Skip to main content

Commercial Motor Vehicles

The Cornell University Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) program has been established to maintain compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations published in 49 CFR Parts 40, 325, 350 and 355-399. This webpage will outline the basic requirements for operation of a CMV. Commercial Motor Vehicle means any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate or intrastate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle:

  1. Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more; or

  2. Is designed or used to transport 9 to 15 passengers (including the driver) (see 9-15 Passenger Vehicles link below)
  3. Is designed or used to transport 16 passengers or more (including the driver) regardless of compensation
  4. Is used in transporting materials found to be hazardous under 49 USC 5103 and transported in a quantity that requiring placarding under 49 CFR, subtitle B, chapter I, subchapter C.

When a CMV meets any of the following criteria, all drivers of these vehicles must obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and be enrolled alcohol and controlled substance testing:

  1. Combination Vehicle (Group A) – having a gross combination weight rating 26,001 pounds or more, inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more; or

  2. Heavy Straight Vehicle (Group B) – having a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more; or
  3. Small Vehicle (Group C) – that does not meet Group A or B requirements, but that either
    1. Is designed to transport 16 passengers or more; or
    2. Is of any size and used to transport hazardous materials requiring placards