Navigating the regulations for commercial vehicles can be complex. Whether you operate a trucking business, a taxi service, or a farm, understanding the specific vehicle codes is crucial for compliance and smooth operations. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of commercial vehicle classifications, offering essential information for businesses and individuals operating commercial vehicles.
Commercial Truck or Tractor (Code 11)
This category encompasses all motorized vehicles used for commercial purposes, primarily for transporting goods, wares, and merchandise, as defined by N.J.S.A. 39:3-20. For heavy-use commercial vehicles, specifically those registered at 55,000 lbs or more, it’s mandatory to upload the Heavy Use Tax Form (2290) during online renewal processes.
Key Features:
- Plates: Clearly marked with the word “commercial.” Numerals are preceded by “X” or another designated prefix from the Motor Vehicle Commission.
- Required Lettering: A clearly visible sign or nameplate as per N.J.S.A. 39:4-46 must include:
- Name of the vehicle owner, lessee, or lessor.
- Municipality where the principal business is located.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or combined GVWR if the vehicle is 26,001 pounds or more and registered or garaged in New Jersey.
- Lettering must be at least three inches in height.
Exemptions:
- Franchised public utilities and fleets of 50+ commercial vehicles are exempt from displaying the municipality name, provided they display a corporate identification number.
- Federal DOT registration numbers can be obtained online or by contacting the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Taxi (Code 13)
This classification includes all motor vehicles used for passenger transportation for hire, excluding school buses, omnibuses, and limousines.
Key Features:
- Plates: Designated for taxis or displays the word “Taxicab”.
Special Conditions:
- Applicants must present an original authorization letter or certificate from the local municipality where the taxi will operate.
- This authorization or city certificate must be uploaded for online renewal.
Limousine (Code 14)
A limousine is defined as a passenger vehicle with a capacity of no more than 14 passengers (excluding the driver) or a stretched vehicle not exceeding four additional passenger seats from the original manufacture, used for charter services at a premium fare.
Key Features:
- Plates: Specifically for charter operations, displaying the word “Limousine”.
Special Conditions:
- Limousines can be used for lease or hire.
- They cannot operate on fixed routes; vehicles on routes are classified as buses or jitneys.
- Vehicles used as limousines should not be registered as taxis.
- Vehicles used for carpooling for compensation must be registered as limousines.
- For initial, transfer, and renewal transactions, a municipal operating license is required.
- Insurance Certificate Requirements:
- Insurance Company Name
- Policy Number
- Policy Expiration Date
- Minimum liability insurance of $1.5 million
- Description of all vehicles covered
- The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission must be listed as the certificate holder.
- A Power of Attorney (POA) form (BA-49T) must be filed, appointing the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission as the attorney-in-fact for service of process.
- Both the Certificate of Insurance and BA-49T form must be uploaded for online renewal.
Aggregate Haulers (Code 16)
This code applies to commercial motor vehicles used for hauling aggregate materials such as ready-mix cement, stone, and clean fill.
Key Features:
- All requirements are identical to those for Code 11 vehicles.
- Vehicles are restricted to hauling aggregate as defined.
- Heavy Use commercial vehicles (55,000 lbs. or more) must upload the Heavy Use Tax Form (2290) for online renewal.
School Bus (Codes 17, 18)
These codes differentiate school buses based on seating capacity:
- Code 17: Vehicles with a seating capacity of 16 or more, including the driver.
- Code 18: Vehicles with a seating capacity of fewer than 16, including the driver.
Key Features:
- Plates:
- Code 17 plates display “school vehicle” and start or end with “S1”.
- Code 18 plates display “school vehicle” and start or end with “S2”.
Special Conditions:
-
Initial registration plates expire after 11 months; renewals expire 12 months from the registration date.
-
School Vehicles (I or II) are exclusively for transporting enrolled children and chaperones to and from:
- School
- School-related activities
- Day camps
- Summer day camps
- Nursery schools
- Child-care centers
- Pre-schools
- Similar educational venues.
-
Vehicles must comply with regulations from both the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and The New Jersey Department of Education during inspections.
Four-Year Commercial Trailer (Code 19)
This category is for commercial trailers or non-title trailers registered for a four-year period.
Key Features:
- Plates: Trailer plates bear the prefix “T”.
- Commercial Lettering: Adheres to the same requirements as Commercial Trucks or Tractors (Code 11).
- Commercial trailer GVW is 0; total weight is indicated on the towing vehicle.
Commercial Trailer (Code 21)
This code covers every vehicle, motorized or not, designed to carry persons or property and to be drawn by a motor vehicle.
Types:
- Trailer
- Non-titled trailer
- Mobile Home
- Bogey
Key Features:
- Plate: Trailer plates have the prefix “T”.
Commercial Motorcycle (Code 24)
Code 24 applies to motorcycles, motorbikes, motorized bicycles, and similar vehicles used commercially for transporting goods and merchandise.
Key Features:
- Plates: Display “Commercial” and numerals are prefixed with “X”.
Farm Truck (Code 31)
Farm trucks are used for transporting farm products or supplies produced or raised on the owner’s farm and cannot be used for hauling for hire.
Key Features:
- Plates: Display “Farmer” and begin with “XY” or “XZ”.
- Required Signage:
- Name of owner, renter, or renting party.
- Municipality of residence.
- GVWR if applicable, or combined GVWR if over 26,001 lbs and registered or garaged in New Jersey.
- Lettering at least three inches high.
Special Conditions:
- A farmer is defined as someone commercially raising farm products on a farm of at least five acres.
- Farm products include crops, livestock, and fur products; farm supplies include farm-related repair items.
- Applicants must present a current Agricultural Certificate from a county agricultural agent.
- Initial plates expire after 11 months; renewals are valid for 12 months.
- Farm trucks cannot be used for hauling for hire but can be contracted by a municipality for snow removal.
Light–Medium Weight Tow Truck (Code 32)
This code is for vehicles engaged in towing weighing less than 32,000 lbs.
Special Conditions:
- Requires a Certificate of Insurance for a minimum liability of $750,000, listing the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission as the certificate holder.
- Documentation of the manufacturer’s GVWR (MSO or owner/lessee certification on Form BA-49T).
- Certificate of Insurance and BA-49T must be uploaded for online renewal.
Heavy Duty Tow Truck (Code 33)
For vehicles engaged in towing weighing more than 32,000 lbs.
Special Conditions:
- Requires a Certificate of Insurance for a minimum of $1,000,000, with the NJMVC listed as the certificate holder.
- Documentation of GVWR (MSO or BA-49T form).
- Certificate of Insurance and BA-49T must be uploaded for online renewal. For trucks registered at 55,000 lbs. or more, the Heavy Use Tax Form (2290) is also required for online renewal.
Solid Waste (Code 39)
This category includes vehicles for solid waste disposal (trash collection) with specific registration weight ceilings based on axle configuration.
Weight Limits:
- Two-axle vehicle: 42,000 pounds
- Tandem three-axle or four-axle vehicle, or four-axle tractor-trailer: 60,000 pounds
Key Features:
- Plates: Regular commercial plates starting with “X”.
Special Conditions:
- Applicants must hold a “Certificate of Convenience and Necessity” from the Board of Public Utility Commissioners.
- Code 39 vehicles can be dually registered as Code 41 Constructor, with a photocopy of the title and full Code 41 registration fee required.
- Dual registration results in two sets of plates and registrations, both of which must be displayed and carried in the vehicle.
- Solid Waste vehicles are limited to the gross weight on their registration certificate.
- Certificate of Convenience and Necessity must be uploaded for online renewal. Heavy vehicles (55,000 lbs.+) also need the Heavy Use Tax Form (2290) for online renewal.
Constructor (Code 41)
Applies to vehicles with a gross weight between 41,000 and 70,000 pounds used in construction or transporting construction materials.
Key Features:
- Plates: Regular commercial plates starting with “X”.
Restrictions:
- Speed limit of 45 mph when carrying less than 50% of registered gross weight.
- 30-mile air mile radius limit when carrying over 50% of registered gross weight.
Special Conditions (Dual Registration):
- Code 41 vehicles can be dually registered as Code 39 Solid Waste with a title photocopy and full Code 39 fee.
- Proof of Business Engagement must be uploaded for online renewal. Heavy vehicles (55,000 lbs.+) require the Heavy Use Tax Form (2290).
- Dual registration requires displaying both sets of plates and carrying both registrations in the vehicle.
Farm Use (farm machinery or implements) (Code 51)
For farm-use vehicles not for hire, used exclusively as farm machinery traveling short distances between farm parts across or along public roads. Vehicles not exceeding 20 mph are registration-exempt.
Key Features:
- Plates: Display “FARM USE”, starting with “F”. Single plate issued for rear of vehicle.
Restrictions:
- Code 51 vehicles can only pull one farm-use vehicle.
- Operation between sunset and sunrise is prohibited, and vehicles must remain within a 15-mile radius of the home farm.
- Code 51 equipment can pull machinery between farms without extra registration.
- Farm certificate from a county agricultural agent is required for all transactions.
Agricultural Tractor (Code 52)
This registration is for farm tractors and traction equipment used for farm operations traveling on public highways. Also includes vehicles with permanently mounted well-drilling or impregnating machines on rubber wheels. Vehicles not over 20 mph are registration-exempt.
Key Features:
- Plates: Display “Tractor”, starting with “T”.
- Agricultural Certificate from a county agricultural agent required for registration.
Special Conditions:
- Code 52 equipment can pull machinery between farms without additional registration.
Omnibus and Passenger Vehicle Transportation (PVT) (Code 54)
Includes vehicles for passenger transportation for hire, excluding school buses, limousines, and taxis.
Omnibus 1: Traditional route buses, charter buses, and special operation buses, requiring biannual MVC Bus Inspection Unit inspections.
Key Features (Omnibus 1):
- Plates: Display “Omnibus”, starting with “O”.
Special Conditions (Omnibus 1):
- Initial transactions require Autobus Certificate of Compliance (MC-9) and Authorization to Issue of Renew License Plates (MC-12) after passing MVC bus inspections.
- Renewals require MC-12 only.
- Non-profit organizations should contact the MVC’s Government Unit for plates.
Omnibus 2: Vehicles owned and operated by entities providing passenger transport to a specific market (not general public), not in competition with public transit, and not collecting fares. Annual safety and emissions inspections at Inspection Stations or Private Inspection Facilities (PIF) are required.
Key Features (Omnibus 2):
- Plates: Start with “O2” followed by four alpha-numeric characters.
Special Conditions (Omnibus 2):
- Initial transaction details are available at www.njmvc.gov/pvtandyou or through the MVC’s Operations Bus Unit.
- Renewals and transfers require the owner’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) as an “OMNIBUS 2 CARRIER”.
- Non-profits should contact the MVC’s Government Unit.
Passenger Vehicle Transportation (PVT): Includes ambulances, hotel buses, jitneys, mobility assistance vehicles, and para-transit vehicles providing targeted transportation. Annual inspections are required.
Key Features (PVT):
- Plates: First character “O”, second character is the first letter of vehicle type, followed by four alpha-numeric characters.
- Non-profits should contact the MVC’s Government Unit.
Note: All commercial and transit buses receive an Autobus Certificate of Compliance (MC-9) and an Authorization to Issue or Renew License Plates (MC-12) from the MVC’s Division of Operations Bus Unit before initial registration and renewal.
Contractor Equipment In-Transit (Code 56)
General registration for road building machinery, traction engines, rollers, and similar contractor-owned equipment in transit.
Key Features:
- Plates: Display “CONTRACTOR EQUIPMENT IN-TRANSIT”. Issued in bundles of five sets (10 plates) with hyphenated numbers.
Restrictions/Limitations:
- For equipment like road-building machinery, backhoes, cranes, cement mixers, etc., moving to and from construction sites.
- No loads are permitted while in transit.
- Towing vehicles must be properly registered.
- Code 56 plates cannot be used in combination or for snowplows.
- Plates must be displayed on both front and rear, except for trailers where one plate is sufficient.
- Vehicles exceeding size/weight limits require special permits from the NJDOT website.
Insurance Requirements:
- Certificate of Insurance must include insured’s details, policy number, expiration, coverage, and list all registered equipment.
Initial Registrations:
- Complete application form BA-49 with owner information, authorized signature, and valid Certificate of Insurance.
- Registration expires in March annually. Title and sales tax are not applicable.
Renewal Registrations:
- Complete form BA-49 and provide a valid Certificate of Insurance.
Replacement Plates/Duplicate Registrations:
- Use form BA-49, provide Certificate of Insurance, and pay applicable fees.
Migrant farm worker (Code 58)
For vehicles transporting persons for hire for businesses within the State during seasonal agricultural employment.
Special Conditions:
- Requires a special permit valid until November 30th, obtained with a migrant farm worker certification from a County Agricultural Agent or New Jersey Employee Service Office.
- Permit is not a driver’s license.
In-Transit empty (Code 59)
For transporting empty trucks, trailers, semi-trailers, and mobile homes between terminals or to/from sale locations, or for adding equipment or lettering.
Registration:
- Apply using form BA-49, providing company EIN or driver’s license number, and mail to the NJMVC Government Unit.
Farm labor transport (Code 99)
For commercial vehicles transporting migrant farm workers to and from New Jersey farms.
Key Features:
- Plates: Display “Commercial”, numerals prefixed by “X”.
- Required Lettering: “farm labor transport” on both sides and rear in 6-inch letters.
Special Conditions:
- Driver must be at least 21 with a Class B or C commercial license with passenger endorsement.
- Windowless vans or buses are prohibited.
- Vehicle must have liability insurance, with proof in the vehicle.
- Annual inspection at a state-operated station is required.
- Owner’s name, address, and GVWR (if over 26,000 lbs) must be displayed.
- Passengers cannot be charged a fee.
- A notarized affidavit confirming vehicle use for immigrant farm worker transport is needed.
Related Links
Licenses and Permits
Commercial Driver License
Getting your Commercial Driver License (CDL)
Commercial Learner Permits (CLP)
Transfer out-of-state CDL
Endorsements
Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) Endorsements (HME)
CDL test
Commercial Driver License Self-Certification and Medical Examiner’s Certificate
Commercial Driver License Violations
Commercial Driver License (CDL) Manual
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Vehicles
Commercial Vehicle and Registration Information
Commercial Fees
Code 23 Overweight/Overdimensional Trailer Registration
IRS Imported Heavy Vehicle Notice
[rev 1/08 pdf]
IRS Form 2290 HVUT e-file
Department of Education
What is a USDOT Number?
FMCSA Eliminates Registrant Only Designation
