Category:
What Is a Commercial Vehicle? Guide for Businesses & Drivers
In layman’s terms, a commercial vehicle often refers to cars operated for business purposes, such as a plumbing service van, a package delivery truck, or a cement truck.
However, the legal definition — as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes it — defines commercial vehicles more stringently based on application, weight, and passenger count. In addition, owning and driving commercial vehicles requires more than a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL).
The guide below dives into commercial vehicles so you know the basics.
What Is a Commercial Vehicle?
A car qualifies as a commercial vehicle if it contributes to interstate commerce and contains one or more of the following characteristics, per the FMCSA.
If any of these features apply to a commercial vehicle used only for intrastate commerce, it only needs to comply with the state’s requirements regarding commercial vehicles:
- Transports hazardous materials that require federal placarding
- Can legally and safely transport more than eight passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Can legally and safely transport 15 or more passengers if uncompensated
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of over 10,000 pounds
- A single vehicle or combination of vehicles with a GVWR of over 26,000 pounds
Compared to a fleet vehicle, a commercial vehicle resembles an application-specific vehicle not necessarily used for commuting. Most fleet vehicles fail to come close to any of the weight restrictions that apply to commercial vehicles.
In addition, specific commercial vehicles require a specialized driver’s license to operate.
Weight Restrictions
Counting available passenger seats is one thing, but understanding the weight restrictions that apply to commercial vehicles can prove challenging.
Some of the weight ratings that apply to vehicles are as follows:
- Curb weight: The weight of a vehicle as it left the factory, including a full tank of gas.
- Payload: The amount of weight a truck can safely carry in the cabin and the truck bed combined, including passengers and cargo.
- Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR): The maximum weight a vehicle can safely handle, including the curb weight, payload, and accessories.
- Gross combined weight rating (GCWR): The maximum weight a vehicle can safely handle based on the weight of its trailer and cargo.
Extra-large, heavy-duty scales are often necessary to weigh commercial vehicles and determine what, if any, weight restrictions or regulations apply.
However, knowing the truck class and duty of the commercial vehicle you’re driving can also clue you in to the corresponding GVWR. Use the chart below to explore the relationship between duty, class, and GVWR:
|
Duty |
Class |
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) |
|
Light-Duty |
Class 1 |
0–6,000 pounds |
|
Class 2 |
2A: 6,001–8,500 pounds 2B: 8,501–10,000 pounds |
|
|
Class 3 |
10,001–14,000 pounds |
|
|
Medium-Duty |
Class 4 |
14,001–16,000 pounds |
|
Class 5 |
16,001–19,500 pounds |
|
|
Class 6 |
19,501–26,000 pounds |
|
|
Heavy-Duty |
Class 7 |
26,001–33,000 pounds |
|
Class 8 |
33,001+ pounds |
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the concept of “duty” to regulate emissions. Based on GVWR, Class 3 light-duty vehicles meet the 10,001-pound minimum weight requirement for commercial vehicles.
Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles rated at Class 6 and above also meet the 26,000-pound GVWR rating for commercial vehicles.
Do You Need a CDL to Drive a Commercial Vehicle?
Yes, drivers must obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to drive a commercial vehicle. Individual states issue CDLs to drivers who pass the required tests.
The CDL class and endorsements drivers require depend on the type of vehicle they’ll be driving and the cargo they’re transporting:
- Class A: Necessary for transporting a combination of vehicles with a 26,001-pound or more GVWR or a trailer weighing more than 10,000 pounds alone.
- Class B: Similar to a Class A CDL, but without the trailer.
- Class C: Required by those transporting hazardous materials or more than 16 passengers, even if the GVWR is 26,000 pounds or less.
Endorsements are additional privileges granted on top of the CDL that enable drivers to drive and transport various entities. For example, a “P” endorsement signals the driver can transport passengers. An “H” indicates HAZMAT, while drivers manning a double or triple trailer require a “T.”
What Are the Different Types of Commercial Vehicles?
Businesses and individuals use commercial vehicles across numerous industries, from mining and construction to family-owned farms. Below are some common examples of commercial vehicles you’ve likely encountered on the road.
Commercial Trucks
Semi-trucks are probably the first form people think of when they hear commercial vehicles. However, fire, box, and tow trucks also qualify as commercial trucks.
Commercial Vans
Cargo and passenger vans, including step vans, can be considered commercial variants if they can transport nine or more people, including the driver.
Buses
One of the main sources of public transportation, buses make the cut as commercial vehicles due to their high passenger capacity. Shuttle buses and minibuses are also considered commercial buses.
Specialty Vehicles
Passenger cars, such as rentals, taxis, and delivery vehicles — excluding Lyft and Uber vehicles — can sometimes qualify as commercial vehicles. In addition, limousines often qualify based on their passenger capacity and use.
What To Know About Commercial Vehicle Laws and Regulations
The FMCSA requires commercial vehicle owners and drivers to meet strict standards regarding alcohol and drug testing, medical exams, and hours of service rules.
For example, commercial vehicles often have an electronic logging device (ELD) that tracks various data points to monitor the truck’s and driver’s performance. Commercial vehicle drivers must also keep a record of their driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIR) to share with officials if requested.
Commercial vehicles are also more expensive to insure than non-commercial vehicles. The FMCSA outlines the specific requirements regarding commercial vehicle insurance, which can include liability, property, and cargo coverage. Insurance premiums on commercial vehicles may also be higher due to their use as part of an active business.
Quality Commercial Vehicle Support at Every Turn
Managing a fleet of commercial vehicles requires a seamless strategy to ensure profitable operations. Cadence sustains numerous businesses by providing value-added services to enhance the longevity of their commercial vehicles.
Call us at 336-629-2061 to learn more about how we deliver value at every turn for businesses like yours.
Sources:
What is the difference between a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and a Non-CMV? | FMCSA