Doug Darby

This is a very informative thread and I used the first post exclusively to prepare for testing for my Exempt A test. Like many on here have attested to, You get all kinds of responses from DPS offices around Texas. It took two tries for the same office (Paris TX) to figure out I had to take both section 6 and 14 tests for Class A. On the skills test I also had to rent a trailer as my trailer would not have been legal and in Paris TX they check very closely. I then scheduled my skills test in Bowie as Paris was not accepting skills tests until late November. The biggest issue I had with a rental trailer was getting a copy of the registration and the safety inspection as well a proof of insurance. I rented a 12' dump trailer with a GVW of 15,000 lbs. I asked and was given a copy of the registration paper but they had discarded the actual inspection document. I had brought my insurance policy that clearly states that a rental trailer is covered to the liability limit of the towing vehicle. They accepted that. As for the lack of actual inspection results, I was able to sweet talk them into accepting that the registration can not and will not be renewed without the safety inspection being complete. After a call to a Supervisor, they said I could test today with it but if I failed, the next time they would REQUIRE the paper copy of the safety inspection. The skills test in Bowie was thorough as my testing officer asked to bring a trainee along and so I assumed the test procedure would be completely "by the book". Many blocks of residential driving with no center line and pot holes and low hanging branches made that a challenge. In the end I did fine and passed. My wife has passed the knowledge test for a Class A and we are going to do some hands on training on our trip next week to Phoenix. She actually got the "learners permit" drivers license that is good for 90 days as long as she is with a driver that holds a valid Class A. I am hoping to find an equipment rental place closer to Bowie to rent a trailer for her testing. Considering we live in North Dallas, I was quite surprised that the closest and only stations that I could schedule and take the RV Exempt Class A test were between Paris TX and Bowie TX. Oh well... Best part is there was virturally no waiting at either location as compared to anything near the DFW metro area.