All Comercial Vehicles

yayashas · Mar 7, 2011

All comercial vehicles what does it mean? Does it aplies to c/v, sprinter, cube van under 10000 GVW, or only for over 10001GVW trucks. All comercial vehicles must use scales. If I dont have no signs on van and under 10000 GVW do I need to stop?

Jefferson3000 · Mar 7, 2011

Under Federal regs, a CMV is anything that is 10001+ GVWR. Unfortunately, there are states that now recognize things a bit differently. For example, I was made aware last week that AZ now says that any vehicle about 6000 GVWR used in a "for-hire" capacity is considered a CMV and if not under the IFTA program, must pay a fee to travel through the state.

You will need to check with your carrier as well for info.

Moot · Mar 7, 2011

Here is the FMCSA definition:

Commercial motor vehicle means any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle—
(1) Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) or more, whichever is greater; or
(2) Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
(3) Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
(4) Is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary under 49 CFR, subtitle B, chapter I, subchapter C.

As Jeff stated not all states are in agreement with what constitutes a commercial vehicle. Signage prior to a weigh station may say:
ALL TRUCKS OVER (weight) MUST WEIGH. Key word here is TRUCKS. Is a van a truck?

ALL COMMERCIAL VEHICLES OVER (weight) MUST WEIGH. Key words here are COMMERCIAL VEHICLES. Note the lack of the word MOTOR between the words COMMERCIAL and VEHICLES.

States have different laws, wording, definitions and enforcement policies. I don't stop at scales unless I have HAZMAT on board, which I don't haul any more, so I don't stop at scales. If I should ever get pulled over I will go into my "ignorant" routine. It comes naturally!

Turtle · Mar 7, 2011

I've known about Arizona for quite some time. To drive the 396 miles across I-10 costs a cargo van $16. The 6000 pounds or-greater GVW vehicles with no IRP plates must purchase a trip permit.

I've never stopped and bought one, tho.

Ragman · Mar 7, 2011

Moot said:
ALL COMMERCIAL VEHICLES OVER (weight) MUST WEIGH. Key words here are COMMERCIAL VEHICLES. Note the lack of the word MOTOR between the words COMMERCIAL and VEHICLES.

Do I understand this to meen, the Step van used by companies such as UPS, FedEx, Dhl, and the multitude (like that word?) of other service companies and self employeed, have to stop and get weighed?

In my 26 years driving one of these, I never stopped and never saw any of the others stop.

scottm4211 · Mar 7, 2011

Ragman said:
Do I understand this to meen, the Step van used by companies such as UPS, FedEx, Dhl, and the multitude (like that word?) of other service companies and self employeed, have to stop and get weighed?

In my 26 years driving one of these, I never stopped and never saw any of the others stop.

I think there's rules then there's enforcement. I've never pulled into a scale house nor have I ever been stopped. It's a non issues IMHO.

OntarioVanMan · Mar 7, 2011

so say in Ill...the road signs says trucks over 4T...55mph.......is that me? and could be a van?

Ragman · Mar 7, 2011

OntarioVanMan said:
so say in Ill...the road signs says trucks over 4T...55mph.......is that me? and could be a van?

Are you a truck or a driver of a truck?

OntarioVanMan · Mar 7, 2011

Ragman said:
Are you a truck or a driver of a truck?

That would depend on the states definition of a "truck"
Michigan changed their definition a couple years ago to mean truck = 5,000Lbs...but they only enforce it when they are having a slow day or really hard up.

Turtle · Mar 7, 2011

OntarioVanMan said:
so say in Ill...the road signs says trucks over 4T...55mph.......is that me? and could be a van?

Yeah. There again they're concerned about actual weight. Anything over 8000 pounds is more dangerous, so they want those slowed down. It's not the weight rating, but the actual weight at the time, so if you are loaded with, say, 500 pounds of freight, you're not 8000 pounds, so it doesn't apply. If you're loaded with 2800 pounds, then probably.

ChrisGa23 · Mar 7, 2011

only time I ever would stop is in Florida where it says cargo vans to if your hauling agriculture. Other than that. I wont. Until I get pulled over I will continue. When it says commercial motor vehicle's I take it as anything over 10,000lbs. When it says trucks over 8000gvw etc 55mph or right 2 lanes etc etc. I take that as a truck. A van is not a truck. Until the rules and laws are clearer I will continue to do so.

TheRebel · Mar 7, 2011

Turtle said:
Yeah. There again they're concerned about actual weight. Anything over 8000 pounds is more dangerous, so they want those slowed down.

I think it's 4T empty... anyway, that 55mph for trucks in Ill is enforced only in Chicago area...

OntarioVanMan · Mar 7, 2011

ChrisGa23 said:
only time I ever would stop is in Florida where it says cargo vans to if your hauling agriculture. Other than that. I wont. Until I get pulled over I will continue. When it says commercial motor vehicle's I take it as anything over 10,000lbs. When it says trucks over 8000gvw etc 55mph or right 2 lanes etc etc. I take that as a truck. A van is not a truck. Until the rules and laws are clearer I will continue to do so.

But a van is a truck by Michigan standards..5,000Lbs...

on a slow day Barney Fife or some local jockey could pull ya over...

Pretty much do the same as you do...just keep motoring...

TheRebel · Mar 7, 2011

ChrisGa23 said:
only time I ever would stop is in Florida where it says cargo vans to if your hauling agriculture. Other than that. I wont.

You must stop there no matter if you haul agricultural stuff or not... if they aren't too busy, they'll come for you...

OntarioVanMan · Mar 7, 2011

TheRebel said:
I think it's 4T empty... anyway, that 55mph for trucks in Ill is enforced only in Chicago area...

There ya go...thinking again...*LOL*

LDB · Mar 7, 2011

I was in AZ. a few weeks ago. I got a 30 day permit for my van for $14. Could I have bypassed and driven in/out/around AZ. without it? Probably so. I'm sure if I did and I was stopped the fine would have been far more than the "insurance policy".

OntarioVanMan · Mar 7, 2011

Wyoming...vans MUST stop at port of entry IF you deliver in Wyoming...if not...keep on going..

TheRebel · Mar 7, 2011

yayashas said:
All comercial vehicles what does it mean? Does it aplies to c/v, sprinter, cube van under 10000 GVW, or only for over 10001GVW trucks. All comercial vehicles must use scales. If I dont have no signs on van and under 10000 GVW do I need to stop?

They are getting hungrier by every day, so, in my opinion, I'm afraid that pretty soon they'll come up with new f regulations for cargo vans... I hope I'm wrong...

TheRebel · Mar 7, 2011

LDB said:
I was in AZ. a few weeks ago. I got a 30 day permit for my van for $14. Could I have bypassed and driven in/out/around AZ. without it? Probably so. I'm sure if I did and I was stopped the fine would have been far more than the "insurance policy".

I never had that so-called permit, never stopped to any chicken house and they never came for me... it's true, one day while I was going to Nogales, I had a bear behind me, probably checking my plate or looking for a reason to pull me over, but after one mile, he just passed my van.