Commercial Truck Classifications

The Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) establishes various consumer and commercial classes of vehicles in the United States. These classes are based on what are referred to as Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings or GVWR. Currently there are eight classes of trucks, ranging from light-duty to heavy-duty variants. Commercial trucks are identified as those vehicles associated with Classes 6 through 8.
  1. Class 6

    • According to the DOT Class 6 trucks are identified as "truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 19,501 to 26,000 pounds (8,846 to 11,793 kg)." Vehicles that relate to this medium-duty class include bobtail box trucks, small tractors, or small dump trucks. Some of these trucks in this class are the International Durastar 4100 to the 4400, the GMC Topkick small tractor (used to haul bottled water or soda), or the Isuzu tractor H-Series. These trucks can be operated without carrying a Class B commercial drivers license.

    Class 7

    • According to the DOT, Class 7 trucks are identified as "truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 26,001 to 33,000 pounds (11,794 to 14,969 kg)." Vehicles of this type include commercial bus frames, medium-sized tractors or special heavy-duty vehicles such found on some emergency response vehicles. Some of the trucks in this class are the: International Navistar Lonestar, the CE300 commercial bus, or the IDF custom Navastar. Drivers in this class require a Class B license.

    Class 8

    • According to the DOT, Class 8 trucks are identified as "truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 33,000 pounds (14,969 kg)." Vehicles of this type include full-sized cab-over tractors, large dump or trash trucks, or large-framed custom vehicles. Some of the trucks in this class are: the Kenworth W900, Freightliner SNC Century, or the Volvo North American VN. Drivers in this class require a Class B license.

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