California law states
"A driver must have a fifth-wheel recreational trailer endorsement added to his/her Class C driver license to pull a fifth-wheel recreational trailer over 10,000 lbs., but not over 15,000 lbs. GVWR, which is not used for hire. This endorsement is not required if the driver has a Class A or Noncommercial Class A driver license." I believe this endorsement is called a restriction 41. Anyone have this endorsement? Is it required in any other states. My 5th wheel is usually not over 10K unless my wife decides to pack for a month.

 

it shouldnt be what the trailer currently weighs, but what the gvw is. so whether the wife packs for 2 days or a month, they'll go by the gvw sticker.

either way, that law is bloody crazy

 

dodgezilla04 is right, its based on trailer GVWR.

I'm supposed to have one but don't. My Brother is supposed to have his non-commercial Class A but doesn't. In fact I don't know anyone who has either. And the people who do had a heck of a time at the DMV because the people there had no clue what one was or how to go about getting one. The position I have taken is I'm going to continue pulling without one until I'm ticketed and forced to get one. After 2-1/2 yrs pulling my trailer I have yet to be hassled.

 

My GVWR sticker says 10,900 #, the last time I got weighed 5th wheel was 9,400 #. Went to the DMV this morning and only the supervisor had ever issued one of these everyone else looked at me like I was from the dark side of the moon. I took the written class A test and the class C test(my license needed a renewal anyway), passed them both. Now the fun is starting they couldn't get it to go into the computer. I was told to come back tomorrow. They were on the phone to Sacramento for 1 hour while I waited. I will keep everyone informed. MHO is that this law should be changed or DMV should be instructed how to issue this endorsement. How many people are pulling 5th wheels that weigh between 10K-15K and are we all illegal?

 

Only in California! Land of fruits and nuts, I say! LOL Just kidding guys.

 

That 10,000 pound law has been in effect in Saskatchewan since May 2004. up here it goes by the trailer weight and not the GVW of the trailer. Any trailer over 10,000 pounds the driver has to have a special endorsment for heavy trailers. Guess the trailers are just getting to big and the DMV wants more money LOL

 

The problem is, in California you are unable to hold two different licenses ie: A & C. What they call endorsements are actually referrred to in DMV lingo as restrictions. Restriction 41 or 72 should serve your intended purposes.

If you have any further questions, contact me at daweber@menlopark.org

No, I am not employed by the DMV. I just learned this lesson the long hard way.

By the way, anyone who knows they are driving out of class while towing a heavier fifth wheel or a motor coach 40 or more feet long would be wise to get properly certified.

The chances of getting cited for it are slim at best but if you are involved in an accident while out of class, unendorsed or without the proper restriction consider yourself driving without a license. Not only will this not go well in a court of law but your insurance may also not cover your losses and may also result in immediate cancellation.