Commercial vehicle

A commercial vehicle is a type of motor vehicle that may be used for transporting goods or passengers. The European Union defines "commercial motor vehicle" as any motorised road vehicle, which 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 enables fuel to be used directly, both for the purposes of propulsion and, where appropriate, for the operation of a refrigeration system. Gas tanks fitted to motor vehicles designed for the direct use of gas as a fuel are considered to be standard fuel tanks.^[1]

Commercial classification

In the United States a vehicle is designated “commercial” when it is titled or registered to a company. This is a broad definition, as commercial vehicles may be fleet vehicles, company cars, or other vehicles used for business. Vehicles that are designed to carry more than 16 passengers are considered a commercial vehicle.

A vehicle may be considered a commercial vehicle if:

• the title was placed in the name of a company or corporation.
• The vehicle is used for business but is in an individual's name such as a sole proprietor.
• the vehicle is a leased vehicle and in the name of the financial institution that owns it.
• the vehicle exceeds a certain weight or class and therefore is "classified" as commercial even though it may not be commercially used or commercially owned. A weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more is always consider commercial.^[2]
• the vehicle is used to haul any hazardous material.

A vehicles can be used for a business, if not exclusively, and remain private licensed, depending on the amount of time used for business.

Examples of commercial vehicles

• Truck
• Semi truck (articulated lorry)
• Van
• Coach
• Bus
• Taxicab
• Trailers
• Box truck (also known as a straight truck)

Commercial truck classification

Commercial trucks are classified according to the Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). The United States Department of Transportation classifies commercial trucks with eight classes^[3]:

• Class 1- GVWR ranges from 0 to 6,000 pounds (0 to 2,722 kg)
• Class 2- GVWR ranges from 6,001 to 10,000 pounds (2,722 to 4,536 kg)
• Class 3- GVWR ranges from 10,001 to 14,000 pounds (4,536 to 6,350 kg)
• Class 4- GVWR ranges from 14,001 to 16,000 pounds (6,351 to 7,257 kg)
• Class 5- GVWR ranges from 16,001 to 19,500 pounds (7,258 to 8,845 kg).
• Class 6- GVWR ranges from 19,501 to 26,000 pounds (8,846 to 11,793 kg)
• Class 7- GVWR ranges from 26,001 to 33,000 pounds (11,794 to 14,969 kg)
• Class 8- GVWR is anything above 33,000 pounds (14,969 kg)

Preservation

Old commercial vehicles, like vintage cars, are popular items for preservation. News about preservation can be found in magazines, such as Heritage Commercials.

See also

• Light commercial vehicle
• Large goods vehicle
• Light truck
• Truck driver
• Bus driver

References

1. ^ EC Council Directive 68/297, substituted by EC Council Directive 85/347
2. ^ [1] -commercial vehicles
3. ^ [2] Commercial truck classificatio