(A) Except as otherwise provided by law or through regulations promulgated by the Department of Public Safety, a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and its driver operating in intrastate commerce with a gross vehicle weight (GVW), gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), gross combination weight (GCW), and gross combination weight rating (GCWR) equal to or exceeding 26,001 pounds must meet the requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, as enforced exclusively by the State Transport Police Division of the Department of Public Safety.

(B) CMVs operating below 26,001 pounds are exempt from the regulations cited in subsection (A).

(C) A CMV or its driver is not exempt from the regulations cited in subsection (A) regardless of weight, if the vehicle is:

(1) designed or used to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver; or

(2) used in the transportation of hazardous materials and is required to be placarded pursuant to 49 C. F. R. part 172, subpart F.