Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual

Driver Education illustration

Section 7 of 38

Chapter 6: New Vehicles Sold by California Dealers

6.015 Multipurpose Vehicles

Chapter 6 New Vehicles Sold by California Dealers

6.015 Multipurpose Vehicles

Multipurpose vehicles are designed primarily as passenger vehicles but also have a limited cargo carrying capability. Examples: Jeep, Bronco, Blazer, Scout, and Jimmy. Any of these vehicles with a permanently-attached top may be issued auto or commercial license plates.

Some manufacturers produce variations of multipurpose vehicles that are actually pickups, but their VIN configurations may generate a utility (UT) body type model (BTM). These vehicles include:

  • Cadillac Escalade EXT.
  • Chevrolet Avalanche.
  • Ford Explorer Sport Trac.
  • Hummer H2 SUT.
  • Vehicles that have an open box-type bed or can transform from a commercial (pickup) to a noncommercial utility body type.

If the automated system generates BTM UT for these vehicles, change it to PK. These vehicles are subject to commercial registration and weight fees. Refer to Chapter 13.

Passenger Vehicle Registration—A multipurpose vehicle with BTM UT may be issued auto license plates provided the vehicle is used primarily as a passenger vehicle and is not modified or altered from its original design to purposely increase its load carrying capacity, which would make it subject to commercial registration.

Commercial Registration—To obtain commercial registration for a multipurpose vehicle, the following must be submitted:

  • The California Certificate of Title and registration card.
  • A weight certificate.
  • Weight fees.

Refer to Chapter 22 for body type corrections.