Heavy Truck Registration and Calculating Gross Vehicle Weight

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)

Trucks, tractors, and GVW wreckers that weigh more than 5,000 pounds are considered heavy trucks.  For heavy trucks, the OWNER must declare the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and how the vehicle will be registered. If you are stopped by law enforcement or Department of Transportation and your truck is not properly registered, the Manatee County Tax Collector's office will not be responsible for the wrong class or GVW being declared.
 
Below are instructions on how to calculate the GVW: 

• Vehicle has a net weight (empty weight) of more than 5,000 pounds but less than 8,000 pounds: The GVW is calculated by adding the net weight of the heavy truck and the weight of the load carried by it. This does not include anything being pulled (e.g. trailers, pulled campers, boats).
• Vehicle has a net weight (empty weight) of 8,000 pounds or more: The GVW is calculated by adding the gross weight (total weight) of the heavy truck to the gross weight (total weight) of the trailer coupled to it.
• Vehicle is a truck tractor/semi-trailer combination: The GVW is calculated by adding the net weight (empty weight) of the truck tractor and the gross weight (total weight) of the semi-trailer. Such vehicles are coupled by means of a fifth wheel arrangement where part of the weight of the semi-trailer and load rests on the truck tractor.

Heavy Truck Registration Renewal Period

Heavy trucks must be renewed in accordance with the following registration renewal periods:
 
Heavy trucks with a GVW of 5,001 lbs – 7,999 lbs owned by an individual
 Annually by the first registered owner’s birthday of each year, or
 Biennially (every 2 years) by the first registered owner’s birthday of the second year.

All other heavy trucks, tractors, and GVW wreckers (owned by a business, GVW greater than 7,999 pounds, owned by a business with a GVW of 5,001 lbs – 7,999 lbs, etc.) 
 Annually by December 31 of each year, or
 Semi-annually by May 31 and December 31 of each year.  A semi-annual registration is only available if (1) the annual license fee exceeds $100 and (2) the vehicle registration is not required to be apportioned under the International Registration Plan.   
 Biennially (every 2 years) by December 31 of the second year.  A biennial registration is only available for trucks with a net (empty) weight of 7,999 lbs or less.  

Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT)

If declaring a GVW over 54,999 lbs, you must submit proof of payment of the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) collected by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on IRS Form 2290 before we can register your heavy truck, tractor, bus or GVW wrecker; unless you are otherwise exempt. (Heavy trucks purchased within 60 days prior to registration are exempt from showing proof of HVUT, subject to verification.)
 
You must provide copies of a current year Form 2290 legibly stamped or watermarked received by the IRS for each truck you want to renew, even if the trucks are listed on the same Form 2290. Our office retains these copies with your paperwork, so do not provide us with the original. If you cannot provide our office with the necessary copies, your transaction(s) will be rejected.
 
The year, make, and vehicle identification number on the Form 2290 must match the registration and include the FEID. And, the GVW category must be equal to or higher than the GVW declared on the registration for the next year.

For additional information, visit irs.gov or contact the local IRS office:

Yearly Fee Schedule Based on Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)

IMPORTANT: A delinquent fee of $10 to $250 will be imposed on renewals received more than 10 days late. 

Our office accepts cash, check, debit cards, and credit cards. A $2.50 processing fee for debit cards and a 2.5% processing fee (minimum of $2.50) for credit cards will apply. Our office does not retain any portion of this fee.

Insurance Requirements for Heavy Trucks with a GVW of 26,001 Pounds and Up

Provide a COPY of a current (valid) Florida insurance policy or Florida Certificate of Insurance (ACORD) form as proof of Florida insurance coverage (see sample on the left). 

The proof of insurance must specifically state that the truck(s) you want to renew are covered. 

At least $10,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP) must be listed separately from the combined single limits.  See [1] below. 

Combined Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) per occurrence must be listed based on the truck’s declared GVW as shown below. See [2] below.

GVW                                   Combined Liability 26,001 – 34,999 lbs           $50,000 35,000 – 43,999 lbs           $100,000 44,000 lbs or more            $300,000

Display of License Plates

If the GVW of your truck is 26,001 pounds or more, you will be issued two license plates. The license plate with the validation decal must be displayed on the front of the truck and the other plate displayed on the rear of the truck. 

If the GVW of your truck is less than 26,001 pounds, display the plate on the rear of the truck. 

All tractors must display the license plate on the front of the tractor. 

Apportioned License Plates

An apportioned license plate may be issued by Motor Carrier Services in Tallahassee or through the Sunshine State Tag Agency website (also known as Sunshine State Fleet Management). For questions about large commercial trucks, call the Department of Motor Vehicles at (850) 488-6921 or contact that agency at Attn: Motor Carrier Services, Neil Kirkman Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399.

Many transactions can be completed online through the Florida Bureau of Motor Carrier Services portal.