Vehicle filters

Learn about the various vehicle filters in Altitude.

Vehicle class

The vehicle's VIN is used to determine the GVWR which, in turn, is used to assess its vehicle classification. In some cases, VIN numbers are incomplete, and we cannot determine the vehicle class. For more information on Vehicle classification, please refer to the U.S Department of Energy Maps and Data Vehicle Weight Classes and Categories document. Vehicle class analysis is offered in the Origin and Destination, Stop Analytics, Regional Travel Metrics and Roads applications.

Vehicle types

Vehicle Type (UI)Vehicle Name (API)Notes
Truck Truck-
Passenger VehiclesPassenger-
Multi-Purpose VehiclesMPVMotor vehicles designed to carry up to ten people. They are typically constructed on a truck chassis or with features that enable them to handle off-road conditions. Examples include sport utility vehicles (SUVs), recreational vehicles (RVs), vans, campers, and minibuses.
BusBus-
LimoLimo-
Other (non standardized)OtherVehicles with decoded VIN that do not fall explicitly in one of our defined categories.
Unknownn/aVehicles which do not have a VIN entry or do not fall in any other category.

Truck classification

Term DefinitionClass
Light-Duty TrucksTrucks under 10,000 lbs
  • Class 1 and 2

  • Class A-H

Medium-Duty TrucksTrucks that weigh between 10,001 and 26,000 lbs inclusive.
  • Class 3-6
Heavy-Duty TrucksTrucks that weigh more than 26,000 lbs.
  • Class 7 and 8

Vehicle classification (Scheme 5 - Expansion Factors)

TermDefinitionClass
Light-DutyAll vehicles under 10,000 lbs
  • Class 1 and 2

  • Class A-H

Medium-DutyAll vehicles that weigh between 10,001 and 26,000 lbs inclusive.
  • Class 3-6
Heavy-Duty

All vehicles that weigh more than 26,000 lbs.

  • Class 7 and 8

Weight class

Class (used in API)Parent class (If Applicable)Rating in poundsRating in kilograms
Class 1n/a≤ 6000 lbs≤ 2722 kg
Class 2n/a6001 - 10000 lbs2723 - 4536 kg
Class 3n/a10001 - 14000 lbs4537 - 6350 kg
Class 4n/a14001 - 16000 lbs6351 - 7257 kg
Class 5n/a16001 - 19500 lbs7258 - 8845 kg
Class 6n/a19501 - 26000 lbs8846 - 11793 kg
Class 7n/a26001 - 33000 lbs11794 - 14968 kg
Class 8n/a≥ 33001 lbs≥ 14969 kg
Class AClass 1≤ 3000 lbs≤ 1360 kg
Class BClass 13001 - 4000 lbs1361 - 1814 kg
Class CClass 14001 - 5000 lbs1815 - 2268 kg
Class DClass 15001 - 6000 lbs2269 - 2722 kg
Class EClass 26001 - 7000 lbs2723 - 3175 kg
Class FClass 27001 - 8000 lbs3176 - 3629 kg
Class GClass 28001 - 9000 lbs3630 - 4082 kg
Class HClass 29001 - 10000 lbs4083 - 4536 kg

Vehicle class schemas

For a breakdown of each Vehicle Class Schema, refer to the getVehicleClasses query type in the Altitude API Guide.

SchemeIdSchema Description
0Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Note:

This classification comes from the decoding of VIN, and manufacturers classify based on 49 CFR § 571.3 of the CFR.

1U.S Census Bureau - Vehicle Inventory Use Survey (VIUS).
2FHA-Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). To view the FHA-GVWR, see the Truck Classification table. This SchemeID is used in the Altitude UI.
3Truck Weight Classes 1-8.
4CARB - California Air Resources Board’s scheme by GVWR.
5Expansion Factors

Fuel types

TermDescription
DieselInternal combustion engine using diesel fuel.
ElectricElectric Vehicle running on electricity only.
FlexibleFlexible fuel type engine, which can take multiple fuel types (generally, ethanol or gasoline).
GasolineInternal combustion engine using gasoline fuel.
HybridHybrid electric and internal combustion engine.
OtherLiquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas.
UnknownFuel type unknown or not available.

Industry

Note:

Unknown refers to cases where we do not have sufficient vehicle and fleet information to categorize.

Sector codeIndustry
11Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
21Mining, Quarrying, Oil and Gas Extraction
22Utilities
23Construction
31-33Manufacturing
41-42Wholesale Trade
44-45Retail Trade
48-49Transportation and Warehousing
51Information and cultural industries
52Finance and Insurance
53Real Estate, Rental and Leasing
54Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
55Management of Companies and Enterprises
56Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
61Educational Services
62Healthcare and Social Assistance
71Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
72Accommodation and food services
81Other Services (except Public Administration)
91-92Public Administration
99Unclassified

Vocations

Geotab has a patented machine learning algorithm which is used to determine the purpose or job (vocations) of the vehicles from which we collect data. The ability to use this information for an O/D analysis is unique to Geotab as It allows users specific insights into what types of 'jobs' the vehicles on the road are performing. Here are the possible vocations for your journeys:

Note:

Unknown refers to cases where the vehicle does not have enough history (three-month minimum) or is unable to be grouped due to driving pattern.

VocationVocation ID (for API requests)Description Examples
Door to Door1The vehicle makes significantly more stops than most per work day, but also tends to spend very little time per stop.
  • Last mile delivery

  • Waste collection

Hub and Spoke2The vehicle spends many of its work days making multiple round trips from a singular location (a centralized hub). Typically, the vehicle would average over one round trip per working day, with these round trips accounting for the majority of its total mileage.
  • On-demand services or delivery

  • Auto-parts delivery

Local3The vehicle's range of activity is below 150-air-miles (regardless of miles traveled), thus qualifies for the short-haul exemption under Hours of Service Regulations. This is measured over a given 3 month period. In addition, the vehicle does not exhibit behavior in line with other vocations, such as hub-and-spoke and door-to-door.
  • HVAC

  • Beverage distribution

Regional4The vehicle has a wide range of activity, over the 150-mile threshold for short-haul exemption, but tends to rest in the same location often. The vehicle is also neither hub-and-spoke nor door-to-door.
  • Building supplies

  • Fuel carrier

Long Distance5The vehicle has a very large range of activity and typically does not rest in the same location. The vehicle is also neither hub-and-spoke nor door-to-door.
  • Freight long haul

  • Rental or company vehicles