BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                                              THIRD READING



                                                         AB 2018

                                                         Katz (D)

                                                         8/26/93 in Assembly

                                                         21

















                                                      78-0, p. 1859, 5/20/93

SUBJECT:  Driver's licenses:  recreational trailers

SOURCE:   Author
____________________________________________________________________________

DIGEST:  This bill deletes the January 1, 1994 sunset date on 
šprovisions authorizing drivers with special Class C licenses to tow 
šrecreational trailers up to 15,000 pounds gross weight.

Senate Floor Amendments of 8/26/93 delete an obsolete requirement in the 
šVehicle Code.

ANALYSIS:  Existing law generally requires drivers pulling trailers 
šwith a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 10,000 pounds to 
šobtain a Class A driver's license.  The law, however, makes an exception 
šfor Class C (passenger vehicle) licensees through January 1, 1994, for 
štowing certain noncommercial ("fifth wheel") recreational trailers up to 
š15,000 pounds gross weight.

This bill would:

1.  Repeal the January 1, 1994, sunset date and extend indefinitely the 
š    provisions authorizing drivers with only a regular Class C license to 
    pull fifth-wheel travel trailers with a GVWR of between 10,000 and 
    15,000 pounds, provided that a special exam is passed and a license 
    endorsement is issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) as 
    under existing law.

2.  Repeal the January 1, 1994, sunset date and extend indefinitely the 
š    provisions authorizing drivers with a restricted Class A license to 
    pull fifth-wheel travel 

trailers with a GVWR in excess of 15,000 pounds, or travel trailers in 
š    excess of 10,000 pounds, subject to existing requirements consisting of 
    a special exam and medical record reporting.

3.  Repeal an obsolete requirement in the Vehicle Code which directs the 
š    Department of Motor Vehicles to report to the Legislature on a 
    telephone hotline no longer in operation.

FISCAL EFFECT:   Appropriation:  No   Fiscal Committee:  Yes   Local:  No

SUPPORT:  (Verified 8/26/93)

Good Sam Club

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT:  According to the author's office, the profile of 
šthese RV drivers is positive:  they tend to be older drivers, not in a 
šhurry, who tend to own their trailer equipment, and therefore have an 
šincentive to handle the equipment safely.  The number of miles driven each 
šyear is not extensive, and their exposure is therefore less.

RJG:sl 8/27/93 Senate Floor Analyses

































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