Texans Beware! Class B Drivers License

[B52Guy]

Wow. Good point! Thanks

[lady puffin]

Navychop, where did you take your tests?

[navychop]

Both in Marble Falls

[cb1000rider]

I spent 45 minutes on the phone trying to get a Class-A non-CDL sorted today. I know what I have to do, mainly it was finding an office that could administer the written portion.

There is one location in Austin - 108 Denson Rd, can't schedule online.

They were not very knowledgeable. They insisted that I'd need a CDL at first and were reluctant to consider the recreational vehicle exemption (off the DPS site) - basically indicating that a 5th wheel isn't "driven". Bascially I'm not getting a warm fuzzy.

She told me that I'd be tested on Chapter 6 and Chapter 14 of CDL. I expect Chapter 14, but chapter 6 is airbrakes..

[jrusselltx]

Originally Posted by cb1000rider

I spent 45 minutes on the phone trying to get a Class-A non-CDL sorted today. I know what I have to do, mainly it was finding an office that could administer the written portion.

There is one location in Austin - 108 Denson Rd, can't schedule online.

They were not very knowledgeable. They insisted that I'd need a CDL at first and were reluctant to consider the recreational vehicle exemption (off the DPS site) - basically indicating that a 5th wheel isn't "driven". Bascially I'm not getting a warm fuzzy.

She told me that I'd be tested on Chapter 6 and Chapter 14 of CDL. I expect Chapter 14, but chapter 6 is airbrakes..

Not sure about why other offices can't give the written test. It's all on their computer test machines. Anyway, Georgetown will give you the test. Only Chapter 14. They knew enough to only give the basic CDL test. There is no separate written test for the non-commercial license so they use the basic CDL test. Took the driving test in Marble Falls. Only disadvantage is that you have to show up in person to book a test time and then wait until the afternoon when they give the tests. I obviously drove the RV to the test but they never said a word nor asked how it got there. Civilian employees, not DPS troopers so they don't care about that.

[halftimer]

Originally Posted by Duoglide1

It was at the DPS office in Garland (DFW). I had a radio shack buzzer wired into the wire to the low air light. If you can find an office that doesn't make you do the check they won't notice. Garland was horrible. Glad that is over.


2005 Country Coach Inspire, C9 CAT

garland is headquarters for dips in dfw everything by the book and train there

[Duoglide1]

Garland is the WORST. I ended up after all the hoopla with a commercial class B with a restriction to only haul private property! All I needed was a class B endorsement (along side my M for motorcycle) but they couldn't figure it out. If I was in Austin I'd go to Marble Falls-I've heard good things about that office.


2005 Country Coach Inspire, C9 CAT

[cb1000rider]

Originally Posted by jrusselltx

Not sure about why other offices can't give the written test. It's all on their computer test machines. Anyway, Georgetown will give you the test. Only Chapter 14. They knew enough to only give the basic CDL test. There is no separate written test for the non-commercial license so they use the basic CDL test.

I was told (by Austin) that Georgetown can't give the driving portion. I've been unable to actually contact Georgetown to tell if that's true. The main DPS office in Austin can give it, but I have concerns as the lady I spoke to on the phone didn't have a clue. She told me that if I had a truck, I was commercial. She didn't understand what a 5th wheel was and I basically and to beg her to check with a supervisor...

I'm just going to take the test locally and then probably go out to Marble Falls. I'm class-A, but it's the same problem with a 5th wheel - no one knows what's going on.

[Thunderfoot]

cb1000rider, check your PM box

[spinn]

If you are in the Houston area try the Grant Rd location. They had me do my written test and scheduled my driving test for the next day. Certainly don't know if that is the norm but they were good and quick and knew the process
Steve

[Jimmyb12015]

In Cali I had a simular problem. The 2 DMV's I went to were unfamiliar with the non-commercial class B "HOUSECAR" endorsement. I did the research before I went and brought with me the pages of the descriptions for proof that I might know something they didn't. Class B is also what the Firetruck drivers need. Even the Kaiser Medical Clinic couldn't understand the medical screening requirement and it took awhile to convince them it for NON-COMMERCIAL. They wanted piss test me. Luckily I printed a copy of the DMV form.

[Scottybdivin]

Originally Posted by Jimmyb12015

In Cali I had a simular problem. The 2 DMV's I went to were unfamiliar with the non-commercial class B "HOUSECAR" endorsement. I did the research before I went and brought with me the pages of the descriptions for proof that I might know something they didn't. Class B is also what the Firetruck drivers need. Even the Kaiser Medical Clinic couldn't understand the medical screening requirement and it took awhile to convince them it for NON-COMMERCIAL. They wanted piss test me. Luckily I printed a copy of the DMV form.

No medical exam is required for a Class A or B Operator license. cb1000rider, try Marble Falls for your driving test. Beats the waiting list and driving to North Lamar in Austin. I did mine as a walk-in. Call in advance because they only do them on certain days of the week.

[DegoRed]

I am probably going to go ahead and get my license, have to take my son to DMV anyway to get his permit, figured if I had to sit there doing nothing, might as well do something productive also have to get the Veteran endorsement added as well. Defiantly going to MF.

[Xanso]

Originally Posted by Scottybdivin

No medical exam is required for a Class A or B Operator license. cb1000rider, try Marble Falls for your driving test. Beats the waiting list and driving to North Lamar in Austin. I did mine as a walk-in. Call in advance because they only do them on certain days of the week.

Jimmy was talking about California requirements. CA does require a medical exam every 2 yrs.