I have to take my class A non-commercial driving test soon. I'm suppost to roll up with the rig I want to tow with.

I want to double pull my 5`vr and 12 ft atv trailer.

How difficult is the Driving test?

Do they make you back up with 2 trailers?

PS I have my non-commercial class A learners permit right now and have pulled the combination trailers with ease.

 

It must be different from state to state, never heard of class a for rv and another trailer?? I do not think you have to have a class a for that?? I might be wrong,but I will check here in Oklahoma. This is a new one on me.. I would call and check about what you need to drive,as I just helped train two guys for thier class a's and we had to have a tractor trailer combo that was registerd for over 26.001 lbs. Goodluck,,, Rick

 

Ya, in Calif. you have to in order to do combination trailers and trailers over the weight of 15001 lbs.

 

When I took my test for Commercial Class A Doubles, the main focus was on hooking up properly, and checking for proper brake action on the very rear trailer (air brakes). The only backing up involved getting trailer #1 over to hook up to trailer #2. FWIW

 

The most interesting thing about these tests, at least from my experience, is the state officials testing you are usually desk people who have little to no practicle experience behind the wheel of a large/commercial vehicle.

 

Like you, Carnage, I'm in California and thought about getting the Class A to pull a utility or two bike trailer for the dirt bikes behind the fifth-wheel. When we traded in the pull trailer for the fifth-wheel we lost our ability to easily take the dirt bikes. My brother is a retired CHP that used to work the commerical division. His biggest advise was to watch lane choice where it's not clearly marked and turns. Another thing is overall length, make sure you don't exceed the limit. And don't think these guys that do the commercial road tests are desk jockeys, they've been in the field a long time. Instead of the Class A, I've decided to build a removable rack on the back of the fifth-wheel to carry the two bikes.

 

whut the heck is a class A non commercial ?

 

The written part of the test is usually given by a desk clerk, but the driving/skills test is by someone with more safety/skills and experence. Make sure you know and explain how to give the unit (Tow Vehicle and trailers) a complete safety inspection or you will be failed before you get a chance to take the actual driving test. You will not be required to back with two trailers. Read the manual you got and use a little commen sense and you most likely will be OK.

 

That was pretty much how my case went, the written was given by a group in an administrative setting and the hands on at the state garage area. The tester in my case was a very well informed State Trooper that seemed well versed in his duties.
I would imagine most people would be shocked to find out just what requires a CDL. The rules are similar but do vary state to state. I live in KY with close boarders to OH and IN, as an example in KY the max length for a Straight truck is 45'. But in OH it is 40', and in IN it's 36', so you see how things are not very uniform. Also here you would need a CDL if your total truck/trailer weighed over 26,000lbs, or if your trailer weighed over 10,000lbs, shocked? Also if you haul more then 100 gallons of fuel, you would need a CDL with a Hazardous materials endorsement. That means with the Dodge's 38 gal factory tank, you can haul up to 62 gallons in an aux tank. Ever wonder why the 3500 DRW trucks come with Clearance/marker lights? Because they look good. Not, it's because the DRW is wider then 80 inches and federal regs require them. Best Bet is to make a trip to your states DOT office and find out for yourself what is and is not required.

 

Up here in Michigan they call it a recreational doubles endorsement. I pull a 29' 5er and a 18' runabout i/o behind it. All you have to do here is take a written test to get the added endorsement, oh and 11 more bucks.

 

Wished I lived in Michigan!

Sounds like I'll do OK. I'll go over the pre-flight part of the manual one more time and check what my max length is in Calif. My rig is about 48 ft with both trailers and truck!

 

Ya what he said, only in CA, what a screwed up state

In the nomral mans world a Class A is for anything over 26,000 GCVW with a trailer. Class B is over 26,000 and no trailer.

I got a class A so I can pull my 24,000# gooseneck, didn't get a doubles though.

 

Here in Idaho, a simple class D will work. With a max of 75'

That sucks to have to take a seperate test for a added small trailer for atv's.

The states found one more way to line their pockets

 

I have to disagree with you guys, I don't think it's just red tape to get more money. I think anyone towing big loads ought to have the proper training, Insurance, and health to do it right. Sorry if it cost you and I extra money, but you have the option to not re-new. And you are wrong, any trailer over 10,000lbs most be pulled by someone who has a CDL in their possession. To me it only makes sense, and you do need extra training to pull safely. The 26000lbs you refer to is for trucks, any truck over 26,000lbs, or any truck with air brakes needs a CDL. Also if you only have a i/2 ton pickup but haul over 100Gallons of fuel, you would need a CDL w/hazardous material endorsement.
They are very active at enforcing these regulation here where I live. There is a weigh station a few miles down the road, and everyday they have someone with a big travel trailer, fiver or goose neck stopped with there truck/trailer locked up in the impound lot. You have to get someone with a CDL to get your truck out, plus the fines are around $3,500.00 and up.

 

Here in Minnesota a driver does not need anything special to pull two trailers. I went right to the local State Patrol station and asked a bunch of questions. They gave me all the info that I needed. Here the first trailer cannot be longer that 28' and it MUST be a "semi" type (fifth wheel) trailer. The second trailer must be a "legal" (lights, tires, fenders, etc) and the overall length is 60'. I pull two trailers a lot in the summer and have never had any problems with any law enforcement officials. I also carry a copy of the laws that pertain to my situation in case I get stopped.
Tom