CA Non Commercial class A

[HotRod82]

My new trailer is over 10K GVW so I’m going to get the license. Anyone here actually take the driving test? Do I need to practice the parallel parking in a box maneuver like the full commercial class a test? Anything I should actually practice? Been towing forever so I’m sure it will be easy but don’t want any surprises..

 

[4Waters]

Yes you should practice all of it, parallel, alley dock, straight back (you are probably good there) offset back right and left. Is it a 5th wheel or bumper pull

 

[HotRod82]

Bumper.
Do you know if you can use a checklist on the pre trip? Sadly, I’ve heard yes and no answers to that question.

 

[H20 Toie]

The pre trip is where they fail most people and yes you have to do it

 

[4Waters]

Bumper.
Do you know if you can use a checklist on the pre trip? Sadly, I’ve heard yes and no answers to that question.

On the commercial side it's for sure a no but I'm not sure on the non commercial side.

I can tell you treat each veh separately, do your pre trip in the truck like the trailer isn't there and vise versa. For example...

Tail lights red in color, lenses not cracked or broken, receiver installed, pin is in and secured, safety chains hooked and secured, safety brake hooked and secured, trailer is secured and locked on the ball with safety pin installed.

Now the truck doesn't exist, only the trailer, do not bounce back and forth.

 

[rivrrts429]

I have my commercial class A but assume it’s similar. Practice it all. Especially the pre-trip.

 

[Ct5]

Not sure what a non commercial test involves, but the hardest part of my commercial license test was the pre trip and written test for air brakes. I doubt you need that in your situation. The rest of it was pretty common sense stuff. Questions like ‘Should you increase or decrease your following distance when the road is wet (or when you’re towing)?’ Browse through the handbook the DMV gives you before taking the written test and you’ll be fine. Be thorough going over the truck and trailer. Tires, wheels, lug nuts, lights, fluids, windows, mirrors, etc. etc etc. My examiner didn’t go off a checklist, once he realized I knew what I was talking about he said that’s good on the pre trip.

 

[Icky]

Following, I've been putting this off for years

 

[4Waters]

Not sure what a non commercial test involves, but the hardest part of my commercial license test was the pre trip and written test for air brakes. I doubt you need that in your situation. The rest of it was pretty common sense stuff. Questions like ‘Should you increase or decrease your following distance when the road is wet (or when you’re towing)?’ Browse through the handbook the DMV gives you before taking the written test and you’ll be fine. Be thorough going over the truck and trailer. Tires, wheels, lug nuts, lights, fluids, windows, mirrors, etc. etc etc. My examiner didn’t go off a checklist, once he realized I knew what I was talking about he said that’s good on the pre trip.

Same here, I got to the back of the trailer and Angie said stop, you're good.

 

[4Waters]

@HotRod82 do not show up to the DMV to take your test without someone that has at a minimum a non-commercial class A

 

[CLdrinker]

Pre trip, practice all of the parking don’t drive your rig there yourself to test. That’s automatic fail.

Also congrats on being the first person to get this license.

 

[Icky]

Didn't they change requirements to make you go a school and have xx hours behind the wheel ?

 

[4Waters]

Didn't they change requirements to make you go a school and have xx hours behind the wheel ?

I'm 95% sure that's for commercial licenses only

 

[brianwhiteboy]

Bumper.
Do you know if you can use a checklist on the pre trip? Sadly, I’ve heard yes and no answers to that question.

At least for the commercial class A in Commiefornia, yes, you are able to use the exact checklist shown below.

It’s a guide to all the sections that you need to cover, but you still have to memorize all the bits within each section. I got my license in December so I’m speaking from first hand experience.

 

[4Waters]

At least for the commercial class A in Commiefornia, yes, you are able to use the exact checklist shown below.

It’s a guide to all the sections that you need to cover, but you still have to memorize all the bits within each section. I got my license in December so I’m speaking from first hand experience.

View attachment 1492635

Since when can you use that check list during the test? I wasn't allowed to when I did the test 13yrs ago.

 

[brianwhiteboy]

They changed a bunch of rules in the past year or two, even to the skills portion. But you can for a fact use the sheet.

 

[4Waters]

They changed a bunch of rules in the past year or two, even to the skills portion. But you can for a fact use the sheet.

That's a bunch of crap. I, well we (pretty sure you have yours) had to memorize the whole pre-trip. No wonder why new drivers can't drive, they dropped the standards. I know our employer/s won't allow that checklist

 

[zhandfull]

That's a bunch of crap. I, well we (pretty sure you have yours) had to memorize the whole pre-trip. No wonder why new drivers can't drive, they dropped the standards. I know our employer/s won't allow that checklist

Had to memorize my pre trip back in the day.

I remember getting marked down for not checking dash instrument lights and the windshield defroster on interior.

In general I agree with using the checklist for the licensing test. Drivers will be documenting daily pre trip inspection on a checklist form anyways after getting licensed.

I no longer drive commercial but keep my license active. To much of a pain in the ass to go through the process again should I let it expire. Also came in handy when I recently borrowed a buddy’s 13k GVW trailer to pickup some materials.

 

[HBCraig]

Pre trip, practice all of the parking don’t drive your rig there yourself to test. That’s automatic fail.

Also congrats on being the first person to get this license.

Hahaha. I did this when I took my test. I didn't even realize I did it until after the test. The lady passed me though

 

[Your ad here]

They won't fail you for driving yourself there. Take the test at the San Bernadino location.

 

[havasu5150]

Well at least you are getting the test. Years ago, when I was still in California, I went to the DNV to inquire about the non-commercial cdl. No one at the DMV knew what I was talking about.

 

[GETBOATS]

I've been over 10k for 25 years, now GVWR is 20k, Trailer stays at the river 6 months then Ocotillo for 6. CHP could park on hwy 78 coming out the narrows and stop everyone and write 99 out 100, yet they don't. No one is legal!

A few years back when the rules be being changed, I took the written commercial test, passed it the first time. Had as I recall 6 months to take the driving test, made that appointment only to be told 5 months after the successful written that I missed it by 1 day and would have to take it all over again including the long in person school.

I was also told at DMV there was no class A other than commercial.

 

[Bajastu]

When I buy a trailer, I just have it derated before I take delivery. All of my trailers are 9,999 GVWR. The dead giveaway is the six or eight lug axles.

I know that this only applies to equipment, dump, and flatbed trailers.

 

[Icky]

When I buy a trailer, I just have it derated before I take delivery. All of my trailers are 9,999 GVWR. The dead giveaway is the six or eight lug axles.

I know that this only applies to equipment, dump, and flatbed trailers.

Most 3 axle toy haulers are over 15k. I know a few guys pushing into the 30s combined.

 

[Wave Hi]

Everything you point to on the Pre trip should be followed by properly mounted and secured. Put your hands on everything that you are calling out. My inspector got tired of me saying properly mounted and secured so he just passed me into the skills portion.