Do you ever see mail trucks driving around without license plates? Many people ask this question, and the answer may surprise you.
While most mail trucks in the United States do not have license plates, some do. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has a fleet of over 200,000 vehicles, each required to have a license plate. However, the USPS vehicles are not required to display their license plates while operating due to the “privilege license” granted by the federal government. This privilege is valid in all 50 states and saves the USPS a lot of money, approximately $20 million annually.
So, don’t be surprised if you see a mail truck without a license plate. It’s legal.
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Are Mail Trucks Considered Commercial Vehicles?
One might assume that all mail trucks are commercial vehicles, but this is only sometimes true. Depending on the size and weight of the truck, it may be classified as a personal vehicle. For instance, in the United Kingdom, vehicles used by Royal Mail can be categorized as personal vehicles if they weigh under 7.5 tons. This regulation allows these vehicles to bypass specific taxation laws.
However, if these identical vehicles exceed the weight limit, they must pay taxes similar to a commercial vehicle. Similarly, in the United States, automotive mail vans used by the United States Postal Service were modified commercial vehicles with specifications differing from other commercial trucks at the time. Newer postal service trucks are now built with automation technology that allows for sorting mail without stopping the truck. Ultimately, whether or not a mail truck is considered a commercial vehicle varies by region and depends on factors such as weight and use.
Do Mail Trucks Have VINs?
While VINs are not required on postal service vehicles, each truck in the fleet has a 17-digit VIN used for maintenance and repair purposes. The VIN is located on the driver’s side door pillar.
VINs aims to create a unique identifier for each vehicle, helping track the vehicle’s history. It can be helpful when buying or selling a car. Having VINs on mail trucks allows the postal service to keep track of its fleet and ensure that each vehicle receives proper maintenance and repairs.
What Kind of Vehicle Do Mail Carriers Drive?
For many years, the Jeep DJ-5 was the standard vehicle used by letter carriers for curbside and residential mail delivery. However, the Grumman LLV has recently become the more common choice. The Grumman LLV is a purpose-built delivery vehicle designed for maximum efficiency and maneuverability, with a lightweight design and easy-to-use liftgate. Its features make it well-suited for mail delivery, including spacious cargo areas. As a result of these advantages, the Grumman LLV has become the preferred choice for many letter carriers.
Do Mailman Trucks Have AC?
Mailman trucks are equipped with air conditioning, which has been required for all USPS vehicles since 2003. With over 63,000 USPS vehicles equipped with AC, mail carriers can be comfortable during their long shifts in the hot summer months while protecting the mail from heat damage. When purchasing vehicles, the Postal Service considers the necessity of AC for mail carriers.
Are Mail Trucks 4WD?
A mail truck is a vehicle that delivers mail, usually with a bin for holding mail and a compartment for parcels. Mail trucks are typically rear-wheel-drive, making them difficult to drive in snow. However, to improve traction in slippery conditions, some mail trucks are designed to be 4-wheel-drive, especially for routes in areas with heavy snowfall.
Do Mail Carriers Pay for Their Own Gas?
The Postal Service has two types of routes for mail carriers: government-owned vehicle (GOV) routes and equipment maintenance allowance (EMA) routes. On GOV routes, the Postal Service provides the delivery vehicle. In contrast, on EMA routes, the carrier offers their truck. It receives fuel and maintenance reimbursement from the Postal Service. In both cases, the carrier’s gas expenses are covered by the Postal Service, so they do not have to pay for gas out of pocket.
What is the Average Miles per Gallon for USPS Trucks?
The United States Postal Service (USPS) ranks second among the largest fuel consumers in the federal government, only behind the Department of Defense. According to the 2017 records, USPS spent $2.1 billion on fuel for its extensive fleet of nearly 215,000 vehicles. In contrast, while the average passenger car provides over 30 miles per gallon (mpg), postal service trucks only offer an average of 8.2 mpg. Nevertheless, it is essential to remember that postal service trucks are, on average, 30 years old and that trucks have become more efficient since their manufacturing.
The latest USPS delivery trucks are 25% more fuel-efficient than the oldest models. The Postal Service is developing alternative fuel vehicles and aims to make 20% of its fleet be alternative fuel by 2025. The rising oil prices have pressured USPS to decrease its fuel consumption. However, with such a large and old fleet of vehicles, significantly increasing fuel efficiency shortly will take a lot of work.
Conclusion
Mail trucks are government vehicles that do not require license plates in some states, as they are licensed to drive without them. Some states mandate only a front license plate for government vehicles, while in others, they are not needed at all.