RV and trailer law test (noncommercial Class A and B) · California DMV
License classes
Questions and answers
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What are the noncommercial license classes based on?
The size of the vehicle you drive or the weight of the trailer you tow
The class you need depends on how big the vehicle is or how heavy the trailer is.
License Classes and Requirements · Noncommercial License Classes ↗ -
A motorhome owner wants to tow two vehicles at once. Which license does that take?
A commercial Class A license with the proper endorsement
No passenger vehicle, pickup or RV may tow more than one vehicle without a commercial Class A license and the proper endorsement.
License Classes and Requirements · Noncommercial License Classes ↗ -
You want to tow a travel trailer of more than 10,000 lbs. GVWR, not for hire. Which license do you need?
Noncommercial Class A
Travel trailers over 10,000 lbs. GVWR that are not used for hire are towed with a noncommercial Class A license.
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Which trailer is listed under the noncommercial Class A license?
A fifth-wheel travel trailer weighing over 15,000 lbs., not used for hire
Fifth-wheel travel trailers over 15,000 lbs. that are not used for hire are in the Class A row of the chart.
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Under the Class A livestock trailer rule, how much must the towing vehicle weigh?
4,000 lbs. or more unladen
The livestock trailer rule applies when the towing vehicle weighs at least 4,000 lbs. unladen.
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What weight of livestock trailer does the Class A farmer rule cover?
Over 10,000 lbs. but not over 15,000 lbs. GVWR
The rule covers livestock trailers exceeding 10,000 lbs. GVWR but not exceeding 15,000 lbs. GVWR.
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How far from the farm may the livestock trailer be used under the Class A farmer rule?
Within 150 miles of the farm
The livestock trailer must be used within 150 miles of the person’s farm.
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Which use would NOT fit the Class A livestock trailer rule?
Hauling livestock as a contract carrier
The vehicle must be operated by a farmer, carry livestock to or from a farm, and not be used in commerce or contract carrier operations.
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What is the longest housecar you may drive with a basic Class C license?
40 feet
A basic Class C license covers any housecar of 40 feet or less.
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A housecar is 43 feet long. What does the Class B row of the chart require to drive it?
A noncommercial Class B license with the endorsement
A housecar over 40 feet but not over 45 feet needs a noncommercial Class B license with the endorsement.
License Classes and Requirements · Noncommercial License Classes ↗ -
What is the longest housecar covered by the noncommercial Class B license with endorsement?
45 feet
The Class B endorsement covers housecars longer than 40 feet up to 45 feet.
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With a basic Class C license, what is the GVWR limit for a 2-axle vehicle?
26,000 lbs. or less
A Class C license covers a 2-axle vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less.
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With a basic Class C license, what is the weight limit for a 3-axle vehicle?
6,000 lbs. gross or less
A Class C license covers a 3-axle vehicle only if it weighs 6,000 lbs. gross or less.
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A farmer’s employee with a basic Class C license may drive a combination of vehicles up to what GCWR?
26,000 lbs.
A farmer or a farmer’s employee may drive a combination with a GCWR of 26,000 lbs. or less.
License Classes and Requirements · Noncommercial License Classes ↗ -
On what condition may a farmer with a Class C license drive a combination with a GCWR of 26,000 lbs. or less?
It is used only in agricultural operations and is not for hire
The combination must be used exclusively in agricultural operations and must not be for hire.
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With a Class B or Class C license, what is the GVWR limit for the single vehicle you tow?
10,000 lbs. or less, including a tow dolly if used
You may tow a single vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less, and a tow dolly counts toward that.
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The chart lets a Class C driver whose tow vehicle weighs 4,000 lbs. or more unladen tow a trailer coach up to what gross weight?
9,000 lbs. gross
With a tow vehicle of 4,000 lbs. or more unladen, the trailer coach may not exceed 9,000 lbs. gross.
License Classes and Requirements · Noncommercial License Classes ↗ -
A Class C driver may tow a fifth-wheel travel trailer under 10,000 lbs. GVWR with a tow vehicle of 4,000 lbs. or more unladen. What else is required?
The towing is not for compensation
A trailer coach or fifth-wheel travel trailer under 10,000 lbs. GVWR may be towed when the towing is not for compensation.
License Classes and Requirements · Noncommercial License Classes ↗ -
A motor vehicle weighing less than 4,000 lbs. unladen may NOT tow a vehicle of what weight?
6,000 lbs. or more gross
No motor vehicle under 4,000 lbs. unladen may tow a vehicle weighing 6,000 lbs. or more gross.
License Classes and Requirements · Noncommercial License Classes ↗ -
Your pickup weighs 3,800 lbs. unladen. May it tow a trailer weighing 6,500 lbs. gross?
No, the pickup is too light for a trailer of 6,000 lbs. or more
A motor vehicle under 4,000 lbs. unladen may not tow any vehicle weighing 6,000 lbs. or more gross.
License Classes and Requirements · Noncommercial License Classes ↗ -
How many vehicles may a passenger vehicle tow, whatever it weighs?
One
No passenger vehicle, regardless of weight, may tow more than one vehicle.
License Classes and Requirements · Noncommercial License Classes ↗ -
Which vehicle is listed under the Class M1 motorcycle license?
A two-wheel motorcycle
Class M1 covers a two-wheel motorcycle, a motor-driven cycle and a motorized scooter.
License Classes and Requirements · Noncommercial License Classes ↗ -
Which vehicle appears in both the Class M1 and the Class M2 lists?
A motorized scooter
Class M2 covers a motorized bicycle, a moped, a bicycle with an attached motor and a motorized scooter. The scooter is also on the M1 list.
License Classes and Requirements · Noncommercial License Classes ↗ -
How do you find the most weight your motorcycle or scooter can safely tow?
Check the manufacturer’s specifications for it
A motorcycle or scooter may tow a single vehicle, and the manufacturer’s specifications give the maximum weight.
License Classes and Requirements · Noncommercial License Classes ↗ -
What is a housecar?
A motor vehicle designed or permanently altered and equipped for people to live in
A housecar is a motor vehicle built or permanently altered for human habitation, or one with a camper permanently attached.
Glossary · Glossary ↗ -
A camper is permanently attached to a motor vehicle. What is that vehicle called in the glossary?
A housecar
A motor vehicle to which a camper has been permanently attached counts as a housecar.
Glossary · Glossary ↗ -
How long is a camp trailer, by definition?
Under 16 feet
A camp trailer is a vehicle under 16 feet long that can be lived in for camping or recreation.
Glossary · Glossary ↗ -
What is a trailer coach?
A vehicle that is not a motor vehicle, designed to be lived in and drawn by a motor vehicle
A trailer coach is not a motor vehicle. It is designed for habitation or occupancy and is drawn by a motor vehicle.
Glossary · Glossary ↗ -
How much fuel is counted in a vehicle’s unladen weight?
Five gallons
Unladen weight is the vehicle ready for the road with five gallons of fuel, required equipment and permanent attachments.
Glossary · Glossary ↗ -
Which of these is NOT part of a vehicle’s unladen weight?
The load it carries
Unladen weight does not include any load.
Glossary · Glossary ↗ -
By definition, how is a fifth-wheel connected to the motor vehicle that draws it?
By a kingpin connecting device
A fifth-wheel is built to be drawn by a motor vehicle by means of a kingpin connecting device.
Glossary · Glossary ↗ -
What is a camper?
A structure designed to be mounted to a vehicle, with facilities for living or camping
A camper is a structure mounted to a vehicle that provides facilities for habitation or camping.
Glossary · Glossary ↗ -
What does the word endorsement mean in the handbook?
Permission to drive specified vehicles, given to applicants who qualify by examination
An endorsement is permission from the licensing authority to drive specified vehicles, granted after examination.
Glossary · Glossary ↗ -
A vehicle carries people for hire. Above how many persons, including the driver, is it a bus?
More than 15
A bus carries more than 15 persons for hire, or more than 10 persons when run by a non-profit organization. The driver is counted.
Glossary · Glossary ↗ -
What is a dolly?
A mobile platform on casters or wheels, used for moving loads
A dolly is a rolling platform used for moving loads.
Glossary · Glossary ↗