Definition and Classification of Commercial Vehicles
– Any motor vehicle used for transporting goods or paying passengers
– US definition: Gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536kg (10,001 pounds) or more
– US definition: Designed to transport more than 8 passengers for compensation
– US definition: Designed to transport more than 15 passengers, not for compensation
– US definition: Used in transporting hazardous material
– EU definition: Designed to transport more than nine persons, including the driver
– EU definition: Capable of transporting goods and standard fuel tanks
– Vehicles designed to carry more than 15 passengers are considered commercial
– Variations exist between states on prohibited routes and lanes for commercial vehicles
– Homeowner associations may have broader definitions for parking restrictions
Commercial Truck Classification
– Commercial trucks classified based on gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
– US Department of Transportation classifies commercial trucks into 8 classes
– Old commercial vehicles popular for preservation
– News about preservation can be found in magazines like Heritage Commercials
Legal Issues with Commercial Vehicles
– Commercial vehicle accidents often more complex than regular car accidents
– Involves additional concerns, background checks on operator driving records, and corporate maintenance records
Related Topics
– Utility vehicle: Designed to carry out specific tasks with more efficacy than passenger vehicles
– Bus driver
– Light commercial vehicle
– Large goods vehicle
– Light truck
– Truck classification
– Truck driver
– Violation out-of-service
References
– US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations §390.5
– EC Council Directive 68/297, substituted by EC Council Directive 85/347
– Jackson, Jimmy. ‘What really constitutes a commercial vehicle? Time for a clearer answer when it comes to condos.’ The Virginia Pilot. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
– [1] – Commercial vehicles
– [2] Commercial truck classification
– Catania, Peter. ‘Special Considerations In Commercial Vehicle Accidents And Injuries.’ Catania & Catania. Archived from the original on 15 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commercial_vehicles
A commercial vehicle is any type of motor vehicle used for transporting goods or paying passengers.
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The United States defines a "commercial motor vehicle" as any self-propelled or towed vehicle used on a public highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle:
- 1. has a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) or more
- 2. Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation;
- 3. Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, not used to transport passengers for compensation;
- 4. Is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous.
The federal definition though followed closely is meant to accommodate and remain flexible to each state's definitions.
The European Union defines a "commercial motor vehicle" as any motorized road vehicle, that by its type of construction and equipment is designed for, and capable of transporting, whether for payment or not:
- 1. more than nine persons, including the driver;
- 2. goods and "standard fuel tanks". This means the tanks permanently fixed by the manufacturer to all motor vehicles of the same type as the vehicle in question and whose permanent fitting lets fuel be used directly, both for propulsion and, where appropriate, to power a refrigeration system. Gas tanks fitted to motor vehicles for the direct use of diesel as a fuel are considered standard fuel tanks.
