Californian haulers need Class "A"??

[JL penner]

I just heard that you are required to have a Class "A" drivers licence to pull a bumber pull weighing over 10k pounds or a Gooseneck/fithwheel over 15k pounds.



Anybody know if there is any truth to this?

 

[nps]

There has been alot of discussion on older threads - do a search.



If I remember, your statement is correct, but you only need a reasonably painless endorsement if you can find anyone at DMV that knows what you are talking about. Even most of the cops don't know about the law.

 

[MCrossley]

Ha Ha Ha!

It took me over 2 years of going back and forth to DMV trying to get that dam endorsment... I tried every time I had to go to the DMV for something and no joy; they either had no idea of what I was talking about or could not figure out what to do. Since I have been out of work from being ill I had time on my hands to go over there sit on my butt and argue with them. I went over at 7:30 and was first in line and I told the clerk that I was not leaving until we had my endorsment and that was that. Well after 3 hours of arguing and going back and forth about what tests, what license and blah blah blah I have my endorsment. You take the non-com Class A written test, the class C written test and thats it. It gives you the ability to pull up to 15k and also renews your class C at the same time. So there you go it can be done if you have time to waste with those idiots that we pay for.

 

[TGibbs]

I have had CHP come onto my lot (horse trailer sales place) and quiz me about it. He showed me pictures of people he had pulled over and cited for hauling without a Class A. The rule is if you haul a bumperpull or gooseneck with a ball that is RATED for over 10K then a Commercial Class A is required. I didnt ask but the sheet he gave me says you can pull a fifth wheel with a non commercial license (which means you dont have to take a drive test). This is my experience and the officer said they are cracking down a lot more on it. Before it was a rule but there was no one to enforce it so now he will pull you over to check you license after I just got cut off by 15 *&%heads in mustangs and corvettes because they missed their turn. Makes sense to me :-{}

 

[MCrossley]

Lets Face It They Are Broke!!!

The CHP is starting to resort to a lot of this crap as the state is running out of money and they are always trying to find new and improved ways to make money on us.



Funny story my landlord is very good friends (plays racket ball weekly with him) with the head of the CHP in Northern CA and he was telling me that he (Head of CHP) got pulled over one afternoon coming back from the mountains in his truck and the officer went on and on about all the things that he did and broke the law; he said it was rather funny when he handed him his license as the CHP Officers jaw fell to the ground as he realized he had just came up with several lies and implications to his boss's boss, I bet he is doing some great shifts now... .

 

[TKingsbury]

Go to DMV and get a commercial drivers handbook, it lays out what you can and can't tow with each license in black and white.

Travis. .

 

[Mhannink]

if u have a living quaters in ur trailer its fine then only when hauling strictly cargo do u need one

 

[Short Stack]

Go to this link it tells you.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vctoc.htm You will have to look it up but I think it is a Non comercial class A not sure, I have a commercial class A but I have had it since 1980.

 

[MCrossley]

LOL your funny!

Your kidding right? It may be printed in balck and white but it can be interprited in many shades of grey by the DMV, why do you think I spent 3 hours there? I showed themn their handbook and they stilla rgued and disputed it for 3 hours for an hour they tried to get me to get a class B license for my trailer; like I said it is the government Anything that does or could make sense will absolutly be ignored or disputed.



Don't take my sarcasm towards you its not it is towards the idiots that we employ in the gov. run agencies... And I know they are not all like that but seems like most...

Go to DMV and get a commercial drivers handbook, it lays out what you can and can't tow with each license in black and white.

Travis. .

 

[TKingsbury]

I know what you mean about the DMV, I think 99% of them make stuff up as they go along. Was the original question dealing with RVs, or flatbed/cargo type. I believe the rules are different.

Travis. .

 

[cwsoules]

I pull a 10. 4K 5th wheel with a standard 3/4 pickup. After convincing the Oakland DMV there was such a requirement I finally got a #41 endorsement to my Class C license which states "41. May tow fifth wheel recreational trailer between 10,001 and 15,000 pounds GVWR. "



For a #41 endorsement you only have to pass a portion of the normal truck drivers written test. I'm told if you have a 5er with GVWR in excess of 15,000# a driving test is also required.

 

[jwduke]

Just get a class A CDL, with endorsements T & X, then you can drive anything but a bus.

 

[MMeier]

Just get a class A CDL, with endorsements T & X, then you can drive anything but a bus.

Might as well go for the gusto and get your "P" endorsement while your at it then too!!

 

[jwduke]

There ya go MMeier, is that the indorsement for a bus "P"? I could have got grandfathered in when I got my CDL, but didn't figure I wanted to listen to a bus full of screaming people as we went off the cliff!

 

[MMeier]

didn't figure I wanted to listen to a bus full of screaming people as we went off the cliff!

LMAO !! Yep, "P" is the passenger endorsement, don't have it on mine , nor do I plan too!!

 

[Sarge]

Actually, what you need is a Non-commericial Class "C". Although the DMV personnel may give you a test for a Non-Commericial Class "A", to satisfy the testing requirement, do not put the Class A on your license. A Class "A" requires that you submit a medical certificate to DMV every two years. Too much BS invollved there. The "restristion 41" is all you need for a #15000 fiver or less on your class C. Any fiver over that would require the Non-commerical Class A.

 

[GWBourne]

The CHP is starting to resort to a lot of this crap as the state is running out of money and they are always trying to find new and improved ways to make money on us.



Funny story my landlord is very good friends (plays racket ball weekly with him) with the head of the CHP in Northern CA and he was telling me that he (Head of CHP) got pulled over one afternoon coming back from the mountains in his truck and the officer went on and on about all the things that he did and broke the law; he said it was rather funny when he handed him his license as the CHP Officers jaw fell to the ground as he realized he had just came up with several lies and implications to his boss's boss, I bet he is doing some great shifts now... .

WTF is that restriction about having to have a right hand mirror? that is silly...



Im going to have to get my CDL here in cali, but i will get the one for 26,000 lbs. might even get a DOT number and run not for higher on my truck... then a magnet to cover the DOT number and the weight so i dont have to stop at the scales... just cant get caught.

grant