Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, trucks that meet the national weight limits, as well as being less than 8 feet 6 inches wide, 13 feet 6 inches high and less than 53 feet have no need for an oversize or overweight permit. Routine permits are issued for trucks up to 120 feet long, 16 feet wide, 14 feet 6 inches high and 201,000 pounds. Trucks between 120 and 160 feet are issued routine permits if their route includes only four-lane highways.

Overweight and oversize permits are issued for single trips that must be taken within five days; trucks on these permits can operate only during daylight hours. Trucks that are under 107,000 pounds and not oversize can operate continuously, except during holidays and inclement weather. All oversize and overweight permits are invalid during inclement weather, including snow, ice, driving rain, fog; visibility less than 1,000 feet and high speed winds that cause the truck's wheels to deflect more than six inches. Other restrictions include urbanized areas, which can be traveled only during weekdays from 3 a.m.-7:30 a.m., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and 7 p.m.-sunset. Oversize permits are not authorized to travel route 209 in Monroe and Pike counties between I-80 and the PA-NY border.

Permission to travel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike must be requested from the Turnpike Authority, which limits length to 85 feet, height to 13 feet 6 inches, width to 10 feet and weight to 125,000 pounds.

Trucks and loads that are longer than 160 feet, wider than 16 feet or more than 201,000 pounds must request a superload permit. The application for the permit must include a justification for the route chosen and reasons why the load can't be reduced, a letter from the manufacturer of the load and either the barge or rail company, as well as a permit from every city to be traveled through.

There are a limited number of divisible load permits available for travel on interstate highways carrying the following materials: flat rolled steel coils, raw milk, and domestic animal feed.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires all oversize trucks to carry $750,000 in liability insurance, $500,000 in cargo insurance, and a $10,000 bond. In Pennsylvania, the minimum coverage is $1,000,000 combined single limits, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania must be added as an additional insured for property damage and personal injury.

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.