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I did a quick search and found nothing regarding this topic. If it's already been posted,
sorry.

For you guys that have tandem axle trailers, travel trailers etc this may be of interest to you.
http://www.chron.com/sports/article/Law ... 115851.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bottom line is: if your trailer has a GVWR of over 4,500# you got to get it inspected before you can get
your tags. Seems the state wants their $. Just a heads up in case your tags are due this year.

My 5th wheel is 11,500 empty. I have never had it inspected. Is this a new law? Do regular inspection stations inspect trailers? What are they inspecting?

It will be similar to the "One Sticker" program for cars/trucks.
Get it inspected within 90 days of registration due date. DMV
will issue the license plate sticker after receiving a passing
inspection report from the inspection station. No inspection =
no plate sticker.
They will be inspecting all clearance lights, brake/turn signals/
plate light and light systems, required reflector stickers, electric
brakes etc.
Serious enforcement begins in 2016 as the Jan. & Feb tags become due.


Edit: I found out about this over lunch today. I had never heard of trailer
inspections. Did a quick inet search, and sure enough..... there's a law.
Why am I not surprised?

Are <4500 lb stickers exempted?

carlson1 wrote:My 5th wheel is 11,500 empty. I have never had it inspected. Is this a new law? Do regular inspection stations inspect trailers? What are they inspecting?

The "quick sticker" around my area does. It's not a new law, but basically registration now checks to see if you've got valid inspection and if not, they won't issue registration. I don't think they actually provide a sticker, but will give you a receipt and create an electronic record that will allow registration renewal.


The mean-time is driving me nuts with DPS. I need to take a Class-A driving test, which means I bring a truck and trailer. The trailer is new. DPS wants to see an inspection sticker on the trailer. I remind them that TX doesn't have stickers anymore. They ask me for an inspection receipt. I provide valid trailer registration (which doesn't happen without inspection). Not good enough - they want a record that it was inspected...

Do you need a Class A to pull a 5th wheel?

carlson1 wrote:Do you need a Class A to pull a 5th wheel?

NO.

cb1000rider wrote:Are <4500 lb stickers exempted?

carlson1 wrote:My 5th wheel is 11,500 empty. I have never had it inspected. Is this a new law? Do regular inspection stations inspect trailers? What are they inspecting?

The "quick sticker" around my area does. It's not a new law, but basically registration now checks to see if you've got valid inspection and if not, they won't issue registration. I don't think they actually provide a sticker, but will give you a receipt and create an electronic record that will allow registration renewal.


The mean-time is driving me nuts with DPS. I need to take a Class-A driving test, which means I bring a truck and trailer. The trailer is new. DPS wants to see an inspection sticker on the trailer. I remind them that TX doesn't have stickers anymore. They ask me for an inspection receipt. I provide valid trailer registration (which doesn't happen without inspection). Not good enough - they want a record that it was inspected...

My trailer has a sticker on the plate. That is the "sticker" they will give upon passing inspection and
getting the registration paid etc.
If you have a new trailer I'd ask the place you bought it to issue the inspection report (if they can).

OldCurlyWolf wrote:NO.

No offense, but the correct answer is "sometimes". If the combined gross weight (not actual weight) of the 5th wheel and truck exceed 26,000 lbs and the 5th wheel is at least 10k lbs of that, then yes... For instance, a 2015 3500 Dodge dual-wheel, has a gross weight of like 17.5k. So if you tow anything with a weight of over 10k lbs you need a license.

Reference: https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLic ... lasses.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Will you get a ticket? Likely no.. I find that about 1 in 10 DPS employees can actually parse their own rules (I've been given 3 different written tests) and it's unlikely that being pulled over that a LEO knows the law well enough and is willing to eyeball-weight your rig. The only time it becomes an issue is if you're in an accident.. If in an accident, you've got a lot of liability if you didn't have the right license.

the towing vehicle doesn't matter unless it is over 32001 pounds or the towed portion is over 10500 then you must have a class A license, anything less than its dependant on the towing vehicle as long as the towing vehicle is less than 32000 lbs then no. A class B license is for a vehicle that is over 32000 lbs with a towing capacity of less than 10500 pounds and ypi have to have endorsements for anything else, people, chemicals, explosives, wives....so on and so forth

JP171 wrote:the towing vehicle doesn't matter unless it is over 32001 pounds or the towed portion is over 10500 then you must have a class A license, anything less than its dependant on the towing vehicle as long as the towing vehicle is less than 32000 lbs then no. A class B license is for a vehicle that is over 32000 lbs with a towing capacity of less than 10500 pounds and ypi have to have endorsements for anything else, people, chemicals, explosives, wives....so on and so forth

That's not quite how I read it, but I don't have a truck that weighs over 32k lbs, so that part may be right, I just don't know.. The weight line that I've read is 26k, not 32k. Focusing on the rest:
If the towed portion actually weighs over 10,500 then it comes down to the gross weight (GVWR) of the truck and trailer. Note, this is rated weight, not actual weight.
So if what you're towing is over 10.5k AND the combined gross weight of the truck and trailer (rated, not actual) is over 26k, then you need the class-A.

Basically if you're running a 3/4 ton truck (or larger) and a 5th wheel over about 35 feet, you should probably take a look at it. I'm getting it for liability reasons, not because I think I'll be stopped and issued a citation for weight.

Again, reference the DPS link above. That's the best place to read the details.

carlson1 wrote:Do you need a Class A to pull a 5th wheel?

I believe that you need more than a Class C drivers license to pull your 5th wheel because of it's weight. I think that the lower limit for that is 10K pounds.

Be very careful. It is my understanding that the Class A and Class B non-CDL tests are actually the CDL tests in disguise. That means that you have to do a pre-trip check following a very specific list and pass a written test which has CDL questions on it. I don't know about the one for 5th wheels but you have so simulate backing a motor home into a loading dock to pass the Class B test for those.

I'm fortunate. Our motor home is below the 26,001 pound limit so I can drive it with a Class C license.

http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/ ... eues=22156

http://dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/dlClasses.htm

There is a correct way to test for non-CDL class-A. They are a very small portion of the commercial section, but shouldn't be all of the commercial handbook. The written test is only "chapter 14" of the CDL handbook, which is pretty easy to walk through. If you want test questions, PM me. You need to review the chapter or you likely won't pass.. Er, I mean, I wouldn't pass.

When I went in to take the written test, they made me take 3 different written tests. Each time I asked for escalation, but DPS is pretty confused about it. Again, I've now got someone to contact that will straighten them out.
The written test (Chapter 14) is just commercial rules. It's mostly non-applicable to RV stuff, but that's what's required to issue the Class-A "Learners Permit".

The driving test that you sit for you apply via a CDL-2 (https://www.dps.texas.gov/internetforms ... =CDL-2.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) form. I'd print it prior to going in. It indicates that you only need to pass "Commercial Rules" (at the bottom).

I'm working on scheduling the driving portion now, but same deal - what you get tested on varies between locations. Apparently there are good locations in DFW where they're familiar and Marble Falls near Austin is familiar. However, Marble Falls doesn't answer the phone and won't schedule a test, so you'll waste some time there. The driving test should be pretty basic and only include backing up. I've heard that in some instances they ask you to parallel park your rig, but that's pretty unusual.

cb1000rider wrote:There is a correct way to test for non-CDL class-A. They are a very small portion of the commercial section, but shouldn't be all of the commercial handbook. The written test is only "chapter 14" of the CDL handbook, which is pretty easy to walk through. If you want test questions, PM me. You need to review the chapter or you likely won't pass.. Er, I mean, I wouldn't pass.

When I went in to take the written test, they made me take 3 different written tests. Each time I asked for escalation, but DPS is pretty confused about it. Again, I've now got someone to contact that will straighten them out.
The written test (Chapter 14) is just commercial rules. It's mostly non-applicable to RV stuff, but that's what's required to issue the Class-A "Learners Permit".

The driving test that you sit for you apply via a CDL-2 (https://www.dps.texas.gov/internetforms ... =CDL-2.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) form. I'd print it prior to going in. It indicates that you only need to pass "Commercial Rules" (at the bottom).

I'm working on scheduling the driving portion now, but same deal - what you get tested on varies between locations. Apparently there are good locations in DFW where they're familiar and Marble Falls near Austin is familiar. However, Marble Falls doesn't answer the phone and won't schedule a test, so you'll waste some time there. The driving test should be pretty basic and only include backing up. I've heard that in some instances they ask you to parallel park your rig, but that's pretty unusual.

I've known people who had several failures trying to pass the Class B non-CDL for a motor home. What you pointed out about the testing varying by location, both written and driving was part of those experiences. I think the underlying problem is that DPS does not do enough of the non-CDL testing to remember exactly what it is supposed to be. And for the actual driving part, I've never known anyone to flunk it. The road failures were all during the pre-trip check. If you don't pass that, some testers will not do any more.

carlson1 wrote:My 5th wheel is 11,500 empty. I have never had it inspected. Is this a new law? Do regular inspection stations inspect trailers? What are they inspecting?

The law has always been there. When I bought my TT it had an inspection sticker. I tried to get it inspected when it came due and no one could. I was always able to get my registration updated though. Never had a problem

Now, however, they are tied together in the "one sticker" program. The DMV lists inspection stations, and what they can inspect at that station.

Here's more info: http://www.chron.com/sports/article/Law ... 115851.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You can search for inspection stations and what they are qualified for here: http://dps.texas.gov/RSD/VI/VIactiveSta ... fault.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;