Commercial Motor Vehicle Definition

Commercial motor vehicles are subject to both state and federal safety regulations. A motor vehicle is subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations if it is used to transport passengers or property and meets one or more of the following:

Table 26: Commercial Vehicle Definitions

Use	Condition
Interstate Commerce	Commercial motor vehicle – Any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle: – Has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR), or actual weight of 10,001 pounds or more. – Is designed to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation. – Is designed to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver), without compensation. – Is transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding.
Intrastate Commerce Only	The vehicle or combination has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Combination Weight Rating, or actual gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds. The vehicle transports hazardous materials requiring placarding under part 177. The vehicle is designed to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver), whether or not compensation is provided.

Use

Condition

Interstate Commerce

Commercial motor vehicle – Any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle:

– Has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR), or actual weight of 10,001 pounds or more.
– Is designed to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation.
– Is designed to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver), without compensation.
– Is transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding.

Intrastate Commerce Only

The vehicle or combination has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Combination
Weight Rating, or actual gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds.

The vehicle transports hazardous materials requiring placarding under part 177.

The vehicle is designed to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver), whether or not compensation is provided.

Carriers who are unsure whether their operation is intrastate or interstate should call the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at (605) 224-8202.