Community Forums

falconman · 10-23-2014, 01:12 PM

Please post again after the testing as I am in the beginning stages of the process. So far I have found nothing in writing about the requirement to have another licensed driver with you. The only thing the application said was to bring the housecar with you. I would find it ridiculous that the examiner wouldn't be licensed for the class of license he/she would be testing for. Calif seems very mixed up in their non commercial licensing requirements. Air brake test for a Non commercial Class A but none required for a Non Commercial Class B. Yet you need an A license to tow a TT over 10K even if you TV doesn't have air brakes, but you only need a B rating for a 40 ft plus MH with air brakes. There is no special license required for a housecar 40ft and under even though it has the same GVWR of the longer units.

SteveLevin · 10-23-2014, 03:43 PM

The reason that DMV requires someone that is legally licensed to operate the motorhome is broadly a matter of policy -- to discourage you from driving the coach without the proper license to bring it to the test, and then away again if you don't pass the exam.

They do the same thing with cars. Show up for your driving test without a legal driver and they won't administer the test -- at least, they aren't supposed to do it. Now, in some cases, if you actually *did* get dropped off while someone went off shopping with friends, they will bend the rules a bit (the particular above scenario happened 30 years ago when my friend went to get his license -- his parents left he and I and a car at DMV to wait while they went shopping. I suppose we looked honest. Shows what they know

)

Steve

falconman · 10-23-2014, 04:25 PM

Yea, I get the reasoning but when do they inform you of that requirement as a condition of testing? I'm looking at the class B application and it says nothing. Nothing on their website either. If that's their policy maybe they should share it with the rest of us. I'm curious to see how the original OP did and if a licensed driver went along for the test.

wil01 · 10-23-2014, 04:50 PM

You had better not try to apply logic to any DMV in any state. Logic isn't something they use. They often don't use the same material they give you in your driver's license guide.

I had a tester in the SC DMV tell me that they never looked at that book.

Just believe what people tell you who have gone through the misery!

Good Luck!
Wil

UsualSuspect · 10-23-2014, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falconman

Yea, I get the reasoning but when do they inform you of that requirement as a condition of testing? I'm looking at the class B application and it says nothing. Nothing on their website either. If that's their policy maybe they should share it with the rest of us. I'm curious to see how the original OP did and if a licensed driver went along for the test.

The OP does not have a license, just a Permit. In California if you are driving with a permit, you must have someone licensed with you for the class of vehicle you are driving. If you show up driving, no one else in the rig with you, your are driving a vehicle you are not licensed to drive. DMV wants to make sure you legally arrived, and are able to legally depart if you do not pass. DMV does not require that person to be in the vehicle when you test, they would rather you not ride along. The DMV Examiner cannot perform an examination unless they are qualified to, and they must have the class of license they are testing for, or a higher class. If you look at the DMV site, not every office can test for Class B or Class A, Commercial or Non-Commercial, not every Office has an Examiner that holds that class of license or above.

2NewRVers · 10-24-2014, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UsualSuspect

The OP does not have a license, just a Permit. In California if you are driving with a permit, you must have someone licensed with you for the class of vehicle you are driving. If you show up driving, no one else in the rig with you, your are driving a vehicle you are not licensed to drive. DMV wants to make sure you legally arrived, and are able to legally depart if you do not pass. DMV does not require that person to be in the vehicle when you test, they would rather you not ride along. The DMV Examiner cannot perform an examination unless they are qualified to, and they must have the class of license they are testing for, or a higher class. If you look at the DMV site, not every office can test for Class B or Class A, Commercial or Non-Commercial, not every Office has an Examiner that holds that class of license or above.

Good morning everybody . So I passed the class B non commercial testing yesterday. Just like UsualSuspect said the person who drove with me did not go on the testing . It was over an hour long, 20 plus minutes of safety checking( blinkers, brake lights, head lights, flashers, horn, air brake testing, engine oil and coolant levels) skills testing. Then went for a 30 plus minute drive through town and 5 minute on the freeway. If your low on engine oil or coolant they won't let you go on with the test and if you can't refill them on the spot you will have to reschedule. If anybody has any questions you can post them here or pm me and I would be happy to answer them. Have a great weekend everybody .

deandec · 10-24-2014, 09:40 AM

In the non-commercial Class B road test, was there some form of backing and/or parking test?

falconman · 10-24-2014, 09:46 AM

Thanks for posting back and congratulations! DMV is amazing, oil and coolant check? Interesting, although it's a good idea, that they had you do an air brake test since it specifically states in their handbook is isn't required for a Class B. So in this case did they ask you again about having a driver with you when you arrived?

Duoglide1 · 10-24-2014, 10:18 AM

Congratulations!

2005 Country Coach Inspire, C9 CAT

2NewRVers · 10-24-2014, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deandec

In the non-commercial Class B road test, was there some form of backing and/or parking test?

Good morning, on the non commercial class B road test and skills test there where MAJOR backing up and parking tasks to perform! WOW glad I passed and really glad it's over.

2NewRVers · 10-24-2014, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falconman

Thanks for posting back and congratulations! DMV is amazing, oil and coolant check? Interesting, although it's a good idea, that they had you do an air brake test since it specifically states in their handbook is isn't required for a Class B. So in this case did they ask you again about having a driver with you when you arrived?

Thanks falconman . They not only ask if the person you brought is licensed in the class of license or better than you are trying to get, they need to see it to verify it. I brought someone who has a class A license. The guy I brought spent 31/2 -4 hours out of his day to help me and wanted nothing in return as he said he is retired. I paid him $140.00 and he kept trying to give it back, I was driving he was my passenger if he wanted a ride home he had to accept the money. I just met the guy the week prior. The guy and myself have the same last name. This guy was so cool and just a nice human being , it was a great day yesterday.

2NewRVers · 10-24-2014, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duoglide1

Congratulations!

2005 Country Coach Inspire, C9 CAT

Thanks Duoglide! Have a Blessed Day, I know my wife and I are going too.

Thirstybear · 11-07-2014, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montblanc

Does the class B non-commercial license in Califonia require an annual physical exam to keep current?

I recently took my Commercial Class B written tests in San Jose, CA and yes the state requires everyone to get a bi-annual medical (which is now documented in a national registry) for commercial A & B licenses. Furthermore, Kalifornia requires you to retake all of your current DMV driving classifications (motorcycle, class C, etc), in addition to all of your written tests for your commercial endorsements.

This state also requires a 10 year driving history check, a TSA background check, a thumb print, vision test, have a fresh picture taken and provide positive verification of both your age and SSN. After you provide all of this information and pass your written tests, you are issued a commercial driving permit, that entitles you only drive while accompanied by a licensed commercial driver.

The important point to remember is that if you are involved in an accident while driving without a commercial driver with you, most likely your insurance carrier will not pay for any damages you sustain to your coach.

srx-6 · 11-07-2014, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thirstybear

I recently took my Commercial Class B written tests in San Jose, CA and yes the state requires everyone to get a bi-annual medical (which is now documented in a national registry) for commercial A & B licenses. Furthermore, Kalifornia requires you to retake all of your current DMV driving classifications (motorcycle, class C, etc), in addition to all of your written tests for your commercial endorsements.

This state also requires a 10 year driving history check, a TSA background check, a thumb print, vision test, have a fresh picture taken and provide positive verification of both your age and SSN. After you provide all of this information and pass your written tests, you are issued a commercial driving permit, that entitles you only drive while accompanied by a licensed commercial driver.

The important point to remember is that if you are involved in an accident while driving without a commercial driver with you, most likely your insurance carrier will not pay for any damages you sustain to your coach.

Just curious, why did you get the commercial class B, are you planning on go to work driving a commercial vehicle.