Government fleets
The vocational trucks public fleets run most, how they are bought through co-op contracts, leases and grants, and the driver rules for public crews.
Cities, counties & states
Public works, sanitation, water and fire departments run some of the hardest-working vocational trucks in America. These are the eight that municipal and state fleets buy most, with what to spec and where to learn more.
Many cities, counties and states buy trucks from contracts that were already competitively bid, which can shorten the process. Confirm that your state and local purchasing rules allow it first.
Spread the cost of a truck across several budget years instead of paying it all at once. Payments usually depend on each year’s budget appropriation.
USDA Community Facilities loans and grants serve rural towns of 20,000 or fewer residents and can fund fire trucks and public works vehicles. FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants can fund emergency vehicles. EPA’s DERA grants help replace older diesel engines.
Trucks run by a city, county or state are exempt from most federal motor carrier safety rules. CDL requirements and DOT drug and alcohol testing still apply to public employees who drive them. Check your state’s rules too.
American Public Works Association (APWA)
NAFA Fleet Management Association, home of the CAFM credential
Clear Roads winter maintenance research
American Public Power Association
Sponsored · [GOVERNMENT SALES PARTNER] Cooperative contract pricing on plow, refuse and sewer trucks.
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Buying, funding and driving trucks for cities, counties and states.
Plow and spreader trucks, dump trucks, refuse and recycling trucks, street sweepers, sewer combination and vacuum trucks, bucket and aerial trucks, fire apparatus, and utility service and crane trucks.
A contract that one public agency has already competitively bid, which other cities, counties and states can buy from without running their own full bid. Sourcewell, NASPO ValuePoint and HGACBuy are common examples. Confirm that your state and local purchasing rules allow it first.
A way to spread the cost of a truck across several budget years instead of paying it all at once. Payments usually depend on each year's budget appropriation, and the agency owns the truck at the end.
USDA Community Facilities loans and grants serve rural towns of 20,000 or fewer residents and can fund fire trucks and public works vehicles. FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants can fund fire apparatus, and EPA DERA grants help replace older diesel engines.
Yes, when the truck requires one. Government-run trucks are exempt from most federal motor carrier safety rules, but CDL requirements and DOT drug and alcohol testing still apply to public employees who drive them. Some states exempt firefighters and other emergency vehicle drivers from the CDL, so check your state's rules.
Industry guides, resource kits, CDL steps and the Safety Center, all free.
Government fleets
The vocational trucks public fleets run most, how they are bought through co-op contracts, leases and grants, and the driver rules for public crews.
Cities, counties & states
Public works, sanitation, water and fire departments run some of the hardest-working vocational trucks in America. These are the eight that municipal and state fleets buy most, with what to spec and where to learn more.
Many cities, counties and states buy trucks from contracts that were already competitively bid, which can shorten the process. Confirm that your state and local purchasing rules allow it first.
Spread the cost of a truck across several budget years instead of paying it all at once. Payments usually depend on each year’s budget appropriation.
USDA Community Facilities loans and grants serve rural towns of 20,000 or fewer residents and can fund fire trucks and public works vehicles. FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants can fund emergency vehicles. EPA’s DERA grants help replace older diesel engines.
Trucks run by a city, county or state are exempt from most federal motor carrier safety rules. CDL requirements and DOT drug and alcohol testing still apply to public employees who drive them. Check your state’s rules too.
American Public Works Association (APWA)
NAFA Fleet Management Association, home of the CAFM credential
Clear Roads winter maintenance research
American Public Power Association
Sponsored · [GOVERNMENT SALES PARTNER] Cooperative contract pricing on plow, refuse and sewer trucks.
Sponsor this section →FAQ
Buying, funding and driving trucks for cities, counties and states.
Plow and spreader trucks, dump trucks, refuse and recycling trucks, street sweepers, sewer combination and vacuum trucks, bucket and aerial trucks, fire apparatus, and utility service and crane trucks.
A contract that one public agency has already competitively bid, which other cities, counties and states can buy from without running their own full bid. Sourcewell, NASPO ValuePoint and HGACBuy are common examples. Confirm that your state and local purchasing rules allow it first.
A way to spread the cost of a truck across several budget years instead of paying it all at once. Payments usually depend on each year's budget appropriation, and the agency owns the truck at the end.
USDA Community Facilities loans and grants serve rural towns of 20,000 or fewer residents and can fund fire trucks and public works vehicles. FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants can fund fire apparatus, and EPA DERA grants help replace older diesel engines.
Yes, when the truck requires one. Government-run trucks are exempt from most federal motor carrier safety rules, but CDL requirements and DOT drug and alcohol testing still apply to public employees who drive them. Some states exempt firefighters and other emergency vehicle drivers from the CDL, so check your state's rules.
Industry guides, resource kits, CDL steps and the Safety Center, all free.