2011 California Code
Vehicle Code
DIVISION 14.85. MOTOR CARRIERS OF PROPERTY PERMIT ACT [34600 - 34672]
CHAPTER 1. General Provisions and Definitions
Section 34601

(a) As used in this division, motor carrier of property means any person who operates any commercial motor vehicle as defined in subdivision (c). Motor carrier of property does not include a household goods carrier, as defined in Section 5109 of the Public Utilities Code, a household goods carrier transporting used office, store, and institution furniture and fixtures under its household goods carrier permit pursuant to Section 5137 of the Public Utilities Code, persons providing only transportation of passengers, or a passenger stage corporation transporting baggage and express upon a passenger vehicle incidental to the transportation of passengers.

(b) As used in this division, for-hire motor carrier of property means a motor carrier of property as defined in subdivision (a) who transports property for compensation.

(c) (1) As used in this division, except as provided in paragraph (2), a commercial motor vehicle means any self-propelled vehicle listed in subdivisions (a), (b), (f), (g), and (k) of Section 34500, any motor truck of two or more axles that is more than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, and any other motor vehicle used to transport property for compensation.

(2) As used in this division, commercial motor vehicle does not include any of the following:

(A) Vehicles identified in subdivision (f) of Section 34500, if the gross vehicle weight rating of the towing vehicle is 10,000 pounds or less.

(B) Vehicles identified in subdivision (g) of Section 34500, if the hazardous material transportation does not require the display of placards under Section 27903, a license under Section 32000.5, or a hazardous waste transporter registration under Section 25163 of the Health and Safety Code, and the vehicle is not operated in commercial use.

(C) Vehicles operated by a household goods carrier, as defined in Section 5109 of the Public Utilities Code, under the household goods carrier permit pursuant to Section 5137 of that code.

(D) Vehicles operated by a household goods carrier to transport used office, store, and institution furniture and fixtures under its household goods carrier permit pursuant to Section 5137 of the Public Utilities Code.

(E) Pickup trucks as defined in Section 471, if the conditions in subparagraphs (A) and (B) are also met.

(F) Two-axle daily rental trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 26,001 pounds, when operated in noncommercial use.

(G) Motor trucks or two-axle truck tractors, with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 26,001 pounds, when used solely to tow a camp trailer, trailer coach, fifth-wheel travel trailer, or utility trailer. Vehicle combinations described in this subparagraph are not subject to Section 27900, 34501.12, or 34507.5.

(d) For purposes of this chapter, private carrier means a motor carrier of property, who transports only his or her own property, including, but not limited to, the delivery of goods sold by that carrier.

(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 787, Sec. 25. Effective January 1, 2001.)