When we bought our coach, both Terry and I knew we would have to get a Class A drivers license. I had avoided that for years by limiting our horse and other trailers to a size that did not dictate the Class A license...very simple. I hate tests, and I hadn't taken a driving test in almost 40 years...oh boy, did I dread this!!! Terry had a motorcycle endorsement on his license, but he couldn't figure out a way to make that work for the new coach, so we both were resigned to the fact that we would... TAKE THE TEST... Horrors and nightmares were now part of our lives!!!
We contacted DMV about the license, and here the fun began...no one seemed to have a clue what we were talking about...about three persons down the chain of command we found a fellow (we will call him Jose Abdul MacKennagh, to protect the innocent..... me) who at least knew how to find the answer....yes, you do need a Class A (non commercial ) license. He would also conduct our tests. Jose very kindly sent us all the material we would need to study for the test, and highlighted the pertinent parts. He also made suggestions and gave advice about taking the actual driving test. His helpfulness cannot be understated. Among the things we would be tested for, rules of the road, laws, etc. was an obstacle course....just like the big rigs do!!!
Oh, my word....that was enlightening, not only would I need to learn the inside workings of the truck, (Terry has always done the car maintenance job), we would also need to know how to parallel park the trailer in a parking spot only 10 feet longer than the coach itself, back 100 feet down a corridor four feet wider (two on either side) than the rig ( and not kill the cones), dock park and other equally daunting maneuvers. The driving test alone would take an hour. Most of the driving would be on city streets.
We have enough property at home to be able to set up our own driving course and that is what we did. Nearly every day for a month we hooked up the coach and practiced. We even did the nearly impossible and figured out how to put that 37' trailer into a 47' slot. Looking at that area, we did not believe it could be done, even less believable, what was the reasoning behind the maneuver...why in the world would we ever need to parallel park a fifth wheel trailer? The answer was simple....we didn't need to parallel park the trailer, that was only for commercial vehicles, but we didn't find that out until the test!!!! But we now know it can be done and we can do it.
Finally the dreaded day arrived and we headed to El Centro. The Class A tests must be given at designated offices; very few are equipped to test big commercial rigs. Fortunately , the nearest site was only 60 miles from us. June in the desert is not a fun place to be, and our appointments were in the afternoon. We left early so that we could scout the area and have some idea of where we may be driving. Because we had to take the test in our rig, we wanted to get a feel for the area. All went well until we got to a part of town that was definitely not meant for large rigs. Terry narrowly missed a signal light pole when the coach broached a curb, but an angel was on his shoulder and he lucked out that time. What a helpless feeling to see your pride and joy (not to say future home) get within kissing distance of disaster!!!! My turn to drive, now. The rest of the scouting trip was uneventful.
Each test would take two hours. The weather was hot, and the DMV office had no inside waiting area. Outside were two concrete benches...sum total of seating. Terry was to take the test first. I decided to wait where I could watch the first part of Terry's test...the walkaround. This portion of the test consists of a literal walk around the rig, checking tires, lights, every conceivable item. I expected all of that, but when they raised the hood to look into the engine compartment, my heart did a nose dive. I know about nil when it comes to the under the hood stuff. I can point out the battery and the dip stick, but not much else. Well, I guess I will just fake it! I walked down the block to get a bottle of water, then back to DMV to settle down with a book and hoped that one of us would pass the test so that we could be legal, driving the rig.
A very hot and long two hours later, the rig pulled in down the street. Terry and Jose walked by and Terry gave the thumbs up signal...yea!!!! He had passed!!!. At least one of us was legal. We had a chance to talk before my turn came, and what a talk...Terry said the first thing Jose told him was if he ran over a curb, he would be failed automatically...what a way to start things off!! After the incident in the morning he knew he was toast...how was he going to tell everyone back in town that the local cop had flunked the driving test? Now that horrible possibility was just a memory, one that we laugh about now.
Now it was my turn. As Jose and I walked to the rig, he asked me,
"Have you ever driven this rig?"
"Yes" I replied...
"No, this truck and trailer? It's a big one..." (Oh, goody, I thought, he's shocked)
"Yes, this one, all the time!"
"Oh, OK" (YES, now I really have him off-balance! You have to understand, El Centro is a very large farming community, and I doubt they see many middle aged ladies driving big rigs around town...)
Recovering from his initial shock, and still looking rather incredulous, we walked on. He told me how we would do the test. First we would do the walk around, then the driving test. We started with the left side of the truck and worked back to the trailer, discussing the various items to be inspected before any trip, lights, tires, wheels, hitch and every other conceivable part of the rig. Then we were at the front of the truck...THE HOOD...(by this time it was VERY hot and I knew he would appreciate the water I had thoughtfully brought along, and air conditioning)
"And this is the hood...under there is the battery, dip stick, radiator, and all the things my husband checks before we take off.....do you want me to open it so you can see how.....(I was babbling now)....."
"No, no, no......let's just get inside...."
Once we were in the relative comfort of the air-conditioned cab we proceeded to continue the test. As I drove away from the curb and around the corner, the trailer brakes were grabbing, and needed to be adjusted. I asked Jose if Terry had trouble with them and he said he hadn't had any problems. I told him that they probably had heated up and I would adjust them. (now I was beginning to impress him......) Once the brakes were adjusted we hit the road. We went across town to a field where the stationary course was set up. The only problem I had was on the back up. I managed to hit a cone or two before I was done. I asked Jose if I could do it again. Surprised, he said yes and I repeated it without incident. We then went on to the road test. An hour later we were back. I had passed the test, and Jose's comment to me was "Congratulations, you are a very competent driver." To me that meant more than a blue ribbon.......but the best part was that we had both qualified for our Class A (non commercial) licenses. Hopefully that will be the only time........
Two days later we left, legally licensed, on a 10 day trip to Bishop, Ca. for some fishing, hiking and quality time with my parents. We had officially joined the ranks of the RVers, and taken another step on the road to full timing.