Motor Carrier Safety

The Motor Carrier Safety Program is committed to enhancing the safe and efficient movement of commercial motor vehicles to support a safe travel network and a productive economy.

We work to prevent fatalities and injuries related to the movement of large trucks (over 10,000 pounds) by enforcing safety regulations, issuing permits to motor carriers to travel in Clackamas County and Oregon, and working with the motor carrier industry and the public to increase safety awareness.

What we do

  • Issue motor carrier permits for commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of over 10,000 pounds for Clackamas County and all of Oregon
  • Inspect commercial motor vehicles in Clackamas County
  • Provide information needed by motor carriers to safely and legally travel in and through Clackamas County and Oregon
    • Rules and regulations
    • Inspection lists
    • Maps of motor carrier routes
    • Educate motor carrier companies, the business community and the public about the importance of motor carrier safety

Maps and lists

Restricted roads, bridges and underpasses in Clackamas County

Restricted roads in Oregon

Resources

Motor Carrier Definitions

Axle Weight: The weight placed on the road of all of the wheels on the axle

Commercial Motor Vehicle: A motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle is a:

  • Combination vehicle – has a gross combination weight rating or a gross combination weight of 26,001 or more, whichever is greater, including a towed vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds, whichever is greater, or
  • Heavy straight vehicle – has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,001 or more, whichever is greater, or
  • Small vehicle – is designed to transport 16 passengers or more, including the driver, or
  • Small vehicle – a vehicle of any size used to transport hazardous materials requiring placarding

Divisible Load: A load that is reducible by nature or can be readily dismantled

Gross Combination Weight Rating: The greater of…

  • the value displayed on the FMVSS certification label, or
  • the sum of the gross vehicle weight rating or the gross vehicle weights of the power unit and the towed unit, or any combination thereof, whichever is greater. (Exception: The GVWR of the power unit will not be used to define a commercial motor vehicle when the power unit is not towing another vehicle.)

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle.

Gross Weight: The total weight placed on the road by a vehicle or combination of vehicles, including the load

Group of Axle Weight: The total weight placed on the road by two or more axles spaced more than 8 feet apart (also known as the inner bridge)

Legal Axle Limit: Maximum allowable weights in Oregon, according to state law, are allowed the lower weight produced by using Table 1, Table 2 or Table 3 Method A or B

Non-divisible Load: A load or vehicle exceeding load/dimensional or weight limits allowed by state law or rules that, if separated into smaller loads, would compromise the intended use, destroy the value or make it unusable for its intended purpose

Sum of Axles: Addition of axle weights allowed by ORS 810.010 Table 1 and/or Table 2

Tandem Axle Weight: The weight placed on the road by all the wheels of two or more consecutive axles space more than 40 inches but no more than 96 inches (8 feet) apart, measured from center of axle

Wheelbase: The distance in feet and inches between two or more axles, measured to the nearest foot, with 6 inches being the next larger foot for determining weight

Truck-Related Questions/Issues
Department Staff
Kevin Hutchison
Motor Carrier Safety Coordinator
503-742-4772
Chris Beko
Weighmaster
503-742-4773
Permitting Questions
Department Staff
Debi Normand
Permit Specialist
503-742-4771

Phone:503-742-4400

150 Beavercreek Road Room #225 Oregon City, OR 97045

Office Hours:

Monday to Thursday
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Available by phone/email
Friday
8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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