Big SUVs illegal on many US streets?
#1
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Big SUVs illegal on many US streets?
http://slate.msn.com/id/2104755/?GT1=4529
Interesting.
Certainly wasn't the "intent" of the law, but I have to agree that if SUV owners are going to utilize the tax breaks based on GVWR, then they need to follow the laws based on GVWR.
Interesting.
Certainly wasn't the "intent" of the law, but I have to agree that if SUV owners are going to utilize the tax breaks based on GVWR, then they need to follow the laws based on GVWR.
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Interesting that that article states that SUVs are designated as trucks and they haven't created a new classification for the SUVs.
I don't know if it varies by state, but on my vehicle registration for my TrailBlazer, the Michigan Secretary of State classifies it as a stationwagon.
I don't know if it varies by state, but on my vehicle registration for my TrailBlazer, the Michigan Secretary of State classifies it as a stationwagon.

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Originally posted by Vryce
Interesting that that article states that SUVs are designated as trucks and they haven't created a new classification for the SUVs.
I don't know if it varies by state, but on my vehicle registration for my TrailBlazer, the Michigan Secretary of State classifies it as a stationwagon.
Interesting that that article states that SUVs are designated as trucks and they haven't created a new classification for the SUVs.
I don't know if it varies by state, but on my vehicle registration for my TrailBlazer, the Michigan Secretary of State classifies it as a stationwagon.

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I know there is a bridge linking NJ and PA that recently banned larger ones such as the Hummer.
On the Garden State Parkway in NJ "trucks" are forbidden to use it.
However, gigantic hideous SUV's swarm all over it. It would be the funniest damn thing ever if the state banned SUV's from the GSP. The road could actually then become a pleasure to drive on.
On the Garden State Parkway in NJ "trucks" are forbidden to use it.
However, gigantic hideous SUV's swarm all over it. It would be the funniest damn thing ever if the state banned SUV's from the GSP. The road could actually then become a pleasure to drive on.
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I'm 99% sure my trailblazer is not classified as a truck, but it's raining so I'm not going out to check my registration
although a trailblazer isn't really that bulky
in NY (at least in the past) trucks, including pickup trucks not just semi type trucks or big delivery trucks, had to get commercial license plates, yet I don't think I've ever seen an SUV in ny that has the little "commercial" lable on the plate
although a trailblazer isn't really that bulky
in NY (at least in the past) trucks, including pickup trucks not just semi type trucks or big delivery trucks, had to get commercial license plates, yet I don't think I've ever seen an SUV in ny that has the little "commercial" lable on the plate
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Originally posted by Phil L.
It would be the funniest damn thing ever if the state banned SUV's from the GSP. The road could actually then become a pleasure to drive on.
It would be the funniest damn thing ever if the state banned SUV's from the GSP. The road could actually then become a pleasure to drive on.

A SUV backed into me last week and cracked my front bumper. Thing is that the lowest portion of back window of SUV was about the level of my roof, so he couldn't have possibly seen me. There was someone behind be so I couldn't back up. So now I got over $700, and next time I'm in the junk yard I'll be looking for both a front and rear bumper ($42 at my locak U-pull-it place).
No pics because it's hard to see.
#10
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The guy is obviously on a "I hate SUVs rant."
Through the marvels of the complexity of the law, a given vehicle can be a truck by some rules and a car by others. Most states allow an option of registering SUVs as cars, not trucks. This sometimes applies to pickups too as long as they are not used commercially. Essentially all GVWR ratings are really intended for and enforced for commercial vehicles and if you read the law in detail, not the sign, the exemption for personal vehicles is usually explicit (may vary by state).
Sorry for interruption, resume SUV hatred.
Through the marvels of the complexity of the law, a given vehicle can be a truck by some rules and a car by others. Most states allow an option of registering SUVs as cars, not trucks. This sometimes applies to pickups too as long as they are not used commercially. Essentially all GVWR ratings are really intended for and enforced for commercial vehicles and if you read the law in detail, not the sign, the exemption for personal vehicles is usually explicit (may vary by state).
Sorry for interruption, resume SUV hatred.
#11
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Even though most are classified as cars, they are classified as trucks for CAFE standards.
In fact......the PT cruiser is also a truck. However, the new convertible is not.
Yes....The PT Cruiser is a truck.
In fact......the PT cruiser is also a truck. However, the new convertible is not.
Yes....The PT Cruiser is a truck.
#12
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Three tons is three tons is three tons. If the city/state has banned vehicles over three tons, it shouldn't matter whether it's a commercial semi or an SUV. The road dosen't know the difference.
They could change the law to permit SUVs, but I'd like to see the licencing process for those vehicles include a surcharge to cover the additional roadwork expense they incur.
They could change the law to permit SUVs, but I'd like to see the licencing process for those vehicles include a surcharge to cover the additional roadwork expense they incur.
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Originally posted by kenbuzz
They could change the law to permit SUVs, but I'd like to see the licencing process for those vehicles include a surcharge to cover the additional roadwork expense they incur.
They could change the law to permit SUVs, but I'd like to see the licencing process for those vehicles include a surcharge to cover the additional roadwork expense they incur.
#14
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Originally posted by OldDude
The guy is obviously on a "I hate SUVs rant."
Through the marvels of the complexity of the law, a given vehicle can be a truck by some rules and a car by others. Most states allow an option of registering SUVs as cars, not trucks. This sometimes applies to pickups too as long as they are not used commercially. Essentially all GVWR ratings are really intended for and enforced for commercial vehicles and if you read the law in detail, not the sign, the exemption for personal vehicles is usually explicit (may vary by state).
Sorry for interruption, resume SUV hatred.
The guy is obviously on a "I hate SUVs rant."
Through the marvels of the complexity of the law, a given vehicle can be a truck by some rules and a car by others. Most states allow an option of registering SUVs as cars, not trucks. This sometimes applies to pickups too as long as they are not used commercially. Essentially all GVWR ratings are really intended for and enforced for commercial vehicles and if you read the law in detail, not the sign, the exemption for personal vehicles is usually explicit (may vary by state).
Sorry for interruption, resume SUV hatred.
I have no problem with people who actually need SUVs. You live in the country and drive over unpaved ground? Get an SUV. You're a contractor, and often haul building supplies? Get an SUV. You like to go camping 3 or 4 times a year? Get an SUV. What irks me are the people who buy a Hummer and then use it to ferry their kids back and forth to the mall.
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It doesn't matter if it is classified as a truck or a car. OldDude has it right, the law is intended for commercial vehicles, not personal vehicles. That being said, if a Hummer has the huge sticker on it proclaiming the shop the guy works for (Banned Board Shop in Redlands for example) then it may be classified as a commercial vehicle, and then the law could be enforced.
#16
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Originally posted by kvrdave
Even though most are classified as cars, they are classified as trucks for CAFE standards.
In fact......the PT cruiser is also a truck. However, the new convertible is not.
Yes....The PT Cruiser is a truck.
Even though most are classified as cars, they are classified as trucks for CAFE standards.
In fact......the PT cruiser is also a truck. However, the new convertible is not.
Yes....The PT Cruiser is a truck.
Similar games are played with foreign and domestic content to "choose" which fleet the vehicle goes in. In general every manufacturer has four fleets, domestic and foreign, car and truck.
#17
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Originally posted by C-Mart
It doesn't matter if it is classified as a truck or a car. OldDude has it right, the law is intended for commercial vehicles, not personal vehicles. That being said, if a Hummer has the huge sticker on it proclaiming the shop the guy works for (Banned Board Shop in Redlands for example) then it may be classified as a commercial vehicle, and then the law could be enforced.
It doesn't matter if it is classified as a truck or a car. OldDude has it right, the law is intended for commercial vehicles, not personal vehicles. That being said, if a Hummer has the huge sticker on it proclaiming the shop the guy works for (Banned Board Shop in Redlands for example) then it may be classified as a commercial vehicle, and then the law could be enforced.
The law, as quoted in the article, defines a commerical vehicle as a vehicle over a certain weight and with a certain hauling capacity. It doesn't say anything about the purposes for which the vehicle is used, and reading such a provision into the law would be the sort of judicial activism that posters here usually line up to attack.
#18
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Originally posted by JasonF
The law, as quoted in the article, defines a commerical vehicle as a vehicle over a certain weight and with a certain hauling capacity.
The law, as quoted in the article, defines a commerical vehicle as a vehicle over a certain weight and with a certain hauling capacity.
Anybody have access tp the CA law? I have no idea whether private vehicles are exempted in the law, they are in MI.
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I saw that article too... I almost think its a good idea, some of those things are ridiculous in size, as an owner of an Explorer (which I think is big enough for anybody) I am tired of people in these monsters parking next to me and making me feel like a dwarf.
#20
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Originally posted by Brain Stew
Exactly. Right now, these vehicles use up a lot of resources without paying anything extra. They can't have it both ways!
Exactly. Right now, these vehicles use up a lot of resources without paying anything extra. They can't have it both ways!
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Either way, it would be a waste of a cop's time to pull over every Navigator that decided to drive down a small street... Ooh, what if the person lived on that street? The cop could ticket them every day!!!
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Originally posted by OldDude
Anybody have access tp the CA law? I have no idea whether private vehicles are exempted in the law, they are in MI.
Anybody have access tp the CA law? I have no idea whether private vehicles are exempted in the law, they are in MI.
Here is the link to the California Vehicle Code. I tried reading some of the pertinent sections, but there is too much and I have to get some work done today.
#23
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Originally posted by OldDude
I'm sorry, but the article is quoting the sign, not the law. The law may or may not be explicit about exceptions, but signs have to be short and simple, every lawyer here knows the law should be complex so people need lawyers and can't understand the law w/o them. For example, private cehicles are not supposed to stop at truck weigh stations and get weighed. THey are for commercial vehicles. The author seems confused about that too.
Anybody have access tp the CA law? I have no idea whether private vehicles are exempted in the law, they are in MI.
I'm sorry, but the article is quoting the sign, not the law. The law may or may not be explicit about exceptions, but signs have to be short and simple, every lawyer here knows the law should be complex so people need lawyers and can't understand the law w/o them. For example, private cehicles are not supposed to stop at truck weigh stations and get weighed. THey are for commercial vehicles. The author seems confused about that too.
Anybody have access tp the CA law? I have no idea whether private vehicles are exempted in the law, they are in MI.
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(Of course, like a FedEx truck, heavy SUVs are allowed to use local roads for a few blocks if they have business there—like going to or from a house. But in general, they're supposed to take the shortest possible path between designated truck routes.)
(That and the trucks on the sign are always black, our semi was white

#25
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Originally posted by Mongo
(That and the trucks on the sign are always black, our semi was white
)
(That and the trucks on the sign are always black, our semi was white

