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California Driver License Classes Valid as of January 1, 2006


You May Drive… And You May Tow… Examples…

With a Commercial Class A License:

Any legal combination of vehicles, including vehicles under Class B and Class C.

  • any single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than 10,000 lbs.
  • any trailer bus, with endorsement OR more than one vehicle, with endorsement
  • any vehicles under Class B and C




With a Restricted Class A Fire Fighter License:

Only Class A and Class B defined combination fire fighting vehicles and all vehicles listed under Class C.

  • a single fire fighting vehicle with a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs.
  • any fire fighting vehicle under Class B or any vehicle under Class C
  • more than one fire fighting vehicle, with endorsement




With a Noncommercial Class A License:

Any vehicles under Class C.

  • 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.

With a vehicle weighing 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.





With a Commercial Class B License:
  • a single vehicle with a GVWR of more than 26,000 lbs.
  • a 3-axle vehicle weighing over 6,000 lbs.
  • a bus (except a trailer bus), with endorsement
  • any farm labor vehicle, with endorsement
  • all vehicles under Class C
  • a single vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less
  • any vehicle under Class C












small trailer

With a Restricted Class B Fire Fighter License:

Only a Class B defined single fire fighting vehicle and all the vehicles listed under Class C.

With a Noncommercial Class B License:
  • any vehicles under Class C
  • any housecar over 40' but not over 45', with endorsement
With a Basic Class C License:
  • a 2-axle vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less
  • a 3-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 lbs. or less gross
  • any housecar of 40' or less

A farmer or employee of a farmer may also drive:

  • any combination of vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,000 lbs. or less if used exclusively in agricultural operations and it is not for hire or compensation.

With a Commercial Class C License:

Any Class C vehicle carrying hazardous materials which requires placards. The hazardous materials (HAZMAT) endorsement must be on the license. Drivers who transport hazardous wastes, as defined by VC §§353 and 15278, are also required to have the HAZMAT endorsement.

  • a single vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less including a tow dolly, if used.

With a vehicle weighing 4,000 lbs. or more unladen, you may tow a:

  • trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 lbs. gross.
  • trailer coach or 5th-wheel travel trailer under 10,000 lbs. GVWR when towing is not for compensation
  • 5th-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 lbs. but not exceeding 15,000 lbs. GVWR, when towing is not for compensation and with endorsement.

NOTE: No passenger vehicle regardless of weight, may tow more than one vehicle. No motor vehicle under 4,000 lbs. unladen may tow any vehicle weighing 6,000 lbs. or more gross. (VC §21715)

car
automobile














With a Class M1 License:

Two-wheel motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized scooter.

NOTES:

  • Class M1 or M2 is added to any other class license after passing law and skill tests.


With a Class M2 License:

Motorized bicycle, moped, or any bicycle with an attached motor, or motorized scooter.

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