Registering Commercial Vehicles and PTI Trailers (FFVR 27)

Commercial Vehicle Registration Act (CVRA)

The Commercial Vehicle Registration Act (CVRA) changed the way the Department of Motor Vehicles registers commercial motor vehicles and some trailers.

Which vehicles are affected?

This law affects:

Commercial motor vehicles with a declared gross vehicle weight (GVW) or combined gross vehicle weight (CGW) of 10,001 lbs. or more.
Most trailers (for example, semi-trailers, boat trailers, utility trailers, or horse trailers.)

Which vehicles are NOT affected?

The following commercial motor vehicles are not affected:

Pickups, even though a pickup can operate over 10,000 GVW.
Light-weight trucks and vans if the declared GVW or CGW is 10,000 lbs. or less.
Taxis and rental limousines (which include charter-party carriers operating limousines that pick up and deliver airport passengers) if the declared GVW is 10,000 or less.

NOTE: Weight fees for the above vehicles (not including trailers) will continue to be based on the unladen weight.

Also excluded are:

For more information see "Trailers" below.

Declared Operating Weight

What are GVW and CGW?

Declared gross vehicle weight (GVW) is the weight that equals the total unladen weight of the vehicle plus the heaviest load that will be transported on the vehicle.

Declared combined gross vehicle weight (CGW) is the total unladen weight of the combination of vehicles (motor truck and trailer) plus the heaviest load that will be transported by that combination.

If you tow a trailer or other vehicle, (e.g., a truck loaded with produce pulling a trailer loaded with bricks), it is important that you declare the total, combined, gross operating weight of the combination of vehicles.

All commercial motor vehicle owners/lessees must declare the gross operating weight when:

The vehicle is first registered.
The vehicle is purchased (new or used).
The operating weight changes. If the operating weight increases, complete a Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight form (REG 4008). Additional CVRA fees will be collected for the remainder of the registration year or partial registration year (PYR) period. If the operating weight decreases, the lower weight will be added to the vehicle record and a new registration card will be issued. Refunds are not issued when the operating weight decreases.

NOTE: Owners may register commercial vehicles on a partial year basis. The operating weight does not have to be re-declared (on a new declaration form) each time the partial year registration is requested (during the registration year) unless the operating weight changes.

Commercial Motor Vehicles

How do I report my GVW or CGW?

You must complete a declaration form and declare the GVW/CGW at which you will operate your vehicle with its heaviest load (see definition of GVW/CGW above) so that your registration renewal notice will reflect the correct CVRA fee. (See CVRA Weight Range Schedule.)

Your registration card will reflect the highest weight for the weight range. For example, if your vehicle operating weight is 42,000 GVW, your certificate will show 45,000 lbs. Whenever you receive a new registration card, make sure it shows the correct weight range.

A declaration form is required for any original, commercial registration application submitted (first time being registered in California) or upon transfer of vehicle ownership.

You must complete another declaration form whenever your declared GVW or CGW changes to a higher weight range.

What is the declaration form?

The "Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight" form (REG 4008) contains information and instructions for you to declare your vehicle's GVW/CGW.

Can I just use the GVW/CGW listed on my vehicle?

Yes, however, the GVW/CGW listed is the manufacturer's maximum weight at which the vehicle can safely operate. You must still determine whether or not the vehicle will be operated at the maximum.

How do I report a change in the GVW/CGW?

You must complete a new declaration form whenever your declared GVW/CGW changes to a higher (or greater) weight range. If your declared GVW/CGW increased after it was reported to DMV, an additional CVRA fee is due on the higher weight range for the remainder of the registration year or if registered on a partial year registration (PYR) basis, for the period of registration requested. The appropriate CVRA fees must be paid prior to operation of the vehicle at the higher weight.

If your declared GVW/CGW decreased after your vehicle was registered at the weight reported to DMV, a pro-rated refund of the CVRA fee is not applicable.

NOTE: Weight violations in under-reporting can result in a substantial fine, up to $2,000 for operating over the declared gross weight (Vehicle Code §42030.1).

My vehicle will not be operated at a weight of 10,001 lbs. or more GVW or CGW. Do I have to complete the declaration form?

You must complete, sign, and return the declaration form indicating your vehicle will not be operated at 10,001 lbs. or more GVW/CGW. Once DMV receives this information, your vehicle will continue to be assessed fees based on the unladen weight. If you fail to report the vehicle weight, you will be assessed the maximum CVRA fee plus vehicle license and registration fees.

New CVRA Weight Decals/CVRA Year Stickers

All CVRA registered vehicles with expiration dates of July 31, 2005, or later will be issued CVRA weight decals and CVRA year stickers that are required to be displayed on both the right and left sides of the vehicle. The CVRA year stickers will correspond in color with the regular auto, commercial, trailer, and motorcycle (ACTM) sticker color. The CVRA weight decals indicate the highest GVW/CGW at which the vehicle may be operated. The CVRA weight decals and CVRA year stickers are issued in addition to the regular year sticker for a fee.

EXCEPTION: Decals showing “54” are valid for a vehicle operating up to 54,999 GVW/CGW.

The CVRA weight decals will be issued once with the CVRA year stickers. On subsequent renewals, only the CVRA year stickers will be issued unless there is a vehicle weight change or duplicate CVRA weight decals are required.

Implements of Husbandry

If a truck subject to CVRA, owned and operated by a farmer or an employee, is used only for conducting agricultural business and in that business it pulls (tows) an implement of husbandry or a vehicle with special equipment (SE) plates, the weight of the implement of husbandry or the SE plated vehicle and its load do not have to be declared. The weight of the truck and any load it will carry, except the implement of husbandry or SE plated vehicle, must be declared.

Tow Trucks

Tow trucks used to assist the motoring public or to tow or carry impounded vehicles are subject to CVRA fees. The tow truck's declared weight shall be based on the gross vehicle weight rating (GVW) assigned by the vehicle's manufacturer.

Trailers

What trailers are subject to Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI)?

All trailers except park trailers and trailer coaches are subject to PTI.

NOTE: A camp trailer or fifth-wheel trailer (depending upon maximum length, width, or size) can be registered as a trailer coach, or camp trailer. Camp trailers are subject to PTI, but trailer coaches are subject to annual registration and excluded from PTI.

Will fees be charged for a trailer?

Yes. There is a Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) fee for the original registration. You will receive a permanent identification card at the time of initial registration/conversion.

The PTI is renewed every five (5) years.

Approximately 60 days prior to the expiration date, you will receive a PTI renewal notice requesting the fee. Return the fee in the envelope provided. You will receive a notice of acknowledgment for the payment.

Upon conversion to PTI registration, you can:

Retain the existing trailer plate, or
Request a new permanent trailer identification plate.

Tow dollies or auxiliary dollies are not required to be registered in California (Vehicle Code §5014.1), but you may opt to convert to PTI. If you convert to PTI, you need to display a PTI plate or a regular plate with a PTI sticker. If you do not convert to PTI, remove the existing plate.

While registration under the PTI program is optional for tow dollies, you may want to register your tow dolly under PTI if you will be towing it out of state because other states' registration requirements for trailers vary.

How do I register my trailer in the PTI program?

You must submit:

Titling document(s) (out of state title, new vehicle report of sale, Manufacturer's Statement of Origin, etc.) to establish your ownership of the vehicle.
An Application for Registration/Title (REG 343).
Original Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) filing fee.

The department will issue a PTI Card and maintain an electronic ownership record. If there is no legal owner, and you would like to receive a Certificate of Title, complete Sections 1 and 2 on Side A of the PTI Certification (REG 4017). An additional title only fee is charged for the paper title.

PTI Renewal

The PTI is renewed every five (5) years (renewal fee). If you keep your existing plate, a PTI sticker will be issued. The PTI plate does not need a sticker.

Personalized or Special Interest License Plates for Trailers.

Personalized and special interest license plates may be retained or requested on a PTI trailer. The trailer owner will receive an annual renewal notice for the special license plate renewal fees, which vary depending on the type of special license plate.

Fees for Commercial Vehicles

Trucks operated at a gross or a combined gross weight of 10,001 lbs. or more, will be assessed a CVRA fee in addition to other registration fees (including but not limited to a CVRA Motor Vehicle fee and a CVRA CHP fee). Trucks operated at a gross weight of 10,000 lbs. or less will continue to be assessed a weight fee based on the truck's unladen (empty) weight.

The vehicle CVRA fee is based on the Commercial Vehicle Registration Act (CVRA) Range Schedule.

Fines for Operating Over the Declared Weight

If drivers operate their vehicles over the registered owner's declared weight, the driver may be cited by law enforcement. If the vehicle is operated over the declared weight, fines between $250 and $2,000 may be assessed (Vehicle Code §42030.1). Additional CVRA fees would be required.

Permanent Fleet Registration

The criteria to qualify for Permanent Fleet Registration (PFR) is as follows:

Only motor vehicles (power units) are eligible for PFR registration. Fleet owners do not declare trailers as part of their fleets. Power units can include all types of motor vehicles except motorcycles. For example:
Automobiles
Pickup trucks
Limousines
Truck tractors
Delivery vans
Fleet owner(s) or association(s) must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the PFR program.
An association must register at least 250 motor vehicles and each association member must register at least 25 motor vehicles.
A single owner (not part of an association) must register at least 50 units (motor vehicles).

Current fleet owners may continue to register their vehicles PFR. The CVRA law allows existing owners or associations five years to meet the eligibility requirements (until December 31, 2006). See Trailers above.

All CVRA PFR registered vehicles will be issued CVRA weight decals and CVRA year stickers that are gold with PFR boldly printed in black. For an initial PFR application, each CVRA commercial vehicle will be charged a CVRA weight decals fee. For an existing PFR registered vehicle the fee applies to the first renewal that occurs on or after July 31, 2005. PFR customers are not issued new CVRA/PFR stickers in subsequent renewals unless a weight change is reported to the department, or if the CVRA weight decals and/or the CVRA/PFR year stickers are lost. The CVRA weight decals fee is due only when the CVRA weight decals or CVRA/PFR year stickers are issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q - Does the CVRA law affect all truck owners?

A - No. This law does not affect:

Pickups, as defined, that weigh under 8,001 lbs. unladen.
Lightweight trucks, vans, taxis, and rental limousines (including charter-party carriers operating limousines that pick up and deliver airport passengers), if the vehicle's GVW is 10,000 pounds or less.
Commercial motor vehicles registered with special equipment or exempt license plates.

2. Q - What do I do if I didn't receive a CVRA Weight Declaration Form?

A - Print the REG 4008, complete the form, and mail it to DMV at:

DMV CVRA Program
PO Box 932377
Sacramento, CA 94232-3770

3. Q - Can I declare an operating weight higher than my vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)?

A- Yes, but only if you are declaring the weight of your vehicle in combination with a towed vehicle and its load (the Combined Gross Weight). NOTE: A declared Combined Gross Weight does not authorize a truck without another vehicle in tow to exceed the truck's authorized axle weight limits.

4. Q - I own a dump truck and received a declaration form (REG 4008). Do I have to fill out the form?

A- Yes. If you have a commercial motor vehicle operating at a gross or combined gross weight of 10,001 pounds or more, you must complete and return the form.

5. Q-Do I still have to pay license and registration fees?

A- Yes. Vehicle license and registration-related fees are still due on all commercial motor vehicles. The new CVRA fee is in lieu of the weight fee.

6. Q - I received a declaration form, but I own a 4-door pickup. Do I have to complete the declaration form?

A- Yes, if your vehicle weighs over 8,000 lbs unladen. If your title shows the body type of "PK" or "PU," you need to bring your title and pickup to your local DMV to correct the body type to other than a pickup.

You may make an Appointment(s) online.

7. Q - I have a pickup truck and sometimes tow a heavy trailer. I believe the over-all weight may be over 10,001 lbs. Should I complete a declaration form?

A- No. Pickup trucks as defined, do not have to declare their operating weight regardless of how heavy the load or combined vehicle weight.

8. Q - I own my own truck tractor and pull trailers owned by other companies. Do I have to declare the weight of the trailer?

A- Yes. You must declare the highest combined operating weight. The total gross weight of the combination of vehicles (motor truck and towed vehicle) plus the heaviest load that will be transported by that combination.

9. Q - Did the Commercial Vehicle Registration Act (CVRA) eliminate the International Registration Plan (IRP) for commercial motor vehicles?

A - No. Commercial motor vehicles may still be registered in the IRP program.

10. Q - I have filed a planned non-operation (PNO) status with DMV for my truck. I just received a declaration form from DMV. Should I complete the form now, or should I wait until I renew the vehicle registration?

A- There are no penalties for waiting until you register your vehicle. If you do not complete the form now, it is important to complete the declaration form when you register your vehicle, or you will be assessed the highest gross/combined vehicle weight range fee, plus license and registration fees.