A commercial van is a motor vehicle that is equipped to carry large amounts of passengers on the road. There are various types of commercial vehicles and they all serve a purpose based on the use of the vehicle. The definitions of commercial vans are as follows:

• Commercial vans are equipped to transport over eleven passengers including the driver.
• A vehicle carrying over 11 or more passengers including the driver and transporting students back and forth to school.
• The gross vehicle weight rating also defines the commercial van at a weight of 26,001 or more pounds.
• The mode of transportation sets a commercial van apart by what it transports.
• If a vehicle is placarded due to hazardous material being transported, then it is also considered a commercial van.
• A commercial van is registered and titled by a company through the local department of motor vehicles.
• The driver of a commercial van must also obtain a Commercial Driver's License or CDL from the local state.

Weight Limits

A vehicle's weight limit is determined by a number of factors. Every state has their own legal limits on how much weight a vehicle can carry. You must stay within the legal limit when transporting or you could be cited. There are different values of weight and they are listed are follows:

• "GVW" Gross vehicle weight: vehicle's total weight alone + the weight of the load together
• "GCW" Gross Combination Weight: vehicle's total weight + trailer + load
• "GVWR" Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: a manufacturer's maximum specification for a vehicle + the load.
• Axle Weight: the force of an axle pushing its weight to the ground by either one axle or all axles.
• Tire Load: the safest weight in which a singe tire can carry per load. To find the maximum limit for each tire, look on the sidewall of the tire.
• Suspension Systems: the vehicle is held up by a suspension system that can only allow for so much weight. Check with your manufacturer for the weight limits or the vehicle handbook.
• Coupling Device Capacity: a device used to distribute weight between the vehicle and the load it pulls. The maximum is determined based on the size of the coupler.

Safety of Commercial Vans

Commercial vans can cause the driver to feel like the vehicle is off balance. You must be aware of the vehicle's height. Many commercial vans are top heavy and require special training to ensure that the vehicle will not tip over during turns. If heavy cargo is place near the top of the vehicle it will cause the vehicle to topple over. This is poor weight balance and the vehicle becomes unsafe to drive not only for the driver but also for those that are on the road near the top heavy vehicle. Especially if the van vehicle is driven up and down a mountain with steep cliffs.