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.
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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 Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which groups classes 1–3 as light duty, 4–6 as medium duty, and 7–8 as heavy duty. The United States Environmental Protection Agency 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)).
Class 1
The Class 1 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 0–6000 lb (0–2722 kg). Examples of trucks in this class include the Dodge Dakota, Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and Ford Ranger.
Class 2
The Class 2 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 6,001–10,000 pounds (2,722–4,536 kg). Examples of vehicles in this class include the Dodge Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and the Ford F-150. Class 2 is subdivided into Class 2a (½-ton) and Class 2b (¾-ton), with class 2a being 6,001–8,500 pounds (2,722–3,856 kg), and class 2b being 8,501–10,000 pounds (3,856–4,536 kg). Examples of vehicles in Class 2b include the Dodge Ram 2500, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, and the Ford F-250. SUVs in Class 2b include the Ford Excursion and the Chevrolet Suburban 2500. Class 2a is commonly referred to as a light duty truck, with class 2b being the lowest heavy-duty class, also called the light heavy-duty class.
Class 3
The Class 3 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 10001–14000 lb (4536–6350 kg) (1-ton pickup trucks). Examples of vehicles in this class include the Dodge Ram 3500, Ford E-350, Ford F-350, and the GMC Sierra 3500. The Hummer H1 is another example of a single rear axle Class 3 truck, with a GVWR of 10300 lb (4672 kg).
Ton rating
When light-duty trucks were first produced in the United States, they were rated by their payload capacity in tons (e.g., ½-, ¾- 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 is different. Therefore, the Toyota Tacoma, Dodge Dakota, Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline, Chevrolet S-10, GMC S-15are called quarter-tons (¼-ton). The Ford F-150, Chevrolet C10/K10, Chevrolet/GMC 1500, and Dodge 1500 are half-tons (½-ton). The Ford F-250, Chevrolet C20/K20, Chevrolet/GMC 2500, and Dodge 2500 are three-quarter-tons (¾-ton). Chevrolet/GMC's ¾-ton suspension systems were further divided into light and heavy-duty, differentiated by 5-lug and 6 or 8-lug wheel hubs depending on year, respectively. The Ford F-350, Chevrolet C30/K30, Chevrolet/GMC 3500, and Dodge 3500 are one tons (1-ton).
Similar schemes exist for vans and SUVs (e.g. a 1-ton Dodge Van or a ½-ton GMC Suburban), medium duty trucks (e.g. the Ford 1½-ton F-450) and some military vehicles, like the ubiquitous deuce-and-a-half.
Class 4
The Class 4 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 14001–16000 lb (6351–7257 kg). Examples of vehicles in this class include the Ford E-450, Ford F-450, Dodge Ram 4500, and the GMC 4500.
Class 5
The Class 5 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 16001–19500 lb (7258–8845 kg). Examples of trucks in this class include the International TerraStar, GMC 5500. Dodge Ram 5500, and the Ford F-550
Class 6
The Class 6 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 19501–26000 lb (8846–11793 kg). Examples of trucks in this class include the International Durastar, Chevrolet Kodiak/GMC TopKick C6500 and the Ford F-650.
Class 7
Vehicles in Class 7 and above require a Class-B commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate in the United States. These include GMC C7500 and the Ford F-750. Their GVWR ranges from 26001–33000 lb (11794–14969 kg).
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).
Class 9
Although technically a Class 8 truck, the Western Star 6900 (6900XD or 6900TS) is commmonly referred to as a "Class 9" truck. The 6900 is designed for off-highway vocations including logging, mining, and other similar applications.
Canada
Vehicle classifications vary among provinces in Canada, due to "differences in size and weight regulations, economic activity, physical environment, and other issues".:3 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.:3–4 British Columbia and Ontario also distinguish between short- and long-combination trucks.:3–4 In accident reporting, eight jurisdictions subdivide trucks by GVWR into light and heavy classes at approximately 4500 kg 9921 lb.:6
European Union
In the European scheme the licenses are (among others) B for cars, C for trucks (lorries), D for buses, and are limited by the GVWR.
Divides into two types:
- appending a number to the class denotes the "light" versions of said class.
- appending the letter E allows for larger trailers (GTWR).