Non commercial Class B license Calif

[Almondjim]

I just obtained my Class B non commercial license allowing me to drive a motorhome
in excess of 40' in California. Thankfully, I had the good sense to enroll in a training class to prepare for the driving exam. In addition to normal over the road driving of surface streets and freeway driving, I was tested for specific skills. The skills test included backing 200' in a straight line, right angle dock parking, and the capper was parallel parking. I highly doubt I would have passed the skills test without taking the training class. My testing far exceeded anything I have ever heard or read about.
So, my advice to all is come to the DMV expecting a very thorough exam....

[msmith1199]

mowermech wrote:
Reality check:
Just exactly WHEN do they think anybody will parallel park a motorhome?
OR, back it up to a dock at right angles?
IMO, if they are going to have a "skills test" it should be a "Real World" test; something on the order of backing the rig into a campsite from a narrow access road (a la Forest Service campgrounds).

Congratulations to the OP for passing the silly, pretty much useless, test.

I've never parallel parked mine. On the dock backing my guess is they used a dock because there was no tight fitting campsite available near the DMV.

[BobGed]

Playtime II wrote:
Im not familiar with non-comm B but I did just get my commercial B (with full airbrake). However if I am reading the endorsements correctly, I would need a "doubles"endorsement if I want to pull a trailer. Does the non-comm follow the same endorsements?

Looks like you're located in VA. Are you any type of commercial driver? If not, according to VA DMV it doesn't appear that need a CDL license for any type of recreational vehicle.

Commercial driver's license requirements do not apply to:

•Operators of emergency vehicles, such as firefighters
• Active duty military personnel operating military vehicles
• Operators of vehicles, such as recreational vehicles and rental moving vans, used only for personal use

[gsf35099]

Congrats on the Class B license success. I did mine a few years ago here in Texas & never even thought about the parallel parking until we returned to the DMV and we were walking in. The instructor said, "since you were parallel parked when we walked out to your coach and parked in the same spot on returning, I just didn't mentioned it. You did well. "

Again. Congratulations!!!!!

[Playtime_II]

Im not familiar with non-comm B but I did just get my commercial B (with full airbrake). However if I am reading the endorsements correctly, I would need a "doubles"endorsement if I want to pull a trailer. Does the non-comm follow the same endorsements?

[lanerd]

mpierce wrote:

mowermech wrote:
Reality check:
Just exactly WHEN do they think anybody will parallel park a motorhome?
OR, back it up to a dock at right angles?
IMO, if they are going to have a "skills test" it should be a "Real World" test; something on the order of backing the rig into a campsite from a narrow access road (a la Forest Service campgrounds).

Congratulations to the OP for passing the silly, pretty much useless, test.

I would think a 90 deg dock test, might mimic backing into an angled campsite pretty well. I have seen a number of MH drivers take a loooooong time, and more than 10 attempts, to back into a relatively easy spot. Great entertainment!



I have also parallel parked my MH, and have even parallel parked my Peterbilt with 53' reefer a number of times.

I think it shows, that if you can do those things, along with the road portion, you are capable of meeting the demands of the road.

Boy Mowermech...you're just a bundle of encouragement, aren't you? The dock maneuver is indeed the same as backing into a campsite and the driving tests also includes driving city streets with a bunch of left and right hand turns, 4way stops, getting on and merging into freeway traffic, getting off the freeway and into city streets. Silly, pretty much useless test?....I think not!

The test is no picnic! When you get a 45' motorhome down with the city traffic, you really need to know what you are doing. In my opinion, I think ALL motor home drivers of 30' and longer should be required to have this license.

Posted By: azdryheat on 04/25/15 06:03pm

California wants to regulate, license, or tax every part of a person's life.

Oh Bull! You think Arizona doesn't have taxes? Why do people find it so necessary to bash California??? If you don't have something constructive to say, just butt out and keep it to yourself.

Again, congratulations to the OP, not many can pass that test on the first try.

Ron

[falconman]

I took the Calif Class B test a few months ago and I was not required to parallel park. Pulling forward and backing through some cones, doing the 90 degree dock manuver, and some street testing. Although your not tested on it, we spent a good deal of time discussing the air brakes. After going through the process I feel a lot better about driving the rig. I learned a lot of good info preparing for the exam, especially the air brakes. I understand the resistance of many to the test but I wonder at what level you think testing should be implemented? How big of vehicle should you be allowed to drive without any special license? We all make fun of people trying to park their rig but at the same time don't think is necessary to see if they are even qualified to drive them. Calif is pretty lenient in their requirements, a special license is required for only those rigs over 40 ft. There are some states that require one on anything over 26K. I don't mind the testing, in my experience people think they are better at something than they really are, especially when it comes to driving.

[mpierce]

mowermech wrote:
Reality check:
Just exactly WHEN do they think anybody will parallel park a motorhome?
OR, back it up to a dock at right angles?
IMO, if they are going to have a "skills test" it should be a "Real World" test; something on the order of backing the rig into a campsite from a narrow access road (a la Forest Service campgrounds).

Congratulations to the OP for passing the silly, pretty much useless, test.

I would think a 90 deg dock test, might mimic backing into an angled campsite pretty well. I have seen a number of MH drivers take a loooooong time, and more than 10 attempts, to back into a relatively easy spot. Great entertainment!

I have also parallel parked my MH, and have even parallel parked my Peterbilt with 53' reefer a number of times.

I think it shows, that if you can do those things, along with the road portion, you are capable of meeting the demands of the road.

[Executive45]

The California test is set up for real life experiences ON PUBLIC STREETS! This is where the safety part comes into play. Being able to back into a camping space won't jeopardize anyone's safety. Taking 45 minutes to parallel park might tax someones patience enough to do something stupid. Also, if you can parallel park and do a 90 degree park, you can do pretty much anything else. I saw nothing out of the ordinary with their testing. The instructors can be taxing though.

To the OP... congratulations on joining the ranks....Dennis

[MrWizard]

I have parallel parked my 34 ft on multiple occasions in the past 5 yrs of ownership
that on many occasions after parking on an empty residential street visiting family and friends, others have parked in front and back off me
I was forced to use those skills to extradite myself from the tight parking

but yes, i have parallel parked my self back into those spaces from whence i had left, when i returned from, getting LP or dump etc..

Being longer would make it harder, the training was good practice
Congratulations

[mowermech]

Reality check:
Just exactly WHEN do they think anybody will parallel park a motorhome?
OR, back it up to a dock at right angles?
IMO, if they are going to have a "skills test" it should be a "Real World" test; something on the order of backing the rig into a campsite from a narrow access road (a la Forest Service campgrounds).

Congratulations to the OP for passing what is, IMO, a silly, pretty much useless, test.

[azdryheat]

California wants to regulate, license, or tax every part of a person's life.

[Mr_Mark1]

I believe I could pass the test with no problems. We don't have to take it in TN.

Good to hear about what you went through if our requirements ever change.

MM.

[lanerd]

I did mine about a year and a half ago and had the same tests as you. I didn't take any training, as I had been driving my rig for 6 months and felt I had plenty of experience with it. My previous coach was a 36' dp and the extra 6' really didn't bother me all that much.

I found that the pre-driving test was more involved, as the examiner was real picky about most things and not so much on others so he kept me off balance with my answers.

Anyway, congratulation on passing...it's not a trivial experience.

Ron