PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

Limits how wide commercial trucks and other commercial vehicles can be on many federal highways. States (except Hawaii) may not set a rule that lets trucks be wider or narrower than 102 inches on most Interstate highways, on Federal-aid highways with lanes designed to be at least 12 feet wide, or on certain Federal-aid Primary System roads if the U.S. Transportation Secretary agrees it is safe. Measurements do not count safety or energy-saving devices the Secretary approves. A State can still issue a special permit for a vehicle over 102 inches, and a State may keep a wider rule that was already in effect on April 6, 1983 until it updates the rule. A Federal-aid highway not listed by June 5, 1984 can only be added with the State’s top official’s agreement. A State’s top official (for example, the governor) can ask the Secretary to exempt a short Interstate segment if it cannot safely handle 102-inch vehicles (buses are excluded). Before asking, the official must talk with local governments and any neighboring State that might be affected and look at alternate routes. The request must show evidence of safety problems and the consultation results. The Secretary must give notice, allow public comment, and decide within 120 days or tell Congress why more time is needed. Approved exemptions are added into the federal rules.

Title 49, §31113

Transportation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)General Limitations.—

(1)Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, a State (except Hawaii) may not prescribe or enforce a regulation of commerce that imposes a vehicle width limitation of more or less than 102 inches on a commercial motor vehicle operating on—

(A)a segment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways (except a segment exempted under subsection (e) of this section);

(B)a qualifying Federal-aid highway designated by the Secretary of Transportation, with traffic lanes designed to be at least 12 feet wide; or

(C)a qualifying Federal-aid Primary System highway designated by the Secretary if the Secretary decides the designation is consistent with highway safety.

(2)Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, a State may continue to enforce a regulation of commerce in effect on April 6, 1983, that applies to a commercial motor vehicle of more than 102 inches in width, until the date on which the State prescribes a regulation of commerce that complies with this subsection.

(3)A Federal-aid highway (except an interstate highway) not designated under this subsection on June 5, 1984, may be designated under this subsection only with the agreement of the chief executive officer of the State in which the highway is located.

(b)Exclusion of Safety and Energy Conservation Devices.—

Width 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.

(c)Special Use Permits.—

A State may grant a special use permit to a commercial motor vehicle that is more than 102 inches in width.

(d)State Enforcement.—

Consistent with this section, a State may enforce a commercial motor vehicle width limitation of 102 inches on a segment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways (except a segment exempted under subsection (e) of this section) or other qualifying Federal-aid highway designated by the Secretary.

(e)Exemptions.—

(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 the width provided in subsection (a) of this section, the chief executive officer may notify the Secretary of that decision and request the Secretary to exempt that segment from subsection (a) to allow the State to impose a width limitation of less than 102 inches for a vehicle (except a bus) on that segment.

(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 the width provided for in subsection (a) 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 width provided in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall exempt the segment from subsection (a) to allow the State to impose a width limitation of less than 102 inches for a vehicle (except a bus) on that segment. 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 (a) 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.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 31113(a)49 App.:2316(a), (f).Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, 96 Stat. 2097, § 416(a), (d), (f); added Apr. 5, 1983, Pub. L. 98–17, § 1(a), 97 Stat. 59; Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–554, §§ 103(1), 104(d), (e), 105, 98 Stat. 2830, 2831. 31113(b)49 App.:2316(b).Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, 96 Stat. 2097, § 416(b), (c); added Apr. 5, 1983, Pub. L. 98–17, § 1(a), 97 Stat. 59. 31113(c)49 App.:2316(c). 31113(d)49 App.:2316(d). 31113(e)49 App.:2316(e).Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, 96 Stat. 2097, § 416(e); added Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–554, § 103(2), 98 Stat. 2830. In this section, the word “commercial” is added before “motor vehicle” for consistency. 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)(1), before clause (A), the text of 49 App.:2316(f) is omitted as obsolete. The word “prescribe” is substituted for “establish, maintain” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words “a commercial motor vehicle operating on” are added for clarity. In subsection (b), the words “or energy conservation” are added for consistency with section 31111(d) of the revised title and because of the reference to “efficient operation”. In subsection (e)(4)(C), the word “amendment” is substituted for “revision” for consistency in the revised title.

§31113 Width Limitations

Summary

Title 49, §31113

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Citations & Metadata