger gassers probably even fall into that range.

The Thor motorhome you have listed in your signature has a GVWR of 19,500, so you can't drive it with you class C.

[RE_Todd]

msmith1199 wrote:


California actually has very easy requirements for RV's unlike stories of other states I have heard. The only think you need the Class B for in an RV over 40 feet.

I live in New Mexico, my standard license covers any RV I want to drive

[msmith1199]

Ocean Mist wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:


I see on another thread that you are buying a 40 foot motorhome. Have you actually measured it? If it's 40 feet or under you do not need to get the Class B license, doesn't matter how much it weighs or the air brakes. The California vehicle code says you can drive ANY rv up to 40 feet long with a class C.

The Monaco Executive Ranier IV 40' is actually listed in the Monac Owners Manual as being 41' 4". However I havent actually measured it.

I do have a Second home in Indiana that I maybe be able to register in that state.

You should measure it. 41'4" may include the ladder and mirrors. The 40 foot length for purposes of the Class B in California is from the front of the stock front bumper, to the rear of the rear stock bumper. Yes, I realize motorhomes don't have bumpers, but it will be the furthest the front and end cap extends. Now this is up to you, but if it were me, and I measured it, and it was only a few inches over, like maybe 40'3" and the registration said 40', I'd take my chances and just go with it like that. But that's a call for you to make.

But here is some other info for you to show you how screwed up California law has become, there are roads where motorhomes over 40 feet long are prohibited. Much of the remote area of the Pacific Coast Highway and several of the two lane mountain pass roads are on that list. For purposes of that law, the total overall length is measured similar to the drivers license requirements and excludes the mirrors and ladder, but it would include any kind of "cargo" which would mainly be bike racks or a luggage rack you put in your rear receiver. It would not include a towed car or trailer, but does include anything attached to the motorhome. So it's possible to have a 37 foot motorhome, not be required to have a Class B, but hang a bike rack on the back and you are restricted from all the same roads the 40 plus footers are restricted from. Now having said that, I'm almost positive CHP would never enforce that.

[DrewE]

Ocean Mist wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:


I see on another thread that you are buying a 40 foot motorhome. Have you actually measured it? If it's 40 feet or under you do not need to get the Class B license, doesn't matter how much it weighs or the air brakes. The California vehicle code says you can drive ANY rv up to 40 feet long with a class C.

The Monaco Executive Ranier IV 40' is actually listed in the Monac Owners Manual as being 41' 4". However I havent actually measured it.

I do have a Second home in Indiana that I maybe be able to register in that state.

What state the motorhome is registered in is immaterial; what matters is which state your driver's license is issued in and what limitations, if any, they place on that license. The California class C non-commercial driver's license (i.e. the standard license) does not authorize one to operate a motorhome longer than 40 feet.

Similarly, if the license has a restriction stating that eyeglasses or contact lenses are required, that is in force even if you rent or borrow a car that's registered in some other state.

[Ocean_Mist]

msmith1199 wrote:


I see on another thread that you are buying a 40 foot motorhome. Have you actually measured it? If it's 40 feet or under you do not need to get the Class B license, doesn't matter how much it weighs or the air brakes. The California vehicle code says you can drive ANY rv up to 40 feet long with a class C.

The Monaco Executive Ranier IV 40' is actually listed in the Monac Owners Manual as being 41' 4". However I havent actually measured it.

I do have a Second home in Indiana that I maybe be able to register in that state.

[falconman]

Having a Calif Class B I would advise you to find a local office that does the road testing and ask them your questions. Even with that be prepared that the next time you go in you might get a different answer. They have been redoing things and most employees can't keep up. Nobody ever measured my Motorhome nor did they ask how I got it there. If your current CDL is within a year of expiration you will be likely asked to take all the tests plus the CL B. Calif is so different from other states and each office also has a different view of the requirements. Do not try to make any sense out of it, just be prepared for plenty of curveballs.

[msmith1199]

Ocean Mist wrote:
That's what I thought I understood, but the clarification is helpful.

Does anyone want to fly down here, and Drive me to the DMV... :h :B

I see on another thread that you are buying a 40 foot motorhome. Have you actually measured it? If it's 40 feet or under you do not need to get the Class B license, doesn't matter how much it weighs or the air brakes. The California vehicle code says you can drive ANY rv up to 40 feet long with a class C.

[msmith1199]

RE_Todd wrote:
Another reason I moved out of California. Is there an additional cost for the "RV B" license??

California actually has very easy requirements for RV's unlike stories of other states I have heard. The only think you need the Class B for in an RV over 40 feet.

[Ocean_Mist]

That's what I thought I understood, but the clarification is helpful.

Does anyone want to fly down here, and Drive me to the DMV... :h :B

[RE_Todd]

Another reason I moved out of California. Is there an additional cost for the "RV B" license??

[msmith1199]

Straight from the California DMV website

[msmith1199]

Two Jayhawks wrote:
Ocean Mist
I have a suspicion many in CA as well as other states that require this special endorsement don't bother to get it. There are probably plenty that don't even know about it.

Most people buying motorhomes over 40 feet know about the license requirements as the dealers will tell them. If you're buying a used one hopefully you get it from somebody who has the correct license and tells you about it. But like I posted, the only license requirement is for motorhomes over 40 feet. The vast majority of all motorhomes are under that length and don't require any special license.