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Old 02-03-2015, 11:44 AM   #1
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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.
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Old 02-03-2015, 12:17 PM   #2
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Class C is up to 44 foot. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/de..._htm/lic_chart

RV's 45 foot and longer require a non-commercial Class B is required. Noncommercial Class B (45' housecar) Requirements
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Old 02-03-2015, 12:24 PM   #3
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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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Old 02-03-2015, 12:55 PM   #4
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Doggy Daddy has the correct info. Unfortunately the OP talked to the CHP, not DMV.


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Old 02-03-2015, 01:11 PM   #5
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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?
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Old 02-03-2015, 01:27 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by YC1 View Post
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.

Meant to say Chp office. Someone didn't interpret the question properly possibly.
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Old 02-03-2015, 02:56 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by AF4J View Post
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?
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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Old 02-03-2015, 03:40 PM   #8
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And how many CA owners have them?
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Old 02-03-2015, 03:53 PM   #9
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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.
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Old 02-03-2015, 04:05 PM   #10
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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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Old 02-03-2015, 04:13 PM   #11
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Found this link for drivers license requirements by state. RV Driver's License Requirements
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Old 02-04-2015, 12:04 AM   #12
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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'.
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Old 02-04-2015, 10:25 AM   #13
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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.
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Old 02-04-2015, 05:19 PM   #14
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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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