The Truth About Commercial Motor Vehicles
Am I a Commercial Vehicle?
I apologize in advance for this article because it will throw a ton of facts at you all at once. If you make it to the end, you are either really interested in DOT regulations or you are one tough dude or dudette.
What is a Commercial Vehicle?
The federal government classifies a commercial motor vehicle as any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of over 10,000 pounds that is used in interstate commerce.
Understanding GVWR and Federal Regulations
If you use a 3- to 4-ton pickup with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs., then you shouldn’t fall under federal regulations for commercial motor carriers—unless you are transporting hazardous materials.
What Happens If You Need to Pull a Trailer for Business?
Now you need to take the GVWR of the pickup and add the GVWR of the trailer together. For argument’s sake, let’s say that the pickup’s GVWR is 10,000 pounds and the trailer’s GVWR is 10,000 pounds. Your new Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is now 20,000 lbs. You are now a commercial vehicle and must abide by all federal regulations.
Defining Commerce
The United States Government defines commerce as “all activities of a commercial or business nature between U.S. citizens. Commerce is not limited to trade but also involves the communication and travel that facilitate trade.
Domestic commerce is trade that happens between entities in the same state. To simplify that statement, commerce is the act of trying to make money.
Interstate commerce is when you are trying to make money and cross state lines to do so. Intrastate commerce is staying within the same state while conducting business or trying to make money.
State-Specific CMV Regulations
Different states have different laws and regulations about commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).
- Colorado: You are not a CMV until your GCWR is over 16,000 lbs.
- New Mexico: You are not a CMV until your GCWR is 26,000 lbs.
- Utah: Follows federal regulations, stating that as soon as your GCWR is 10,000 pounds, you’re a CMV.
Example of Interstate vs. Intrastate Commerce
Let’s say that you start a lawn mowing operation after work and on the weekends. You are operating in New Mexico and own a 3- to 4-ton pickup (GVWR, 10,000 lbs), and you use a trailer (GVWR, 6,000 lbs) to haul your lawnmowers from house to house. According to NM state laws, you are not a CMV until you reach the 26,000-pound threshold. Since your GCWR is only 16,000 lbs, you are not a commercial vehicle.
Business is going great, and you decide to expand into Colorado. Your trucks are still parked in NM, but you drive to Colorado twice a week to mow lawns. During those trips, you are now operating in interstate commerce, and since your GCWR is over 10,000 lbs., you are now a commercial vehicle under federal regulations.
Where Can I Find My GVWR?
On most trucks and pickups, there is a manufacturer sticker on the driver-side doorframe. It will have the VIN and the GVWR listed there. Don’t assume that all ¾-ton pickups will be the same—it depends on the vehicle and its year. The manufacturer determines the GVWR of a vehicle.
On trailers, there is usually a manufacturer tag on the tongue or towards the front. If there is no GVWR on the trailer, contact the manufacturer with the VIN to request a new tag. Alternatively, add the tire ratings (usually found on the sidewall) to find the trailer’s capacity.
Key Points to Remember
- Check local and state laws before operating a vehicle for commerce.
- Any vehicle used to make money that crosses state lines with a GVWR over 10,000 lbs. is considered a CMV and must abide by all Federal Motor Carrier Regulations.
- You are responsible for following state and federal regulations. Non-compliance can result in fines and other penalties.
If you have any other questions about this, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today!
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