CA Drivers License - 5th wheel weight limit

[Bigbore500r]

How many of you 5th wheel guys adhere to the CA law and have a non-commercial Class A DL to haul your 5th wheel?

If i'm reading it right, a 5th wheel over 15k requires this. Is it enforced? Stupid question right - probably wouldn't matter unless an accident happened, then it would be enforced to the full extent of the other parties lawsuit......

I know Class C limits you to 26k GCVW overall, but the 15k limit on a 5th wheel would be a problem. Is everyone just riding dirty?

 

[4Waters]

It could be enforced if you end up in a wreck, it will be enforced if there are serious injuries or a fatality even if it wasn't your fault.

 

[fmo24]

Same is true for moho over 40ft or 26000 lbs. I’m registered and licensed in Florida where there is no special endorsement required

 

[Done-it-again]

You are going to get answers all over the place. If you feel safer with it, then go ahead and move through the process.

I didn't have mine. Did go to the DMV to ask about it (many years ago) and they had a blank look on their face. I just left......

 

[TITTIES AND BEER]

I pull doubles and carry a loaded gun and pull at 85+ mph here in God’s Country Utah

 

[monkeyswrench]

View attachment 711531 I pull doubles and carry a loaded gun and pull at 85+ mph here in God’s Country Utah

I'm really starting to like Utah...Here you can legally roll 75, and fudge to 80...haven't been hassled with scales yet, seems LE pulls over and scales commercials frequently though.

 

[DaveC]

I was surprised to read that if you pull a 5th wheel between 10,000 and 15,000 you need a special endorsement on your class C license in Cali.

Its just a simple written test.

 

[fmo24]

Its just a simple written test.

It’s just finding the dmv and employee that is aware and knowledgeable of said test

 

[4Waters]

It’s just finding the dmv and employee that is aware and knowledgeable of said test

LMFAO, you said DMV and knowledgeable in the same sentence, HAHAHA.

 

[82daytona]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DaveC]

I said the test was simple

We know the DMW ain’t simple. Lol

It’s just finding the dmv and employee that is aware and knowledgeable of said test

 

[fmo24]

I realize the volume of business is different in Ca but when we went to Florida to establish domicile we walked into DMV and registered a moho, Jeep and both got our drivers license at one window in under an hour. Walked out with both plates and drivers license in hand.
It really does not need to be so fucking difficult

 

[3.Slow]

The restriction 41 saves you the hassle of a drive test, but is only good up to 15k, which a lot of 5th wheels are at or over these days. Non Commercial class A for over 15k. it wasn't too bad, and gives me some peace of mind when towing.

 

[thmterry]

I was surprised to read that if you pull a 5th wheel between 10,000 and 15,000 you need a special endorsement on your class C license in Cali.

Its just a simple written test.

If the 5th wheel is over 15K (any 3 axle trailer) you must take a driving test. There is a non commercial class A and an RV endorsement, 2 different classifications.

 

[thmterry]

http://www.toyhauleradventures.com/2010/11/california-non-commercial-drivers-license/

In California, to legally tow a 5th wheel trailer with a GVWR greater than 15,000 lbs. or a travel trailer with a GVWR greater than 10,000 lbs you need to have a Non-Commercial Class A drivers license. Everyone knows this, right? Surely when you buy one of these behemoths the dealer informs you of this, right? Wrong on both counts. As a matter of fact the vast majority are either unaware of the law or choose to ignore it. Up until last week I was in the latter category.

I have a 5th wheel with a GVWR of 16,500 lbs. I felt it was time to get legal for a little peace of mind; one less thing to worry about. After a little research on the DMV website, I learned that it’s a two step process. Each step unfortunately involves a separate trip to the DMV.

The first step is a basic written test of 19 multiple choice questions. All the questions are pretty basic. If you studied the DMV manual or already have several years experience towing you shouldn’t have a problem. Then they give you a vision exam and have you answer a health questionnaire that certifies you are in good health. This questionnaire has to be updated every two years to keep your license in effect. No Doctor signature is required for the non-commercial questionnaire.

If everything has checked out to this point, you are issued a permit and you make another appointment for step two of the process.

Step two in the process is the skills and driving tests. Prior to the tests they give your tow vehicle and trailer a visual inspection. The items they check are the headlights, brake lights, flashers, turn signals, and horn. If anything on the inspection fails to work properly, you fail the test and you must make another appointment after the items are fixed.

Next is the pre-trip inspection. This is where you demonstrate your knowledge of all your tow vehicle and trailers features and equipment that must be inspected prior to every trip. For the tow vehicle you must inspect the following:

Windshield wipers and the windshield for cracks.
The mirrors are clean and adjusted.
The oil, coolant, power steering, and brake fluid levels.
The belts and hoses for any cracks or leaks.
The condition of the tires and their correct PSI.
Wheels for cracks or excessive corrosion.
Hubs for grease leaks.
Lugs for tightness.
Brake linings where visible for thinness.
Head and tail lights are working.
Suspension for levelness.
The frame for cracks.
Doors and hinges are in proper working order.

You also must identify all the working parts of your hitch or coupling system and if your tow vehicle has air brakes you must demonstrate that they work according to specs. Next comes your trailer. First, you must show the location of the emergency equipment which includes a charged fire extinguisher and 3 emergency reflective triangles. Then they check that all lights including side marker lights are working correctly. Again, if any items are inoperable, missing, or unsafe, the test will be postponed until they are fixed.

The skills test is next. The skills test is where you demonstrate that you can stop the trailer at a predetermined point, that you can back up in a straight line, that you can make a right turn without hitting a cone, and arguably the most difficult part; the dreaded backing up while turning your rig into a coned off zone that simulates a camping space. Now I’ll admit that it took me 2 tries to do this without hitting a cone but no worries, the test is very liberal; they give you six tries before they mark you down on that one item.

Now comes the easy part; the driving test! During the test you must demonstrate you have control of your tow vehicle and trailer at all times. This includes coming to a complete stop at every limit line, following the posted speed limits, traveling in the correct lane, parking against a curb on a downhill and an uphill grade, merging into freeway traffic, changing lanes, demonstrating hand signals, and ending in the correct lane after a right turn in one fluid movement. I got marked down for this last one. Because of the length of my trailer I always end up in the far left lane of a two lane road. I then put on my signal and pull into the right lane when it is clear. The correct way to do it is to make the turn into the right lane in one fluid movement so as not to allow another vehicle to squeeze in. I told the DMV rep that I had a problem with this technique with an extremely long trailer because a small quick car can easily squeeze in on you no matter how quick you are to merge. The argument was to no avail, he marked me down anyway. The driving test took about 30 minutes and I passed with just a few errors.

Overall, this was well worth the time and effort. I encourage everyone who tows a heavy trailer to take the test. It is extremely easy and gives you one less thing to worry about on a trip. For more information visit www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/cdl_htm/lic_chart.htm#classanon to see what class of license you should have and www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648.pdf for the complete handbook. Good luck and tow safe.

 

[fmo24]

If the 5th wheel is over 15K (any 3 axle trailer) you must take a driving test. There is a non commercial class A and an RV endorsement, 2 different classifications.

And don’t forget when you show up for driving test to have a licensed driver with you. Some examiner will ask to see that persons license as you will have a learners permit first

 

[RACER J]

And don’t forget when you show up for driving test to have a licensed driver with you. Some examiner will ask to see that persons license as you will have a learners permit first

Lol. Just take a smaller trailer down for the test, that's what I did when I got my commercial class A so I could pull doubles.

 

[Rvrluvr]

15k trailer.....how cute

 

[Singleton]

Lol. Just take a smaller trailer down for the test, that's what I did when I got my commercial class A so I could pull doubles.

Trailer has to be over 10k. I tried that and was failed. Really depends on which DMV you go it

 

[Bigbore500r]

I have a feeling Needles DMV just takes your cash and says thanks.......lol

 

[Shrub Lurker]

For you guys up in the Central Valley of Cali, the Visalia DMV is the go to place for anything beyond normal licensing. FYI

 

[JDKRXW]

I got marked down for this last one. Because of the length of my trailer I always end up in the far left lane of a two lane road. I then put on my signal and pull into the right lane when it is clear. The correct way to do it is to make the turn into the right lane in one fluid movement so as not to allow another vehicle to squeeze in. I told the DMV rep that I had a problem with this technique with an extremely long trailer because a small quick car can easily squeeze in on you no matter how quick you are to merge. The argument was to no avail, he marked me down anyway.

You won't win that argument with an examiner anywhere.
In a right turn onto a road with 2 driving lanes, you can swing as far as needed into the left lane of the road you're turning onto as long as it's clear (not into the oncoming lane though)..... but you can't let your trailer wheels get more than 3 feet from the curb as you're rounding the corner. You need to keep the trailer wheels hugging the curb until the power unit is all the way back into the right lane in one sweeping turn.
Allowing enough room for a motorbike is an immediate fail on a class 1 commercial test here (Saskatchewan).

 

[RACER J]

For you guys up in the Central Valley of Cali, the Visalia DMV is the go to place for anything beyond normal licensing. FYI

I thought all that went to Fresno. I got my class A in Visalia years ago but recently someone told me they don't do that anymore.