Gross Combination Weight Rating
FMCSA 03-19 FR redefine GCWR.pdf
On March 19, 2014 (79 FR 15245), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a final rule to revise the definition of “Gross Combination Weight Rating” (GCWR) in 49 CFR Sections 383.5 and 390.5 to include the sum of the gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWRs) or the gross vehicle weights (GVWs) of the power unit and the towed unit(s), or any combination thereof, that produces the highest value. This revision will help motor carriers, drivers, and enforcement officials to determine whether a driver operating a combination vehicle is subject to the commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements in 49 CFR Part 383 or the general safety requirements in 49 CFR Part 390 for single-unit trucks (vehicles other than truck tractors) when they are towing trailers, and the GCWR information is not included on the vehicle manufacturer’s certification label. This final rule is effective April 18, 2014.
