8.14.3

Commercial registration and weight fees

Effective Date: September 29, 2026

Review Due: September 29, 2028

Summary of Changes

No changes needed per the two year review.

Purpose

To provide guidelines for the assessment of commercial registration and weight fees including exemption requirements.

Authority

Two Year Review, A.R.S. §§ 28-404, 28-2323, 28-5201, 28-5432, 28-5434, 28-5433, and 28-5435.

Policy

1. In addition to all other required fees, a customer who is requesting registration for a vehicle or vehicle combination (a motor vehicle and the trailer or semi-trailer being towed) that is in the name of a commercial enterprise or used in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise shall pay both a Commercial Registration (CRF) and gross weight fee (WGT) fee. In addition, pickup trucks and vans with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of one-ton or greater, even when designated for personal use only, shall pay the CRF fee and the minimum WGT fee.

1. CRF and WGT fees are assessed from the first day of the month following the date of sale.

2. The owner declares the gross weight at the time of application for title, registration or re-registration.

3. The declared gross weight of a new vehicle must be no less than the unladen weight of the vehicle as shown on the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO).

4. The owner must re-register the vehicle when the declared gross weight is increased or decreased.

2. CRF and WGT fees are prorated monthly in accordance with A.R.S. § 28-5434.

3. The declared gross weight of a vehicle can be changed during the registration year by re-registering the vehicle and paying the applicable CRF and WGT fees for the number of months left in the registration cycle.

• A vehicle that is being operated with a valid Oversize/Overweight Permit is not required to declare the increased gross weight or pay a WGT for the increased gross weight.

4. When a vehicle is re-registered to:

1. Increase the declared gross weight, the customer is responsible for the payment of the increased WGT.

2. Decrease the declared gross weight, the customer is not entitled to a refund of any previously paid WGT.

5. Registration of a vehicle in the name of the commercial enterprise, for the year immediately preceding the year for which the application for registration is made, is proof that the vehicle was operated on the highways during the preceding registration year. The processor shall collect CRF and WGT fees for that entire year. When the vehicle was not operated on the highway during the period of non-registration, the owner may submit a completed Registration Penalty Fee Waiver, Non-Use Certificate form #48-9402, when applicable.

• This will waive late registration penalty fees and allow the proration of the CRF and WGT fees

6. CRF and WGT fees are collected when registering the following types of commercial vehicles (unless exempt) see below:

1. A trailer or semitrailer

• Trailers with a gross weight of 10,001 pounds or more must declare the trailer gross weight on the power unit.

2. A vehicle used or maintained primarily for the transportation of passengers or property for compensation.

3. A hearse, ambulance or any other vehicle that is used by a mortician in the conduct of the mortician's business.

4. Any vehicle that is being used in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise.

5. A motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles that is designed, used or maintained to transport passengers or property in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise on a highway in this state, that is not exempt under Section I and that includes any of the following:

1. A single vehicle or combination of vehicles that has a GVWR 26,001 or more pounds. and that is used for the purposes of intrastate commerce.

2. A single vehicle or combination of vehicles that has a GVWR 10,001 or more pounds. and that is used for the purposes of interstate commerce.

3. A school bus.

4. A bus.

5. A vehicle that transports passengers for hire and that has a design capacity for eight or more persons.

6. A vehicle that is used in the transportation of hazardous materials as defined in 49 USC §§ 5101 through 5128 and that is required to be placarded under A.A.C. R17-5-209.

7. A $4 CRF fee is required for each registration year.

8. The applicable WGT fee is required for each registration year, as determined by the declared gross weight.

9. The following vehicles are exempt from CRF and WGT fees:

1. A vehicle that is owned and operated by a recognized religious institution and that is used exclusively for the transportation of property produced and distributed for charitable purposes without compensation.

• The owner must submit an IRS or organization headquarters letter certifying that the organization qualifies under 49 US 501(c).

2. A vehicle that is owned and operated by a recognized tax exempt nonprofit school that is used exclusively for any of the following:

1. The transportation of pupils in connection with the school curriculum.

2. The training of pupils.

3. The transportation of property for charitable purposes without compensation.

• The owner must submit an IRS or organization headquarters letter certifying that the school qualifies under 49 US 501(c).

3. A vehicle that is owned by a nonprofit organization in this state and that presents a form from the Director of the Division of Emergency Management.

4. A vehicle that is owned and operated only for government purposes by a foreign government, a consul or any other official representative of a foreign government, by the United States, by a state or political subdivision of a state or by an Indian tribal government.

5. A motor vehicle that is privately owned and operated exclusively as a school bus pursuant to a contract with a school district.

• When the school bus is temporarily operated for purposes other than intended, the CSR shall collect a monthly WGT fee that is equal to 1/10 of the annual WGT fee for each calendar month that the school bus is so operated in this state.

6. A motor vehicle (station wagon or a pickup truck or van with a manufacturer's GVWR of ¾ ton or less) that is maintained and operated less than 1,000 hours during the registration year for the transportation of passengers or property in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise.

7. A motor vehicle (automobiles, trucks (GVWR ¾ ton or less), and vans/van conversions (GVWR ¾ ton or less)) that is owned by a commercial enterprise and the applicant certifies that the vehicle will not be maintained and operated in the furtherance of the commercial enterprise.

• A completed Noncommercial Use Certificate, form #96-0461 is required.

8. A commercial historic vehicle that meets all of the following requirements:

1. Is not maintained and operated in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise.

2. Is issued and displays a valid Historic Vehicle license plate.

3. Has a model year more than 25 years old.

    

9. Recreational vehicle (also includes modified buses, travel trailers, and fifth wheels).

10. Trailers with a declared gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less and that are not used in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise.

11. Motorcycles.

12. Mopeds.

13. Golf carts.

10. The owner of a farm vehicle that is issued a farm vehicle license plate shall pay a WGT fee that is equal to one-half of the applicable annual WGT fee.

11. An owner of a motor vehicle that is registered and licensed in a state adjoining this state is not required to pay CRF and WGT fees provided all of the following conditions exist:

1. The owner and the motor vehicle are domiciled within 25 miles of the border of this state.

2. The motor vehicle is used in this state within 25 miles of the border.

3. There is reciprocity between Arizona and the adjoining state.

• The owner must complete and submit a Border Zone Permit Application, form #48-5117.