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Old 04-18-2018, 08:42 AM   #1
parksjanda
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Class A non-commercial drivers test

We reside in chester county PA. We are experiencing a no-win situation between the PA drivers license dept and finding either a Class A commercial or Class A non-commercial driver willing to assist in the driving test. We have called numerous CDL schools with no answers. We cannot take the driving test without a licensed driver in attendance. Understand not all states require this Class A non-commercial license with combination of two vehicles weighing over 26,000 gvwr. However our dully truck is over 10,000 gvwr and our Montana is 16,000 gvwr which totals over 26,000 gvwr.
Does anyone have any info on preparing for Class A non-commercial driving test for our state and county?
 
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Old 04-18-2018, 10:04 AM   #2
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Move to a Diff state!!!!!!!!!!! just kidding. Never had to deal with that in Washington St.

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Old 04-18-2018, 10:32 AM   #3
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Had the same problem in California. Talked a former coworker into taking a vacation day to go with me 100 miles to the special DMV that would administer the driving portion of the test. Yes the first they asked for was who was my driver and can we see his license.
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Old 04-18-2018, 04:18 PM   #4
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When I needed that driver in CA, I had the same reception from several sources. I finally called a "drive away" company and they took care of me for $100. That kind of company is used for transporting RVs and trucks from one place to another and all their drivers have Class A commercial drivers.
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Old 05-17-2018, 07:45 AM   #5
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Have you resolved your issue? I live in MD and have the same situation. Fortunately, my son has a CDL-A and will be my co pilot for the test. For a cup of coffee and a few bucks, maybe he can help you out...
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Old 05-17-2018, 12:40 PM   #6
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Now let me get them this straight. If you had a 3/4 ton truck with a weight limit of 9600 pounds you wouldn’t need a class A license. Is that correct? If it is how screwed up is that.
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Old 05-17-2018, 03:15 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by mlh View Post
Now let me get them this straight. If you had a 3/4 ton truck with a weight limit of 9600 pounds you wouldn’t need a class A license. Is that correct? If it is how screwed up is that.
Lynwood
That is correct, but then you could be over your GVWR. They get you one way or another.
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Old 05-17-2018, 05:54 PM   #8
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That’s state reg is crazy. Every farmer in my part of the country would have to have a Class A. Everyone I know in the farming industry around here routinely pulls gooseneck trailers grossing over 18k up to 30k with 3/4 and 1 tons. Neighbor just loaded 32 round bales on a guys trailer with a one ton dually Ford,guessing over 30k. We would all be in trouble here.
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Old 05-17-2018, 06:30 PM   #9
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Here in Virginia no special license is required for any RV. I ask a state trooper captain if they ever checked camper weight “no” was the answer. I ask my insurance co agent if I was over weight and had an accident if I would be covered. They called Allstate. Their answer “yes you are covered”. If you have an accident and get sued the insurance co still has to cover you. It’s their money up to the policy limit.
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Old 05-17-2018, 06:43 PM   #10
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In Illinois I had a neighbor who drives a school bus go with me. They never asked about anything, they said it's not their job to police it.
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Old 05-31-2018, 08:16 AM   #11
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the truck is a 1 ton gvwr 13,000lbs. pulling a 3750fl montana which dry weight is 12,557lbs. In PA, you must add the gvwr's of both vehicles and the gvwr of the RV is 16, 670lbs. If the combination is over 26,000lbs, or your trailer is over 10,000lbs, you must have a class A non-commercial drivers license.
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Old 06-04-2018, 06:10 PM   #12
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Class A endorsement

I am in the same situation, as I am licensed in PA as well. I believe that there is no written test for the class A non-commercial endorsement, but there is the driving test. I didn't realize that I would need a "licensed" driver to go with me for the driving test. Heck, I'm from north central PA by the NY state border in the middle of nowhere and have no clue where I'm going to have to go for the test when I'm ready.
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Old 06-05-2018, 06:55 AM   #13
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In Ohio you buy the Rv jump in it and drive away no special anything. I am in favor of a driving test for RV's.
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Old 06-05-2018, 07:23 AM   #14
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I am sure my husband will help you once he passes the driving test in late June, and are traveling throughout PA in tow. You are right, there is no written test because it takes the place of your class C drivers license exam. My husband went to the local DMV and they issued him a learners permit for an upgrade from class C license to class A non-commercial for $5 fee. However, whenever driving in tow, must have either an active class A commercial (CDL) license holder or Class A non-commercial present in the truck. Keep in touch to remind us if you cannot find an active license holder.
Also, my husband adds that the driver will be tested on backing up, whether straight line backing for 100 ft, offset backing, parallel parking or alley docking. Three of those will be picked.

Alexandra Parks
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Old 06-05-2018, 07:28 AM   #15
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Thanks anyway, however the class A commercial or class A non-commercial license holder must be from the issuing license state, for example we are from PA so the license holder must have an active license from PA. This past weekend our friend's brother holds a Class A commercial license and went with my husband for several hours practicing backing and driving skills. He will help one more time and then my husband will take the drivers test, hopefully, at the end of June and be legal to drive our rig.
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Old 06-21-2018, 12:26 PM   #16
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There is an important update to this thread. My husband and I physically went to Malvern DMV and spoke with a supervisor and CDL examiner about the Class A non-commercial upgrade drivers license procedure. He said that if an individual who already has a Class C drivers license that with a class a non-commercial learners permit can have any license holder present when practicing or the drivers exam. A week later I went back to the Malvern DMV and spoke to another supervisor and got the same answer. (Just double checking) So I then called our local township police and spoke with an officer. He said that legally, a class c license holder with a class a non-commercial learners permit does not require anyone to be present while driving or going to drivers exam. He said he owns a truck and 5th wheel and has a class a non-commercial license and had been through the entire process. He reminded that you have one year on the learners permit to pass the class a non-commercial drivers exam. So the process of upgrading to a class a non-commercial drivers license here in PA is not as complicated as thought.
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Old 06-21-2018, 12:34 PM   #17
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This weekend of June 23rd, our friend who is a CDL driver, will be with my husband practicing steps when going down steep hills with truck and montana. On Sunday, June 24th my husband will be practicing backing, alley docking, In-line backing, offset backing and parallel parking. All but the alley docking are part of the class a non-commercial drivers test.
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Old 06-21-2018, 12:55 PM   #18
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Old 06-22-2018, 09:55 AM   #19
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I hope this info helps others in the state of PA when towing a HD dully truck and montana 5th wheel. When I spoke with the supervisor examiner at the DMV I asked just how many drivers are driving illegally in PA when towing a truck and 5th wheel weighing over 26,000 gvwr. He said, "not that many." He issues a number of class a non-commercial license upgrades throughout the year. THanks for the "thumbs up."
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Old 07-12-2018, 05:34 AM   #20
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Anyone have any information about a Class A license here in Texas. I just upgraded from my Chevy 2500HD to a Chevy 3500HD. My Montana 3582RL is 12.6k empty and 16k gvwr.

So the way I read the rules then I'm required a Class A non-commercial license. Am I right or not.
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