Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual

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Section 4 of 38

Chapter 3: Collection and Payment of Fees and Penalties

3.085 Weight Fees

Chapter 3 Collection and Payment of Fees and Penalties

3.085 Weight Fees

Weight fees are collected on commercial vehicles in addition to the other fees due for registration. See Appendix 1F.

  • Weight fees for vehicles operated under 10,001 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW) and for pickups are determined by the number of axles and unladen weight.
  • Weight fees for vehicles operated over 10,001 pounds GVW are determined by the declared GVW or combined GVW (CGW) as shown on the Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (CGW) (REG 4008) form.
  • Weight fees are subject to penalties based on the date fees are paid.

Weight Fee Exemptions

The following commercially-designed vehicles are exempt from weight fees:

  • Three-axle motor vehicles weighing less than 2,000 pounds unladen (VC §9400(c)).
  • Agricultural water-well boring rigs (VC §9405).
  • Vehicles operated in accordance with a permit issued by DMV.
  • Nonresident vehicles operated in accordance with reciprocity agreements.
  • Forklift trucks that are moved unladen over the highways (VC §9409).
  • Commercial-type motor vehicles manufactured in 1936 or prior (VC §9401(a)). A weight fee is due if commercial license plates are requested for the vehicle (VC §9401(b)).
  • A vehicle operated or moved over the highway exclusively for the purpose of historical exhibition or other similar noncommercial purpose (VC §9400).
  • A commercial vehicle with an unladen weight of 8,000 pounds or less which is registered to a disabled person and displays Disabled Person License Plates (VC §9410).

The following vehicles are not subject to weight fees and are issued regular license plates (VC §9107):

  • Vanpool vehicles as defined in VC §668.
  • Vehicles operated by a passenger stage corporation as defined in the California Public Utilities Code (CPUC) §226, when the following occur:
    • The vehicle is operated exclusively on any line(s) having a one-way route mileage not exceeding 15 miles in either urban or suburban areas or between cities in close proximity or between nonadjacent urban or suburban areas or cities; the area between which is substantially residential, commercial, or industrial, as distinguished from rural.
    • Principal business of the corporation is the operation of vehicles on a route or routes as defined above.
  • Any vehicle operated exclusively on any line or lines within the limits of a single city by a person engaged as a common carrier of passengers between a fixed terminus or over a regular route, 98 percent of whose operations are exclusively within the limits of a single city, and who by reason thereof is not a passenger stage corporation subject to the jurisdiction of the CPUC.
  • Any vehicle purchased with federal funds under the authority of United States Code (USC), Title 49, §1612 Chapter 35, commencing with §3001 for the purpose of providing specialized transportation services to senior citizens and handicapped persons, by public and private nonprofit operators of specialized transportation service agencies.

A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form describing the use of the vehicle must be included with any application for registration or registration renewal of these vehicles.