§31111 — Title 49 Transportation | U.S. Code

Summary

Sets rules about how long certain big trucks and trailers can be on the Interstate and on some main federal highways. States may not set shorter length limits than these: a bus less than 45 feet, a semitrailer in a truck-tractor/semitrailer combo less than 48 feet, or a semitrailer or trailer in a truck-tractor/semitrailer/trailer combo less than 28 feet on those roads. States also may not set an overall length limit for tractor-semitrailer or tractor-semitrailer-trailer combinations, may not ban trailers that were lawfully used in the State on December 1, 1982, must allow driveaway saddlemount transporter combos to be 97 feet, must allow certain 28.5-foot trailers that were lawfully used on December 1, 1982 within a 65-foot overall limit, may not set a kingpin-to-rear-axle distance limit under 46 feet for trailers used mainly for motorsports, must allow certain stinger-steered auto transporters up to 80 feet if their front overhang is under 4 feet and rear overhang under 6 feet, and must allow towaway trailer-transporter combinations up to 82 feet. States’ length limits that apply under those rules apply to semitrailers or trailers, not the truck tractor. The law also says safety or fuel-saving devices approved by the Secretary of Transportation do not count in the length measurement, as long as those devices cannot carry cargo. Defines and names several vehicle types in short form: automobile transporter (vehicle combo for moving assembled cars, may carry cargo on a return trip if weight rules are met), maxi-cube vehicle (tractor + semitrailer + separable unit with the unit ≤34 feet and the whole combo ≤65 feet), truck tractor (the power unit that pulls trailers or carries motor vehicles in such moves), driveaway saddlemount transporter (tows up to three trucks saddled together), backhaul (the return trip carrying freight), trailer transporter towing unit (power unit that does not carry property when towing), and towaway trailer transporter combination (a towing unit plus two trailers that together weigh ≤26,000 pounds and carry no property). The Secretary of Transportation will list which Federal-aid Primary highways (those in existence on June 1, 1991) qualify for these lengths. A State’s chief executive can ask the Secretary to exempt a specific Interstate segment if it cannot safely handle these vehicles; the Secretary must decide within 120 days, allow public comment, and publish any exemptions. The Secretary may make rules to accommodate special equipment like automobile or vessel transporters and maxi-cube vehicles.

Title 49, §31111

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)The term “automobile transporter” means any vehicle combination designed and used for the transport of assembled highway vehicles, including truck camper units. An automobile transporter shall not be prohibited from the transport of cargo or general freight on a backhaul, so long as it complies with weight limitations for a truck tractor and semitrailer combination.

(2)The term “maxi-cube vehicle” means a truck tractor combined with a semitrailer and a separable property-carrying unit designed to be loaded and unloaded through the semitrailer, with the length of the separable property-carrying unit being not more than 34 feet and the length of the vehicle combination being not more than 65 feet.

(3)The term “truck tractor” means—

(A)a non-property-carrying power unit that operates in combination with a semitrailer or trailer; or

(B)a power unit that carries as property motor vehicles when operating in combination with a semitrailer in transporting motor vehicles or any other commodity, including cargo or general freight on a backhaul.

(4)The term “driveaway saddlemount vehicle transporter combination” means a vehicle combination designed and specifically used to tow up to 3 trucks or truck tractors, each connected by a saddle to the frame or fifth-wheel of the forward vehicle of the truck or truck tractor in front of it. Such combination may include one fullmount.

(5)The term “backhaul” means the return trip of a vehicle transporting cargo or general freight, especially when carrying goods back over all or part of the same route.

(6)The term “trailer transporter towing unit” means a power unit that is not used to carry property when operating in a towaway trailer transporter combination.

(7)The term “towaway trailer transporter combination” means a combination of vehicles consisting of a trailer transporter towing unit and 2 trailers or semitrailers—

(A)with a total weight that does not exceed 26,000 pounds; and

(B)in which the trailers or semitrailers carry no property and constitute inventory property of a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer of such trailers or semitrailers.

(b)(1)Except as provided in this section, a State may not prescribe or enforce a regulation of commerce that—

(A)imposes a vehicle length limitation of less than 45 feet on a bus, of less than 48 feet on a semitrailer operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer combination, or of less than 28 feet on a semitrailer or trailer operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination, on any segment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways (except a segment exempted under subsection (f) of this section) and those classes of qualifying Federal-aid Primary System highways designated by the Secretary of Transportation under subsection (e) of this section;

(B)imposes an overall length limitation on a commercial motor vehicle operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer or truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination;

(C)has the effect of prohibiting the use of a semitrailer or trailer of the same dimensions as those that were in actual and lawful use in that State on December 1, 1982;

(D)imposes a vehicle length limitation of not less than or more than 97 feet on all driveaway saddlemount vehicle transporter combinations;

(E)has the effect of prohibiting the use of an existing semitrailer or trailer, of not more than 28.5 feet in length, in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination if the semitrailer or trailer was operating lawfully on December 1, 1982, within a 65-foot overall length limit in any State;

(F)imposes a limitation of less than 46 feet on the distance from the kingpin to the center of the rear axle on trailers used exclusively or primarily in connection with motorsports competition events;

(G)imposes a vehicle length limitation of less than 80 feet on a stinger-steered automobile transporter with a front overhang of less than 4 feet and a rear overhang of less than 6 feet; or

(H)has the effect of imposing an overall length limitation of less than 82 feet on a towaway trailer transporter combination.

(2)A length limitation prescribed or enforced by a State under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection applies only to a semitrailer or trailer and not to a truck tractor.

(c)A State may not prohibit a maxi-cube vehicle or a commercial motor vehicle combination consisting of a truck tractor and 2 trailing units on any segment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways (except a segment exempted under subsection (f) of this section) and those classes of qualifying Federal-aid Primary System highways designated by the Secretary under subsection (e) of this section.

(d)Length calculated under this section does not include a safety or energy conservation device the Secretary decides is necessary for safe and efficient operation of a commercial motor vehicle. However, such a device may not have by its design or use the ability to carry cargo.

(e)The Secretary by regulation shall designate as qualifying Federal-aid Primary System highways those highways of the Federal-aid Primary System in existence on June 1, 1991, that can accommodate safely the applicable vehicle lengths provided in this section.

(f)(1)If the chief executive officer of a State, after consulting under paragraph (2) of this subsection, decides a segment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways is not capable of safely accommodating a commercial motor vehicle having a length described in subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section or the motor vehicle combination described in subsection (c) of this section, the chief executive officer may notify the Secretary of that decision and request the Secretary to exempt that segment from either or both provisions.

(2)Before making a decision under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the chief executive officer shall consult with units of local government in the State in which the segment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways is located and with the chief executive officer of any adjacent State that may be directly affected by the exemption. As part of the consultations, consideration shall be given to any potential alternative route that serves the area in which the segment is located and can safely accommodate a commercial motor vehicle having a length described in subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section or the motor vehicle combination described in subsection (c) of this section.

(3)A chief executive officer’s notification under this subsection must include specific evidence of safety problems supporting the officer’s decision and the results of consultations about alternative routes.

(4)(A)If the Secretary decides, on request of a chief executive officer or on the Secretary’s own initiative, a segment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways is not capable of safely accommodating a commercial motor vehicle having a length described in subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section or the motor vehicle combination described in subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary shall exempt the segment from either or both of those provisions. Before making a decision under this paragraph, the Secretary shall consider any possible alternative route that serves the area in which the segment is located.

(B)The Secretary shall make a decision about a specific segment not later than 120 days after the date of receipt of notification from a chief executive officer under paragraph (1) of this subsection or the date on which the Secretary initiates action under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, whichever is applicable. If the Secretary finds the decision will not be made in time, the Secretary immediately shall notify Congress, giving the reasons for the delay, information about the resources assigned, and the projected date for the decision.

(C)Before making a decision, the Secretary shall give an interested person notice and an opportunity for comment. If the Secretary exempts a segment under this subsection before the final regulations under subsection (e) of this section are prescribed, the Secretary shall include the exemption as part of the final regulations. If the Secretary exempts the segment after the final regulations are prescribed, the Secretary shall publish the exemption as an amendment to the final regulations.

(g)In prescribing regulations to carry out this section, the Secretary may make decisions necessary to accommodate specialized equipment, including automobile and vessel transporters and maxi-cube vehicles.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 31111(a)(1)49 App.:2311(f)(2).Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, 96 Stat. 2097, § 411(f)(2); added Oct. 18, 1986, Pub. L. 99–500, § 101(l) [H.R. 5205, § 324(a)], 100 Stat. 1783–308, and Oct. 30, 1986, Pub. L. 99–591, § 101(l) [H.R. 5205, § 324(a)], 100 Stat. 3341–308; Dec. 22, 1987, Pub. L. 100–202, § 106, 101 Stat. 1329–433. 31111(a)(2)49 App.:2311(f)(1).Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, § 411(f)(1), 96 Stat. 2160; Oct. 18, 1986, Pub. L. 99–500, § 101(l) [H.R. 5205, § 324(a)], 100 Stat. 1783–308; Oct. 30, 1986, Pub. L. 99–591, § 101(l) [H.R. 5205, § 324(a)], 100 Stat. 3341–308; Dec. 22, 1987, Pub. L. 100–202, § 106, 101 Stat. 1329–433. 31111(b)49 App.:2311(a).Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, § 411(a), 96 Stat. 2159; Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–554, § 104(a), 98 Stat. 2831; Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 4006(b)(1), 105 Stat. 2151. 49 App.:2311(b).Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, § 411(b), (g), (h), 96 Stat. 2159, 2160. 31111(c)49 App.:2311(c).Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, § 411(c), 96 Stat. 2159; Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–554, § 104(b), 98 Stat. 2831; Oct. 18, 1986, Pub. L. 99–500, § 101(l) [H.R. 5205, § 324(b)], 100 Stat. 1783–308; Oct. 30, 1986, Pub. L. 99–591, § 101(l) [H.R. 5205, § 324(b)], 100 Stat. 3341–308; Dec. 22, 1987, Pub. L. 100–202, § 106, 101 Stat. 1329–433. 31111(d)49 App.:2311(h). 31111(e)49 App.:2311(e).Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, § 411(e), 96 Stat. 2160; Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 4006(c), 105 Stat. 2151. 31111(f)49 App.:2311(i).Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, 96 Stat. 2097, § 411(i); added Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–554, § 102, 98 Stat. 2829. 31111(g)49 App.:2311(d).Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, § 411(d), 96 Stat. 2160; Apr. 2, 1987, Pub. L. 100–17, § 133(a)(7), 101 Stat. 171; Nov. 5, 1990, Pub. L. 101–516, § 327(a), 104 Stat. 2182. 49 App.:2311(g). In this section, the words “Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways” are substituted for “National System of Interstate and Defense Highways” because of the Act of October 15, 1990 (Public Law 101–427, 104 Stat. 927). In subsection (a), the word “property” is substituted for “cargo” for consistency in the revised title. Subsection (b)(1) is substituted for 49 App.:2311(a) and (b) (2d–last sentences) to eliminate unnecessary words and for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. Hyphens are used in describing the combinations “truck tractor-semitrailer” and “truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer” for consistency. In clause (D), the word “actually” is omitted as surplus. Subsection (b)(2) is substituted for 49 App.:2311(b) (1st sentence) because of the restatement. In subsection (d), the words “such as rear view mirrors, turn signal lamps, marker lamps, steps and handholds for entry and egress, flexible fender extensions, mudflaps and splash and spray suppressant devices, load-induced tire bulge, refrigeration units or air compressors and other devices” are omitted as unnecessary and because most items listed relate to width rather than length. In subsection (e), the words “by regulation” are added for clarity. The words “subject to the provisions of subsections (a) and (c) of this section” are omitted as surplus. The text of 49 App.:2311(e)(2) and (3) is omitted as executed. In subsection (f), the word “commercial” is added before “motor vehicle” for consistency. In subsection (f)(4)(C), the reference to

Regulations

prescribed under subsection (e) is substituted for the reference in the source to

Regulations

issued under subsection (a) to be more precise. The word “amendment” is substituted for “revision” for consistency in the revised title. Subsection (g) is substituted for 49 App.:2311(d) to eliminate unnecessary words. The Secretary’s general authority to prescribe

Regulations

is provided in 49:322(a). The word “vessel” is substituted for “boat” because of 1:3. The text of 49 App.:2311(g) is omitted as executed.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 114–94, § 5520(a), struck out “specifically” before “for the transport” and inserted at end “An automobile transporter shall not be prohibited from the transport of cargo or general freight on a backhaul, so long as it complies with weight limitations for a truck tractor and semitrailer combination.” Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 114–94, § 5520(b), struck out “only” before “motor vehicles when operating” and inserted “or any other commodity, including cargo or general freight on a backhaul” before period at end. Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 114–94, § 5520(c), added par. (5). Subsec. (a)(6), (7). Pub. L. 114–94, § 5523(a), added pars. (6) and (7). Subsec. (b)(1)(G). Pub. L. 114–94, § 5520(d), added subpar. (G). Subsec. (b)(1)(H). Pub. L. 114–94, § 5523(b), added subpar. (H). 2008—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 110–244, § 301(r)(1), in heading, substituted “Driveaway saddlemount” for “Drive-away saddlemount with fullmount”, and, in text, substituted “driveaway saddlemount” for “drive-away saddlemount with fullmount” and inserted at end “Such combination may include one fullmount.” Subsec. (b)(1)(D). Pub. L. 110–244, § 301(r)(2), substituted “all driveaway saddlemount” for “a driveaway saddlemount with fullmount”. 2005—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 109–59, § 4141(a), added par. (4). Subsec. (b)(1)(D) to (F). Pub. L. 109–59, § 4141(b), added subpar. (D) and redesignated former subpars. (D) and (E) as (E) and (F), respectively. 1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–178, § 4005(1), substituted “section, the following definitions apply:” for “section—” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 105–178, § 4005(5), added par. (1). Former par. (1) redesignated (2). Pub. L. 105–178, § 4005(2), inserted “Maxi-cube vehicle.—The term” after “(1)”. Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 105–178, § 4005(4), redesignated par. (1) as (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3). Pub. L. 105–178, § 4005(3), inserted “Truck tractor.—The term” after “(2)”. Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 105–178, § 4005(4), redesignated par. (2) as (3). 1995—Subsec. (b)(1)(E). Pub. L. 104–88 added subpar. (E).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2015 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date

of 1995 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 104–88 effective Jan. 1, 1996, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as an

Effective Date

note under section 1301 of this title.

§31111 Length limitations

Summary

Title 49, §31111

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Regulations

Regulations

Regulations

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Effective Date

Effective Date

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