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02-03-2015, 11:44 AM
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#1
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Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 33
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California Class A license requirements
I was asked by a friend that is considering buying a 40', 3 axle, 40,000 lb GVWR class A, what the licence requirments were for Ca. I called two RV dealers and asked them but they seemed to tip toe around the question which made me suspicious so I called CHP. They were very adamant with their answer, if it is greater that 26000 GVWR you need a non commercial class A license. It seems this would apply to most all class A's? Mine is a 38' 2 axle with A GVWR of 32000 so I would need one as well?
Any info or clarification would be appreciated. Also would be curious what the requirements are in other states.
__________________
Andy & Jaye
2000 Monaco Windsor 38
"The Great Green Whale"
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02-03-2015, 12:17 PM
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#2
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Registered User
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2008
Location: N. Palm Springs CA (in winter)
Posts: 2,420
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02-03-2015, 12:24 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FL
Posts: 11,403
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Wow is that DMV office off base.
40 footer does not require a special license. Over forty requires a class B NON-Commercial. Do a search on this forum and you should find about 100 pages on the issue. Now get into the technique of measuring a Class A MH. Sheesh. Can't get anyone to agree on that one.
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Certified Senior Electronic Technician, Telecommunications Engineer, Telecommunications repair Service Center Owner, Original owner HR 2008
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02-03-2015, 12:55 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Pacific Northwest or SoCal
Posts: 3,035
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Doggy Daddy has the correct info. Unfortunately the OP talked to the CHP, not DMV.
Fred
__________________
Fred and Bonnie
2005 Dolphin LX 6375
Abby, Ruffles & Scarlett, "The Cats"
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02-03-2015, 01:11 PM
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#5
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Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 33
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I went to DMV website license class requirements.
Basic class C, you may drive.
A 2 axle vehicle with a GVWR or 26000 lbs or less.
A 3 axle vehicle weighing 6000 lbs. gross or less.
A motorized scooter.
Any housecar 40' or less.
Do you interpet the "ANY" part of any house car to trump the weight ratings above?
__________________
Andy & Jaye
2000 Monaco Windsor 38
"The Great Green Whale"
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02-03-2015, 01:27 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FL
Posts: 11,403
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Quote:
Originally Posted by YC1
Wow is that DMV office off base.
40 footer does not require a special license. Over forty requires a class B NON-Commercial. Do a search on this forum and you should find about 100 pages on the issue. Now get into the technique of measuring a Class A MH. Sheesh. Can't get anyone to agree on that one.
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Meant to say Chp office. Someone didn't interpret the question properly possibly.
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Certified Senior Electronic Technician, Telecommunications Engineer, Telecommunications repair Service Center Owner, Original owner HR 2008
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02-03-2015, 02:56 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,433
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AF4J
I went to DMV website license class requirements.
Basic class C, you may drive.
A 2 axle vehicle with a GVWR or 26000 lbs or less.
A 3 axle vehicle weighing 6000 lbs. gross or less.
A motorized scooter.
Any housecar 40' or less.
Do you interpet the "ANY" part of any house car to trump the weight ratings above?
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Yes. A 'housecar' is the term for motor home in CA DMV regulations. 40 feet and under, class C is OK. Over 40, and you need a noncommercial class B or better. As someone said, lots of posts on this topic.
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02-03-2015, 03:40 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 310
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And how many CA owners have them?
__________________
"Living Our Dreams and ❤️ The Ride!" Kay & Richard, Austin TX
2019 LTV Unity FX 25'
2014 Honda CR-V EX-L FWD
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02-03-2015, 03:53 PM
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#9
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Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 33
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Thanks all,
I come to the conclusion 2 different CHP don't know squat.
40' or less, class C license regardless of weight but must not tow more than 10K and not exceed 65' over all length.
40 - 45 ft Class B non commercial.
__________________
Andy & Jaye
2000 Monaco Windsor 38
"The Great Green Whale"
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02-03-2015, 04:05 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner Retired Fire Service RVer's
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Northern California
Posts: 394
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My Motorhome (California defines as a House car) is listed as 39' 6" and my GVWR is 29,500#, this kept me in the class C drivers license requirement. I held a commercial class B for 30 years. Gave it up when I retired. I don't want to go through those hoops again.
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Jeff/Diane, Retired Fire Capt. I.Y.A.O.Y.A.S.
2004 Winnebago Journey 39K on a Workhorse chassis w/ ISC 330, Allison 3000 2013 Honda Fit with Roadmaster Baseplate, BrakeMaster and All Terrain Falcon Tow Bar.
GS#819681685 FMCA#F437136 SKP#112720
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02-03-2015, 04:13 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 310
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Found this link for drivers license requirements by state. RV Driver's License Requirements
__________________
"Living Our Dreams and ❤️ The Ride!" Kay & Richard, Austin TX
2019 LTV Unity FX 25'
2014 Honda CR-V EX-L FWD
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02-04-2015, 12:04 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: California
Posts: 611
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This was just discussed a few weeks back, wish I could find the thread. You need a Non-Commercial Class B for anything over 40'.
__________________
2007 Fleetwood Excursion 40E
2007 Chev Classic CC LB D/A - Toad
2013 Jeep Sahara Unlimited - Backup Toad
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02-04-2015, 10:25 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: On the Road
Posts: 1,223
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I think Cal DMV is preparing for a makeover of the non commercial Class A/B licensing. In my own recent experience there was pretty much mass confusion at whatever level you went to. No one was familiar with the process. In my case the only way they could get a non comm class B through the computer was to add a firefighter endorsement. On the next visit for the drivers test that was deemed unnecessary and it was removed. Now eight weeks later I still didnt't have my hard copy license from DMV. Three phone calls later I was told it hadn't been issued because it had been restricted due to the firefighters endorsement having been added again. I think I got it cleared up and expect the license in a couple of weeks but was told that DMV may be doing away with the Non Commercial status and using a housecar endorsement on a regular Class B. My temp paperwork did in fact say Class B, but had a sticker stating ok to drive Up to 45 ft house car. You are taking the same written tests but the PDI and air brake portions are modified or eliminated. There is also an indication that the physical exam statement for self check is being replaced by the madatory Dr sign off. So those of you who are beginning the process, expect confusion and delay.
__________________
Dan & Arlene
2005 Monaco Dynasty Diamond IV
Chasing the good weather
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02-04-2015, 05:19 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Half-timer from Murrieta, Ca.
Posts: 447
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Short version is that we were seriously considering a 40' tag axle DP recently. In talking to many, many owners of big DP's, only 1 was licensed. I was far more knowledgeable than the DMV person I talked to initially, but that helped us get to a supervisor who found the right page in the book to confirm that I already knew the language was open to interpretation. And my interpretation is real simple. If you are ever in an accident and you don't have the license you should have, you are at fault. Did I mention that neither of the salesman that took us on test drives had the license?
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