COMMERCIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION

A commercial vehicle for the purposes of registration is any vehicle used for commercial purposes.

Under AS 28.90.990(a)(4) “commercial purposes” means activities for which a person receives direct monetary compensation or activities for which a person receives no direct monetary compensation but that are incidental to and done in furtherance of the person's business;"

Commercial Vehicle registration fees are primarily based on the unladen weight of the vehicle under AS 28.10.421(c); The unladen weight of the vehicle may be determined by various methods, and once established remains on file with the department for all future registrations including transfers of ownership. If an owner is required to establish an actual weight on initial registration or wishes to update the weight when modifications have been made the DMV recognizes 4 methods of determining Actual Weight for a vehicle.

  1. "Unladen", "Actual" "Shipping" weight is listed on ownership documents or previous state registration
  2. Weight Slip or official recording issued to the owner by a private or government organization (Commercial vehicle enforcement, city/muni dump, Shipping/logistics company)
  3. GVWR by the VIN Plate/label 
      •  
  4. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) VIN DECODER 
    •  If GVWR is listed as a range, then the lowest GVWR may be used.

 

Please Note: Any vehicle that is registered in a business/company name even if an individual is also listed as an owner, is registered based on its unladen weight even if not used for commercial purposes.

Leased vehicles

Leased vehicles are owned by a business/company, they are automatically considered commercial vehicles for purposes of biennial fees even if the lessee does not use the vehicle for commercial purposes. This includes vehicles that would normally be considered passenger vehicles such as cars and RV's. 

10,001lbs or more

Trucks or cargo vans with an unladen weight greater than 10,000 lbs. are registered based on weight regardless if they are used for commercial purposes.AS 28.10.421(b)(1).

Dual Registration

A commercial vehicle may only be titled in only one state but may have multiple registrations. If registered commercially elsewhere, you may qualify for dual commercial registration in Alaska, and display more than one registration plate. 

Heavy Vehicle Use Tax

Anyone who owns or operates a vehicle with an empty weight greater than 8000 lbs. must provide additional information and documentation to the DMV when registering their vehicles to ensure compliance with the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax. 

Annual Registration

Normally vehicle registrations are for a 24 month period. With the exception of Taxicabs and Tour buses, commercial vehicle registrations may choose a registration period of 12 or 24 months. If a period of 12 months is chosen all fees will be prorated including Motor Vehicle Registration Tax (MVRT) if applicable. AS 28.10.421(h).

How to register a commercial vehicle?

For any commercial vehicle or any vehicle with an empty weight of 8,001 pounds or above, you must:

Commercial Vehicles and vehicles that weigh over 8,000lbs must complete the required sections of page 2 and possibly provide additional information such as:

  • USDOT Number and Associated Tax ID number
  • Seating capacity 
  • Schedule 1 Form 2290

A short video demonstrating how to fill out a V1 application can be found here. 

Renewing Commercial Vehicles - including fleets

For commercial vehicle(s) that are 8,000lbs or less, you may submit a spreadsheet of vehicle information through my.alaska.gov DMV Online Services.

 

Commercial Registration FAQ

To get a USDOT number with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):

When you obtain a USDOT number, you are entered into the PRISM Program, which will monitor your operations for safety. If you are identified as an unsafe carrier, your registration will be denied until you become compliant. PRISM documents are submitted the Department of Transportation directly and not to the DMV.

The Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) program, is a Federal and State partnership that links the commercial vehicle registration processes to motor carrier safety. This program and all participants are monitored by the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section of Alaska's Department of Transportation and & Public Facilities.

For additional information, please read Commercial Vehicle Registration (pdf)

The Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 passed by the US Congress levies a tax on certain heavy vehicles. This usage tax, referred to as Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) is paid to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Filing of the tax is submitted using IRS Form 2290.

States are required by law to verify proof of HVUT filing before registering a heavy vehicle. AS 28.1.041(c) requires the department to refuse to issue or renew the registration of any vehicle that is subject to the HVUT that does not provide proof of payment at the time of registration.

 

Vehicles with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 lbs. or more are subject to the tax and must provide the validated IRS Form 2290 from current fiscal year each time the registration is renewed.

The IRS defines "taxable gross weight" as the sum of:

  • the unladen weight of the vehicle, AND
  • the unladen weight of any trailers or semi-trailers customarily used in combination with the vehicle, AND
  • the maximum load carried on the vehicle and on any trailers or semi-trailers customarily used in combination with the vehicle

Less than 55,000 lbs.

Vehicles subject to HVUT and any vehicle weighing 8,001lbs or more must make a declaration on page 2 of the Vehicle Transaction Application (Form V1). This declaration must be signed each time the registration is renewed. If a vehicle is subject to the HVUT then proof of payment for the current fiscal year must be attached, unless title documents provided show the vehicle was purchased within the last 60 days.

 

New Purchase

A heavy vehicle purchased within 60 days of the application for registration, is not required to provide proof of HVUT filing however you must still file if subject to the HVUT it will be required upon renewal. The date of purchase must be recorded on the sales agreement, title or other sales documents

Other Exceptions

There are several exceptions to the filing of IRS Form 2290, please contact a local IRS Office information.

For more information, please visit: FAQs for Truckers Who e-file (from IRS)

When registering a vehicle, we must see proof the tax was paid or suspended in the form of a validated copy of Schedule 1, IRS Form 2290.

You can obtain your Schedule 1 from the: IRS Trucking Tax Center

The Following are acceptable proof of payment for taxpayers who have filed a paper Form 2290 for HVUT for the period July 1 through June 30 and have not received their IRS-Stamped Form 2290 Schedule 1 receipt:

The stamped Schedule 1 from the previous taxable period; July 1 through June 30; listing the VIN of the vehicle to be registered, OR

A photocopy of the 2290 (with the Schedule 1 attached) that was filed with the IRS covering the current tax period for the vehicle being registered, along with:

  • photocopy of both sides of a canceled check; or
  • copy of the confirmation from the IRS electronic funds withdrawal, or
  • copy of the taxpayer’s bank statement showing “IRS USA Tax Payment,” or similar language
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