Are all pickup trucks considered commercial?

The definition of a commercial vehicle and what it means for you 

Recently, we wrote about what GMC and Chevrolet trucks are considered commercial. In that blog, we discussed the legal definition of a commercial truck in Florida, which is based on gross weight and the number of axles. If you aren’t familiar with the gross weight of trucks, you may wonder if all pickup trucks are considered commercial. Carl Black Orlando of Orlando, FL, is back again to go into more detail on the definition of a commercial vehicle and what it means for you. 

Why does it matter if your truck is legally considered a commercial truck? 

The main reason you’ll want to know if your truck is considered a commercial truck is to comply with any laws pertaining to commercial trucks. In some cases, there might be tax breaks associated with commercial trucks. Basically, it’s a good idea to know whether you’re driving a commercial truck. 

The legal definition of a commercial truck 

The legal definition of a commercial truck varies by state. In Florida, your truck’s gross weight or combination weight (with a trailer) must exceed 26,001 pounds, or your truck needs three or more axles. However, if your business operates in more than one state, you should familiarize yourself with each state’s legal definition of a commercial truck. 

How many axles does a pickup truck have? 

Pickup trucks only have two axles, one for the front wheels and one for the rear wheels. This means you can’t rely on the axle part of the definition to count your pickup truck as a commercial vehicle. However, other types of trucks may have more axles.  

How much is the gross weight of a pickup truck? 

The gross weight of a pickup truck will vary, but generally, they fall well below 26,001 pounds. This means that your pickup truck will need to tow some serious weight to count as a commercial truck. The GMC Sierra HD can tow enough weight to be considered commercial, but not all trucks can.  

How do I know if a pickup truck is commercial? 

Most pickup trucks don’t meet the definition of a commercial vehicle in Florida. However, the OEM may list them under commercial on their website. These trucks are used as work trucks, which is enough to qualify them as commercial vehicles in most people’s eyes. If you really want to know the legal status of a vehicle, you’ll have to consult your state law. 

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