Class F

[FrankBerger]

I was hoping someone could help me verify some information. According to the DMV website a CA firefighter needs a class A or B firefighter license. If that's the case then what is a class F license? Is that just shorthand for the restriction on a class A or B?

Thanks in advance!
Frank

[TonedOut1985]

Trying to remember how CA works, I rarely run CA drivers all the way over here in SC, but if it's anything like SC, then A & B are commercial large-vehicle licenses, and F is seprate-unit large vehicles, like 5th-wheel RVs, large industrial vehicles, etc. Class E also exists, and that's single unit large vehicles. It's a weight issue is all it is.

[DeathValleyCap]

Frank, Class F allows a FF with a class C license (normal auto less than 26,000 GVW) to operate a fire apparatus (over 26,000 GVW). The DMV website has the requirements for the class F endorsment, medical, department certification of employment and training. The FF does not have to take the DMV behind the wheel test, but does have to take the DMV written test.
If you have more questions, just ask. I've been through the entire process getting my FF's the Class F endorsement.

[Here and there]

Frank, Class F allows a FF with a class C license (normal auto less than 26,000 GVW) to operate a fire apparatus (over 26,000 GVW). The DMV website has the requirements for the class F endorsment, medical, department certification of employment and training. The FF does not have to take the DMV behind the wheel test, but does have to take the DMV written test.
If you have more questions, just ask. I've been through the entire process getting my FF's the Class F endorsement.

I haven't seen the firefighters license called Class F, but DeathValleyCap pretty much covered it. However it also requires a letter from your department stating you have completed the required driver operator training (CA D/O 1A, 1B or equal).

There has been a lot of confusion about this license from DMV employees some insisting that the firefighter endorsement is required regardless of license class. This is false, a Commercial driver (A or B) with the appropriate license to drive the vehicle can drive the vehicle, the firefighter endorsement is only for Class C drivers.

My agency requires our drivers of 26,000+ vehicles to get a Class B commercial, not a firefighters restricted license so we have had some issues with individual DMV offices regarding the new licensing. We finally got a ruling from DMV last year and the new law very clearly states the firefighter endorsement is not required by commercial drivers.