Registering Commercial Vehicles and PTI Trailers FFVR 27

General Information

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

Vehicles that 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, utility or horse trailers.)

Vehicles that are NOT affected

The following commercial motor vehicles are not affected:

  • Pickups, even though a pickup can operate over 10,000 GVW. Pickups have a maximum unladen weight of 8,000 lbs.
  • 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.

GVW and CGW definitions

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.

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.

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.

Using only the GVW/CGW listed on your vehicle

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 to report a change in the GVW/CGW

You must complete a new declaration form whenever your declared GVW/CGW changes to a higher 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 (California Vehicle Code §42030.1).

Use of the declaration form if your vehicle will not be operated at a weight of 10,001 lbs. or more GVW or CGW.

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.

CVRA weight decals/CVRA year stickers

All CVRA registered vehicles are issued CVRA weight decals and CVRA year stickers that must be displayed on both the right and left sides of the vehicle. The CVRA year stickers will correspond in color with the registration 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 for a fee in addition to the regular year sticker.

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 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 an 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

Trailers that 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 and park trailers are subject to annual registration and excluded from PTI.

Fees charged for a trailer

A PTI fee is charged for the original registration. You will receive a permanent identification card at the time of initial registration/conversion.

A PTI service fee is due every five years.

About 60 days prior to the due date, you will receive a PTI service fee notice. 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 (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 to register your trailer in the PTI program

You must submit:

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

Trailers in the PTI program do not "expire," however; these records must be maintained via a renewal process at least every five years. A renewal notice will be mailed to PTI trailer owners every five years, beginning with renewals due December 31, 2006. No new indicia will be issued upon payment of the PTI renewal; however, customers will receive a PTI Fee Payment receipt.

Personalized or special license plates for trailers.

Personalized license plates 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.

FFVR 27 (REV. 7/2007)