Got The Latest On Drivers License Restrictions In Calif. for towing

First topic message reminder :

I was down at DMV to day getting some paper work done on a motorcycle purchase that I made. While I was there I figured I would get my class A non commercial drivers license. The lady brought out the new handbook governing all the new license restrictions. It says if you 5th wheel weighs less than 15,000 lbs GVWR nothing is required. You can drive and pull a 5th wheel weighing under 15000lbs with your simple class C drivers license. I know I have heard a lot of different opinions on this but this is what the book says. So we can put this rest once and for all.... If any one has any questions regarding restrictions just ask I brought the new handbook home.
Cheers,

Portagie1968 wrote: Those are very good points. The way the economy is going I bet an insurance company will do about anything to keep from paying.

I agree with you Dan!

Just got home from taking the test. Very simple, common sense questions. Twenty questions and you can miss three and pass. They adhere a sticker to the back of your license which says "May tow fifth-wheel recreational trailer between 10,001 and 15,000 pounds GVWR.

GVWR on our 29rlbs is 11,400 pounds.

Congratulations! Glad the test was easy. Your fellow Californians should thank you for taking the lead on this.

Tater

Thanks Tater;

I asked the dmv person, how many of these endorsements has she given, and she said very few. It is sad that the RV sales people do not inform the public about this law in Califronia.

I can't believe CA having less stringent requirements for the > 10k recreation endorsement. I had to take the 20 question test and a full drive test including a pre-trip vehicle inspection.

Here's the study guide for Nevada's endorsement:

http://www.dmvnv.com/pdfforms/dlbookjr.pdf

I don't think Texas has any special licensing regulations regarding trailers. If they do, I hope one of our fellow TX residents will let us know.

Tater

Tom says that they have to take a written and driving test in Maryland also. First time I have heard that Kalifornia has less regulation than other states.

Also California will allow passengers to ride in the 5th wheel " if the door can be opened from the inside and outside" while traveling. Since our 29rlbs has the door blocked on the outside while moving, and can not be opened from the inside, this makes the 29rlbs illegal to carry passengers in California.

I've traveled in the 5th wheel before, but I won't let my family do it anymore after seeing the accident last month.

Maxtor wrote:Tom says that they have to take a written and driving test in Maryland also. First time I have heard that Kalifornia has less regulation than other states.

Also California will allow passengers to ride in the 5th wheel " if the door can be opened from the inside and outside" while traveling. Since our 29rlbs has the door blocked on the outside while moving, and can not be opened from the inside, this makes the 29rlbs illegal to carry passengers in California.

We can turn the handle either way.

Maxtor wrote:Just got home from taking the test. Very simple, common sense questions. Twenty questions and you can miss three and pass. They adhere a sticker to the back of your license which says "May tow fifth-wheel recreational trailer between 10,001 and 15,000 pounds GVWR.

GVWR on our 29rlbs is 11,400 pounds.

Congrat young man. Out of curiosity how much they charge U.

Portagie1968 wrote:

Maxtor wrote:Just got home from taking the test. Very simple, common sense questions. Twenty questions and you can miss three and pass. They adhere a sticker to the back of your license which says "May tow fifth-wheel recreational trailer between 10,001 and 15,000 pounds GVWR.

GVWR on our 29rlbs is 11,400 pounds.

Congrat young man. Out of curiosity how much they charge U.

No charge...

On the 29rlbs you have a handle to hold on to as you go up the stairs. This handle folds against the door as you travel. When this handle is against the door, the people inside can not get out. As Jetskier says, it might not be a good idea for people to ride in the 5th wheel anyway.

Maxtor wrote:

Portagie1968 wrote:

Maxtor wrote:Just got home from taking the test. Very simple, common sense questions. Twenty questions and you can miss three and pass. They adhere a sticker to the back of your license which says "May tow fifth-wheel recreational trailer between 10,001 and 15,000 pounds GVWR.

GVWR on our 29rlbs is 11,400 pounds.

Congrat young man. Out of curiosity how much they charge U.

No charge...

On the 29rlbs you have a handle to hold on to as you go up the stairs. This handle folds against the door as you travel. When this handle is against the door, the people inside can not get out. As Jetskier says, it might not be a good idea for people to ride in the 5th wheel anyway.

I agree. Not made to ride in.

Same handle just can fold it either way on a 30.

I just called the DMV in Longview, TX and was told: If the combined weight of camper and TV does not exceed 26,000 lbs, then no further endorsement is needed.

I specifically asked about the 5th wheel weight alone and was told again that it was the combined weight.

I can see it now:

Me: "But Mr. Trooper, the guy at DMV said..." Mr. Trooper: "Sign here and have someone come drive for you that has the proper license."

I'm going to try and get that in writing.

BobnPi wrote:I just called the DMV in Longview, TX and was told: If the combined weight of camper and TV does not exceed 26,000 lbs, then no further endorsement is needed.

I specifically asked about the 5th wheel weight alone and was told again that it was the combined weight.

I can see it now:

Me: "But Mr. Trooper, the guy at DMV said..." Mr. Trooper: "Sign here and have someone come drive for you that has the proper license."

I'm going to try and get that in writing.

I'm not from Texas, but that's bad information...

See page I-4 and I-5 (page 6 of 111) http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/documents/DL-7.pdf

Also from http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TN/htm/TN.521.htm

Code:

Sec. 521.083.  CLASS C LICENSE. A Class C driver's license authorizes the holder of the license to operate:

(1)  a vehicle or combination of vehicles not described by Section 521.081 or 521.082; and

(2)  a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 26,001 pounds towing a farm trailer with a gross vehicle weight rating that is not more than 20,000 pounds.


"Farm trailer" means a trailer designed and used primarily as a farm vehicle per Sec. 502.001. DEFINITIONS.

You need a class "A" to tow more than 10k GVWR in Texas

Code:


Sec. 521.081.  CLASS A LICENSE. A Class A driver's license authorizes the holder of the license to operate:

(1)  a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more; or

(2)  a combination of vehicles that has a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, if the gross vehicle weight rating of any vehicle or vehicles in tow is more than 10,000 pounds.

About what I figured after I talked to the guy at DMV. Thanks for doing my research for me. I was going to look into it more when I got home, but now I don't have to. I wonder how many people actually have a Class A in Texas.

BobnPi wrote:About what I figured after I talked to the guy at DMV. Thanks for doing my research for me. I was going to look into it more when I got home, but now I don't have to. I wonder how many people actually have a Class A in Texas.

No Problem. Section 521 is for regular (aka noncommercial) license. From the pdf I quoted.... "The following listed Class A, B, C, and M licenses will be issued to persons
who are exempt from obtaining a Commercial Driver License or persons who are not required to obtain a Commercial Driver License:"

522 covers the commercial licensing from my research.

Like I stated before, the DMV offices (as well as the RV lots) are not educated in this stuff in this detail.

Mr Trooper.

bsmall2800 wrote:Or how about this one. Your driving and you hit someone and its your fault. Insurance says I am sorry we aren't covering you due to being out of classification .

Another thing came up in my old brain also. Let's say you have some tire problems and the trailer takes A BIG hit. Does not survive. Insurance takes a look at your tires and then at the sticker on the side. Sticker say ST tires and you are running LT's. Is that the beginning of a long fight.

Portagie1968 wrote: Another thing came up in my old brain also. Let's say you have some tire problems and the trailer takes A BIG hit. Does not survive. Insurance takes a look at your tires and then at the sticker on the side. Sticker say ST tires and you are running LT's. Is that the beginning of a long fight.

Sounds like something Fire Marshall Bill would say...."Let's just say..." "Let me show you something."

I am wondering what He will show me.