Non Commercial Class A CDL

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Grease Monkey

Grease Monkey

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Who has gone thru the procedures to get one?
What was your process?
Did you use a school and if so which one?

Looking to check this box for myself. Currently towing over the limit and if we get into a big Class A, this will be a must for me. Plenty to worry about as it is, don't need that stress of not having the Class A endorsement on top of it.
 
Grease Monkey said:
Who has gone thru the procedures to get one?
What was your process?
Did you use a school and if so which one?

Looking to check this box for myself. Currently towing over the limit and if we get into a big Class A, this will be a must for me. Plenty to worry about as it is, don't need that stress of not having the Class A endorsement on top of it.
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@ElCaminoManT
 
Correct me if I'm wrong...

A large diesel pusher motorhome such as a Newmar, Tiffin, Entegra, or Prevost conversion, Many are 40–45 feet and may require the Non-Commercial Class B license rather than the Non-Commercial Class A.

Non-Commercial Class A = 5th Wheel trailers / Truck

Non-Commercial Class B = Large Class A Motorhomes
 
Crusty said:
Correct me if I'm wrong...

A large diesel pusher motorhome such as a Newmar, Tiffin, Entegra, or Prevost conversion, Many are 40–45 feet and may require the Non-Commercial Class B license rather than the Non-Commercial Class A.

Non-Commercial Class A = 5th Wheel trailers / Truck

Non-Commercial Class B = Large Class A Motorhomes
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Yes and I want the Class A that will cover both. The Class B will not cover the "heavy fifth wheel"
 
It’s easy. Study up on the pre trip stuff. I may be able to find the test that I took years ago and send it to you.

My biggest concern was if I failed for some reason would they not let me drive out of there and make me pay to have my trailer towed home. I asked the instructor about this after I passed and couldn’t really get a straight answer. So I’m guessing it’s about the attitude test and of course if you do something completely retarded they’d probably say something as well.

Find your closest commercial dmv as well. It’s highly unlikely that anyone at the regular dmv will even know what you are talking about.
 
Never did it for off-roading. ~30 years ago work built a 45' featherlight 5th wheel mobile lab and sent me for a month to trucker school to get my commercial class A. Only lasted a couple of years and I didn't maintain it after that. ~7 years ago I went and got my commercial A permit again to co-drive the HS marching band's semi back to Indy for grand nationals... never tested or finalized it.

Interested to know what the pusher requirement is.
 
AlpineFunco said:
It’s easy. Study up on the pre trip stuff. I may be able to find the test that I took years ago and send it to you.

My biggest concern was if I failed for some reason would they not let me drive out of there and make me pay to have my trailer towed home. I asked the instructor about this after I passed and couldn’t really get a straight answer. So I’m guessing it’s about the attitude test and of course if you do something completely retarded they’d probably say something as well.

Find your closest commercial dmv as well. It’s highly unlikely that anyone at the regular dmv will even know what you are talking about.
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This I have heard multiple times now.

I talked to HB truck driving school yesterday. $3000.00 plus 12 days in school, then DMV written and driving test.
 
Grease Monkey said:
This I have heard multiple times now.

I talked to HB truck driving school yesterday. $3000.00 plus 12 days in school, then DMV written and driving test.
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Most of the schools are work release / rehab that's paid for by the gov, schools won't be cheap
 
HozayKwarvo said:
Most of the schools are work release / rehab that's paid for by the gov, schools won't be cheap
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They provide the vehicle for the DMV on highway test for that price as well. They bring the truck and you do the test,
 
HozayKwarvo said:
Most of the schools are work release / rehab that's paid for by the gov, schools won't be cheap
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POTUS Trump is fixing that, he will get VETS funded to replace the gap left by criminals who should have never got their Commercial Licences in the first place.

#MAGA

apnews.com

White House wants veterans to replace immigrant truckers who lost their licenses in crackdown

The Trump administration wants soldiers to consider becoming truck drivers when they leave the military.
apnews.com apnews.com

A new campaign launched Friday will promote programs that let veterans who recently drove large military vehicles skip the required skills test for a commercial driver’s license. Other soldiers can attend a commercial driving school during their last six months of active duty. The GI Bill will also pay for 100% of commercial driver’s license training and for some people even pay a housing allowance while they are in school.

The campaign will be part of a broader interagency effort to help veterans find good civilian jobs that the White House plans to announce on Monday.
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umm, not to get too off-topic :LOL:
 
Crusty said:
POTUS Trump is fixing that, he will get VETS funded to replace the gap left by criminals who should have never got their Commercial Licences in the first place.

#MAGA

apnews.com

White House wants veterans to replace immigrant truckers who lost their licenses in crackdown

The Trump administration wants soldiers to consider becoming truck drivers when they leave the military.
apnews.com apnews.com




umm, not to get too off-topic :LOL:
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I was thinking the same thing for Hozay already. Been reading thru DMV stuff and that was mentioned.
 
I was a school bus driver....

You have to pass the written test in order to get your permit. There is an App that helps you study. I had to take, like, 5 tests (air brakes was one, I don't remember what the others were). I took them all in one day. The bus company had me training for a week (3-4 hours a day) going through a written training program. Once you get your permit, you can start driving.

Realistically, the App is all you need. It trains you and asks you questions. Once you are ready, you get your permit. Your testing has to be signed by a tester. That paperwork goes back to the DMV and they give you a license. I don't see how you could get around a licensed training program.

Call around and see what the dif programs cost.
 
I did this all ass backwards 3-4 years ago with a commercial. I went down took the written test first before signing up with a school, I wanted to drive or tow just about anything. I got doubles/triples endorsement, tank endorsement, air brake, manual transmission. Most of the test is common sense, took all the tests same day and passed them all. The school I used had all the class time and testing was on computer. Did this all within 7-10 days, some real late nights were involved. I did 3 days of driving then went to dmv for the test, I failed first time (rolled through a stop sign at 1/4 mph), I messed up and knew I did as soon as I started to release clutch. Retook test a couple days later and was licensed.

Ok so here is my take it all

Testing is relatively the same for commercial vs non commercial other than restrictions and endorsements.

The non commercial a covers an Rv trailer, a box trailer over 10k lbs is not an Rv trailer. A flatbed or dump trailer over 10k also requires a class a

A b license does not cover any trailer over 10k.

I have used every part of my license except the doubles/triples so far.
 
In Excess said:
I did this all ass backwards 3-4 years ago with a commercial. I went down took the written test first before signing up with a school, I wanted to drive or tow just about anything. I got doubles/triples endorsement, tank endorsement, air brake, manual transmission. Most of the test is common sense, took all the tests same day and passed them all. The school I used had all the class time and testing was on computer. Did this all within 7-10 days, some real late nights were involved. I did 3 days of driving then went to dmv for the test, I failed first time (rolled through a stop sign at 1/4 mph), I messed up and knew I did as soon as I started to release clutch. Retook test a couple days later and was licensed.

Ok so here is my take it all

Testing is relatively the same for commercial vs non commercial other than restrictions and endorsements.

The non commercial a covers an Rv trailer, a box trailer over 10k lbs is not an Rv trailer. A flatbed or dump trailer over 10k also requires a class a

A b license does not cover any trailer over 10k.

I have used every part of my license except the doubles/triples so far.
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Yup. The school I called basically said I'd be trained and ready for the commercial class a. Both need health screening so why not just get the Class A commercial.
 
You don't need to pay a school. Go to You Tube University. Plenty of information online that will teach you everything you need to know to pass the test.
 
A school might be worthwhile if you're going for a commercial with all those endorsements. A couple things to consider though is that with a commercial the acceptable level of alcohol in your system is much lower, possibly zero. And you are not eligible for traffic school. Also, the medical is an actual visit to the Dr. whereas the noncommercial medical is just a form that you fill out, sign, and turn in.

I still think the school would be a complete waste if going for just the non-commercial class A
 
AlpineFunco said:
A school might be worthwhile if you're going for a commercial with all those endorsements. A couple things to consider though is that with a commercial the acceptable level of alcohol in your system is much lower, possibly zero. And you are not eligible for traffic school. Also, the medical is an actual visit to the Dr. whereas the noncommercial medical is just a form that you fill out, sign, and turn in.

I still think the school would be a complete waste if going for just the non-commercial class A
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Agreed on all counts. That hassle you mentioned is why I gave up the commercial A. The school that they sent me to back in the day was about a month long, provided tractors and trailers, hands on with driving practice, split shifting, full inspection of the vehicle, etc. and ended with all possible endorsements besides chauffeur... meanwhile it was all so we could drive a 1-ton dually with a 5th wheel for commercial use :unsure:
 
I've had my Class A CDL since 1995. I have copies of all CA CDL tests with the answers marked if anyone wants them. PM me an email address and I'll send them. The medical exam is a joke. Just renewed mine at a truck stop in Indio in 10 minutes for $100. The 'doctor' showed me how to submit the forms online to CA DMV and they emailed me two days later saying I was renewed.
 
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