Truck classification#Class 8

In the United States, commercial truck classification is determined based on the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). The classes are numbered 1 through 8.{{R|"USDOE1"|"NTEA1"}} Trucks are also classified more broadly by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which groups classes 1 and 2 as light duty, 3 through 6 as medium duty, and 7 and 8 as heavy duty. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a separate system of emissions classifications for trucks.{{R|"USDOE1"|"USEPA2"}} The United States Census Bureau also assigned classifications in its Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS){{cite web |url=https://www.bts.gov/vius |title=Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS) |publisher=Bureau of Transportation Statistics |location=US |date=2024-06-13 |access-date=2024-10-11}} (formerly Truck Inventory and Use Survey (TIUS)).{{R|"USCB1"}}

United States federal law requires drivers to have a commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate heavy-duty vehicles (Class 7 and 8) in commerce, with the exception of emergency vehicles and vehicles strictly used for recreational and/or agricultural purposes, though it allows states to require a CDL for these vehicles under their discretion.{{cite web |url=https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/may-state-require-persons-operating-recreational-vehicles |title=May a State require persons operating recreational vehicles or other CMVs used by groups of people, including family members, for non-business purposes to have a CDL? |publisher=FMCSA |location=US |date=2019-03-01 |access-date=2022-06-19}} A CDL is also required to operate any vehicle that transports at least 16 passengers (including the driver) or hazardous materials requiring placards under federal and state law regardless of the weight of the vehicle.{{cite web |url=https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/drivers |title=Drivers |publisher=FMCSA |location=US |date=2022-02-08 |access-date=2022-06-19}} {{R|"USDOE1"|"USDOT2"|"ChanginGears1"}} States may extend CDL requirements for additional vehicles, for example, New York requires a CDL to operate a stretched limousine and California requires a CDL for any vehicle with three or more axles that has a gross vehicle weight rating of over 6,000 pounds.{{cite web | url=https://dmv.ny.gov/about-dmv/stretch-limo-drivers-and-cdl-licenses | title=Stretch limo drivers and CDL licenses | date=July 8, 2020 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/commercial-driver-licenses-cdl/commercial-driver-license-classes-certifications/ | title=Commercial Driver's License Classes & Certifications }}

When light-duty trucks were first produced in the United States, they were rated by their payload capacity in tons: {{1/2}} (1000 pounds), {{3/4}} (1500 pounds) and 1-ton (2000 pounds). Ford had introduced the "One-Tonner" in 1938 to their line of trucks.{{cite book |last=Wagner |first=James K. |title=Ford Trucks Since 1905 |location=US |publisher=Motorbooks International |year=1994}} The "Three-quarter-tonner" appeared in the Ford truck lineup in 1939. Over time, payload capacities for most domestic pickup trucks have increased while the ton titles have stayed the same. The 1948 Ford F-1 had a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 4700 pounds.{{cite book |title=Ford Light Duty Truck brochure |publisher=Ford Motor Company |location=US |year=1948}} The truck was marketed with a "Nominal Tonnage Rating: Half-Ton." The actual cargo capacity had increased to 1450 pounds. Ford adopted this promotional nomenclature in 1948 to assist buyers, sellers, and users. The now-imprecise ton rating has continued since the post World War II era to compare standard sizes, rather than actual capacities.{{cite web |last=Bruzek |first=Joe |url=https://www.cars.com/articles/what-does-half-ton-three-quarter-ton-one-ton-mean-when-talking-about-trucks-1420690417808/ |title=What Does Half-Ton, Three-Quarter-Ton, One-Ton Mean When Talking About Trucks? |website=Cars.com |location=US |date=September 1, 2016 |access-date=2022-06-06}}{{cite web|access-date=2022-06-06|date=June 2, 2021|first=J|last=Gonderman|location=US|title=What Is a ¾-ton Truck?|url=https://www.motortrend.com/features/what-is-three-quarter-ton-truck/|website=Motor Trend}} In 1975, a change in U.S. emission laws required any vehicle under 6000 pounds GVWR to burn unleaded fuel. U.S. pickup truck manufacturers responded with a "heavy half" pickup of over 6000 pounds GVWR. The F-150 had a capacity of over 2000 pounds, compared to 1500 pounds for the F-100.{{cite book |title='82 Ford F Series Pickups brochure |publisher=Ford Motor Company |location=US |year=1982}}

This has led to categorizing trucks similarly, even if their payload capacities are different. The Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500, Ford F-150, Nissan Titan, Ram 1500, and Toyota Tundra are called "half-ton" pickups ({{1/2}}-ton). The Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500, Ford F-250, and Ram 2500 are called "three-quarter-ton" pickups. The Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 3500, Ford F-350, and Ram 3500 are known as "one ton" pickups.

Similar schemes exist for vans and SUVs (e.g. a 1-ton Dodge Van or a {{1/2}}-ton GMC Suburban), medium duty trucks (e.g. the 1{{1/2}}-ton Ford {{Nowrap|F-550}}) and some military vehicles, like the ubiquitous deuce-and-a-half.

{{Main|Pickup truck#Design and features}}

Some pickup trucks may be marketed as heavy duty (eg Ram Heavy Duty), super duty (eg Ford Super Duty) or simply "HD". This is not to be confused with the truck classification of class 7 and 8 being heavy duty.

The Class 8 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is a vehicle with a GVWR exceeding {{cvt|33000|lb|kg|0}}.{{R|"USDOE1"}}{{cite web|url=http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/ultimate/163_0310_international_class_7_crew_cab |title=International Class 7 Crew Cab Pickup |publisher=Truck Trend |date=February 26, 2007 |access-date=April 9, 2012}} These include tractor trailer tractors, single-unit dump trucks of a GVWR over 33,000 lb, as well as non-commercial chassis fire trucks; such trucks typically have 3 or more axles.{{cite book |last1=Gross |first1=Marilyn |last2=Feldman |first2=Richard |title=National Transportation Statistics (1997) |date=December 1998 |publisher=DIANE Publishing |isbn=978-0-7881-7504-6 |page=298 |language=en}} The typical 5-axle tractor-trailer combination, also called a "semi" or "18-wheeler", is a Class 8 vehicle.{{cite news |title=Class 8 Truck Updates: The Industry and Hyundai XCIENT |url=https://truckdrivernews.com/class-8-truck-updates-the-industry-and-hyundai-xcient/ |work=truckdrivernews.com}} Standard trailers vary in length from {{cvt|8|ft|m}} containers to {{cvt|57|ft|m}} van trailers, with the most common length being the {{cvt|53|ft|m}} trailer.{{cite book |last1=Rhodes |first1=Suzann S. |title=Guidebook for Understanding Urban Goods Movement |date=2012 |publisher=Transportation Research Board |isbn=978-0-309-21387-5 |page=14 |language=en}} Specialized trailers for oversized loads can be considerably longer. Commercial operation of a Class 8 vehicle in the United States requires either a Class-B CDL for non-combination vehicles, or a Class-A CDL for combination vehicles (tractor-trailers).{{cite web | url=https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/drivers | title=Drivers | FMCSA }} Industries that generally use Class 8 trucks are long-distance freight transportation, construction, and heavy equipment moving.{{cite web |title=Truck Classifications |url=https://www.5startrucksales.us/truck-classifications/ |website=5 Star Truck Sales}}

File:Road train (27).jpg

Vehicle classifications vary among provinces in Canada, due to "differences in size and weight regulations, economic activity, physical environment, and other issues".{{R|"Clayton1"|page1=3}} While several provinces use their own classification schemes for traffic monitoring, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan have adopted the 13-class system from the United States' Federal Highway Administration—sometimes with modifications, or in Ontario's case, for limited purposes.{{R|"Clayton1"|page1=3–4}}{{Update after|2013|08|09}} British Columbia and Ontario also distinguish between short- and long-combination trucks.{{R|"Clayton1"|page1=3–4}}{{Update after|2013|08|09}} In accident reporting, eight jurisdictions subdivide trucks by GVWR into light and heavy classes at approximately {{gaps|4|500 kg}} ({{gaps|9|921 lb}}).{{R|"Clayton1"|page1=6}}

Vehicle categories on a European driving licence include (among others) B for general motor vehicles, C for large goods vehicles, D for large passenger vehicles (buses), and are limited by the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and number of passenger seats.{{cite book |last1=Lane |first1=Keith |title=Automotive A-Z: Lane's complete dictionary of automotive terms |date=22 November 2011 |publisher=Veloce Publishing Ltd |isbn=978-1-84584-419-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xmDAx9JIzAIC&dq=categories+on+a+European+driving+licence&pg=PT80 |language=en}}

The general categories are further divided as follows:

1. appending the number 1 to the licence class C or D denotes the "light" versions of said class (e.g., Minibus, or medium truck).
2. appending the letter E allows for trailers of larger Gross Trailer Weight Rating (GTWR) than permitted by the standard licence category.

For the "trailer" categories, a separate driving test is generally required (e.g., "C", and "CE" require separate tests).

The classifications used on the International Driving Permit are similar to the European model.

The licence categories that deal with trucks are B and C:

{{unbulleted list

|Class B permits the use of vehicles with GVWRs of not more than {{gaps|3|500 kg}} plus a trailer with GTWR not exceeding {{gaps|750 kg}}; or, a trailer above this limit so long as the combined gross weight of car and trailer does not exceed {{gaps|3|500 kg}} (in some jurisdictions a higher combined weight limit of {{gaps|4|250 kg}} is permitted after a theoretical and practical course of seven hours, but this permission is not transferable between EU countries).

Class B covers both standard passenger cars of all sizes as well as vehicles that are specifically designed for transport of goods. The latter are commonly known as light commercial vehicles (LCVs), and include vans such as the Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Fiat Ducato, as well as pickup trucks such as the Ford Ranger or Mitsubishi Triton.

|Class BE allows a trailers of up to {{gaps|3|500 kg}} GTWR to be used while driving a class B vehicle.

|Class C1 raises the GVWR limit to {{gaps|7|500 kg}} and permits a trailer with GTWR not exceeding {{gaps|750 kg}}.{{cite press release |title=New European driving licence for more security, safety and free movement |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_13_10#:~:text=C1%3A%20motor%20vehicles%20%3E3500%20kg%20but%20%3C%207500%20kg |website=European Commission |date=2013-01-18 |access-date=2023-07-30}}

|Class C removes the GVWR limit of Class C1, but the GTWR limit for the trailer of {{gaps|750 kg}} remains. (This often referred to as a "Rigid Heavy Goods Vehicle" or "Rigid truck" licence)

|Class C1E allows for a class B or C1 vehicle and a trailer of more than {{gaps|750 kg}} GTWR, so long as the combined gross weight does not exceed {{gaps|12|000 kg}}.

|Class CE removes all weight limits for a Class C vehicle with trailer. (known as an "Articulated Heavy Goods Vehicle", or often simply "HGV", licence )

}}

Truck (Lorry) See List of truck types

{{div col|colwidth=23em}}

• Box truck
• Cab over
• Cab chassis
• Concrete mixer
• Conversion van
• Dump truck
• Flatbed truck
• Fire truck
• Logging truck
• Panel van
• Platform truck
• Pickup truck
• Refuse truck
• Semi tractor
• Tow truck

{{div col end}}

File:05-07 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab TRD.jpg|Class 1 Light duty Toyota Tacoma

File:Ford Excursion 2001.jpg|Class 2 2001 Ford Excursion 4×4 (GVWR: {{convert|8600|lb|t}}

File:'99-'04 Ford F-350.jpg|Class 3 Ford {{Nowrap|F-350}}

File:2008FordF450.jpg | Class 4 2008 Ford {{Nowrap|F-450}} 4×4 pick-up truck (GVWR: {{convert|14500|lb|t}})

File:4x4 Kodiak.jpg|Class 5 2005 Chevy Kodiak 4×4 (GVWR: {{convert|17500|lb|t}})

File:Class 6 Fords.jpg|Class 6 2002 Ford {{Nowrap|F-650}} in front (GVWR: {{gaps|26|000 lb)}}, 1989 Ford {{Nowrap|F-600}} in back (GVWR: {{convert|20200|lb|t}}

File:Peterbilt 330 dump with dirt tub dump body.JPG|Class 7 Peterbilt 330 dump truck.

File:Kenworth_W900_semi_in_red.jpg|Class 8 Kenworth W900 tractor with spread-axle {{convert|48|ft|m|2|adj=on}} refrigerated trailer.

File:Western Star 6900 XD 6x4 2012 (15057838195).jpg|Western Star 6900XD tractor.

{{Portal|Transport}}

{{div col|colwidth=24em}}

• Car classification
• Vehicle size class
• Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE)
• Commercial vehicle
• Curb weight
• Driver's license
• Fifth wheel
• Gross weight:
• Gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
• Gross combined weight rating (GCWR)
• Gross trailer weight rating (GTWR)
• Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
• Light commercial vehicle
• Large goods vehicle
• List of truck types
• Semi-trailer
• Tow hitch
• Trailer
• Vehicle category

{{div col end}}

{{reflist|refs=

{{Citation |last1=Clayton |first1=Alan |last2=Montufar |first2=Jeannette |last3=Middleton |first3=Dan |last4=McCauley |first4=Bill |date=August 27–31, 2000 |title=Feasibility of a New Vehicle Classification System for Canada |journal=North American Travel Monitoring Exhibition and Conference (NATMEC) 2000 |url=http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/10000/10000/10041/096ppr.pdf |access-date=August 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041101190606/http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/10000/10000/10041/096ppr.pdf |archive-date=November 1, 2004 |quote=Furthermore, the fleet characteristics vary significantly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction across the country because of differences in size and weight regulations, economic activity, physical environment, and other issues. This has led to a wide variety of vehicle classification systems used by highway agencies and municipal authorities in their traffic monitoring programs.}}

[http://www.afdc.energy.gov/data/tab/all/data_set/10380 Vehicle Weight Classes & Categories] from the United States Department of Energy

[https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/ FHWA Vehicle Types] from the United States Department of Transportation

[http://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations/420b10039.pdf Greenhouse Gas Emissions Model (GEM) User Guide EPA 420-B-10-039]. United States Environmental Protection Agency, October 2010

[http://www.epa.gov/otaq/standards/weights.htm Vehicle Weight Classifications] from the United States Environmental Protection Agency

{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/svsd/www/vius/products.html |title=Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey – Discontinued |publisher=Census.gov |date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=August 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905215157/https://www.census.gov/svsd/www/vius/products.html |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}

[http://www.ntea.com/NTEA/Member_benefits/Technical_resources/Gross_Vehicle_Weight_Rating.aspx NTEA.com – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) by Class]

[http://www.gmc.com/mediumduty/topkick/4500/index GMC TopKick 4500]{{dead link|date=April 2012}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.wrcog.cog.ca.us/downloads/050205%20Truck%20Type%20Appendix.pdf|access-date=March 12, 2018|title=Appendix: Truck Types and Classes|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722152835/http://www.wrcog.cog.ca.us/downloads/050205%20Truck%20Type%20Appendix.pdf|archive-date=July 22, 2011}}(archived)

{{cite web|url=http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/pickup/163_0412_2005_dodge_dakota/specs_overview.html |title=2005 Dodge Dakota Specifications, Fuel Economy & Overview |publisher=Truck Trend |date=February 26, 2007 |access-date=April 9, 2012}}

{{cite web|url=http://nextexitlogistics.com/class-3-4-5-truck-model-roundup/ |title=Class 3-4-5 Truck Model Roundup |publisher=Nextexitlogistics.com |date=October 22, 2014 |access-date=August 17, 2015}}

{{Citation |url=http://changingears.com/rv-sec-tow-vehicles-classes.shtml |title=Truck Classification |publisher=Changingears.com |date=March 28, 2009 |access-date=April 9, 2012}}

{{Citation|author=Rik Hinton, Idaho Transportation Department |url=http://www.itd.idaho.gov/dmv/DriverServices/CDL.htm |title=Idaho Commercial Driver's License Program |publisher=Itd.idaho.gov |date=December 22, 2011 |access-date=April 9, 2012}}

}}

• [https://www.tocansoft.com/wiki/reducing-co2-emissions-from-heavy-duty-vehicles Reducing CO₂ emissions from Heavy-Duty Vehicles] (European Union)
• [https://www.help.gv.at/Portal.Node/hlpd/public/content/4/Seite.040150.html Führerscheinklassen (Klassen der Lenkberechtigung)] {{in lang|de}} (trans.: Driving license classes)

Classification

Category:Vehicle law

Category:Vehicle classification