Declaration of GVW/Combined GVW

Just a reminder that all registered owners or lessees of commercial motor vehicles operating at 10,001 pounds or more Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) or Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (CGVW) registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) are required to declare the gross/combined gross weight at which their vehicle(s) will operate. The only exception to this regulation is pickup trucks with no body type modifications and an unladen weight under 8,001 pounds and a GVWR of 11,499 pounds and under.

Definition of GVW (Vehicles that haul a load but do not pull another vehicle): The weight that equals the total unladen weight of the vehicle plus the heaviest load that will be transported on the vehicle.

Definition of CGVW (Vehicles that pull another vehicle): The total unladen weight of the combination of vehicles plus the heaviest load that will be transported by that combination of vehicles. It is important that you declare the total combined gross operating weight of the combination of vehicles.

Another caveat – even though you have completed your GVW/CGVW Declaration with the DMV, you may still also need a Motor Carrier Permit. Failure to follow this regulation can result in a citation with a stiff fine.