REG 4008, Declaration of GVW/CGW, is the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) form on which the owner or lessee of a commercial motor vehicle declares its Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) or Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (CGW). It is used for vehicles operating at 10,001 lbs. or more that are registered with the DMV, and it sets the weight code under the Commercial Vehicle Registration Act (CVRA). On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the form itself is published by the DMV at dmv.ca.gov.
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What is REG 4008?
REG 4008, Declaration of GVW/CGW (Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight) is the California DMV form on which registered owners or lessees of commercial motor vehicles declare the weight at which each vehicle will operate, using the CVRA range schedule printed on the form.
The form separates two situations. Declared GVW applies to vehicles that haul a load but do not pull another vehicle: it is the vehicle's unladen weight plus the heaviest load it will carry. Declared CGW applies to vehicles that pull another vehicle: it is the unladen weight of the whole combination plus the heaviest load the combination will carry. The form's own example is a truck loaded with produce pulling a trailer loaded with bricks, where the total combined operating weight must be declared.
Section B contains the Commercial Vehicle Registration Act (CVRA) range schedule. Each weight range from 10,001 lbs. up to 80,000 lbs. has a code, A through N, and a CVRA fee; weights under 10,001 carry no code. Your registration card displays the highest weight in the range you report, and the vehicle must show the matching weight decal and CVRA year sticker.
The form is not a Motor Carrier Permit. It warns that a Motor Carrier Permit may also be required and points to the Motor Carrier Services link at dmv.ca.gov.
Who needs to file REG 4008?
All registered owners or lessees of commercial motor vehicles that operate at 10,001 lbs. or more GVW or CGW and are registered with the California DMV must declare their weight on this form.
- Excluded: pickup trucks with no body type modifications (for example, an added utility bed or stake bed) that have an unladen weight under 8,001 and a GVWR of 11,499 and under.
- Vehicles operated under 10,001 lbs.: if a vehicle will operate under 10,001 lbs. gross or combined gross weight, you mark the "VEHICLE OPERATED UNDER 10,001 lbs." box for that vehicle in Section C instead of entering a code.
- Owners without a California county: if there is no California county and the vehicle is used out of state, there is a box to check in Section A.
- Companies and designees: the registered owner, the lessee or a designee signs Section D. A company or business signature must include the printed company or business name and an authorized representative's countersignature, such as "ABC CO., by John Smith" or "Joseph Smith for ABC CO."
Fleet owners can list several vehicles in Section C and may give a fleet number in Section A, which is optional.
When to file REG 4008
Complete REG 4008 before a vehicle operates at a weight higher than the one on its registration. The form states that the appropriate CVRA fees must be paid before the vehicle is operated at a higher weight (CVC §9406.1), and that operating at a weight higher than declared exposes you to late fee penalties (CVC §9554.2), citation and, on conviction, substantial fines (CVC §42030.1).
Section C also asks for the date each vehicle will first operate, or was first operated, at the declared weight. The form gives clearing a citation as an example of a past date. No separate due date is printed on the form. It also notes that commercial vehicles may be registered on a Partial Year Registration (PYR) basis.
How to fill out REG 4008
Enter the owner or lessee name
In Section A, write the registered owner's or lessee's name. Add a fleet number only if you use one; that box is optional.
Enter the physical address
Write the street address with St., Ave., Rd., Ct. or similar, plus space/suite number, city, state and ZIP code.
Give the county information
Enter the California county of residence or the California county where the vehicle is principally garaged. If there is no California county and the vehicle is used out of state, check the box provided.
Add a different mailing address
Fill in the mailing address block only if it differs from the physical address above.
Find your weight code
Use the CVRA range schedule in Section B to match your highest operating weight to a code from A to N. Declare GVW for a vehicle that hauls a load, or CGW for a combination that pulls another vehicle.
Identify each vehicle
In Section C, enter the vehicle license number, the Vehicle Identification Number and the make for each vehicle.
Enter the code and weight
Write the A–N code and the weight in the GVW code or CGW code box. If the vehicle will operate under 10,001 lbs., place an "X" in the "VEHICLE OPERATED UNDER 10,001 lbs." box instead.
Enter the first-operated date
Write the date the vehicle will first operate, or was first operated, at the declared weight. The form's example of a past date is clearing a citation.
Sign and date the certification
In Section D, the registered owner, lessee or designee signs and dates under the penalty-of-perjury statement. A company signature needs the printed company name and an authorized representative's countersignature.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that Sections A, C and D are complete and that the weight decal and registration weight will match. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF.
How to submit REG 4008
The form prints no mailing address, portal or office instructions. The DMV Use Only box at the top is for the agency, and the form states that CVRA fees must be deposited with the DMV before the vehicle is operated.
- Where to send it: confirm the current submission channel with the California DMV through dmv.ca.gov, which is where the form is published.
- Fees: the CVRA fee for your weight code is listed in the range schedule on the form. The amount is set by the DMV, so check the schedule or ask the DMV before you pay.
- Signature: sign Section D in ink on the printed form. Companies follow the countersignature rule printed in that section.
- Motor Carrier Permit: the form says a Motor Carrier Permit may also be required and refers you to the Motor Carrier Services link at dmv.ca.gov.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the DMV's channels, not this site.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Declaring only the tow vehicle's weight for a combination; for vehicles that pull another vehicle you must declare the total combined gross operating weight.
- Operating at a weight higher than the one declared, which the form says brings late fee penalties, citation and, on conviction, substantial fines.
- Operating at a higher weight before the CVRA fees are deposited with the DMV; the form requires payment before operation.
- Leaving Section A, C or D incomplete; the form states that all three must be completed.
- Entering the A–N code without also writing the weight in the same box in Section C.
- Displaying a weight decal that does not match the GVW or CGW shown on the registration card.
- Signing for a company with only a personal signature, without the printed company name and an authorized representative's countersignature.
- Forgetting the "X" in the "VEHICLE OPERATED UNDER 10,001 lbs." box for a vehicle that will operate below that weight.
- Assuming no Motor Carrier Permit is needed; the form warns one may also be required.
Frequently asked questions
What is REG 4008 used for?
REG 4008 is the California DMV's Declaration of GVW/CGW. Owners or lessees of commercial motor vehicles use it to declare the gross or combined gross weight at which their vehicles will operate, and the weight code you report determines the CVRA range shown on your registration card.
Who has to complete the REG 4008 form?
All registered owners or lessees of commercial motor vehicles operating at 10,001 lbs. or more GVW or CGW registered with the California DMV. Pickup trucks with no body type modifications, an unladen weight under 8,001 and a GVWR of 11,499 and under are excluded.
What is the difference between GVW and CGW on this form?
GVW is for a vehicle that hauls a load but does not pull another vehicle: its unladen weight plus the heaviest load. CGW is for a vehicle that pulls another vehicle: the combination's unladen weight plus the heaviest load the combination will carry.
What happens if I operate heavier than the weight I declared?
The form says operating at a weight higher than declared subjects you to late fee penalties (CVC §9554.2), citation (CVC §9406.1) and, on conviction, substantial fines (CVC §42030.1). CVRA fees must also be paid before the vehicle operates at a higher weight.
Can I fill out REG 4008 online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the form; you then submit it to the California DMV through the DMV's own channels, and Section D still needs a signature.
Who can sign REG 4008 for a company?
The registered owner, the lessee or a designee signs Section D. For a company or business, the signature must include the printed company name and an authorized representative's countersignature, for example "ABC CO., by John Smith" or "Joseph Smith for ABC CO."
Do I also need a Motor Carrier Permit?
Possibly. REG 4008 says a Motor Carrier Permit may also be required and refers you to the Motor Carrier Services link at dmv.ca.gov for details. The declaration does not replace that permit.
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