Do I Need A California Noncommercial Class A?

For the most part, getting a driver’s license is pretty straightforward. Sure, it is a hassle. You have to study, practice driving for a while, then hope that the clerk is in a good mood. And for the most part, you can use your plain old Class C license for just about anything that you aren’t driving for commercial purposes. However, in a few states (I believe the number is 17), there is some special licensing requirements for drivers operating or towing large vehicles. 

California is one of these states, and definitely the most prolific (when you make up roughly 11 percent of the population, it happens). 

California requires that you operate with a noncommercial Class A license if you are operating larger vehicles. How large? We’ll get to that in a little bit. But if you live in California and plan on driving a large RV, horse and livestock trailer, or other large vehicle and/or trailer combination, keep reading. 

Understanding the Noncommercial Class A License

I don’t think it is necessary to go over the different types of licenses in California; if you live there, you probably already know the basics. However, there are some serious distinctions you need to know about before you go out and grab that 45-foot fifth wheel, or that major Class A motorhome. 

The California noncommercial Class A license allows drivers to legally operate vehicles that are typically larger or heavier than those covered by a standard Class C license, but not for commercial purposes. It's commonly used by people who drive recreational vehicles (RVs) or tow large trailers for personal use.

Who Needs a Noncommercial Class A License?

Alright, more to the point: who needs a noncommercial Class A license in California? 

Eligibility Criteria

Here are the requirements for Noncommercial Class A licenses in Cali:

Towed Vehicles: The Noncommercial Class A License is required for drivers towing vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) when the combined weight of the towing vehicle and the towed unit is over 26,000 pounds.

Large Trailers and RVs: This includes large travel trailers, fifth wheels, and other substantial loads like horse trailers. Also, there are some Class A motorhomes (the Class A in motorhomes has nothing to do with the license Class A). 

Common Scenarios for Using This License

It’s really tough to estimate how many RVs there are in California, but California leads the nation in annual RV sales and services at over half a billion dollars in 2023. California is the largest market by a pretty wide margin, so if you tow an RV in California, make sure to read this. 

• “Travel trailers weighing over 10,000 lbs. GVWR, not used for hire.

• 5th-wheel travel trailers weighing over 15,000 lbs., not used for hire.

If the towing vehicle weighs 4,000 lbs. or more unladen, you may tow a: Livestock trailer exceeding 10,000 lbs. GVWR but not exceeding 15,000 lbs. GVWR if the vehicle is controlled and operated by a farmer, used to transport livestock to or from a farm, not used in commerce or contract carrier operations, and is used within 150 miles of the person’s farm.”

This is straight out of the California Recreational Vehicles and Trailers Handbook, so this is the gospel truth according to them. 

How to Obtain a Noncommercial Class A License

Alright, so you decide that you are going to drive one of the applicable trailer sizes (10k bumper pull, or 15k fifth wheel). What do you need to do to get one?

Application Process

Here are the required steps per Section 3 of the Noncommercial Class A License Requirements handbook:

• Complete an application for a driver license (DL 44).

• Pay the application fee.

• Submit a Health Questionnaire (DL 546) dated not more than two years prior to the date of your application.

• Pass the basic Class C law test, unless you renewed your Class C license within the past 12 months.

• Pass the Recreational Vehicles and Noncommercial Class A Trailers law test.

• Pass a vision test

• Pass a pre-trip inspection test.

• Pass the skills test.

• Pass a driving test while towing the type of vehicle you wish to be licensed for.

Examinations

Once you have those taken care of, there is a series of examinations that you have to conduct and pass to be issued a Noncommercial Class A. Here they are, straight from the handbook:

• Recreational Vehicles and Noncommercial Class A Trailers law test. You must pass the law test based on the information contained in this booklet. The test may be taken at any DMV field office. You may make an appointment online at www.dmv.ca.gov or by calling DMV at 1-800-777-0133.

• Vehicle Safety Check. Before the pre-trip inspection test, you must demonstrate that the turn signals, brake lights, horn, and emergency flashers are working. This is not part of your pre-trip test. However, if any of these items are not working properly or are missing your driving test will be postponed.

• Pre-trip Inspection Test. The pre-trip inspection test is a knowledge test. You must identify and explain the features and equipment on the vehicle which should be inspected before operating the vehicle. If your vehicle is equipped with air brakes, you must demonstrate and explain how the air brake system works. Inoperable, missing, or unsafe equipment will postpone the driving test.

• Skills Tests. Skills tests are designed to demonstrate your skill in stopping, backing in a straight line, completing a right turn around a cone or marker, and backing into a camping space. These tests are done at low speed and test how well you can maneuver the vehicle.

• Driving Test. The driving test includes entering and exiting a freeway, freeway driving with lane changes, right and left turns into one-way and two-way traffic, railroad crossings, and driving on a grade or steep hill, etc. You may make an appointment by calling 1-800-777-0133. Online appointments are not available for this type of driving test.

• Health Questionnaire. A Health Questionnaire (DL 546) form is required and must be given to DMV for review and approval before your license is issued and then every two years after that. The Health Questionnaire expires two years from your signature date. Failure to maintain a valid Health Questionnaire form with DMV will mean that your license is valid only for Class C and, if endorsed, for Class M1 or M2 vehicles. Health Questionnaire forms are available online at www.dmv.ca.gov.

Training and Preparation Tips

One of the best ways to prepare for a this test besides the academic portion is to get a rig of the size you will be towing and practice with it. See if you have any friends who will take it to an abandoned parking lot (it needs to be pretty big; think empty K-Mart lot).

If you have never driven a trailer this size before, you must practice with one that size! If you don’t you will waste your time and flunk the test, guaranteed. Towing large trailers is not easy and takes some getting used to. 

Make sure to drive the trailer within a few days of your test date, and make sure your friend is okay with you using it for several hours. You need to practice this. 

Does It Matter Where My Trailer is Registered?

Since we are Dirt Legal and our expertise is out-of-state registration, we’re going to end this by talking about out-of-state registration. Look, we get a lot of business from California and we get it. The taxes are high. The rules are strict. If you have taken advantage of our Montana LLC RV registration service, you saved a whole bunch of money on your trailer. 

If your trailer is registered in Montana, but you live in California, what license are you required to keep?

We’re going with the California Noncommercial Class A. This question is not directly answerable, but common sense dictates that you would be best off by having the right license for your home state. 

Is the Noncommercial Class A License Necessary For You?

If you live in California and are towing a 10K+ bumper pull or 15k+ fifth wheel trailer and it is NOT for commercial use, then yes. What’s more is that if you get into a wreck and you don’t have the right license, your insurance might just decide they aren’t going to help you out. Not good. 

Also, it is important to not that the registration on your trailer and the title for your trailer, and the license you carry are completely different issues. We suggest you follow the rules of your domicile state for licensing and insurance. We will help you get your trailer titled and registered in Montana which will save you a stack of cash. For insurance, check out our preferred providers page and find the one that suits your needs the best!