Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:         What does "GVWR" mean?

A:         GVWR means Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. GVWR is the rating applied by a vehicle manufacturer, and represents the maximum total weight of vehicle, cargo, people, fuel, and other fluids together.

Q:         How is GVWR used?

A:         The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is one method used to determine whether a vehicle is subject to regulation.

Q:         I'm confused. I've heard some people say that a GVWR of 10,001 lbs. or more makes a vehicle subject to the regulations, others say 26,001 lbs. Can you help clear this up?

A:         Vehicles with a GVWR of 10,001 lbs. or more used as part of a business (including a non-profit organization) are considered commercial motor vehicles for purposes of most of the safety regulations. This applies to:

  • Single vehicles (trucks and vans)

  • Passenger carrying vehicles with more than 15 passengers including the driver and passenger carrying vehicles equipped for 15 passengers, including the driver.

  • Combinations of vehicles (such as a truck pulling a trailer or other equipment). At 26,001 lb. and above GVWR, additional requirements also apply (Commercial Driver's License and Drug and Alcohol Testing).

  • Vehicles that carry hazardous materials for a business purpose are considered commercial regardless of GVWR.

Q:         I've never heard of these regulations before. Are they new?

A:         No. The safety regulations at the 10,001 lb. GVWR level have been in the Federal Regulations for decades. The State of Georgia first adopted the Federal Regulations in 1972 for for-hire carriers, and they have applied to both private and for-hire companies since 1984. The current adoption of the Safety Regulations can be found here.

Q:         My truck (or truck & trailer) that I use for my business has a GVWR of 10,001 lb. or more. Do I need a medical examiner's certificate?

A:         Yes. The medical qualification and exam requirements apply. You may download the medical exam form here. http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/print-forms/print-forms.htm

Q:         My truck (or truck & trailer) that I use for my business has a GVWR of 10,001 lb. or more. Do I need a US DOT Number?

A:         Yes.  You may apply for a US DOT Number through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at www.fmcsa.dot.gov

Q:         My truck (or truck and trailer) that I use for my business has a GVWR of 10,001 lb. or more. What hours-of-service limits apply?

A:         1. The driver may drive up to 11 hours, after having 10 consecutive hours off duty.

2. The driver must go off-duty after 14 hours, after having 10 consecutive hours off duty (all time counts against this 14-hour limit).

3. For a company that has vehicles operating every day, the driver may not exceed a total of 70 hours on duty time in the current 8-day period. For a company that does not operate every day, the limit is 60 hours on duty in the current 7-day period.

4. Drivers utilizing time records may drive up to 11 hours if they return to their work reporting location within 12 hours.

Q:         What are the commonly violated regulations?

A:         For vehicles and combinations with GVWR of 10,001 lbs. or more:

1. Vehicle identification (Name and US DOT Number)

2. No medical exam certificate

3. Using a radar detector (radar detectors are prohibited)

4. No fire extinguisher

5. No stopped vehicle warning devices (reflective triangles)

6. Driver did not do a pre-trip inspection (need not be written)

7. Driver exceeded hours-of-service limits

8. No time records kept on driver

9. No annual mechanical inspection of vehicle

10. No post-trip inspection (must be in writing and is not required to be carried on board the vehicle)

11. Trailers not equipped with required brakes, lights, and reflectors.

Q:         Does my trailer have to have brakes?

A:         Yes, if the gross weight of the trailer (weight of trailer and load) is over 3,000 lbs.

Q:         What brakes are required?

A:         Operative service brakes on all wheels, a parking brake system, an emergency brake system, and a breakaway braking system. The parking and emergency systems can be combined.

Q:         Are surge brakes legal?

A:         Surge brakes are not legal in interstate commerce. For vehicles that stay in Georgia, and do not carry interstate freight or passengers, surge brakes can be used on trailers that meet the limits of O.C.G.A. §40-8-50(d).   http://www.legis.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/gl_codes_detail.pl?code=40-8-50

Q:         Can I use a radar detector?

A:         No. Radar detectors are prohibited in commercial vehicles 10,001 lbs. or above.

Q:         What kinds of regulations are there about alcoholic beverages?

A:         These regulations apply to all commercial vehicles, 10,001 lbs. or more:

1. The driver may not have any alcoholic beverage (including so called "non-alcoholic" beer) anywhere on the vehicle or combination. There are exceptions if the beverages are part of the legitimate manifested cargo, and for bus and limousine passengers.

2. The driver may not operate the vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol in their system.

3. The driver may not consume alcohol within 4 hours of reporting to work.

A driver who violates these regulations will be shut down for 24 hours. The vehicle may be impounded.

Q:         My truck has air brakes, but a GVWR of under 26,001 lbs. Do I need a Commercial Driver's License?

A:         No, unless the vehicle is used to transport hazardous materials that require placards. Air brakes alone do not invoke the CDL requirement. However, the National Transportation Safety Board http://www.ntsb.gov/pressrel/2006/060207a.htm) advises that you should train the driver in the differences between hydraulic and air brakes.

Q:         Once I need a CDL, what else applies?

A:         Drivers who are required to hold a Commercial Drivers License are also subject to the Alcohol and Controlled Substance (drug) Testing Requirements of 49 CFR Part 382. 

Q:         Do I need to stop at a weigh station in Georgia?

A:         If the vehicle or combination is 10,001 lbs. GVWR or actual gross weight or over, you must pull into all open weight and inspection stations. Signs, lighted arrows, or enforcement personnel will guide you.

Q:         Where can I get more information about the Motor Carrier Safety Regulations?

A:         The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a Regulatory Guidance section on their website. http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrguide.asp?section_type=A

Federal Motor Carrier Safty Rules and Regulations books may be purchased from the following suppliers:

J.J. Keller and Associates, Inc.
www.jjkeller.com
877-564-2333

Label Master
www.labelmaster.com
800-621-3808

Georgia Motor Trucking Association
www.gmta.org
770-444-9771

Information about the Hazardous Materials Regulations can be found at the US DOT Hazardous Materials safety homepage http://hazmat.dot.gov

NOTE: These Questions and Answers are general restatements of the Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and Georgia Law. Always consult applicable regulations and law specific to your situation.