Truck classifications are typically based upon the maximum loaded weight of the truck, typically using the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and sometimes also the gross trailer weight rating (GTWR), and can vary among jurisdictions.[1]
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. 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. The United States Census Bureau also assigned classifications in its now-discontinued Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS) (formerly Truck Inventory and Use Survey (TIUS)).
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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] [5]
| US truck class | Duty classification | data-sort-type="number" | Weight limit ! | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Light duty | 0- | ||
| Class 2a | Light duty | 6001– | ||
| Class 2b | Light duty | 8501– | Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500, Ford F-250, Nissan Titan XD, Ram 2500, Tesla Cybertruck[6] | |
| Class 3 | Medium duty | 10001– | Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 3500, Ford F-350, Ford F-450 (pickup only), Ram 3500, Isuzu NPR[7] | |
| Class 4 | Medium duty | 14001– | ||
| Class 5 | Medium duty | 16001– | Chevrolet Silverado 5500HD/International CV, Ford F-550, Ram 5500, Isuzu NRR, Freightliner Business Class M2 106 | |
| Class 6 | Medium duty | 19501– | Chevrolet Silverado 6500HD/International CV, Ford F-650, Freightliner Business Class M2 106, International MV | |
| Class 7 | Heavy duty | 26001– | Autocar ACMD,[8] Freightliner Business Class M2 106, Ford F-750, Hino 338, International MV | |
| Class 8 | Heavy duty | 33001- and above | Volvo Truck VNL
|
When light-duty trucks were first produced in the United States, they were rated by their payload capacity in tons: (1000 pounds), (1500 pounds) and 1-ton (2000 pounds). Ford had introduced the "One-Tonner" in 1938 to their line of trucks.[10] The "Three-quarter-tonner" appeared in the Ford truck lineup in 1939.[10] 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.[11] 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.Web site: Bruzek . Joe . What Does Half-Ton, Three-Quarter-Ton, One-Ton Mean When Talking About Trucks? . Cars.com . US . September 1, 2016 . 2022-06-06. [12] 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.[10] The F-150 had a capacity of over 2000 pounds, compared to 1500 pounds for the F-100.[13]
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 (-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 -ton GMC Suburban), medium duty trucks (e.g. the 1-ton Ford) and some military vehicles, like the ubiquitous deuce-and-a-half.
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 .[14] 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.[15] The typical 5-axle tractor-trailer combination, also called a "semi" or "18-wheeler", is a Class 8 vehicle.[16] Standard trailers vary in length from containers to van trailers, with the most common length being the trailer.[17] 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).
Vehicle classifications vary among provinces in Canada, due to "differences in size and weight regulations, economic activity, physical environment, and other issues". 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. British Columbia and Ontario also distinguish between short- and long-combination trucks. In accident reporting, eight jurisdictions subdivide trucks by GVWR into light and heavy classes at approximately .
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.[18]
The general categories are further divided as follows:
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:
Truck (Lorry) See List of truck types