Traveling on Commercial plates?

[LeeRevell]

I have often read on this forum that some states require vans of a certain weight class, and box trucks/vans, to be titled/registered 'Commercial'.  For anyone with this situation, are you under the same rule as true commercial vehicles for having to stop at all weigh stations and inspections?  How do you handle this on a long drive?  Any problems with the LEO seeing the vehicle as a live-in? 

 

[wagoneer]

I drive a Ford E350xl window van I think the window aspect reflects the non commercial look with the ability to be able to look inside reducing the commercial "appearance" while the limo tint makes this difficult unless you put your head right on the glass. At a distance not as commercial looking as a
metal box. I was able to switch from commercial to standard by simply having a vehicle inspection at the DMV. Got my plates the same day.
AUTO MAKERS ARE VERY AWARE OF THE WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS AND LAWS GOVERNING FREIGHT LIMITATIONS.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

As far as having to stop at weigh stations, it varies from state to state.  Some require ALL commercial vehicles to stop, others only require commercial vehicles above a certain weight to stop.  Here's a synopses of the different laws:

http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/weigh-stations/

Regards
John 

 

[LeeRevell]

OP, thanks! That helps clarify some of the questions. Will research the rest.

 

[Canine]

While not in a commercial plate state for vans and trucks (pickups), I did see a few years ago that Louisiana was all commercial.  I remember asking a driver from there if he had problems on the road, he said he never did as everyone understood that the basic pickup wasn't going to be overweight or needing a CDL license.  

Here's what Maine says, and many states use about the same language:

Why does my pick-up truck have commercial plates when I am not in commerce?

"In Maine, all vehicles over 6,000 pounds are registered by weight. This is true whether you are in business or are a private person. Any vehicle registering for a weight more than 6,000 lbs is given a commercial plate. "Commercial" is simply the name of the category of plate.

A pick-up truck can be registered as a passenger car, but then is limited to a weight of 6,000 lbs for vehicle and load. Many larger pick-up trucks weigh more than 6,000 lbs empty. These vehicles must register for a higher weight.

What weight should I use when I register my truck?

You should request enough weight to cover the truck, the truck's load, any trailer you might haul and the load on the trailer.

Do I have to stop at a truck check?

State law says that all vehicles subject to gross vehicle weight restrictions must stop at a truck check. Generally speaking, if you are in commerce and you weigh more than 10,001 lbs, or carry 15 or more passengers or carry hazmat, you must stop.

Do I need a DOT number?

Yes, if you are operating a vehicle in interstate commerce and the vehicle

has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight of 10,001 lbs whichever is greater or
is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation or
is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver and is not used to transport passengers for compensation or
is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous.
Yes, if you are operating a vehicle in intrastate (in Maine only) commerce and the vehicle

has a registered gross weight of 10,001lbs or more or
is a truck with three or more axles on the powered unit, or
is a bus for hire that has been issued a Permit for Operation of Motorcoach Intrastate Carrier by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles"

*************************
Notice that it's all about weight or using it for a living. No you, with a less than 10,000 private use vehicle, wouldn't stop at weigh stations...

 

[Canine]

New York, California, Massachusetts are examples of states that can require you to register your vehicle as commercial just because of unladen weight. Here's Massachusetts:


"As you can see from above, you must know what the definition of a Private Passenger vehicle is, in order to determine if the vehicle is defined as a Commercial vehicle. The definition of a Private passenger vehicle is:

A) Any vehicle which has a weight rating of 6,000 pounds or less or is a sport utility vehicle or passenger van, or which is a pickup truck or cargo van of the ½ ton, ¾ ton or 1 ton class (per the manufacturer) or a vehicles used solely for official business by a college or university police department

B) A pickup truck or cargo van that is registered or leased to an individual and is used exclusively for personal, recreational or commuting purposes.

C) Any vehicle not described elsewhere by the Mass DOT/RMV rules, 540 CMR."

It can be confusing!!!

AZ allows cargo vans up to 3/4 ton but NOT 1 tons to be registered as personal use.

 

[WriterMs]

Just a side note for anyone who does have commercial plates: You may not be able to use the wonderful Natchez Trace Parkway. There are signs posted about "no commercial vehicles" when you turn to go on to the Parkway at any point, but I did not think twice about the signs since my former wheelchair-accessible transit van has passenger vehicle plates from South Dakota.

I was headed for the wonderful (and FREE) Lewis & Clark campground on the Trace (near Howenwald, TN) after dark. A car kept buzzing behind me and then suddenly cop lights came on. He pulled me over, but when he came to the door he quickly saw I had converted the van for RV use. He explained in the dark he had not been able to determine if my SD plates were private or commercial. So, since my "use" and plates were was private, I was fine. We chatted a while (nice young man), and I was on my way.

I have no idea how they'd interpret a pickup and camper shell that has commercial plates -- if anyone plans to travel the Trace (which is beautiful), it would be worth a call to their LEOs.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Similar situation with the Taconic State Parkway between NYC and Albany.  Robert Moses oversaw it's construction, and he deliberatly made the overpasses so low that the road could never be converted for commercial traffic.

Regards
John