Truck classification

**Truck classifications** are typically based upon the maximum loaded weight of the truck, typically using the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and sometimes also the gross trailer weight rating (GTWR), and can vary among jurisdictions.

## United States

In the United States, commercial truck classification is determined based on the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). The classes range from 1–8. Trucks are also classified more broadly by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which groups classes 1–2 as *light duty*, 3–6 as *medium duty*, and 7–8 as *heavy duty*; a commercial driver's license (CDL) is generally required to operate heavy duty trucks. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a separate system of emissions classifications for trucks. The United States Census Bureau also assigned classifications in its now-discontinued Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS) (formerly Truck Inventory and Use Survey (TIUS)).

### Notes on weight classes

#### "Ton" rating

When light-duty trucks were first produced in the United States, they were rated by their payload capacity in tons (e.g., ​1⁄2-, ​3⁄4- and 1-ton). Over time, payload capacities for most domestic pickup trucks have increased while the ton titles have stayed the same. The now-imprecise ton rating is presently used to compare standard sizes, rather than actual capacities.

This has led to categorizing trucks similarly, even if their payload capacities are different. The Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500, Ford F-150, Nissan Titan, Ram 1500, and Toyota Tundra are called "half-ton" pickups (​1⁄2-ton). The Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500, Ford F-250, and Ram 2500 are called "three-quarter-ton" pickups. The Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 3500, Ford F-350, and Ram 3500 are known as "one ton" pickups.

Similar schemes exist for vans and SUVs (e.g. a 1-ton Dodge Van or a ​1⁄2-ton GMC Suburban), medium duty trucks (e.g. the 1​1⁄2-ton Ford F-450) and some military vehicles, like the ubiquitous deuce-and-a-half.

#### Class 8

The Class 8 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is a vehicle with a GVWR exceeding 33000 lb (14969 kg). These include tractor trailer tractors as well as single-unit dump trucks of a GVWR over 33,000 lb; such trucks typically have 3 or more axles. The typical 5-axle tractor-trailer combination, also called a "semi" or "18-wheeler", is a Class 8 vehicle. Standard trailers vary in length from 8' containers to 57' van trailers, with the most common length being the 53' trailer. Specialized trailers for oversized loads can be considerably longer. Commercial operation of a Class 8 vehicle in the United States requires either a Class-B CDL for non-combination vehicles, or a Class-A CDL for combination vehicles (tractor-trailers).

## Canada

Vehicle classifications vary among provinces in Canada, due to "differences in size and weight regulations, economic activity, physical environment, and other issues". While several provinces use their own classification schemes for traffic monitoring, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan have adopted the 13-class system from the United States' Federal Highway Administration—sometimes with modifications, or in Ontario's case, for limited purposes. British Columbia and Ontario also distinguish between short- and long-combination trucks. In accident reporting, eight jurisdictions subdivide trucks by GVWR into light and heavy classes at approximately 4500 kg (9921 lb).

## European Union

In the European scheme the European driving licence are (among others) **B** for cars, **C** for trucks (lorries), **D** for buses, and are limited by the GVWR.

Divides into two types:

1. appending a number to the class denotes the "light" versions of said class.
2. appending the letter E allows for larger trailers (GTWR).

This classification is more or less similar to the one of International Driving Permit.

* **Class B** permits the use of vehicles with GVWRs of not more than 3500 kg and a trailer with GTWRs not exceeding 750 kg, or a trailer above said limit, if the gross weight of car and trailer combined does not exceed 3500 kg (or 4250 kg after a theoretical and practical course of 7 hours).
Such vehicles are also commonly known as light commercial vehicles (LCVs), and include the Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Fiat Ducato.
* **Class BE** allows for trailers up to 3500 kg GTWR while driving a class B vehicle.
* **Class C1** raises the GVWR limit to 7500 kg and a trailer of GTWR not exceeding 750 kg.
* **Class C** removes the GVWR limit, but the GTWR limit for the trailer of 750 kg stays.
* **Class C1E** allows for a class B or C1 vehicle and a trailer of more than 750 kg GTWR, if the combined gross weight does not exceed 12000 kg.
* **Class CE** removes the trailers GTWR limit while driving a Class C vehicle.

## List of truck types

See List of truck types

* Truck (Lorry)
	+ Box truck
	+ Cab over
	+ Chassis cab
	+ Concrete mixer
	+ Conversion van
	+ Dump truck
	+ Flatbed truck
	+ Logging truck
	+ Panel van
	+ Platform truck
	+ Pickup truck
	+ Refuse truck
	+ Semi tractor
	+ Sport utility vehicle
	+ Tow truck
	+ Van

## Gallery

Class 1 Light duty Toyota TacomaClass 2 2001 Ford Excursion 4×4 (GVWR: 8,600 pounds (3.9 t)Class 3 Ford F-350Class 4 2008 Ford F-450 4×4 pick-up truck (GVWR: 14,500 pounds (6.6 t))Class 5 2005 Chevy Kodiak 4×4 (GVWR: 17,500 pounds (7.9 t))Class 6 2002 Ford F-650 in front (GVWR: 26000 lb), 1989 Ford F-600 in back (GVWR: 20,200 pounds (9.2 t)Class 7 Peterbilt 330 dump truck.Class 8 Kenworth W900 tractor with spread-axle 48-foot (14.63 m) refrigerated trailer.Western Star 6900XD tractor.