GVW Definitions
Commercial Motor Vehicle Weight & Classification Standards
What Definitions Are Used in This Part?
Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Definition
A commercial motor vehicle is defined by any of the following criteria:
Weight Rating
A gross vehicle weight (GVW), gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), gross combination weight (GCW), or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 4,537 kilograms (10,001 pounds) or more
Passenger Capacity
Regardless of weight, is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers, including driver
Hazardous Materials
Regardless of weight, is used in the transportation of hazardous materials and is required to be placarded pursuant to 49 CFR part 172, subpart F
Weight Classification Definitions
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
The actual weight of a vehicle and its load
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
The maximum weight a vehicle is designed to carry, as specified by the manufacturer
GCW (Gross Combination Weight)
The actual total weight of a combination of vehicles (e.g., truck and trailer)
GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating)
The maximum weight a combination of vehicles is designed to carry, as specified by the manufacturer
Critical Threshold:
The key weight threshold for CMV classification is 10,001 pounds (4,537 kg) or more
Key Program Definitions
Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP)
The document outlining the State's CMV safety objectives, strategies, activities and performance measures.
Compatible or Compatibility
State laws and regulations applicable to interstate commerce and to intrastate movement of hazardous materials are identical to the FMCSRs and the HMRs or have the same effect as the FMCSRs. State laws applicable to intrastate commerce are either identical to, or have the same effect as, the FMCSRs or fall within the established limited variances under §350.341.
High Priority Activity Funds
Funds provided to States, local governments, and other persons carrying out activities and projects that directly support the MCSAP, are national in scope in that the successful activity or project could potentially be applied in other States on a national scale, and improve CMV safety and compliance with CMV safety regulations. Up to 5 percent of total MCSAP funds are available for these activities.
Incentive Funds
Funds awarded to States achieving reductions in CMV involved fatal accidents, CMV fatal accident rate, or meeting specified CMV safety program performance criteria.
Operating Authority
The registration required by 49 U.S.C. 13902, 49 CFR part 365, 49 CFR part 368, and 49 CFR 392.9a.
Large Truck
A truck over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating including single unit trucks and truck tractors (FARS definition).
Motor Carrier
A for-hire motor carrier or private motor carrier. The term includes a motor carrier's agents, officers, or representatives responsible for hiring, supervising, training, assigning, or dispatching a driver or concerned with the installation, inspection, and maintenance of motor vehicle equipment or accessories or both.
North American Standard Inspection
The methodology used by State CMV safety inspectors to conduct safety inspections of CMVs. This consists of various levels of inspection of the vehicle or driver or both. The inspection criteria are developed by the FMCSA in conjunction with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), an association of States, Canadian Provinces, and Mexico whose members agree to adopt these standards for inspecting CMVs in their jurisdiction.
[65 FR 15102, Mar. 21, 2000; 71 FR 50866, Aug. 28, 2006]
Quick Reference: CMV Classification
Weight Threshold
10,001+ pounds (4,537+ kg) GVW/GVWR/GCW/GCWR
Passenger Capacity
16+ passengers (including driver), regardless of weight
Hazardous Materials
Placarded hazmat (49 CFR 172, subpart F), regardless of weight
Large Truck Definition
Over 10,000 lbs GVWR (single units and truck tractors)
Key Takeaways
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