Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (lbs) |
| > 6,000 |
Class 1: < 6,000 lbs |
Light Duty
< 10,000 lbs |
Light Duty
< 10,000 lbs |
| 10,000 |
Class 2: 6,001 – 10,000 lbs |
| 14,000 |
Class 3: 10,001 – 14,000 lbs |
Medium Duty
10,001 – 26,000 lbs |
Medium Duty
10,001 – 19,500 lbs |
| 16,000 |
Class 4: 14,001 – 16,000 lbs |
| 19,500 |
Class 5: 16,001 – 19,500 lbs |
| 26,000 |
Class 6: 19,501 – 26,000 lbs |
Light Heavy Duty
19,001 – 26,000 lbs |
| 33,000 |
Class 7: 26,001 – 33,000 lbs |
Heavy Duty
> 26,001 lbs |
Heavy Duty
> 26,001 lbs |
| > 33,000 |
Class 8: > 33,001 lbs |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs) |
| < 6,000 |
Light Duty Truck 1 & 2
< 6,000 lbs |
Light Light Duty Trucks
< 6,000 lbs |
Light Duty Trucks
< 8,500 lbs |
Light Duty Vehicle
< 8,500 lbs |
| 8,500 |
Light Duty Truck 3 & 4
6,001 – 8,500 lbs |
Heavy Light Duty Trucks
6,001 – 8,500 lbs |
| 10,000 |
Heavy Duty
Vehicle 2b
8,501 – 10,000 lbs |
Light Heavy Duty Engines
8,501 – 19,500 lbs |
Heavy Duty Vehicle
Heavy Duty Engine
> 8,500 lbs |
Medium Duty Passenger Vehicle
8,501 – 10,000 lbs |
| 14,000 |
Heavy Duty Vehicle 3
10,001 – 14,000 lbs |
|
| 16,000 |
Heavy Duty Vehicle 4
14,001 – 16,000 lbs |
| 19,500 |
Heavy Duty Vehicle 5
16,001 – 19,500 lbs |
| 26,000 |
Heavy Duty Vehicle 6
19,501 – 26,000 lbs |
Medium Heavy
Duty Engines
19,501 – 33,000 lbs |
| 33,000 |
Heavy Duty Vehicle 7
26,001 – 33,000 lbs |
| 60,000 |
Heavy Duty
Vehicle 8a
33,001 – 60,000 lbs |
Heavy Heavy Duty Engines
Urban Bus > 33,001 lbs |
| > 60,000 |
Heavy Duty
Vehicle 8b
> 60,001 lbs |
These charts illustrate the vehicle weight classes and categories used by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the U.S. Census Bureau, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The vehicle weight classes are defined by FHWA and are used consistently throughout the industry. These classes, 1-8, are based on gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), the maximum weight of the vehicle, as specified by the manufacturer. GVWR includes total vehicle weight plus fluids, passengers, and cargo. FHWA categorizes vehicles as Light Duty (Class 1-2), Medium Duty (Class 3-6), and Heavy Duty (Class 7-8). EPA defines vehicle categories, also by GVWR, for the purposes of emissions and fuel economy certification. EPA classifies vehicles as Light Duty (GVWR < 8,500 lb) or Heavy Duty (GVWR > 8,501 lb). Within the Heavy-Duty class, there is a Medium Heavy Duty Diesel Engine class for engine-only certification, but no Medium-Duty Vehicle class. The September 2011 U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)/EPA rulemaking on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles uses categories and weights for Heavy-Duty Vehicle Classes 2b through 8, similar to the FHWA weight classes.
