| Does
the Federal Government Place Weight and Size Restrictions on
Trucks?
Yes.
In the 1950's, the authorization of the Dwight D. Eisenhower
System of Interstate and Defense Highways created a federal
interest in building and preserving a national system of interstate
highways. Today, interstate highways omprises an approximate
40,000 mile system of limited access, divided highways that
span the country.
As part of the goal of preservation and maintenance of this
highway system, the Federal Government has enacted commercial
vehicle standards that regulate the size and weight of commercial
motor vehicles that travel on the interstate highways.
These regulations provide the following restrictions:
- Single
Axle vehicles: 20,000 pounds
- Tandem
Axle vehicles: 34,000 pounds
- Gross
Vehicle weight: 80,000 pounds
In addition to the foregoing, in 1975 a formula was introduced
to reduce the risk of damage to highway bridges by requiring
more axles or a longer wheel base to compensate for increased
vehicle weight.
The size of commercial motor vehicles is also limited in
some instances. Although there is no federal length limit
imposed on most truck tractor-semitrailers, there are exceptions
for tractor trailers designed and used specifically to carry
automobiles and boats in specifically designed racks. These
vehicles may not exceed a maximum overall vehicle length of
65 feet or 75 feet depending on the type of connection between
the tractor and trailer.
Federal law also provides that no state may impose a length
limitation of less than 48 feet (unless governed by a grandfather
clause) on a semitrailer operating in any truck tractor-semitrailer
combination on the national network of highways. Similarly,
federal law prohibits states from imposing a length limitation
of less than 28 feet on a semitrailer or trailer operating
in a truck tractor (twin trailer) combination.
With respect to width, no state can impose a limitation of
more or less than 102 inches. Safety devices like mirrors
may not be included in this calculation. Federal law does
not impose a height limit. State standards range from 13.6
feet to 14.6 feet. |
