Quote: Since this seems to be a hot topic on here lately, and a few private emails about it, I thought I would share with everyone...
California Law States:
ANY "TAG" Trailer ( cargo, race car, etc. ) OR Travel Trailer OVER 10,000 GVWR ( According to the Actual MFG. Sticker on every trailer ) REQUIRES a Non-Commercial Class A Drivers License to Tow that trailer in California.
ANY Fifth Wheel Travel Trailer ( NOT Cargo ) over 10,000 GVWR, BUT under 15,000 GVWR, Requires a "Written Endorsement" to your Regular Class "C" License. IF your Fifth Wheel Travel Trailer weighs over 15,000 GVWR, you must have a Non-Commercial Class "A".
( Any Cargo Trailer, TAG or Fifth Wheel OVER 10,000 GVWR, Requires a Non-Commercial Class A License. ) Hence why you see a LOT of Race Car Trailers with a GVWR of 9999.
A Non-Commercial Class A License REQUIRES a Driving Test.
A Fifth Wheel "Endorsement" is a Written test only.
I know for a FACT, The CHP is Cracking down Big Time on Race Car Trailers right now...are we next??
Not to spread gloom & doom...just the facts
This is verbatim from the DVM website:
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A noncommercial driver license is issued in the following two classes:
Noncommercial Class A
Noncommercial Class B
A Noncommercial Class A license is required if you tow:
- a travel trailer weighing over 10,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) which is not used for hire.
- A fifth-wheel travel trailer weighting over 15,000 lbs. GVWR which is not used for hire.
- A livestock trailer that is not for hire, weight over 10,000 lbs. GVWR but not over 15,000 lbs. GVWR, and is operated within 150 miles of the farm by a farmer to transport livestock.
A Noncommercial Class B license and endorsement is required if you operate:
- A housecar over 40 feet but not over 45 feet.
Exemptions: Holders of a commercial Class A or B license, a noncommercial Class A license, and all fire fighter license classes.
Andi, that is a good question. I have no clue. hehe. I would check with the CHP. I assume it *could* be based on your home state license and what they allow and how California recognises it. Some states, Utah I believe is one, allow pulling doubles on their "standard" license.
2004 F-150 XL St. Cab Short Bed 4.6L/AT/3.55:1 (Gotta love a cool boss)
2003 Yamaha Warrior (take a guess on the color)
3 person tent and way too much camping gear for one guy (no longer feeling out of place: tent forum!)
Class A NC requires both a written and a drive test. (Rec. Trailer "5th Endorsement" is written only.)
The fee for Class A NC is higher than a Class C lic. I believe it's like $35 give or take for 4 years. If you have not taken a Class C written test in the last 6 mos. you will be required to pass it as well. You also have to sign some kind of health questionaire and to refile it every 2 years (IIRC) with the DMV. This is in lieu of a normal DOT physical required for a CDL holder.
Now, the trick is to actually find a DMV office that has the written test and the key. And you can't just call the local DMV office anymore. I would say to make sure you schedule your tests. Of course you have to sch. your drive test, but it might be a better idea to also schedule your written test as well.
When you pass the written test you will be issued a Class A NC learners permit. Same rules apply on that permit as they do for a regular DL Learners permit in that it's only valid if someone with the class of license equal to or higher (Class A NC would require someone with a Class A NC or Class A Comm.) be in the trainer position.
Someone posted the link to the Rec. Towing Guide earlier. All the info is in there.
- A travel trailer weighing over 10,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) which is not used for hire.
- A fifth-wheel travel trailer weighting over 15,000 lbs. GVWR which is not used for hire.
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Call me silly but what if my fifth wheel is not "weighting over 15,000 lbs. GVWR”?
Or, was the "not" missing from Titan Attitudes post?
Cuz, as it is written, it sounds like a 5th under 15000 GVWR is exempt.
06' WW LE3305
Black and Red Graphics
05 Ford F350 LB CC PSD Bright Red
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Cuz, as it is written, it sounds like a 5th under 15000 GVWR is exempt.
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You are correct. It does not require a class A. But you still need an endorsement with the class C license. So, written test only if your 5th wheel is over 10,000 but under 15,000 GVWR
Yes Titan...that is the meat & potatoes, just like my post stated. And yes...it IS the GVWR rating of the trailer, NOT how much the trailer and your stuff weighs ( all tho, I'm sure a lot of people wish it was that way ).
DesertAnt...Thanks for posting that link...I was in the process of looking it up and got interupted...
Someone else posted something about them pulling you into the scales to see if your overweight...
What everyone needs to understand is, ALL the Officer has to do, is READ the WEIGHT sticker on your trailer, IF the trailer is OVER 10,000 GVWR, YOU better have that special license, whichever one is needed. This INCLUDES ANY ONE who drives/tows that Trailer...Does your wife drive when you get tired, or hurt??? These are ALL things I have been thinking about before buying another trailer.
BLKREDWARRIOR...I don't think any 250/350 Pickup is Rated to pull 17,000 lbs. I think that is 450/550 Territory... IMHO, after towing my 39', 16,000 GVWR trailer, NO "Pickup" is big enough to tow that much trailer...JUST my Opinion. And...Warrior, you are correct again...The Lawyers will have a hayday with this type of scenario...Overweight Vehicle, Wrong drivers License, etc...etc.
DesertAnt is correct...Taking the driving test is no big deal, BUT not every DMV office does the test. At ANY DMV office, they carry the handbook ( Rec. Vehicles and Trailers Handbook ) on the counter that gives you all the info on the test, AND list the testing offices. ( Ironically, the offices here in the Sacramento area, are in the foothills, Tiny, twisting, 2 lane roads, Lots of low trees, etc...) Just my luck...hehe
04 F350 Diesel CrewCab 4x4
Looking for new ToyHauler
DS650, 440EX, TTR125
Ok, I'm not a CA resident (but I play one on TV ). However, I will be living here for another 3 months, and towing in that time. Here's what I'm reading on the DMV link so outstandingly provided:
- a single vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less including a tow dolly, if used.
- with a vehicle weighing 4,000 lbs. or more unladen, a trailer coach or 5th wheel travel trailer under 10,000 lbs. GVWR when towing is not for compensation.
- with a vehicle weighing 4,000 lbs. or more unladen, a 5th wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 lbs. but under 15,000 lbs. GVWR, when towing is not compensation and with endorsement.
NOTE: No passenger vehicle regardless of weight, may tow more than one vehicle.
This is the allowables for towing w/ Class C NC. I'm not seeing anything that says anything about special endorsements. What am I missing? The Class A is the more 'in-depth' or 'high-perfomance' license, right? Am I just not recognizing the problem because I have a mostly-empty TH?
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC SB 4x4 CTD w/ Line-X and 16K SuperGlide
33' Tail-Gator (The Leviathan--don't ask about Wynona)
Just me, the wife (Wendy), maybe the cat (Podo), the Harleys, a few firearms, good tunes, and good Scotch. What more could a guy ask for?
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). However, I will be living here for another 3 months, and towing in that time. Here's what I'm reading on the DMV link so outstandingly provided:
