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Old 09-01-2020, 12:10 PM   #1
Camp CA
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CA Non-commercial Class Driver's License

Just received the permit for the above after 5-1/2 months since the California DMV offices were closed. Just scheduled a driving test with my F350 dually towing a 41 ft Montana fifth wheel trailer for October 7 at 12 noon in Mountain View, CA but need an escort with a commercial or non-commercial class A driver's license. If you can recommend one I would be very appreciative. I am happy to pay for the time, gas/diesel and lunch. Other test locations could be scheduled at Stockton and Salinas, which are with a couple f hours from my home in the San Francisco Bay area, if more convenient.

I have been towing 36 - 41 ft fifth wheels for 16 years but to ensure I pass the driving test I plan to schedule a session with a fifth wheel driving instructor to go over the vehicle safety check, pre-trip inspection test, skills test and driving test. My biggest concern is the "skills test".
 
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Old 09-01-2020, 02:19 PM   #2
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The hardest part for me was backing 90 degrees into a "simulated" camping spot staying within lines on each side of the trailer and in front of the truck. I'm 36' with a mega cab which equates to a long bed wheelbase. A semi would have done that easier. Backing up straight was simple. The road test was basic safe driving.

The study guide does not speak to trailer side running lights. Speak to it on the walk around even if you don't have any. Know where all the control switches are in the truck.

You'll do fine.
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Old 09-01-2020, 02:43 PM   #3
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Montana Man............I definitely recalled our conversion about that backing maneuver and thanks for the encouragement!!

In the meantime, I reached out to a local trucking company in Vallejo and a couple of California rv driving schools for assistance on practicing the 4 tests and skills test, in particular and whether they would be available and possibly escort me to the CA DMV test center as a back-up plan.
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Old 09-01-2020, 04:26 PM   #4
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I am not sure why you would need someone to go with you. Even if you go to renew your license if you fail you can still drive home. I took a homemade trailer to DMV for registration and they didn't say nothing about it. I would just hook it up and take the test. They already can surmise that you have already hooked it up and towed it home.
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Old 09-01-2020, 04:45 PM   #5
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I am not sure why you would need someone to go with you..............
The non-commercial class A driving license test is not a renewal and like a Class C or motorcycle license driving test you need to be escorted by a licensed driver with those endorsement(s) or you will not be tested and have to schedule another test. I had the same experience in the UK and in that case I hired a driving instructor to escort me...............and the last thing I am looking for is ticket, trailer compounded, etc. when leaving the place IF I fail the test, which I am not planning.
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Old 09-01-2020, 05:22 PM   #6
Carl n Susan
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Just to be sure we are all talking the same language. By "escort" you *ARE* referring to someone with an already valid license driving your truck and Montana to the DMV? Do not show up driving the rig your self as that is an automatic fail!
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Old 09-01-2020, 05:33 PM   #7
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Good point!!.........My permit specifies that I need an escort to "accompany" me, which is same as a car and motorcycle.
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Old 09-01-2020, 07:44 PM   #8
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I solved our problem by just getting out of California. Don't need any special license in South Dakota
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Old 09-01-2020, 07:58 PM   #9
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Appreciate tha, but we have a lovely home in the San Francisco Bay area, 46 ft sailboat in the bay we sail every week when we are here.........so it is hard to leave.

Working all options on getting a non-commercial class A license. Will keep you posted.
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Old 09-01-2020, 08:01 PM   #10
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Does the RV endorsement not work for CA anymore or are you above those requirements?

http://https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal...r-endorsement/
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Old 09-01-2020, 08:07 PM   #11
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Does the RV endorsement not work for CA anymore or are you above those requirements?..........
Another great question!!..........my current driver's license has an endorsement to tow UP TO 15,000 lbs. To tow more than that you need a non-commercial class A driver's license in California (if you reside there).
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Old 09-01-2020, 08:10 PM   #12
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Another great question!!..........my current driver's license has an endorsement to tow UP TO 15,000 lbs. To tow more than that you need a non-commercial class A driver's license in California (if you reside there).
Might be worth a trip to the scale. I read it as towing so if the 5er is less than 15k than you should be good.
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Old 09-01-2020, 08:18 PM   #13
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Might be worth a trip to the scale. I read it as towing so if the 5er is less than 15k than you should be good.
Another great question............the GVWR is 16,600 lbs, which is stated on the nameplate on the trailer side PLUS my wife has loaded every cooking accessory known to man on the rig.........BUT worth a try and just get it "certified". I will weight (without fresh water) it and carry that weight certificate with us.
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Old 09-01-2020, 08:27 PM   #14
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Another great question............the GVWR is 16,600 lbs, which is stated on the nameplate on the trailer side PLUS my wife has loaded every cooking accessory known to man on the rig.........BUT worth a try and just get it "certified". I will weight (without fresh water) it and carry that weight certificate with us.
GVWR doesn’t mean that’s what you weight just means what it’s rated for total. I bet you’re close to or under 15k on the trailer. With the trucks weight you’ll be over but when I read it that tells me trailer and not combined weight.
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Old 09-01-2020, 08:34 PM   #15
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Camp CA, I'm in Merced, let me know if you need help. It will cost you lunch and many a couple od buck for gas.
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Old 09-01-2020, 08:43 PM   #16
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You are awesome......I will PM you.
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Old 09-01-2020, 09:07 PM   #17
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GVWR doesn’t mean that’s what you weight just means what it’s rated for total. I bet you’re close to or under 15k on the trailer. With the trucks weight you’ll be over but when I read it that tells me trailer and not combined weight.
It goes by gvwr regardless of actual weight.
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Old 09-01-2020, 09:10 PM   #18
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Unfortunately, actual weight doesn't matter. It is GVWR as posted on the side of the RV that determines whether you need the "Endorsement" (<15K) or the Non-commercial Class A. Pretty much every Montana is over the 15K line.
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Old 09-02-2020, 09:38 AM   #19
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One thing in my hope chest for California.. Please lift the 55 mph speed limit on trailers. It is extremely dangerous. While driving south on 395 from Susanville to Reno, the speed limit is 65 for cars. The speed limit towing is 55 mph. I had quit a few cars behind me with no turnouts. A pickup passed us and nearly hit an 18 wheeler head on!. The pickup used the shoulder on the opposing side to avoid a crash. This area of 395 is one lane each direction ..sorry, off subject..
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Old 09-02-2020, 11:40 AM   #20
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One thing in my hope chest for California.. Please lift the 55 mph speed limit on trailers. It is extremely dangerous. While driving south on 395 from Susanville to Reno, the speed limit is 65 for cars. The speed limit towing is 55 mph. I had quit a few cars behind me with no turnouts. A pickup passed us and nearly hit an 18 wheeler head on!. The pickup used the shoulder on the opposing side to avoid a crash. This area of 395 is one lane each direction ..sorry, off subject..

Just drive 63-65 if it's posted 65 for autos. I've passed many CHP and other LEOs at that speed towing in that area and on HWY 70 west of Hallelujah Junction. I've never had an issue and they kept driving. I think it's discretionary as it's safer for all traffic to travel at the same speed than folks trying to pass me going 55--especially on those two-lane highways in the Sierras that are mostly straight in many areas.



The 55mph limit for towing will probably never be raised. I think they've introduced legislation to get rid of it in years past, but the legislature doesn't do anything with it.
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