What is a commercial vehicle?

Answer 1

In General:A commercial vehicle is a type of motor vehicle that may be used for transporting goods or passengers. Some examples include:

1) Common motor vechicles: trucks; vans; semi-trucks.

2) Passenger transports: buses; taxicabs; coaches.

3) Product transports: trailers; box trucks; 'lorry' trucks.

In the US:The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration defines a Commercial Motor Vehicle in 390.5 as:

Commercial motor vehicle means any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce (business) to transport passengers or property when the vehicle-

(1) Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)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.

The GVWR is not how much your vehicle weighs, it's what your vehicles' maximum laden weight is. It is assigned by the manufacturer. You can find the GVWR on the VIN plate on the door or door frame of most power vehicles, and on the VIN plate on most trailers.

If you add the GVWR from the Truck and trailer and it is more than 10,000 pounds, it's a commercial vehicle.

For example, a Ford F150 has a GVWR around 7000 pounds by itself. A tandem axle flat bed trailer usually has a GVWR of 7000 pounds. When the vehicles are together, the total combination rating is 14,000 pounds and the vehicle is a commercial vehicle.

Most states have adopted the federal regulations, but some have made exceptions to this rule for Non-CDL commercial vehicles that are operated only within the individual state. (Non CDL means a commercial motor vehicle with a GVWR between 10,001 and 26,000 pounds)

Check with your local jurisdiction to find out if your state has adopted the federal regulations and if there are any exceptions.

Answer 2

Any vehicle used for commercial/business purposes is a commercial vehicle.

If you're referring to the phrase "commercial motor vehicle", it's any commercial use vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 lbs. or higher, or any bus designed of any weight rating designed to transport more than 15 persons, or any vehicle of any weight rating transporting a quantity of hazardous materials requiring the display of placards as per CFR49.