23 U.S. Code § 127 - Vehicle weight limitations—Interstate System

The date of enactment of Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1974, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), (4), means Jan. 4, 1975, the date on which Pub. L. 93–643 was approved.

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.

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (i)(1)(A), is Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143, which is classified principally to chapter 68 (§ 5121 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of Title 42 and Tables.

Section 1105(c) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, referred to in subsecs. (j) and (w), is section 1105(c) of Pub. L. 102–240, which is not classified to the Code. Par. (57) was added by Pub. L. 109–59, title I, § 1304(b)(5), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1211. Par. (96) was added by Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title I, § 11514(a)(2), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 597.

Amendments by section 194(c), (f) of Pub. L. 111–117 were executed as if the amendments by section 194(a), (d) of Pub. L. 111–117 were still in effect, notwithstanding section 194(b), (e) of Pub. L. 111–117 which provided that the amendments by section 194(a), (d) were only effective during the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of Pub. L. 111–117. See 2009 Amendment notes and Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment notes below.

2024—Subsecs. (x), (y). Pub. L. 118–42 added subsecs. (x) and (y).

2021—Subsec. (l)(3)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, § 11515(1)(A), substituted “clauses (i) through (v)” for “clauses (i) through (iv) of this subparagraph” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (l)(3)(A)(v). Pub. L. 117–58, § 11515(1)(B), added cl. (v).

Subsecs. (v), (w). Pub. L. 117–58, § 11515(2), added subsecs. (v) and (w).

2019—Subsec. (l)(3). Pub. L. 116–6, § 421, added par. (3).

Subsec. (l)(3)(A). Pub. L. 116–94, § 425(a)(1), substituted “clauses (i) through (iv)” for “clause (i) or (ii)” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (l)(3)(A)(iii), (iv). Pub. L. 116–94, § 425(a)(2), added cls. (iii) and (iv).

Subsec. (s). Pub. L. 116–6, § 422, in heading, substituted “Natural Gas and Electric Battery Vehicles” for “Natural Gas Vehicles”, in introductory provisions, inserted “or powered primarily by means of electric battery power” after “by natural gas” and substituted “the weight limit on the power unit by up to 2,000 pounds” for “any vehicle weight limit” and a period for “by an amount that is equal to the difference between—,” and struck out pars. (1) and (2) which read as follows:

“(1) the weight of the vehicle attributable to the natural gas tank and fueling system carried by that vehicle; and

“(2) the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system.”

2018—Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 115–141, § 129A, amended par. (10) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (10) read as follows: “With respect to Interstate Routes 89, 93, and 95 in the State of New Hampshire, State laws (including regulations) concerning vehicle weight limitations that were in effect on January 1, 1987, and are applicable to State highways other than the Interstate System, shall be applicable in lieu of the requirements of this subsection.”

Subsec. (u). Pub. L. 115–141, § 127, added subsec. (u).

2015—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 114–94, § 1446(a)(3), substituted “118(b)” for “118(b)(2) of this title”.

Subsec. (a)(11). Pub. L. 114–113, § 124(1), struck out “through December 31, 2031” before period at end in subpars. (A) and (B).

Subsec. (a)(13). Pub. L. 114–94, § 1409, added par. (13).

Subsecs. (m) to (s). Pub. L. 114–94, § 1410, added subsecs. (m) to (s).

Subsec. (t). Pub. L. 114–113, § 124(2), added subsec. (t).

2014—Subsecs. (j) to (l). Pub. L. 113–235 added subsecs. (j) to (l).

2012—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 112–141, § 1404(a), substituted “The Secretary shall withhold 50 percent of the apportionment of a State under section 104(b)(1) in any fiscal year in which the State” for “No funds shall be apportioned in any fiscal year under section 104(b)(1) of this title to any State which”.

Subsec. (a)(12)(B). Pub. L. 112–141, § 1510(1), substituted “550” for “400”.

Subsec. (a)(12)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 112–141, § 1510(2), substituted “550-pound” for “400-pound”.

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 112–141, § 1511, added subsec. (i).

2011—Subsec. (a)(11). Pub. L. 112–55 amended par. (11) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (11) read as follows: “With respect to that portion of the Maine Turnpike designated Route 95 and 495, and that portion of Interstate Route 95 from the southern terminus of the Maine Turnpike to the New Hampshire State line, laws (including regulations) of the State of Maine concerning vehicle weight limitations that were in effect on October 1, 1995, and are applicable to State highways other than the Interstate System, shall be applicable in lieu of the requirements of this subsection.”

2009—Subsec. (a)(11). Pub. L. 111–117, § 194(c), substituted “that portion of the Maine Turnpike designated Route 95 and 495, and that portion of Interstate Route 95 from the southern terminus of the Maine Turnpike to the New Hampshire State line, laws (including regulations)” for “all portions of the Interstate Highway System in the State, laws (including regulations)”. See Codification note above.

Pub. L. 111–117, § 194(a), (b), which directed temporary substitution of “all portions of the Interstate Highway System in the State, laws (including regulations)” for “that portion of the Maine Turnpike designated Route 95 and 495, and that portion of Interstate Route 95 from the southern terminus of the Maine Turnpike to the New Hampshire State line, laws (including regulations)”, was executed by making the temporary substitution for “that portion of the Maine Turnpike designated Interstate Route 95 and 495, and that portion of Interstate Route 95 from the southern terminus of the Maine Turnpike to the New Hampshire State line, laws (including regulations)” to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (a)(13). Pub. L. 111–117, § 194(f), struck out par. (13), which consisted of subpar. (A) only. Text read as follows: “With respect to Interstate Routes 89, 91, and 93 in the State of Vermont, laws (including regulations) of that State concerning vehicle weight limitations applicable to State highways other than the Interstate system shall be applicable in lieu of the requirements of this subsection.” See Codification note above.

Pub. L. 111–117, § 194(d), (e), temporarily added par. (13). See Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note below.

2005—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–58 designated first to eleventh sentences as pars. (1) to (11), respectively, and added par. (12).

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 109–59 substituted “118(b)(2)” for “118(b)(1)”.

2004—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–447 substituted “Interstate Routes 89, 93, and 95 in the State of New Hampshire” for “Interstate Route 95 in the State of New Hampshire” in the penultimate sentence.

2001—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 107–107 added subsec. (h).

1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–178, § 1212(d)(1), inserted before penultimate sentence “With respect to the State of Colorado, vehicles designed to carry 2 or more precast concrete panels shall be considered a nondivisible load.” and inserted at end “The State of Louisiana may allow, by special permit, the operation of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 100,000 pounds for the hauling of sugarcane during the harvest season, not to exceed 100 days annually. With respect to Interstate Route 95 in the State of New Hampshire, State laws (including regulations) concerning vehicle weight limitations that were in effect on January 1, 1987, and are applicable to State highways other than the Interstate System, shall be applicable in lieu of the requirements of this subsection. With respect to that portion of the Maine Turnpike designated Interstate Route 95 and 495, and that portion of Interstate Route 95 from the southern terminus of the Maine Turnpike to the New Hampshire State line, laws (including regulations) of the State of Maine concerning vehicle weight limitations that were in effect on October 1, 1995, and are applicable to State highways other than the Interstate System, shall be applicable in lieu of the requirements of this subsection.”

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–178, § 1106(c)(2)(B), substituted “section 103(c)(4)(A)” for “section 139(a)”.

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.

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–58 effective Oct. 1, 2021, see section 10003 of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Amendment 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.

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

Pub. L. 111–117, div. A, title I, § 194(b), Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat. 3072, provided that:

Pub. L. 111–117, div. A, title I, § 194(c), Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat. 3072, provided that the amendment made by section 194(c) is effective as of the date that is 366 days after Dec. 16, 2009.

Pub. L. 111–117, div. A, title I, § 194(e), Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat. 3073, provided that:

Pub. L. 111–117, div. A, title I, § 194(f), Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat. 3073, provided that the amendment made by section 194(f) is effective as of the date that is 366 days after Dec. 16, 2009.

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 1301 of Title 49, Transportation.

Pub. L. 104–88, title IV, § 405(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 956, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Nov. 28, 1995.

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.

Pub. L. 105–178, title I, § 1213(f), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 201, provided that:

Pub. L. 105–178, title I, § 1213(h), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 202, provided that:

Pub. L. 105–178, title I, § 1213(i), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 202, provided that:

Pub. L. 102–240, title I, § 1023(h), 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; Pub. L. 105–178, title I, § 1212(c), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 194; Pub. L. 108–7, div. I, title III, § 347, Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 419; Pub. L. 108–447, div. H, title V, § 530, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3271; Pub. L. 109–59, title I, § 1309, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1219; Pub. L. 109–115, div. A, title I, § 115, Nov. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2408; Pub. L. 112–141, div. A, title I, § 1522, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 579, provided that:

Pub. L. 102–240, title I, § 1023(e), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 1954, provided that:

Pub. L. 102–240, title I, § 1023(g), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 1955, 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.

Pub. L. 100–17, title I, § 158, Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 210, 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.

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.

Pub. L. 94–280, title II, § 210, May 5, 1976, 90 Stat. 455, 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.