Section 34601.
Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 34601.
in effect(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 mover, as defined in Section 19225.5 of the Business and Professions Code, a household mover transporting used office, store, and institution furniture and fixtures under its household mover permit pursuant to Section 19237 of the Business and Professions 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 motortruck 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 mover, as defined in Section 19225.5 of the Business and Professions Code, under the household mover permit pursuant to Section 19237 of that code.
(D)
Vehicles operated by a household mover to transport used office, store, and institution furniture and fixtures under its household mover
permit pursuant to Section 19237 of the Business and Professions 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)
Vehicles never operated in commercial use, including motortrucks or two-axle truck tractors, with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 26,001 pounds, when operated singly, or, when used to tow a camp trailer, trailer coach, fifth-wheel travel trailer, trailer designed to transport watercraft, or a utility trailer, never operated in commercial use. 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 their own property, including, but not limited to, the delivery of goods sold by that carrier.
(e)
This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.
References
referencesCal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 19225.5.
referencesCal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 19237.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 25163.
referencesCal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 34500.
referencesCal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 27903.
referencesCal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 32000.5.
referencesCal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 19237.
referencesCal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 471.
referencesCal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 27900.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026