Vehicles: trailers.

Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to require an examination for issuance of a driver's license. The examination is required to be appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the applicant desires a license to drive or tow, in accordance with certain license classifications. A class C driver's license includes the operation of, among other vehicles, a 2-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing either a trailer coach or a 5th-wheel travel trailer not exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation. If the towed 5th-wheel trailer exceeds 10,000 pounds, but is less than 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, and towing is not for compensation, existing law requires the holder of a class C driver's license to also pass a specialized written examination. Existing law authorizes the department to issue a restricted class A driver's license for the operation of a two-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more unladen when towing either a trailer coach exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating or a 5th-wheel travel trailer exceeding 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, when the towing of the trailer is not for compensation. This bill, instead, would permit a class C driver's licenseholder to operate a vehicle when towing a trailer between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, if the towing is not for compensation or commercial purposes, the trailer is used exclusively for recreational purposes and for the transportation of property or human habitation, a specified coupling is used, and the person has passed a specialized written examination. The bill would also include within a class C driver's license the operation of a vehicle when towing a 5th-wheel travel trailer between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight when the towing is not for compensation and the licenseholder passes a specialized written examination. The bill would authorize the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a restricted class A driver's license for a vehicle towing a trailer of a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight exceeding 10,000 pounds, if specified circumstances are met, including that the trailer is used exclusively for recreation and the towing is not for compensation or commercial purposes. The bill would make these provisions operative on January 1, 2027. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 12804.9 of the Vehicle Code proposed by AB 723 to be operative only if this bill and AB 723 are enacted, as specified.