13.165 Weight Fee Penalty (VC §9400)

A penalty is assessed if weight fees are not paid within the required timeframe. Refer to Appendices 1D and 1F for penalty dates and fees.

13.160 Weight Fee Exemptions

The following commercially-designed vehicles are exempt from weight fees:

• Three-axle motor vehicles weighing less than 2,000 pounds unladen (VC §9400c).
• Agricultural water-well boring rigs (VC §9405).
• Vehicles operated in accordance with a permit issued by DMV.
• Nonresident vehicles operated in accordance with reciprocity agreements.
• Forklift trucks that are moved unladen over the highways (VC §9409).
• Commercial-type motor vehicles manufactured in 1936 or prior (VC §9401(a)). A weight fee is due if commercial plates are requested for the vehicle (VC §9401(b)).
• Vehicles operated or moved over the highway exclusively for the purpose of historical exhibition or other similar noncommercial purpose (VC §9400).
• One commercial vehicle with an unladen weight of 8,000 pounds or less which is registered to a disabled person and displays Disabled Person (DP) License Plates (VC §9410).

The following vehicles are exempt from weight fees and are issued passenger license plates (VC §9107). A Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form describing the use of the vehicle must be included with applications for original registration and renewal.

• Vanpool vehicles as defined in VC §668.
• Vehicles operated by a passenger stage corporation as defined in the California Public Utilities Code (CPUC) §226, when all of the following conditions exist:
  • The vehicle is operated exclusively on any line(s) having a one-way route mileage not exceeding 15 miles in either urban or suburban areas or between cities in close proximity or between nonadjacent urban or suburban areas or cities.
  • The area between which is substantially residential, commercial, or industrial as distinguished from rural.
  • The principal business of the corporation is the operation of vehicles on a route or routes as defined in the previous bullets.

• Vehicles operated exclusively on any line or lines within the limits of a single city by a person engaged as a common carrier of passengers between a fixed terminus or over a regular route, 98 percent of whose operations are exclusively within the limits of a single city, and who by reason thereof is not a passenger stage corporation subject to the jurisdiction of the PUC.
• Vehicles purchased with federal funds, under the authority of Section 1612 of Title 49 of the United States Code (USC) or Chapter 35 (commencing with §3001) of Title 42 of the USC, for the purpose of providing specialized transportation services to senior citizens and handicapped persons by public and private nonprofit operators of specialized transportation service agencies.

13.155 Weight Fees (VC §9400)

Commercial vehicles are subject to weight fees in addition to registration and vehicle license fees. The weight fee amount is determined based on the vehicle’s unladen weight, gross vehicle weight (GVW), or combined gross vehicle weight (CGW) and number of axles. Refer to Appendix 1F for Weight Fee Schedules.

Note When a used body is removed from a currently registered vehicle and installed on a new cab and chassis, weight fees for the entire vehicle are due.

13.150 Weight Exceptions

A weight certificate is not required or may be waived for:

• New commercial vehicles weighing 8,000 pounds or less, which are sold by California-licensed dealers. The dealer must certify to the unladen weight on the Application For Registration Of New Vehicle (REG 397) form.
• Trailers or semi-trailers registered under the Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) program. The estimated unladen weight is required.
• Two-or three-axle motor vehicles weighing 10,001 pounds or more. The estimated unladen weight is required.
• Vehicles previously registered in California when the prior California commercial registration shows the unladen weight and number of axles and the application includes a REG 256 (PDF) stating no changes or alterations have been made to the vehicle.
• Nonresident commercial vehicles with an unladen weight of 6,000 pounds or less, if the nonresident title or registration shows the empty, unladen, shipping, scale, tare, or WT/Wheels weight.

Note “Weight” as shown on the Texas title is the empty weight. “Weight with wheels” (Wt/Wheels) as shown on the New Mexico title and vehicle registration is the empty or unladen weight.

13.145 Weight Certificate (B&PC §§12700, 12711, and 12714–12715)

A California-certified public weighmaster’s certificate for commercial vehicles with an unladen or empty weight of 10,000 pounds or less and new commercial vehicles weighing 8,001 pounds or more which are sold by California-licensed dealers may be required to complete a commercial vehicle application. A California weight certificate must contain the following information:

• The name of the public weighmaster as shown on the weighmaster’s license. It may be printed or stamped on the form and countersigned by a deputy or electronically imprinted on the certificate.
• The license number or vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle.
• The unladen (or tare) weight of the vehicle.
• The date and city where signed.
• The certification: “This is to certify that the following described commodity was weighed, measured, or counted by a public weighmaster, and their signature is a recognized authority of accuracy as prescribed by Chapter 7, Division 5 of the California Business and Professions Code (commencing with §12700), administered by the Division of Measurement Standards of the Department of Food and Agriculture.”

You may also accept:

• A weight certificate that shows “private” weighmaster and refers to Chapter 7.3 of Division 5 of the California Business and Professions Code.
• A Weights and Measures Certificate of Inspection form or other official statement for a municipal vehicle weighed by a Weights & Measures official.

A registration application must show the weight of the vehicle in pounds. Some electronic scales record weight in tons and fractions of a ton. A weight certificate showing the weight in tons/fractions of a ton is acceptable, but you must convert the ton weight to pounds and enter the weight in pounds on the application. Convert the ton weight to pound weight by multiplying the ton weight by 2,000 (2,000 pounds in one ton). Do not enter weight in tons on any commercial registration application.

Weight Certificate for Multiple Identical Vehicles—One weight certificate is acceptable for multiple new or used commercial vehicles of identical make, size, and equipment, when the applications are submitted together.

Applications without the weight certificate submitted with an identical vehicles with a weight certificate must include a Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF)form certifying the vehicle is identical to and is of the same weight classification (pounds) as shown on the weight certificate for VIN (VIN number from identical vehicle).

Out-of-State Weight Certificates—A weight certificate from Oregon, Nevada, or Arizona is acceptable when the closest weigh station is in one of these states. A weight certificate from any other state is acceptable only if the vehicle is not physically located in California at the time of registration.

Weight Certificate Includes the Weight of Excluded Equipment—If a request for the weight fee exemption is received on an application that includes a weight certificate for a complete vehicle, the registered owner must complete a REG 256 showing the:

• Unladen weight of the vehicle with the excluded equipment.
• Estimated weight of the equipment that should be excluded from the total weight of the vehicle.
• Unladen weight of the vehicle without the excluded equipment.

13.140 Unladen Weight Exclusions (VC §661)

The unladen weight does not include:

• Any load, such as sand, gravel, water, etc. A load is usually a product being transported from one place to another.
• Any machinery, equipment, or attachment specifically excluded from unladen weight by VC §661. Statute specifically excludes the following equipment, which is necessary for the efficient operation of the body or vehicle to which it is attached, from the unladen weight of the vehicle:
  • Any camper unit temporarily attached to a vehicle.
  • Equipment used for loading, compacting, or unloading of refuse.
  • Temporary equipment used to contain or support the load which does not change the body classification. For example, side stakes on a truck used to contain the load or chains used to tie down a load.
  • Concrete transit-mixer—Only the machinery or equipment that mixes and dispenses the mixed cement is exempt, such as the drum, the motor that turns the drum, the mixing blades, and the motor reduction gear.
  • Refrigeration equipment—Only the refrigeration equipment is exempt. Refrigeration equipment includes the compressor, compressor motor, condenser, and cover enclosing the unit. The exemption does not extend to the van body.
• Any machinery, equipment, or attachment which is not necessary for the efficient operation of the body or vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Equipment for loading, compacting, or unloading garbage/refuse may be excluded from the unladen weight of the vehicle to which they are mounted and should be body type model (BTM) GG (VC §661(a)).
  • Dump trucks—Used to carry garbage/refuse are not excluded from the unladen weight and should be BTM DP.
    Note The weight fee exemption cannot be granted for vehicles used to haul waste materials that have a value at the point at which the material is loaded (for example, tallow and meat scraps to be rendered into a marketable product).
  • Grinding equipment—Only the grinder and equipment to operate it are exempt.
  • Spray apparatus—Only the tank is exempt.
  • Tow truck—A motor vehicle which has been altered or designed and equipped for, and primarily used in the business of transporting vehicles by means of a crane, hoist, tow bar, tow line, or dolly, or is otherwise primarily used to render assistance to other vehicles. Tow truck does not include a tow vehicle registered to a licensed dismantler and used exclusively to tow vehicles owned by that dismantler in the course of the auto dismantling business (VC §615).
    Note The roll-back equipment on a tow truck is not exempt from weight fees.
     
  • Tow truck crane—Only the weight of the crane and equipment to operate the crane are exempt. Exempt equipment may include the motor, gears, hydraulic pumps, levers, and attachments to the vehicle which are directly involved in the operation of the crane.
    Note Roll-back and wheel-lift wreckers do not have tow crane equipment installed and are not eligible for the weight fee exemption in VC §§660 and 661.
  • Wood saws—Only the saw and motor that runs the saw are exempt.
  • Well-drilling machines—Only the boom is exempt.

Weight Certificate Includes The Weight of Excluded Equipment—If a request for the weight fee exemption is received on an application that includes a weight certificate for a complete vehicle, the registered owner must complete a Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form showing the:

• Unladen weight of the vehicle with the excluded equipment.
• Estimated weight of the equipment that should be excluded from the total weight of the vehicle.
• Unladen weight of the vehicle without the excluded equipment.

13.135 Unladen or Tare Weight (VC §660)

Unladen weight (sometimes shown as tare weight) is defined as the weight of a vehicle equipped and ready for operation on the road and includes:

• The body, fenders, permanently attached boxes, and body parts.
• The oil in the motor, a radiator full of water, and five gallons of gasoline.
• Any machinery, equipment, or attachment which is necessary for the efficient operation of the body or vehicle. Refer to the Unladen Weight Exclusions section in this chapter for exclusions from unladen weight information.

The following policy shall apply when determining whether or not a specific piece of equipment is necessary for the efficient operation of a body or vehicle:

“Any attachment to the body or vehicle which functions as a part of the body or vehicle in its normal operations shall be considered a part of the unladen weight unless specifically excluded under VC §661.”

13.130 Trolley Coaches (VC §650)

Trolley coaches are vehicles propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires which are not operated on rails.

• They are subject to registration and annual renewal as electric vehicles.
• Registration requirements are the same as for any other new or used commercial vehicle.
• Electric vehicle weight fees are due.

13.125 Tow Dolly (VC §225)

A tow dolly is a vehicle towed by a motor vehicle and designed and used exclusively to transport another motor vehicle. The front or rear wheels of the towed motor vehicle are mounted on the tow dolly, while the other wheels of the towed motor vehicle remain in contact with the ground.

A tow dolly is not required to be registered but may be registered under the Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) program. Tow dolly operators who plan to operate their tow dollies in other states are encouraged to apply for PTI, as other states may require indicia on these specialized trailers.

Some dollies may be permanently coupled to a commercial motor vehicle to form a three-axle tow car. The combination must remain intact and be used exclusively as a tow car as set forth in VC §615.

The following must be submitted:

• The California Certificate of Title for the motor vehicle.
• A weight certificate.
• Receipt or proof of ownership for the tow dolly.

The procedures below must be followed:

• Reclassify the vehicle license fee (VLF) to include the cost of the device.
• Change the body type model (BTM) to DLY for a three-axle tow car.
• Collect any additional weight fees due from the date of first operation as a three-axle commercial vehicle. A penalty is due if the fees are not paid within 20 days.

Note Commercial auxiliary tow dollies do not qualify for Special Equipment (SE) license plates.

13.120 Street Sweeper (VC §4000)

Street sweepers are subject to registration as automobiles unless they are used to transport property other than the debris picked up in their normal sweeping use.