Does my 2002 4cyl 2wd Prerunner need to be registered as a gross weight vehicle?

I have had my truck since 2007 and I've never had to register it as a gross weight vehicle . I don't tow anything, never have. I only use it for personal local transport . This year Dmv says I have to sign a declaration of gross weight . Is this a norm for my size truck ? Why after all these yrs would they have me register it differently?

 

What state do you live in?

 

San Diego, Ca

 

Unless you are using your truck for commercial purposes, I wouldn’t think you would need to.
I’m not law expert, but the forum in the link below says “commercial vehicles”.

But I have no idea really, if the DMV in CA is like it is here in Tn. The chances of finding someone that can answer the question is “slim to none”.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/declaration-of-gross-vehicle-weight-gvw-combined-gross-vehicle-weight-cgw-reg-4008-pdf/

 

Ok Thank you for checking for me. Yeah I'll have to go to dmv and / or aska dealer maybe they know

 

I mean if every truck owner dosent need to register their truck as such, leaves me smh as to why all of sudden are they not going to renew my registration unless I sign this declaration of gross weight? odd after all this time but ok

 

In California the dmv considers all pickup trucks as "commercial", even if you only use it personally. It's a money grab thing. That being said no clue about the declaration part

 

The declaration thing has to due with modified or lifted vehicles. CA wants their money and will charge extra if the vehicle weight has increased.

Another option worth looking into...
I believe CA has a loophole for trucks with camper shells that can be registered as RV's to save a little bit. Downside is I think the shell must remain on the truck at all times and of course you've got to buy one.

CA code 13.030 I think. Google it.

Edit: In addition to the camper shell the vehicle must meet the definition for human habitation. I think the DMV wants proof someone actually lives in the vehicle for this purpose. A portable stove and or air mattress might work and are easily removed.

Have you considered moving to another state?

 

You can't utilize a weight declaration form considering you'll never reach the 10,000lbs.

They're often for 3500's that weigh about 8,000lbs to 8,500lbs, and can exceed either a 10,000lb total weight.

I was a CA DMV agent and it was only 1 ton truck owners that tried to get away from this stupid regulation anyway. 4500 and above always require a weight declaration form.

But if your County DMV is being dumb, just check off the 10,000 and below and sign it. No additional fees accrue at all.

 

This right here. ^^

 

99% truck in CA are registered as commercial with truck plate. There's is a 1% that is registered as passenger vehicle with passenger plate. CHP love issuing commercial ticket to those passenger plate truck tho because they can't follow the rules.

 

Being the state of California quite possible they just now caught the weight class is missing ??

I never have seen that registration but in Pa the Gross weight is on the registration and very easy to see.

 

This. If you stick a cap on your truck and register as a vehicle, you can get a ticket for:
1.) Driving without the cap
2.) Hauling anything in the bed, even with the cap. Remember, you don’t own a truck.
3.) The wind blew the wrong way.

 

Yep. And it will be a commercial ticket, hence class violation; not cheap.

CHP tend to look for truck with passenger plate. They're easy to spot and always doing something wrong.