California Class A Non-commercial license

[barrie34]

I tow a 4-horse with living quarters Sundowner GN trailer with a GVWR of 17,500 pounds, not used for hire. I am being told by the local DMV office that I need to apply for a Class A Commercial license. I am sure that all I really need is a Class A Non-commercial license. Do any of you TDR folk living in California and towing a trailer similar to mine know for sure what license I should be applying for? By the way, I drive a 03 Ram CTD 3500 DRW with which I tow this rig loaded with my wife's Welsh Mountain pony, two competition driving vehicles, and a whole bunch of show clothes, camping gear and assorted gear necessary to compete in Combined Driving Events. Thanks!

 

[JerryTurbo]

I know if your a resident of florida and own a 3500 you are going to have to get class A. because of the width.

what is the GVWR of your trailer?

 

[Eric_77]

If you use the trailer to haul anything that is sold or in competion that has any sort of payout then you are commercial once you go over 10,000 per USDOT. SO you would need the CDL class A. If this is all just for fun recreation then the Non-CDL Class A would be fine.



If you are over the magic 10k number IE any dually or a 3/4 pulling almost any trailer then you must do the DOT number, Physical, log books, **** test etc IF you are using the vehicle for any sort of commercial operation.



This is per USDOT there are many people flying under the radar and have no problem but they are finding there is a lot of reveunue to be made by all the fines they can collect on being in the 10,000 to 26,000 pound range vehicles. Big issue is the burden of proof that you are not commercial falls back on driver and you would have to defend the tickets.



Couple examples that USDOT gave me that are extreme but they were targeting

craft fairs where grandma and grandpa have an RV and haul a trailer with their crafts they ARE commercial and if over 10,000 in combo then they must have full USDOT compliance.

Race car hauler if the races have any sort of payout (whehter you earn anything or not) then you must comply.

Welder that has welder loaded on a 3/4 truck and is overloaded to 11,000 pounds is in major trouble he is overwieght and must unload before going any further (there is like 10% you can be overloaded and receive ticket and continue) plus must comply with USDOT.