RV and trailer law test (noncommercial Class A and B) · California DMV
Driving your RV
Questions and answers
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What are some of the most noticeable differences between driving an RV or trailer and a passenger vehicle?
Restricted vision and added braking time
An RV or trailer handles differently. Restricted vision and added braking time stand out most.
Purpose of this Booklet · Purpose of this Booklet ↗ -
Where can you find the maximum road height for your RV?
The owner’s manual, the RV dealer or the manufacturer
The owner’s manual, dealer and manufacturer are the best sources for the maximum road height.
Driving Your RV Safely · RV Heights ↗ -
Once you know your RV’s maximum road height, what should you do with it?
Post it somewhere on the RV or tow vehicle
Post the height on the RV or tow vehicle so it is always handy.
Driving Your RV Safely · RV Heights ↗ -
Because most RVs are taller than cars, what must you watch for?
Bridges, service station canopies and low tree branches
Learn the height clearance of roads, canopies and bridges, and watch for low-hanging obstacles.
Driving Your RV Safely · RV Heights ↗ -
Above what length is a housecar restricted to specified highways?
Over 40 feet
Housecars over 40 feet may operate only on specified highways and close to them.
Driving Your RV Safely · RV Lengths ↗ -
How far from a specified highway may a housecar over 40 feet travel for services?
Within one mile on either side
Such a housecar may go within one mile on either side of those highways.
Driving Your RV Safely · RV Lengths ↗ -
For which purpose may a housecar over 40 feet leave a specified highway, within one mile?
Access to fuel, food or lodging
The one-mile allowance is for access to fuel, food or lodging.
Driving Your RV Safely · RV Lengths ↗ -
Which highways are among those open to housecars over 40 feet?
The Interstate and Defense Highways and all state routes
They include, but are not always limited to, the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and all state routes.
Driving Your RV Safely · RV Lengths ↗ -
What does defensive driving in an RV require?
Making changes slowly, braking gradually and knowing how it handles
An RV is less maneuverable, so make changes slowly, brake gradually and know its handling.
Driving Your RV Safely · Maneuvering the RV ↗ -
Why does an RV need more following distance than a car?
It is heavier and may not stop as quickly
Since an RV is heavier, it may not stop as quickly.
Driving Your RV Safely · Maneuvering the RV ↗ -
What can cause brake fade?
Brakes overheated from prolonged use, or out of alignment
Brake fade can happen when brakes overheat from prolonged use or are out of alignment.
Driving Your RV Safely · Braking ↗ -
How do you help avoid brake fade on a downgrade?
Use the lower gears so the engine helps slow the vehicle
On downgrades, use the lower gears to let the engine help slow the vehicle.
Driving Your RV Safely · Braking ↗ -
When does the law require you to use turnouts?
When five or more vehicles behind you wish to pass
Use turnouts when there are five or more vehicles behind you that wish to pass.
Driving Your RV Safely · Speed ↗ -
You travel in a caravan with other RVs. What must you leave?
Enough space ahead of your RV for other drivers to enter when passing
Leave enough space between your RV and the one in front for passing drivers to enter.
Driving Your RV Safely · Speed ↗ -
A passenger sits at the dining table, which has a safety belt. What should the passenger do?
Wear the belt
Even where federal law does not require a belt, wear it if the area has one.
Driving Your RV Safely · Safety Belts ↗ -
What is the effect of riding in a place with no safety belt?
A greater danger of injury in a collision
Riding where there is no safety belt increases the danger of injury in a collision.
Driving Your RV Safely · Safety Belts ↗ -
What advantage does an RV have over other passenger vehicles in bad weather?
Added weight over the drive wheels gives better traction
The added weight over the drive wheels gives the RV better traction.
Driving Your RV Safely · Weather Conditions ↗ -
What is the drawback of an RV’s added weight in bad weather?
It is harder to move if it gets stuck
The added weight can make the RV more difficult to move if it gets stuck.
Driving Your RV Safely · Weather Conditions ↗ -
How much hitch weight is involved when a car is towed on all four wheels?
Very little
Very little hitch weight is involved with four wheels down, and only minimal weight with a dolly.
Driving Your RV Safely · RVs Towing Cars or Other Vehicles ↗ -
Before towing a car behind your motor home, what must the motor home’s braking power be able to do?
Stop the combined weight of the RV plus the car and any tow dolly
Braking power must be enough to stop the combined weight effectively.
Driving Your RV Safely · RVs Towing Cars or Other Vehicles ↗ -
How much power must your vehicle have when it tows a car?
Enough to climb grades without holding up traffic
The vehicle must have sufficient power to climb grades without holding up traffic.
Driving Your RV Safely · RVs Towing Cars or Other Vehicles ↗ -
Who provides limits on the gross combined weight of an RV plus a towed car?
RV chassis manufacturers
RV chassis manufacturers set limits on the gross combined weight of the RV plus car.
Driving Your RV Safely · RVs Towing Cars or Other Vehicles ↗ -
Where are hitch weight ratings usually found?
Stamped on the hitch assemblies
Hitch weight ratings are usually stamped on the hitch assemblies.
Driving Your RV Safely · RVs Towing Cars or Other Vehicles ↗ -
You tow a car with a tow bar. Which of these is required?
Safety chains, but not a breakaway switch
With a tow bar, safety chains are required but a breakaway switch is not.
Driving Your RV Safely · RVs Towing Cars or Other Vehicles ↗ -
Which lights must be fully working on a car towed behind an RV?
Tail, brake and turn signal lights
Fully operational tail, brake and turn signal lights are required on the towed car.
Driving Your RV Safely · RVs Towing Cars or Other Vehicles ↗ -
Why allow extra space when entering a freeway or passing while towing a car behind a large RV?
You cannot see the car and could cut off another driver
It is easy to forget a car you cannot see, so leave extra space so you do not cut off the other driver.
Driving Your RV Safely · RVs Towing Cars or Other Vehicles ↗ -
What is the maximum length of your vehicle combination?
65 feet
Your vehicle combination cannot exceed 65 feet.
Driving Your RV Safely · RVs Towing Cars or Other Vehicles ↗ -
Above what combination length may cities and counties prohibit your vehicles, when posted?
Over 60 feet
Cities and counties may prohibit combination lengths over 60 feet when posted.
Driving Your RV Safely · RVs Towing Cars or Other Vehicles ↗ -
Your motor home and towed car measure 63 feet together. Where might you be prohibited?
In a city or county that has posted a 60-foot limit
The state limit is 65 feet, but cities and counties may post a prohibition on combinations over 60 feet.
Driving Your RV Safely · RVs Towing Cars or Other Vehicles ↗ -
How many vehicles may you tow with a noncommercial Class A, B or C license?
One
You may tow only one vehicle with a noncommercial Class A, B or C license.
Driving Your RV Safely · RVs Towing Cars or Other Vehicles ↗ -
With a noncommercial Class B license, may you tow a boat trailer and a car behind your housecar at the same time?
No, only one vehicle may be towed
You cannot tow a boat trailer and a car together with a noncommercial Class A, B or C license.
Driving Your RV Safely · RVs Towing Cars or Other Vehicles ↗