GVWR Classes, GVW Classes, Definitions and FAQs

Here are some common questions we get on GVWR classifications and definitions. We hope you consider this useful information on GVWR classes, weight classifications and definitions of a light, medium or heavy duty truck.

Q: What does GVWR mean?

A: GVWR is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, a vehicle’s maximum weight rating as determined by the OEM. Generally if you take a vehicle’s GVWR and subtract curb weight you’re left with the maximum allowable payload including the weight of passengers and fuel.

Q: What’s the “light-duty vehicle” definition? “Heavy-duty vehicle” definition?

A: GVWR classes range from blank for the smallest vehicles (like passenger cars), or they’re in a GVW class that ranges from 1 to 3 (light-duty), to 4 to 6 (medium-duty*) up to 7 and 8 (heavy-duty*). Many times when you see US vehicle registration statistics the numbers refer to light-duty vehicles only, including GVWR up to Class 3.

Vehicles are classified by their Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) although sometimes people confuse it with GVW for Gross Vehicle Weight, but that is technically incorrect, they’re two different things. See the next question.

Q: What’s the difference between GVW classes and GVWR classes?

A: GVW is Gross Vehicle Weight and GVWR is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Technicly there aren’t any GVW classes. “GVW” is the total weight of a vehicle and its payload at a specific point in time. GVW tends to be used more often to refer to trailer loads. “GVWR” refers to a vehicle’s maximum weight rating defined by the manufacturer. On this page we’re primarily referring to GVWR, not GVW.

Q: What are GVWR Classes?

A: This table shows the definitions of vehicle GVW/GVWR classes in the U.S. There is a standard defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), J2807_202002, that defines how vehicle GVWR for vehicles under 14,000 pounds are measured.

You’ll often see a reference to “cars and light trucks,” which is different than medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
Cars do not have a GVW rating, the class is simply excluded or blank. Light trucks are GVW 1 through 2 or 3*, which includes SUVs, some CUVs, and all the quarter-ton, half-ton and three-quarter ton pickup trucks that you see every day. Medium-duty trucks are GVW 3* or 4 to 6 which includes large commercial delivery trucks, large vans, walk-in trucks like UPS or FedEx vans, up to large beverage trucks and school buses. Heavy-duty trucks are GVW 7 and 8, which covers the largest trucks including the largest tow trucks, fire engines, cement trucks and semi trucks.

*See “What is the definition of a “medium-duty vehicle?” for more explanation on “medium-duty.”

Q: *What is the definition of a “medium-duty vehicle?”

A: This can be confusing! There is no consistent classification of “medium-duty.” At times the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and other government agencies classified light-duty as 10,000 lbs. and under, which includes GVWR class 2 and below. At other times, FHWA and other agencies have classified light-duty at 14,000 lbs. and under, which includes GVWR class 3 and below.

For just two examples of this inconsistency within the US government, see this page from AFDC categorizing class 3 as medium-duty and this page from FHWA categorizing class 4 and 5 as light-duty.

Freightliner, who knows a thing or two about trucks, defines medium-duty as GVWR Classes 6 and 7. FUSO, who also knows a thing or two about trucks, defines medium-duty trucks as GVWR Classes 3 to 5. FUSO also defines Class 3 to Class 5 medium-duty as “about 13,200 pounds” up to 17,995 pounds, instead of the 10,000 pounds to 19,500 pounds as shown in the table above.

Most of the time GVWR Classes 1, 2 and 3 are considered light-duty, while Classes 4, 5 and 6 are considered medium-duty. Classes 7 and 8 are almost always considered to be heavy-duty (sorry, Freightliner).

Q: How are hybrid or electric vehicles classified?

A: VIO data classifies these vehicles as one of three types. Hybrids can be either gasoline/electric hybrids, where the batteries are recharged when the gasoline engine is running, or they can be plug-in hybrids. Gasoline/electric hybrids are abbreviated “HEV” for hybrid electric vehicle. Plug-in hybrids are abbreviated “PHEV” and rely more on battery power than HEVs. Vehicles that are fully electric and rely solely on batteries are abbreviated “BEV” for battery electric vehicle. “Electric vehicles” refers to PHEVs and BEVs combined into one group. There are also mild hybrids known as MHEV.

Q: How are vehicles classified?

A: Here are the vehicle categories commonly used with a brief description of what they are.
•Make— Vehicle manufacturer or brand.
•Model — Vehicle model.
•Model Year — VIN year, the model year of the vehicle. This is not necessarily the year the vehicle was manufactured or the year the vehicle was registered. For example, it’s possible that a 2013 Chevy was manufactured in 2012, and it’s even possible that it sat on a dealer’s lot until 2014, when it was sold. New vehicle data reports when vehicles are registered so for example, if you purchased data showing new registrations by month, you would see how many of those 2013 Chevys were registered in each month in 2012, 2013 or 2014.
•Series — Corresponds to trim or a more specific description of the model. Example: If “Model” is “Silverado,” then “Series” can be “1500,” “2500,” or “3500.” Also “Series” can identify if, for example, a Jetta is a TDI, Hybrid or SE.
•Fuel — Fuel type can be determined as: Gasoline, both gas and electric, conversion, diesel, electric, flex fuel, methanol, natural gas, propane.
•Doors — Number of doors on the vehicle.
•Vehicle Type — Denotes whether the vehicle is a passenger car or a truck.
•Cylinders — Number of cylinders the vehicle’s engine possesses.
•Vehicle Segment — Luxury or non luxury segment the vehicle belongs to. Includes a wide range of descriptions that separate into categories based on body style, intended use and other factors.
•GVWR — Gross Vehicle Weight Rating class. Can limit to light vehicles only (GVWR Classes 0-3) or include medium- and heavy-duty as well (4-8).
•MSRP — Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price.
•Body Style — Identifies trucks, SUVs, cab & chassis, motorhomes, sedan, convertible, coupe, hatchback, etc.
•Engine — Engine size by liter such as 3.1, 3.8, 5.0, etc.
•Geography — Depending on the geography and breakdown of the file you request this can contain a state, county, or ZIP code.
•Ownership/Registration Type — Shows whether the vehicle is registered as a personal, commercial, government, leased, etc.
•Count — Number of vehicles possessing these attributes listed in a specified geography.

Q: How many cars are registered in the US?

A: There are now about 289 million light-duty vehicles in operation (VIO) in the US in 2021. The average car in the US is just over 12 years old. Below is a table that shows the number of registered vehicles in US, also known as Vehicles in Operation/VIO data, since 2006. This table covers light-duty vehicles.