Sticker shock for truckers who
under report vehicle weigh

March 2, 2006

By Greg Dineen
Industry Transportation Consultant

A new program started by the California Department of Motor Vehicles last August is starting to impact the trucking industry in a big way, costing truck owners thousands in fines for under reporting the vehicle weight limits on their equipment.

Only 4”x 4,”the new square sticker is required to be posted on both sides of any commercial motor vehicles operating at 10,001 lbs. or more Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) or Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (CGW) (pickups excluded) registered with the DMV to declare the total gross/combined gross weight at which their vehicle(s) will operate.

It is easy for a state trooper to take a look at the side of your truck, check the DMV weight chart (available at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vehindustry/vin_memos/vin2005/05vin08.pdf) and determine whether the particular vehicle is properly registered.  If he thinks not, then you get a trip to the scales followed by a trip to court.
We have had several members that have experienced “their day in court” because they haven’t registered their vehicles properly.  The maximum weight that DMV recognizes is 80,000 lbs., which would cost you $2,064 in registration fees, but might be the best investment you make in your truck.

For example, one particular member under-registered a vehicle (at a lower classification and cost than the actual class that to which it belonged)—weight code “H” at a fee of $1,161. The vehicle should have been registered in weight code “J”, fee which would have cost $1,431.  This oversight was a difference of $270 in terms of registration fees, yet the member’s fine and court cost of $6,321 plus two court appearances because of this oversight.

If you plan to transport anything that may be as much as 80,000 lbs., even if it is only one time, you are required to pay the full fee for 80,000 lbs.  For those that transport heavy equipment, you are more than likely going to fall under this category. If not, register your vehicle for the maximum weight class that you feel is appropriate for a combination vehicle weight.

For those with service or mechanic trucks, again remember if you are planning at anytime to transport additional items on your vehicle, be sure to compensate your registration for the anticipated additional weight.

As an example for combination vehicle weight, you have a 10-wheel dump truck pulling a trailer transporting a backhoe, the truck gross weight of 46,000 lbs., the trailer weighs 29,000 lbs., and you are responsible for a combine gross weight of 75,000 lbs.  This would put you in “Weight Code M”, which is 70,001 lbs. to 75,000 lbs.  If you exceed the declared weight, there are no tolerances or additional weight allowance; you will be subject to late fee penalties (CVC 9554.2), as well as citation (CVC 9406.1), and upon conviction, substantial fines (CVC 42030.1).

The new weight stickers are required on both sides of the vehicle and that they must be visible for 50 ft.  These stickers do not take the place of your CA Number. Unless you have a valid DOT Authority, you are required to display your CA number on your vehicle.

Double check your vehicle registration files and if there have been any oversights, get to DMV before they find you, as eventually they will. When you look at your current registration, it will state the current registered weight under “UNLADEN/G/GW” on your registration card.

Don’t try to chisel your way through the registration process—a few hundred dollars is pocket change compared to the thousands it will cost you in court costs and fees.