Drivers License for towing in CA

[Bob&Patty]

OK FOLKS....heres the latest from the CHP. I just off the phone with a commercial CHP officer. As of 1-1-2015, You can now pull a 5er with a GWR of 15001K to 18K with a class "C"....not a CDL. Heres the rub...he was not sure about needing the endorsement to the class "C". He said to call the DMV to verify this. Good luck on getting a straight answer...."deer in headlites". The rest stays the same for 10001# to 15000#....class "C" with endorsement.

Also, if you do need a CDL, go take the written test 1st. Get you "learners permit". You can then drive your rig to DMV and only have to have someone with you that has a valid CDL

 

[Ladiver]

Bob,

If you are talking about changing from left lane to right lane, in reverse (offset back/right) then yes, I had to "blind" right side backup. If you are talking about the loading dock test, I had to back into a loading dock on the drivers side.

After failing the loading dock portion the first time, I practiced and practiced and practiced. Made the offset back/right pretty easy. I made sure I was over prepared the second time. I had no idea what to expect the first time, so I was unprepared.

Jeff

 

[Ladiver]

OK FOLKS....heres the latest from the CHP. I just off the phone with a commercial CHP officer. As of 1-1-2015, You can now pull a 5er with a GWR of 15001K to 18K with a class "C"....not a CDL. Heres the rub...he was not sure about needing the endorsement to the class "C". He said to call the DMV to verify this. Good luck on getting a straight answer...."deer in headlites". The rest stays the same for 10001# to 15000#....class "C" with endorsement.

Yes, good luck on getting a straight answer! I just looked at the 2015 Driver Handbook and it still states "5th-wheel travel trailer exceeding, 10,000 lbs. but under 15,000 lbs. GVWR, when towing is not for compensation AND with an endorsement."

I am not saying he is wrong, just that there is conflicting information.

 

[Bob&Patty]

Jeff, yes to conflicting information. He did not have the 2015 handbook yet only a 2012. Maybe a call to DMV would be in order. ROTFLOL

 

[Ladiver]

Jeff, yes to conflicting information. He did not have the 2015 handbook yet only a 2012. Maybe a call to DMV would be in order. ROTFLOL

Thankfully, in this case, most LEO's do a better job determining the intent of a law, rather than the words of a law. The DMV is just stupid.

Now that i have my non-commercial Class A, I will not let it go regardless of the interpretation of laws. Heck I may even consider upgrading to commercial. Sure opens other opportunities. ;-)

 

[Mburtsvt]

All you have to worry about is now that you have the endorsement that California will make you get a D.O.T. physical. It’s California - anything could happen.

 

[jdfishing]

Don't be given DMV any ideas. Well, actually it's the legislature that makes the laws. Now that should make everyone feel better. For now, I'm going by the RV Handbook. Hopefully, DMV will too.

 

[bobca1]

Thanks all for the info! I m going in to do my class C endorsement next week. Even though I am technically still over by 500lb hopefully that buys me some good faith if I do get stopped until I can practice backing some more and then work on getting the class A. Its going to be a pain they don't have a DMV in my area that does commercial tests will have to head into LA. Also don't know anyone (yet) that has class A and can come with me.

 

[avvidclif]

Out of curiosity I browsed the Ca Motor Vehicle Code website, not DMV. For a non commercial Class A license you have to demonstrate the ability to back the trailer straight. No parking, parallel or otherwise. For a commercial Class A you have to parallel park a trailer.

That website lists the things that are on the driving test. You might do a little reading there and take the printed results with you. Sounds like they (DMV test officers) don't recognize the difference between commercial and non-commercial on the backing part.

 

[Ladiver]

avvidclif, you are correct. The DMV test officers don't understand all of the differences. Unfortunately, they do realize that they have the final say if you pass or not. After the written test, the remainder is VERY subjective. The pre-trip inspection can be as detailed or vague as you want it to be. It is the test officer who decides if it was good enough. There are a few skills they get to choose from and they decide if you did them correctly. The on-road portion is also completely subjective as to what "safe" is.

My recommendation is prepare to take the commercial version of the test. If you get a lenient non-commercial test, you will pass with flying colors. When the test officer tells you to back straight, you can. When he asks for that right turn around a cone, you can. Even if he asks you to back to a loading dock or parallel park, you can. I know it is lots of time to practice, but being a better driver NEVER hurt anyone.

 

[Ladiver]

Also don't know anyone (yet) that has class A and can come with me.

Bobca1, where are you located? If you are in the LA/OC area, I would make some time to accompany you. It might cost you a cup of coffee, depending what time you appointment is at. ;-)

The nearest in OC is Fullerton, a few blocks from my office. Then there is also in Fontana. That one replace the San Bernardino office (where I failed).

 

[Ladiver]

Anyone have experience or hear stories about the enforcement side - if you are found to lack the correct class or endorsement the OP referred to a ticket is this typical and if so how much is the fine?

I am not sure what the fine is for not having the proper license, I don't think you want to find out. I have a few LEO friends (CHP included) and they say if you are cited for operating a vehicle out of class, you do not get to continue. Once you are cited, they will require properly licensed driver to take the trailer, or they will impound the trailer. They will not let you drive away with the trailer attached. If they are nice, they will give you a warning, but if they want to cite you, your vacation comes to an abrupt halt.

 

[Avery]

What license do you need for a 5th wheele?

 

[wdk450]

What license do you need for a 5th wheele?

It depends on the GVW, and what DMV/CHP is saying at this moment. See previous postings on this thread.

 

[Mburtsvt]

It depends on the GVW, and what DMV/CHP is saying at this moment. See previous postings on this thread.

And again….. its only California residents with California Driver Licenses. You can still drive your RV in California with an out of state license. How long you stay is up to you.

 

[avvidclif]

avvidclif, you are correct. The DMV test officers don't understand all of the differences. Unfortunately, they do realize that they have the final say if you pass or not. After the written test, the remainder is VERY subjective. The pre-trip inspection can be as detailed or vague as you want it to be. It is the test officer who decides if it was good enough. There are a few skills they get to choose from and they decide if you did them correctly. The on-road portion is also completely subjective as to what "safe" is.

My recommendation is prepare to take the commercial version of the test. If you get a lenient non-commercial test, you will pass with flying colors. When the test officer tells you to back straight, you can. When he asks for that right turn around a cone, you can. Even if he asks you to back to a loading dock or parallel park, you can. I know it is lots of time to practice, but being a better driver NEVER hurt anyone.

I don't know about the left coast but if the law is written and specifies what is on a test, that's what's on the test. It didn't say anything about plus whatever the officer wanted to add. If the testing officer wanted to vary from state law we play the let me speak to your supervisor game. Keep on going up until someone realizes that you are correct. It may take a few days to go up the food chain but after a few jumps up the ladder someone will wake up and realize what the law is. And guess which way the dodo rolls. It's not uphill.

Been there and done that, and I was at the bottom of the chain.

 

[ramdually4100king]

After reading this it makes me glad to be licensed in Nebraska. I know that's not an option for most living in CA but I'm still happy to brag about it.

 

[bobca1]

Hi Jeff,
Thank you for the offer and I would gladly treat you to coffee, lunch, etc! The closest DMV to me that does the commercial tests is Ventura but I can easily come to Fullerton. Wife has been asking about checking out Newport dunes RV park so going to see if I could get a test date on a Monday or Friday and tie this into weekend trip. Maybe in April... I'll PM you so we can exchange contact info.

Bob

Bobca1, where are you located? If you are in the LA/OC area, I would make some time to accompany you. It might cost you a cup of coffee, depending what time you appointment is at. ;-)

The nearest in OC is Fullerton, a few blocks from my office. Then there is also in Fontana. That one replace the San Bernardino office (where I failed).

 

[bobca1]

I passed the written tests for class A in Thousand Oaks this week
Just as described in this thread. Had to take the class C (18 question version), Trailer supplement (about 20 questions I think), and the Motorcycle (full test about 30 questions). First 2 I passed no problem since I was expecting them. Did not expect to have to retake the motorcycle so I failed it first try, passed it second time. The new touchscreens they are using for the tests make the testing go lot faster. They also had me fill out and sign the medical form - self certify and because I answered No to all the questions no doctor signature needed.
BTW even though DMV website says you must have an appointment to apply for DL, I walked in at about 8:30 AM last Thursday with no appointment and I was out of there after about 90 min.
So I have my permit for Class A now. Will take the behind the wheel in May (Thank You Jeff for helping me out here!).

 

[wdk450]

I passed the written tests for class A in Thousand Oaks this week
Just as described in this thread. Had to take the class C (18 question version), Trailer supplement (about 20 questions I think), and the Motorcycle (full test about 30 questions). First 2 I passed no problem since I was expecting them. Did not expect to have to retake the motorcycle so I failed it first try, passed it second time. The new touchscreens they are using for the tests make the testing go lot faster. They also had me fill out and sign the medical form - self certify and because I answered No to all the questions no doctor signature needed.
BTW even though DMV website says you must have an appointment to apply for DL, I walked in at about 8:30 AM last Thursday with no appointment and I was out of there after about 90 min.
So I have my permit for Class A now. Will take the behind the wheel in May (Thank You Jeff for helping me out here!).

Bobca 1:
Does the permit let you drive your rig to the driving test?

Since I'm fulltiming, I'm thinking more and more about the South Dakota option. I see a fair number of South Dakota plates in the Thousand Trails I stay at. My California DMV renewal for my 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 just came in the mail - about $400. I just paid over $200 for the 2009 Bighorn's renewal. I could establish residency in South Dakota and become drivers license "legal", too.