Commercial Motor Vehicle (Interstate) – Any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a Highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle:

  • Has a GVWR or GCWR or GVW or GCW of 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater; or
  • Is designed to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
  • Is designed to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver) and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
  • Is used to transport Hazardous Material in a quantity requiring a placard.

Commercial Motor Vehicle (Intrastate-Texas) – Any self-propelled or towed vehicle, other than a farm vehicle with a GVW, registered weight, or GVWR of less than 48,000 pounds, that is used on a public highway to transport passengers or cargo if:

  • The vehicle or combination of vehicles has a GWR, registered weight or GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds; or
  • The vehicle is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver; or
  • The vehicle is used to transport hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding

Interstate Commerce – Defined as trade, traffic, or transportation in the United States;

  • Between a place in a State and a place outside of such State (including a place outside of the U.S.)
  • Between two places in a State through another State or a place outside of the United States
  • Between two places in a State as part of trade, traffic, or transportation originating or terminating outside the State or the United States.

Intrastate Commerce – Defined as any trade, traffic, or transportation in any State which is not described in the term “interstate commerce”

Hazardous Materials – Those materials which have been designated by U.S. DOT to be capable of giving an unreasonable risk to health safety and property when transported.

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) – The total (actual weight) of the vehicle or combination of vehicles at a point in time.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) – Defined as the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single motor vehicle.

Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) – The sum of the GVWR’s or the Gross Vehicle Weights (GVWs) of the power unit and the towed unit(s).

Commercial Driver License (CDL) – License issued to an individual which authorizes the individual to operate a class of commercial motor vehicle. Any of the following requires a CDL:

  • A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a GVWR/GCWR or GVW of 26,001 lbs. or more
  • A vehicle that must be placarded for transportation of hazardous material regardless of the GVWR
  • A passenger-carrying vehicle with a seating capacity of 16 passengers or more, including the driver.

Health Card Requirements for Non-CDL Required Drivers – You will need a Medical card signed by a DOT Certified Medical Examiner on your person, if any one of the following applies to the vehicle you are driving:

  • A vehicle or combination vehicle operating in interstate commerce with a GVWR of 10,001 lbs. or more.
  • A vehicle which must be placarded for transporting a hazardous material regardless of GVWR.
  • A passenger carrying vehicle which is designed for, or used to, transport between 9-15 passengers (including the driver) in interstate commerce, for direct compensation.

If you would like to learn more about how INSURICA can help with an insurance evaluation and employee benefits, please reach out any time.

Kevin Riley, CDS | Safety & Risk Consultant
Kevin.Riley@INSURICA.com
(903) 939-6456

About the Author

Kevin Riley
Kevin Riley

Share This Story

Stay Updated

Subscribe to the INSURICA blog and receive the latest news direct to your inbox.

Related Blogs

Group Health Premiums on the Rise: What Employers Need to Know

September 8th, 2025|Blog, Employee Benefits, Trending|

In 2025, rising group health premiums are becoming a central concern for employers. Carriers like UnitedHealth, Anthem, and CVS Health have issued projections showing significant cost increases—driven by escalating claims severity, specialty drug costs, and continued labor shortages across provider networks.

SECURE 2.0 Implementation: A New Era in Retirement Planning

September 5th, 2025|Blog, Employee Benefits|

The SECURE 2.0 Act, passed in late 2022 and now in active rollout through 2025, is reshaping the landscape of workplace retirement planning. Designed to expand access, modernize plan design, and improve financial preparedness, the law introduces over 90 new provisions—many of which are now surfacing in HR departments across the country.

Visitor Check-In and Access Control Best Practices

August 27th, 2025|Blog, Education|

Visitor check-in and access control best practices are essential for ensuring campus safety. With increasing security concerns in schools, implementing visitor check-in and access control best practices helps minimize unauthorized access, protect students and staff, and ensure a safe learning environment.

Go to Top