The FMCSA outlines several different ways to define a commercial motor vehicle, including its weight, who it transports, and more.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are several ways in which a vehicle can be defined as a commercial motor vehicle, which is vastly different than a passenger vehicle.
Per § 390.5, a commercial motor vehicle is any self-propelled or towed vehicle that is used to transport passengers or property when the vehicle meets one or more of the following guidelines:
Commercial trucks can also be categorized based on their gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) with classes that range from 1 to 8 and are split into light, medium, and heavy duty. Light duty trucks are typically geared more toward passenger vehicle with a GVWR that ranges from 1 to 14,000 pounds across Class 1-3, such as a Toyota Tacoma.
Classes of medium and heavy duty trucks include the following:
Most commercial tractor-trailers will fall into Class 8.
There are many "types" of commercial trucks that you may see out on the road; however, as explained above, they all share the common purpose of being used to further the goals of a business. Although some businesses may choose to use a straightforward pick-up truck, more often than not, commercial trucks are significantly larger and heavier.
Contact Arnold & Itkin for further questions or for representation in a truck-related accident injury case!