§127. Vehicle weight limitations—Interstate System

(a) In General.—No funds shall be apportioned in any fiscal year under section 104(b)(1) of this title to any State which does not permit the use of The Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways within its boundaries by vehicles with a weight of twenty thousand pounds carried on any one axle, including enforcement tolerances, or with a tandem axle weight of thirty-four thousand pounds, including enforcement tolerances, or a gross weight of at least eighty thousand pounds for vehicle combinations of five axles or more. However, the maximum gross weight to be allowed by any State for vehicles using The Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways shall be twenty thousand pounds carried on one axle, including enforcement tolerances, and a tandem axle weight of thirty-four thousand pounds, including enforcement tolerances and with an overall maximum gross weight, including enforcement tolerances, on a group of two or more consecutive axles produced by application of the following formula:

where W equals overall gross weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles to the nearest five hundred pounds, L equals distance in feet between the extreme of any group of two or more consecutive axles, and N equals number of axles in group under consideration, except that two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross load of thirty-four thousand pounds each providing the overall distance between the first and last axles of such consecutive sets of tandem axles (1) is thirty-six feet or more, or (2) in the case of a motor vehicle hauling any tank trailer, dump trailer, or ocean transport container before September 1, 1989, is 30 feet or more: Provided, That such overall gross weight may not exceed eighty thousand pounds, including all enforcement tolerances, except for vehicles using Interstate Route 29 between Sioux City, Iowa, and the border between Iowa and South Dakota or vehicles using Interstate Route 129 between Sioux City, Iowa, and the border between Iowa and Nebraska, and except for those vehicles and loads which cannot be easily dismantled or divided and which have been issued special permits in accordance with applicable State laws, or the corresponding maximum weights permitted for vehicles using the public highways of such State under laws or regulations established by appropriate State authority in effect on July 1, 1956, except in the case of the overall gross weight of any group of two or more consecutive axles on any vehicle (other than a vehicle comprised of a motor vehicle hauling any tank trailer, dump trailer, or ocean transport container on or after September 1, 1989), on the date of enactment of the Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1974, whichever is the greater. Any amount which is withheld from apportionment to any State pursuant to the foregoing provisions shall lapse if not released and obligated within the availability period specified in section 118(b)(1) ¹ of this title. This section shall not be construed to deny apportionment to any State allowing the operation within such State of any vehicles or combinations thereof, other than vehicles or combinations subject to subsection (d) of this section, which the State determines could be lawfully operated within such State on July 1, 1956, except in the case of the overall gross weight of any group of two or more consecutive axles, on the date of enactment of the Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1974. With respect to the State of Hawaii, laws or regulations in effect on February 1, 1960, shall be applicable for the purposes of this section in lieu of those in effect on July 1, 1956. With respect to the State of Michigan, laws or regulations in effect on May 1, 1982, shall be applicable for the purposes of this subsection. With respect to the State of Maryland, laws and regulations in effect on June 1, 1993, shall be applicable for the purposes of this subsection.

(b) Reasonable Access.—No State may enact or enforce any law denying reasonable access to motor vehicles subject to this title to and from the Interstate Highway System to terminals and facilities for food, fuel, repairs, and rest.

(c) Ocean Transport Container Defined.—For purposes of this section, the term “ocean transport container” has the meaning given the term “freight container” by the International Standards Organization in Series 1, Freight Containers, 3rd Edition (reference number IS0668–1979(E)) as in effect on the date of the enactment of this subsection.

(d) Longer Combination Vehicles.—

(1) Prohibition.—

(A) General continuation rule.—A longer combination vehicle may continue to operate only if the longer combination vehicle configuration type was authorized by State officials pursuant to State statute or regulation conforming to this section and in actual lawful operation on a regular or periodic basis (including seasonal operations) on or before June 1, 1991, or pursuant to section 335 of the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1991 (104 Stat. 2186).

(B) Applicability of state laws and regulations.—All such operations shall continue to be subject to, at the minimum, all State statutes, regulations, limitations and conditions, including, but not limited to, routing-specific and configuration-specific designations and all other restrictions, in force on June 1, 1991; except that subject to such regulations as may be issued by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (5) of this subsection, the State may make minor adjustments of a temporary and emergency nature to route designations and vehicle operating restrictions in effect on June 1, 1991, for specific safety purposes and road construction.

(C) Wyoming.—In addition to those vehicles allowed under subparagraph (A), the State of Wyoming may allow the operation of additional vehicle configurations not in actual operation on June 1, 1991, but authorized by State law not later than November 3, 1992, if such vehicle configurations comply with the single axle, tandem axle, and bridge formula limits set forth in subsection (a) and do not exceed 117,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.

(D) Ohio.—In addition to vehicles which the State of Ohio may continue to allow to be operated under subparagraph (A), such State may allow longer combination vehicles with 3 cargo carrying units of 281/2 feet each (not including the truck tractor) not in actual operation on June 1, 1991, to be operated within its boundaries on the 1-mile segment of Ohio State Route 7 which begins at and is south of exit 16 of the Ohio Turnpike.

(E) Alaska.—In addition to vehicles which the State of Alaska may continue to allow to be operated under subparagraph (A), such State may allow the operation of longer combination vehicles which were not in actual operation on June 1, 1991, but which were in actual operation prior to July 5, 1991.

(F) Iowa.—In addition to vehicles that the State of Iowa may continue to allow to be operated under subparagraph (A), the State may allow longer combination vehicles that were not in actual operation on June 1, 1991, to be operated on Interstate Route 29 between Sioux City, Iowa, and the border between Iowa and South Dakota or Interstate Route 129 between Sioux City, Iowa, and the border between Iowa and Nebraska.

(2) Additional state restrictions.—

(A) In general.—Nothing in this subsection shall prevent any State from further restricting in any manner or prohibiting the operation of longer combination vehicles otherwise authorized under this subsection; except that such restrictions or prohibitions shall be consistent with the requirements of sections 31111–31114 of title 49.

(B) Minor adjustments.—Any State further restricting or prohibiting the operations of longer combination vehicles or making minor adjustments of a temporary and emergency nature as may be allowed pursuant to regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (5) of this subsection, shall, within 30 days, advise the Secretary of such action, and the Secretary shall publish a notice of such action in the Federal Register.

(3) Publication of list.—

(A) Submission to secretary.—Within 60 days of the date of the enactment of this subsection, each State (i) shall submit to the Secretary for publication in the Federal Register a complete list of (I) all operations of longer combination vehicles being conducted as of June 1, 1991, pursuant to State statutes and regulations; (II) all limitations and conditions, including, but not limited to, routing-specific and configuration-specific designations and all other restrictions, governing the operation of longer combination vehicles otherwise prohibited under this subsection; and (III) such statutes, regulations, limitations, and conditions; and (ii) shall submit to the Secretary copies of such statutes, regulations, limitations, and conditions.

(B) Interim list.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall publish an interim list in the Federal Register, consisting of all information submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A). The Secretary shall review for accuracy all information submitted by the States pursuant to subparagraph (A) and shall solicit and consider public comment on the accuracy of all such information.

(C) Limitation.—No statute or regulation shall be included on the list submitted by a State or published by the Secretary merely on the grounds that it authorized, or could have authorized, by permit or otherwise, the operation of longer combination vehicles, not in actual operation on a regular or periodic basis on or before June 1, 1991.

(D) Final list.—Except as modified pursuant to paragraph (1)(C) of this subsection, the list shall be published as final in the Federal Register not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection. In publishing the final list, the Secretary shall make any revisions necessary to correct inaccuracies identified under subparagraph (B). After publication of the final list, longer combination vehicles may not operate on the Interstate System except as provided in the list.

(E) Review and correction procedure.—The Secretary, on his or her own motion or upon a request by any person (including a State), shall review the list issued by the Secretary pursuant to subparagraph (D). If the Secretary determines there is cause to believe that a mistake was made in the accuracy of the final list, the Secretary shall commence a proceeding to determine whether the list published pursuant to subparagraph (D) should be corrected. If the Secretary determines that there is a mistake in the accuracy of the list the Secretary shall correct the publication under subparagraph (D) to reflect the determination of the Secretary.

(4) Longer combination vehicle defined.—For purposes of this section, the term “longer combination vehicle” means any combination of a truck tractor and 2 or more trailers or semitrailers which operates on the Interstate System at a gross vehicle weight greater than 80,000 pounds.

(5) Regulations regarding minor adjustments.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall issue regulations establishing criteria for the States to follow in making minor adjustments under paragraph (1)(B).

(e) Operation of Certain Specialized Hauling Vehicles on Interstate Route 68.—The single axle, tandem axle, and bridge formula limits set forth in subsection (a) shall not apply to the operation on Interstate Route 68 in Garrett and Allegany Counties, Maryland, of any specialized vehicle equipped with a steering axle and a tridem axle and used for hauling coal, logs, and pulpwood if such vehicle is of a type of vehicle as was operating in such counties on United States Route 40 or 48 for such purpose on August 1, 1991.

(f) Operation of Certain Specialized Hauling Vehicles on Certain Wisconsin Highways.—If the 104-mile portion of Wisconsin State Route 78 and United States Route 51 between Interstate Route 94 near Portage, Wisconsin, and Wisconsin State Route 29 south of Wausau, Wisconsin, is designated as part of the Interstate System under section 139(a), the single axle weight, tandem axle weight, gross vehicle weight, and bridge formula limits set forth in subsection (a) shall not apply to the 104-mile portion with respect to the operation of any vehicle that could legally operate on the 104-mile portion before the date of the enactment of this subsection.

(g) Operation of Certain Specialized Hauling Vehicles on Certain Pennsylvania Highways.—If the segment of United States Route 220 between Bedford and Bald Eagle, Pennsylvania, is designated as part of the Interstate System, the single axle weight, tandem axle weight, gross vehicle weight, and bridge formula limits set forth in subsection (a) shall not apply to that segment with respect to the operation of any vehicle which could have legally operated on that segment before the date of the enactment of this subsection.

(Pub. L. 85–767, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 902; Pub. L. 86–624, §17(e), July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 416; Pub. L. 93–643, §106, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2283; Pub. L. 94–280, title I, §120, May 5, 1976, 90 Stat. 438; Pub. L. 97–424, title I, §133, formerly §133(a), Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2123, renumbered §133, Pub. L. 100–17, title I, §133(a)(3), Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 170; Pub. L. 100–17, title I, §119, Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 157; Pub. L. 100–202, §101(l) [title III, §347(c)], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–358, 1329–388; Pub. L. 101–427, Oct. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 927; Pub. L. 102–240, title I, §1023(a), (b), (d), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 1951, 1952, 1954; Pub. L. 103–331, title III, §332, Sept. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 2493; Pub. L. 103–429, §3(3), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4377; Pub. L. 104–59, title III, §312(a)(1), (2), (b), Nov. 28, 1995, 109 Stat. 584; Pub. L. 104–88, title IV, §§404, 405(a)(1), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 956.)

References in Text

The date of enactment of Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1974, referred to in subsec. (a), means Jan. 4, 1975, the date on which Pub. L. 93–643 was approved.

Section 118(b) of this title, referred to in subsec. (a), was struck out and a new subsec. (b) was added by Pub. L. 102–240, title I, §1020(a), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 1948. Provisions formerly contained in subsec. (b)(1) of section 118 appear in subsec. (b)(2).

The date of the enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (c), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 100–17, which was approved Apr. 2, 1987.

Section 335 of the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1991, referred to in subsec. (d)(1)(A), is section 335 of Pub. L. 101–516, which is not classified to the Code.

The date of the enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (d)(3)(A), (B), (D), (5), is the date of the enactment of Pub. L. 102–240, which was approved Dec. 18, 1991.

The date of the enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (f), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 104–59, which was approved Nov. 28, 1995.

The date of the enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (g), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 104–88, which was approved Dec. 29, 1995.

Amendments

1995—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–59, §312(a)(1), in proviso of second sentence substituted “except for vehicles using Interstate Route 29 between Sioux City, Iowa, and the border between Iowa and South Dakota or vehicles using Interstate Route 129 between Sioux City, Iowa, and the border between Iowa and Nebraska, and except for those” for “except for those”.

Subsec. (d)(1)(F). Pub. L. 104–59, §312(a)(2), added subpar. (F).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 104–59, §312(b), as amended by Pub. L. 104–88, §405(a)(1), added subsec. (f).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 104–88, §404, added subsec. (g).

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–331 inserted at end “With respect to the State of Maryland, laws and regulations in effect on June 1, 1993, shall be applicable for the purposes of this subsection.”

Subsec. (d)(2)(A). Pub. L. 103–429 substituted “sections 31111–31114 of title 49” for “sections 411, 412, and 416 of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (49 U.S.C. App. 2311, 2312, and 2316)”.

1991—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–240, §1023(a), substituted “funds shall be apportioned in any fiscal year under section 104(b)(1) of this title” for “funds authorized to be appropriated for any fiscal year under provisions of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 shall be apportioned” in first sentence and inserted “, other than vehicles or combinations subject to subsection (d) of this section,” after “thereof” in fourth sentence.

Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 102–240, §1023(b), (d), added subsecs. (d) and (e).

1990—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–427 substituted “The Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways” for “the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways” in two places.

1987—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–202 substituted “September 1, 1989” for “September 1, 1988” in two places.

Pub. L. 100–17, §119(d)(1), inserted heading.

Pub. L. 100–17, §119(a)(1), (2), which directed that second sentence be amended by inserting “(1)” before “is 36 feet or more” and by inserting cl. (2) after such phrase, was executed by making the insertions before and after “is thirty-six feet or more” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 100–17, §119(a)(3), (b), inserted “on any vehicle (other than a vehicle comprised of a motor vehicle hauling any tank trailer, dump trailer, or ocean transport container on or after September 1, 1988)” after last reference to “consecutive axles” in second sentence and substituted “lapse if not released and obligated within the availability period specified in section 118(b)(1) of this title.” for “lapse.”

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–17, §119(d)(2), inserted heading.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–17, §119(c), added subsec. (c).

1983—Pub. L. 97–424 struck out “and width” after “weight” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–424 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and substituted provisions relating to authority to appropriate funds for any fiscal year under the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 with respect to apportionment to any State not permitting the use of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways within its boundaries by vehicles with specified weights, provisions setting forth formula of maximum gross weight to be allowed by any State for vehicles using such Highways, and provisions setting forth further limitations for apportionment, for provisions relating to authority to appropriate funds for any fiscal year under section 108(b) of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 with respect to apportionment to any State not permitting the use of the Interstate System within its boundaries by vehicles with specified weights, provisions setting forth formula for determination of overall gross weight, provisions relating to maximum widths permitted for vehicles, and provisions setting forth further limitations for apportionment.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–424 added subsec. (b).

1976—Pub. L. 94–280 authorized a State to permit any bus with a width of 102 inches or less to operate on any lane of twelve feet or more in width on the Interstate System.

1975—Pub. L. 93–643 substituted weight limitations of 20,000 lbs. carried on any one axle, including all enforcement tolerances, for 18,000 lbs. carried on any one axle, of 34,000 lbs. for tandem axle weight, including all enforcement tolerances, for 32,000 lbs. for tandem axle weight, overall gross weight limitation of 80,000, including enforcement tolerances, for overall gross weight of 73,280 lbs. prescribed a formula for determination of overall gross weight on a group of two or more consecutive axles, authorized a gross load of 34,000 lbs. each for two consecutive sets of tandem axles having an overall distance of 36 or more feet between such axles, excepted from the new weight limitations cases of overall gross weight of any group of two or more consecutive axles, on Jan. 4, 1975, and inserted “, except in the case of the overall gross weight of any group of two or more consecutive axles, on the date of enactment of the Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1974” in third sentence.

1960—Pub. L. 86–624 made the laws or regulation in effect on Feb. 1, 1960, applicable, with respect to the State of Hawaii, for the purposes of this section, in lieu of those in effect on July 1, 1956.

Effective Date of 1995 Amendment

Amendment by section 404 of 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 701 of Title 49, Transportation.

Section 405(a) of Pub. L. 104–88 provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Nov. 28, 1995.

Effective Date of 1991 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 102–240 effective Dec. 18, 1991, and applicable to funds authorized to be appropriated or made available after Sept. 30, 1991, and, with certain exceptions, not applicable to funds appropriated or made available on or before Sept. 30, 1991, see section 1100 of Pub. L. 102–240, set out as a note under section 104 of this title.

Public Transit Vehicles

Section 1023(h) of Pub. L. 102–240, as added by Pub. L. 102–388, title III, §341, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1552; amended by Pub. L. 104–59, title III, §326, Nov. 28, 1995, 109 Stat. 592, provided that:

“(1) Temporary exemption.—The second sentence of section 127 of title 23, United States Code, relating to axle weight limitations for vehicles using the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways, shall not apply, for the period beginning on October 6, 1992, and ending on the date on which Federal-aid highway and transit programs are reauthorized after the date of the enactment of the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 [Nov. 28, 1995], to any vehicle which is regularly and exclusively used as an intrastate public agency transit passenger bus.

“(2) Study.—The Secretary shall conduct a study on the maximum axle weight limitations on the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways established under section 127 of title 23, United States Code, or under State laws, as they apply to public transit vehicles. The study shall determine whether or not public transit vehicles should be exempted from the requirements of section 127 or State laws or if such laws should be modified with regard to public transit vehicles. In making such determination, the Secretary shall consider current transit vehicle design standards, the implications of the Americans with Disabilities Act [of 1990, 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.] and Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.] requirements on such design standards, and the potential impact of revised design standards on transit ridership capacity, operating and replacement costs, air quality concerns, and highway wear and tear.

“(3) Report.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report on the result of the study conducted under paragraph (2), together with recommendations.”

Temporary Exemption for Firefighting Vehicles

Section 1023(e) of Pub. L. 102–240 provided that:

“(1) Temporary exemption.—The second sentence of section 127 of title 23, United States Code, relating to axle weight limitations and the bridge formula for vehicles using the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, shall not apply, in the 2-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 1991], to any existing vehicle which is used for the purpose of protecting persons and property from fires and other disasters that threaten public safety and which is in actual operation before such date of enactment and to any new vehicle to be used for such purpose while such vehicle is being delivered to a firefighting agency. The Secretary may extend such 2-year period for an additional year.

“(2) Study.—The Secretary shall conduct a study—

“(A) of State laws regulating the use on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways [now Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways] of vehicles which are used for the purpose of protecting persons and property from fires and other disasters that threaten public safety and which are being delivered to or operated by a firefighting agency; and

“(B) of the issuance of permits by States which exempt such vehicles from the requirements of the second sentence of section 127 of title 23, United States Code.

“(3) Purposes.—The purposes of the study under this subsection are to determine whether or not such State laws and such section 127 need to be modified with regard to such vehicles and whether or not a permanent exemption should be made for such vehicles from the requirements of such laws and section 127 or whether or not the bridge formula set forth in such section should be modified as it applies to such vehicles.

“(4) Report.—Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 1991], the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report on the results of the study conducted under paragraph (2), together with recommendations.”

Study Pertaining to Transporters of Water Well Drilling Rigs

Section 1023(g) of Pub. L. 102–240 directed Secretary to conduct a study of State and Federal regulations pertaining to transporters of water well drilling rigs on public highways for the purpose of identifying requirements which place a burden on such transporters without enhancing safety or preservation of public highways, and, not later than 2 years after Dec. 18, 1991, report to Congress on the results of the study, together with any legislative and administrative recommendations.

Motor Vehicle Study by Transportation Research Board; Report

Section 158 of Pub. L. 100–17 directed Secretary, within 6 months after Apr. 2, 1987, to enter into appropriate arrangements with the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study of the following motor vehicle issues, including an analysis of the impacts of the various positions that have been put forth with respect to each issue and best estimates of effects on pavement, bridges, highway revenue and cost responsibility, and highway safety, and changes in transportation costs and other measures of productivity for various segments of the trucking industry resulting from adoption of each of the positions: (1) elimination of existing, grandfather provisions of 23 U.S.C. 127 which allow higher axle loads and gross vehicle weights than the 20,000-pound single axle load limit, 34,000-pound tandem axle load limit, and 80,000-pound gross vehicle weight limit maximums authorized by Pub. L. 93–643, (2) analysis of alternative methods of determining gross vehicle weight limit and axle loadings for all types of motor carrier vehicles, (3) analysis of the bridge formula contained in 23 U.S.C. 127 in view of current vehicle configurations, pavement and bridge stresses in accord with 1986 design and construction practices, and existing bridges on and off the Interstate System, (4) establishment of nationwide policy regarding the provisions of ‘reasonable access’ to the National Network for combination vehicles established pursuant to Pub. L. 97–424, and (5) recommendation of appropriate treatment for specialized hauling vehicles which do not comply with the existing Federal bridge formula and submit a final report to Secretary and Congress, not later than 30 months after appropriate arrangements were entered into.

State-Imposed Vehicle Width Limitations

Pub. L. 97–369, title III, §321, Dec. 18, 1982, 96 Stat. 1784, related to State-imposed vehicle width limitations, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 98–17, §2, Apr. 5, 1983, 97 Stat. 60. See section 31113 of Title 49, Transportation.

Steering Axle Study; Report to Congress

Section 210 of Pub. L. 94–280 directed Secretary of Transportation to conduct an investigation into relationship between gross load on front steering axles of truck tractors and safety of operation of vehicle combinations of which such truck tractors are a part, such investigation to be conducted in cooperation with representatives of (A) manufacturers of truck tractors and related equipment, (B) labor, and (C) users of such equipment, and the results of such study to be reported to Congress not later than July 1, 1977.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 141 of this title; title 49 sections 5112, 31112.

¹ See References in Text note below.