1. (1) Section 32-8-2, Code of Ala. 1975, defines the term “pick-up truck” as “a truck with not more than two axles and a gross weight not exceeding 12,000 pounds.” The two-axle limitation does not include the axles of any attached trailer.
2. (2) Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) Requirements. §40- 12-248, Code of Ala. 1975, requires the owner of a truck or truck tractor using the public highways of this state to file a statement to the local official declaring the GVW of the truck at time of registration. GVW is indicated on the Motor Vehicle Registration Tag and Tax Receipt by the local official.

3. (3) Exemption. §40-12-248, Code of Ala. 1975, provides that pickup trucks used for agricultural or personal use only, the GVW must be calculated as the empty weight of the pick-up truck only, without regard to the heaviest load to be carried including the heaviest load to be carried on any trailer used in combination with the truck. The GVW excludes the weight of the driver and passengers within the pick-up truck, the weight of luggage, fuel, tools, and heaviest load to be carried in the bed of the pickup truck; also, excluded is the weight of any towed motor vehicle or equipment, and any load carried in the towed motor vehicle. Any weight passed from the trailer through the trailer tongue to the pick-up truck shall also not be included in the declared GVW, provided the pick-up truck has been registered is being used for personal or agricultural use only.

   NOTE: Agricultural use is defined in paragraphs a. and b. of §41-14-51(1), Code of Ala. 1975. Agricultural use shall be deemed by the Department to include the use of the truck by a farmer, by a cotton gin, by a farmer’s cooperative, etc., solely to transport raw agricultural products to be processed, but does not include the transportation of processed agricultural products, such as canned vegetables, frozen meat, processed milk, etc.

Author: David Baxley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§32-8-2, 40-2A 7(a)(5), 40-12-248, 41-14-51.

History: New Rule: Filed January 29, 2007; effective March 5, 2007. Repealed and New Rule: Published June 30, 2022; effective August 14, 2022.