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IN CA, you need a cdl or non cdl, class A license to pull any bumper pull trailer over 10,000 gvwr or a 5th wheel over 15,000 lbs.
The double points issue only applies to cdl drivers when in their big rigs. Just like the alcohol limit. A cdl operator must driver their commercial rig under .4% but it's .8% like everyone else when not driving a commercial vehicle.
As far as taking the class A, non cdl testing, it doesn't apply to air brakes. You must take a 20 item written test to get your permit.
Once you're ready to take the driving portion, you need to have a class A "instructor" with you. In my case they verified my instructors A license.
You then have a 52 item walk through checklist of safety issues, then a skills test, backing up 100' staying within a 12' corridor, turning into a dock, and then turning right around a cone, being within 4" without touching.
Once that's completed, you then take the driving portion of the test. It's really not that difficult if you've been towing for a while.
Lastly, there's more and more conversation about limiting drivers and the 26,000 lb issue. In CA, rv's are exempt from this weight requirement as it only applies to commercial vehicles.
Well stated. I'll point out that I was not required to have anyone else present beyond the CA DMV person for any portion of the testing for my non commercial class A permit. There were no questions about the test fifth wheel's GVWR or how I arrived with it without proper certifications. For what it's worth, I learned a lot from the process and I'm glad that the requirement is there for non commercial but heavy towing.
Nevada - AN Endorsement J required on any trailer with a GVWR of 10K or more. Must take a written and road test to get the endorsement. You will have to have someone with the J endorsement take you down for the road test. Luckily for me my neighbor had the endorsement. My problem was that my local DMV did not give the road test and I had to tow my 5th. wheel 68 miles to Carson City to get it done and then the DMV guy was over an hour late to start the test and he never even ask about why my neighbor was with me. I would have thought he would have verified his license. If your combined weight exceeds 26K you will need a Class A.
Bill
@Traildust, that's about what I'm afraid of, lol. We have somebody we could talk into it, but then have to wait for hours to get the test done... and, btw, the local DMV parking lot is NOT trailer friendly. I witnessed a semi trying to get in, and then he'd park right in the middle because of lack of space.
Once that's completed, you then take the driving portion of the test. It's really not that difficult if you've been towing for a while.
I like this one. What if that's your first fifth wheel? And have not towed much more than a small trailer or a smaller horse trailer once in a while?
We have made up our minds, we'll stay under the 26,000# for the time being. It's a bit ridiculous as it forces us to a F350 CC LB SWR and the fifth wheel small enough to not exceed any weight restrictions. But that way we can gain experience, and upgrade maybe later. Should work out, we hope.
@Traildust, that's about what I'm afraid of, lol. We have somebody we could talk into it, but then have to wait for hours to get the test done... and, btw, the local DMV parking lot is NOT trailer friendly. I witnessed a semi trying to get in, and then he'd park right in the middle because of lack of space.
I like this one. What if that's your first fifth wheel? And have not towed much more than a small trailer or a smaller horse trailer once in a while?
We have made up our minds, we'll stay under the 26,000# for the time being. It's a bit ridiculous as it forces us to a F350 CC LB SWR and the fifth wheel small enough to not exceed any weight restrictions. But that way we can gain experience, and upgrade maybe later. Should work out, we hope.
Nothing will replace time behind the wheel pulling any trailer but other than a different pivot point and a little more weight "I" feel there is nothing to it.
I have pulled different trailers from small pop ups you can move by had to 35+ft 2 car trailers all pulled by different cars & trucks.
My job the last 3 years (when I got my lic.) is driving a big rig - 18 wheels and could use any different tractor to pull many different size trailers from long tankers (hot asphalt/LP/bulk cement)to short dump trailers all local - read in towns & construction sites.
Each one turns & backs a little different just go slow till you get use to it is all.
Dave ----
CA CDL Class A(Doubles/Triples, Tankers, Hazmat) with Motorcycle.
Haven't driven Class A vehicles for several months, now, but still keeping CDL current.
For me, it's easier to keep the license current, for the times I may need it; rather than, discontinue CDL and then later have to go through all the written tests(Class A, Class C, and M1), again.
Originally Posted by r2millers
Just like the alcohol limit. A cdl operator must driver their commercial rig under .4% but it's .8% like everyone else when not driving a commercial vehicle.
Since acquiring my CDL, I have been under the impression that CDL drivers are under the .4% law, even when they're driving their personal vehicles.
I had to get a Class A two year ago when I got a contract to do performance testing on midrange trucks (GVWR greater than 26K lbs.). I don' need it otherwise and probably won't maintain it.
Here's a screen capture of the California handbook that shows what you can tow with a class C license.
For example, my F450 has a GVW of 14k lbs. My fifth wheel has a UVW of 8895 lbs and a GVW of 10995.
Per the regs, I should be fine with a class C license because my fifth wheel is between 10k and 15k lbs, and my combined GVW of both vehicles (24,995) is under 26k lbs.
That's why I ended up with the Reflection 28bh instead of the 16.5k GVW Grand Design Momentum 328 toy hauler.
CA CDL,"A", tanker, doubles, hazmat, passenger endorsements.
Needed it to drive fire engines, still drive water tender for contract company during fire season.
And that's why I still have my commercial class A with a tanker endorsement.
But you weren't just looking to fill a seat... you collected vintage fire trucks... and needed the CDL A to drive them, didn't you? Do you still have the collection?
My state permits Class C holders to tow a 5th wheel travel trailer up to 15K, as long as they take the Non Commercial Driver's test (written test only, no driver's test, no medical required). With this program, you get a RESTRICTED Class A, that still says Class C for vehicles less than or equal to 26K GVWR, but on the back of the license the restriction is spelled out... "Class A restricted to operating 5th wheel travel trailer between 10,000 and 15,000 GVWR.
Without this endorsement/restriction, the maximum GVWR of even a 5th wheel trailer would be limited to 10K. A lot of RV'rs still don't realize this, and most never get caught. The highway patrol generally leaves RV's alone, but for some reason, they like to go after the toy haulers. They have been reported to lay in wait at popular ATV recreation areas, and pop the big giant Raptor mobile garages.
08-11-2017, 11:34 AM
