GVWR

Definition

GVWR - Gross Vehicle Weight Rating - is the maximum operating weight of a single vehicle as specified by the manufacturer. Determined at the factory and stamped on the vehicle's federal certification label. Different from gross weight (the actual weight on a given trip). Federal CDL thresholds in 49 CFR §383.5 are based on GVWR: a CDL is required for any single vehicle GVWR 26,001 lbs or higher, or any combination GCWR 26,001 lbs or higher when the towed unit is over 10,000 lbs. GVWR is also the cutoff for many state intrastate USDOT requirements. A truck whose GVWR is 26,000 lbs but whose actual weight regularly exceeds that is still under the CDL threshold.