New Jersey Trucking Laws and Regulations

The federal government restricts the size and weight of trucks that can travel on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. Trucks are limited to:

• 80,000 pounds for the gross weight of a vehicle,

• 20,000 pounds for a single axle, or

• 34,000 pounds for a tandem axle.

However, states have the option to issue permits allowing overweight or oversized vehicles to travel on these highways or any other roads.

In New Jersey, legal limits on designated highways are: 80,000 pounds for a vehicle's gross weight, 8 feet 6 inches for its width, 13 feet 6 inches for its height. Semitrailers are restricted to a length of 53 feet long. All other roads have similar restrictions, except that width must be less than 8 feet and semi-trailer length less than 48 feet. Overhang is restricted to three feet in front and four feet in rear.

The following vehicles are exempt from the legal limits: straight trucks may reach 50 feet long when they are transporting loads that cannot be disassembled, semi-trailers may reach 63 feet when they are carrying poles or pipes, and constructor vehicles are limited to 70,000 pounds.

Routine issue permits are issued for vehicles and loads less than 120 feet long, 18 feet wide and 16 feet high. The weight limits for routine issue permits depend on the number of tires and the tire size. Superload permits are issued for trucks weighing more than 150,000 pounds; however, they must receive special New Jersey Department of Transportation clearance. They must submit a diagram with axle weights, spacing, number of tires, and tire size.

New Jersey does not issue divisible load permits.

Even with permits, overweight and oversize trucks must adhere to a number of restrictions. They can operate only during daylight hours Monday through Friday and on Saturdays only until 12 noon. On Sundays, no travel is permitted. A number of New Jersey roads and highways have additional restrictions, including the Garden State Parkway, the Atlantic City Expressway, and the Lincoln and Holland tunnels. No overweight or oversized loads are permitted on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Oversized trucks in New Jersey must maintain the insurance coverage required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: $750,000 in liability insurance, $500,000 in cargo insurance, and a $10,000 bond.

Has a Trucking Accident Occurred?

Munley, Munley & Cartwright, PC accepts and successfully resolves major trucking injury cases nationwide. Our lawyers, paralegals, and other professionals are specially trained to evaluate, develop, and negotiate these difficult cases to protect and benefit our clients. You do not pay any fee unless we win money damages for you. That means you can get the most experienced legal help and it won't cost one dime more than you would pay any other firm -- and we get RESULTS!

The goal of Munley, Munley & Cartwright is simple and direct: To Successfully Resolve the Legal Problems of our Clients.

If you have questions about an accident involving a tractor trailer, let us go to work for you.

You can contact the trucking attorneys of Munley, Munley & Cartwright for a free consultation by completing our online accident evaluation form -or- calling toll-free at 877-421-9175.