Community Forums

Hurk · 01-11-2017, 10:42 PM

Looking at purchasing 38' 5th weighing 14,500 lbs. found out you need a special endorsement to pull it. Knowledge test, learners license the road test. What a PITA..... any BCers go through this? Much to it?

dennis45 · 01-11-2017, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hurk

Looking at purchasing 38' 5th weighing 14,500 lbs. found out you need a special endorsement to pull it. Knowledge test, learners license the road test. What a PITA..... any BCers go through this? Much to it?

That's what I like about BC, everyone you talk to in government has their own interpretations of the rules.
I moved from AB with a class 3 licence I've had since I was 16. Class 3 allows you to drive any commercial vehicle up to three axles and air brakes but not a passenger carrying vehicle, that requires a class 1 with annual medical.
So in BC it is the same except, I had to take a medical every year. After two years of asking if their is a better way, one of the ICBC clerks said "if you're not driving commercial vehicles, why don't you let the class 3 go and just get an RV endorsement. That allows you to drive an RV of any size. When I first asked the question, I was told that I had to have a class 3 to drive a vehicle with air brakes. Then this one says no, you can drive any size RV with or without air brakes.
Go figure. Might be worth your while to talk to someone else and ask about an RV endorsement.

AlexinBC · 01-11-2017, 11:24 PM

Unfortunately,it seems like you should get the endorsement if towing over 10,000 lbs. The 07 travel trailer endorsement does not need a medical but does require a written test and then a verbal "pre-trip" summary followed by a road test. It was not very hard but a bit of a nuisance to have to complete. Since I am over 65, there was no cost for the exams and less than $20 to issue an updated licence. If you get the "over 10,000 lb " endorsement for a large cargo trailer etc, it is a different endorsement or class and that one requires a medical and different exam, so the 07 endorsement covers only travel trailers of any size.
The booklet that you get covers the written and pre trip inspection well so you should have no problems jumping through the hoops. Good luck. Alex

jelag · 01-12-2017, 10:27 AM

I personally think this is great... I saw a Alberta CDL license mill, license 3500 Class A CDL drivers that the government finally had to shut down after all the accidents... I wish most of the states in the lower 48 would take up the same rules... and get those drivers off the road that have no ability to tow or drive a 40 DP....

Good basic large vehicle training keeps every one safer

Skip426 · 01-12-2017, 10:41 AM

You don't know the half of it yet .

NOTE: This restriction may have changed , as it's been 7 years since I was looking into taking the test. I couldn't take it with a 9990 GVWR 5er. Had to be 10,000 lbs +.
AND !

For the road test portion , you're not allowed to bring your own truck and trailer down to the road test ( at least you weren't ) ; you have to get someone who is already licensed properly to take your truck and trailer there for you.

Remember ; good old ICBC has all your license and registration info , and there can be issues if you have a claim while driving and not properly licensed.

Motor home air brake endorsement was easier , 18 hrs of class room training and a written test , no road test.