2016 New Jersey Revised Statutes
Title 39 - Motor Vehicles And Traffic Regulation
Section 39:3-84 - Vehicles, Dimensional, Weight Limitations; Routes, Certain; Prohibited.

39:3-84 Vehicles, dimensional, weight limitations; routes, certain; prohibited.

39:3-84. a. The following constitute the maximum dimensional limits for width, height and length for any vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load or contents or any part or portion thereof, found or operated on any public road, street or highway or any public or quasi-public property in this State. Violations shall be enforced pursuant to subsection i. of section 5 of P.L.1950, c.142 (C.39:3-84.3).

The dimensional limitations set forth in this subsection are exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices necessary for safe and efficient operation of a vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load or contents, except that no device excluded herein shall have by its design or use the capability to carry, transport or otherwise be utilized for cargo.

Any rules and regulations authorized to be promulgated pursuant to this subsection shall be consistent with any rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Transportation of the United States of America, and shall be in accordance with the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.). In addition to the other requirements of this subsection and notwithstanding any other provision of this Title, no vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load or contents or any part or portion thereof, except as otherwise provided by this subsection shall be operated in this State, unless by special permit authorized by subsection d. of this section with a dimension, the allowance of which would disqualify the State of New Jersey or any department, agency or governmental subdivision thereof for the purpose of receiving federal highway funds.

As used herein and pursuant to R.S.39:1-1, the term "vehicle" includes, but is not limited to, commercial motor vehicles, trucks, truck tractors, tractors, road tractors, recreation vehicles, or omnibuses. As used herein and pursuant to R.S.39:1-1, the term "combination of vehicles" includes, but is not limited to, vehicles as heretofore designated, when those vehicles are the drawing or power unit of a combination of vehicles and motor-drawn vehicles, such as, but not limited to, trailers, semi-trailers, or other vehicles. As used herein, the term "recycling vehicle" means a commercial motor vehicle used for the collection or transportation of recyclable material; or any truck, trailer or other vehicle approved by the New Jersey Office of Recycling for use by persons engaging in the business of recycling or otherwise providing recycling services in this State; and "recyclable material" means those materials which would otherwise become solid waste, and which may be collected, separated or processed and returned to the economic mainstream in the form of raw materials or products.

(1)The maximum outside width of any vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load or contents of any part or portion thereof, except as otherwise provided by this subsection, shall be no more than 102 inches; except that the Commissioner of Transportation, after consultation with the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and the Superintendent of State Police, may promulgate rules and regulations for those public roads, streets or highways or public or quasi-public property in this State, where it is determined that the interests of public safety and welfare require the maximum outside width be no more than 96 inches.

(2)The maximum height of any vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load or contents of any part or portion thereof, except as otherwise provided by this subsection, shall not exceed 13 feet, 6 inches.

(3)The maximum overall length of any vehicle, as set forth in this subsection, including load or contents or any part or portion thereof, except as otherwise provided by this subsection, shall not exceed 40 feet, except that the overall length of a vehicle, including load or contents or any part or portion thereof, otherwise subject to the provisions of this paragraph shall not exceed 50 feet when transporting poles, pilings, structural units or other articles which cannot be dismembered, dismantled or divided. When a vehicle, subject to this paragraph, is the drawing or power unit of a combination of vehicles, as set forth in this subsection, the overall length of the combination of vehicles, including load or contents or any part or portion thereof, shall not exceed 62 feet. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to omnibuses, recreation vehicles, or to vehicles which are not designed, built or otherwise capable of carrying cargo or loads.

(4)The maximum overall length of a motor-drawn vehicle, as set forth in this subsection, including load or contents or any part or portion thereof, except as otherwise provided by this subsection, shall not exceed 53 feet when operated as part of a combination of vehicles consisting of one motor-drawn vehicle and a drawing or power unit vehicle not designed, built or otherwise capable of carrying cargo or loads, except that a motor-drawn vehicle, the overall length of which is greater than 48 feet and not more than 53 feet, shall be constructed so that the distance between the kingpin of the motor-drawn vehicle and the centerline of its rear axle or rear axle group does not exceed 41 feet; the motor-drawn vehicle shall be equipped with a rear-end protection device of substantial construction consisting of a continuous lateral beam extending to within four inches of the lateral extremities of the motor-drawn vehicle and located not more than 22 inches from the surface as measured with the vehicle empty and on a level surface; the kingpin of the trailer shall not be set back further than 3.5 feet from the front of the semitrailer; the rear overhang, measured from the center of the rear tandem axles to the rear of the semitrailer shall not exceed 35% of the semitrailer's wheelbase; the width of the semitrailer and the distance between the outside edges of the trailer tires shall be 102 inches; and the vehicle shall be equipped with such reflectorization, including but not limited to side-marker reflectorization strips located between the rear axle and the rear of the motor-drawn vehicle, as shall be prescribed by the Motor Vehicle Commission, and as is consistent with any applicable federal standards concerning reflectorization. The overall length of a motor-drawn vehicle otherwise subject to the provisions of this paragraph shall not exceed 63 feet when transporting poles, pilings, structural units or other articles that cannot be dismembered, dismantled or divided. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any vehicle or combination of vehicles designed, built and utilized solely to transport other motor vehicles. The Commissioner of Transportation, after consultation with the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and the Superintendent of State Police, shall promulgate rules and regulations specifying those portions or parts of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, Federal-aid Primary System Highways and public roads, streets, highways, toll roads, freeways or parkways in this State where the combination of vehicles as described in this paragraph may lawfully operate. The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations within 120 days after the effective date of this amendatory act to identify a network of roads with reasonable access for motor-drawn vehicles greater than 48 feet in length but not more than 53 feet in length. The commissioner shall, in establishing this network, consider all portions of the network for 48 foot long and 102 inch wide motor-drawn vehicles and specify those routes or portions thereof where motor-drawn vehicles greater than 48 feet in length but not more than 53 feet in length shall be excluded from lawful operation for reasons of safety.

(5)No combination of vehicles, including load or contents, consisting of more than two motor-drawn vehicles, as set forth in this subsection, and any other vehicle, shall be found or operated on any public road, street or highway or any public or quasi-public property in this State.

(6)The maximum overall length of a motor-drawn vehicle, as set forth in this section, including load or contents or any part or portion thereof, except as otherwise provided by this subsection, when operated as part of a combination of vehicles consisting of two motor-drawn vehicles and a drawing or power unit vehicle which is not designed, built or otherwise capable of carrying cargo or loads, shall not exceed 28 feet for each motor-drawn vehicle in the combination of vehicles. The provision of this paragraph shall not apply to any vehicle or combination of vehicles designed, built and utilized solely to transport other motor vehicles. The Commissioner of Transportation, after consultation with the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and the Superintendent of State Police, shall promulgate rules and regulations specifying those portions or parts of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, Federal-aid Primary System Highways and public roads, streets, highways, toll roads, freeways or parkways in this State where combinations of vehicles as described in this paragraph may lawfully operate.

(7)The maximum length and outside width of an omnibus found or operated in this State shall be established by rules and regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Transportation, after consultation with the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and the Superintendent of State Police. Unless otherwise specified in the aforesaid rules and regulations, the maximum outside width shall be 102 inches; any other dimension established for width in the aforesaid rules and regulations shall be based upon a determination that operation of an omnibus with a width of less than 102 inches, but no less than 96 inches is required in the interest of public safety on those public roads, streets, highways, toll roads, freeways, parkways or the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways in this State specified in the aforesaid rules and regulations, or that operation of an omnibus with a width greater than 102 inches is not unsafe on those public roads, streets, highways, toll roads, freeways, parkways or the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways in this State specified in the aforesaid rules and regulations.

(8)The maximum width and length of farm tractors and traction equipment and farm machinery and implements shall be established by rules and regulations promulgated by the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. The operation of the aforesaid vehicles shall be subject to the provisions of R.S.39:3-24 and they shall not be operated on any highway which is part of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways or on any highway which has been designated a freeway or parkway as provided by law.

(9)The maximum outside width of the cargo or load of a vehicle or combination of vehicles, including farm trucks, loaded with hay or straw shall not exceed 105 1/2 inches, but the maximum outside width of the vehicle or combination of vehicles, including farm trucks, shall otherwise comply with the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection. The Commissioner of Transportation, after consultation with the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and the Superintendent of State Police, may promulgate rules and regulations establishing a maximum outside width of 102 inches for the aforesaid cargo or load when operating on those highways where a greater width is prohibited by operation of law.

(10) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (4) and (6) of this subsection pertaining to length, the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission may adopt rules and regulations specifying maximum length dimensions for any vehicle or combination of vehicles designed, built and utilized solely to transport other motor vehicles.

(11) The provisions of this subsection pertaining to length shall not apply to a vehicle or combination of vehicles or special mobile equipment operated by a public utility, as defined in R.S.48:2-13, when that vehicle or combination of vehicles or special mobile equipment is used by the public utility in the construction, reconstruction, repair or maintenance of its property or facilities.

(12) The provisions of this subsection pertaining to width shall not apply to a recycling vehicle when that vehicle is used for the collection of recyclable material on a street or highway other than a highway which is designated part of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways in this State or as a freeway or parkway as provided by law. The maximum outside width of any recycling vehicle so used, including load or contents of any part or portion thereof, shall be no more than 96 inches, except that the width may be up to 105 inches whenever that vehicle is operating at 15 miles per hour or less, and access steps are deployed and recyclable materials are actually being collected.

(13) The maximum overall length of a recreation vehicle including any load or truck camper thereon found or operated in this State shall not exceed 45 feet and no combination of a recreation vehicle with any vehicle, including the load thereon, nor any combination of any motor vehicle with any camping trailer, fifth wheel trailer or park trailer attached thereto, as these terms are defined in section 1 of P.L.1991, c.483 (C.46:8C-10), shall exceed 65 feet in length. Further, the outside width of a recreation vehicle found or operated in this State shall not exceed 102 inches, excluding safety appurtenances such as awnings and lights which are integral to the construction of the vehicle, installed by the vehicle's manufacturer or dealer, and do not extend more than three inches wide on each side of the vehicle, provided however, that such vehicles permissibly exceeding the 102 inch width with their attached equipment or appurtenances shall only be operated:

(a)On roadways having travel lanes at least 11 feet in width, unless prohibited by the Department of Transportation or by a municipality based on safety reasons and marked with signs prohibiting such vehicles; or

(b)On any roadway of the State when such a vehicle is being operated between roadways permitted under subparagraph (a) of this paragraph; and

(i)The location where the recreation vehicle, fifth wheel trailer, park trailer, camping trailer or truck camper is garaged; or

(ii)The destination of the recreation vehicle, fifth wheel trailer, park trailer, camping trailer or truck camper; or

(iii)A facility for food, fuel, repair, services or rest.

b.No vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load or contents, found or operated on any public road, street or highway or any public or quasi-public property in this State shall exceed the weight limitations set forth in this Title. Violations shall be enforced pursuant to subsection j. of section 5 of P.L.1950, c.142 (C.39:3-84.3).

Where enforcement of a weight limit provision of this Title requires a measurement of length between axle centers, the distance between axle centers shall be measured to the nearest whole foot or whole inch, whichever is applicable, and when the measurement includes a fractional part of a foot equaling six inches or more or a fractional part of an inch equaling one-half inch or more, the next larger whole foot or whole inch, whichever is applicable, shall be utilized. The term "tandem axle" as used in this act is defined as a combination of consecutive axles, consisting of only two axles, where the distance between axle centers is 40 inches or more but no more than 96 inches.

In addition to the other requirements of this section and notwithstanding any other provision of this Title, no vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load or contents, shall be operated in this State, unless by special permit authorized by this Title, with a gross weight, single or multiple axle weight, or gross weight of two or more consecutive axles, the allowance of which would disqualify the State of New Jersey or any department, agency or governmental subdivision thereof for the purpose of receiving federal highway funds.

(1)The gross weight imposed on the highway or other surface by the wheels of any one axle of a vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load or contents, shall not exceed 22,400 pounds; provided, however, that notwithstanding any provision of this section or any other law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, any vehicle, registered as an omnibus pursuant to R.S.39:3-19 having an axle weight greater than that provided for in this paragraph, may operate with the approval of the Commissioner of Transportation consistent with federal law and regulation.

For the purpose of this Title the combined gross weight imposed on the highway or other surface by all the wheels of any one axle of a vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load or contents, shall be deemed to mean the total gross weight of all wheels whose axle centers are spaced less than 40 inches apart.

(2)The gross weight imposed on the highway or other surface by all the wheels of all consecutive axles of a vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load or contents, shall not exceed 34,000 pounds where the distance between consecutive axle centers is 40 inches or more, but no more than 96 inches apart.

(3)The combined gross weight imposed on the highway or other surface by all the wheels of consecutive axles of a vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load or contents, shall not exceed 22,400 pounds for each single axle where the distance between consecutive axle centers is more than 96 inches; except that on any highway in this State which is part of, or designated as part of, the National Interstate System, as provided at 23 U.S.C. s.103(c), this single axle limitation shall not apply and in those instances the provisions of this Title as set forth at R.S.39:3-84b.(5) shall apply.

(4)The maximum total gross weight imposed on the highway or other surface by a vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load or contents, shall not exceed 80,000 pounds.

(5)On any highway in this State which is part of, or designated as part of, the National Interstate System, as provided at 23 U.S.C. s.103(c), the total gross weight, in pounds, imposed on the highway or other surface by any group of two or more consecutive axles of a vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load or contents, shall not exceed that listed in the following Table of Maximum Gross Weights, for the respective distance, in feet, between the axle centers of the first and last axles of the group of two or more consecutive axles under consideration; except that in addition to the weights specified in that Table, two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross weight of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of tandem axles is 36 feet or more. The gross weight of each set of tandem axles shall not exceed 34,000 pounds and the combined gross weight of the two consecutive sets of tandem axles shall not exceed 68,000 pounds.

In all cases the combined gross weight for a vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load or contents, or the maximum gross weight for any axle or combination of axles of the vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load or contents, shall not exceed that which is permitted pursuant to this paragraph or R.S.39:3-84b.(2); R.S.39:3-84b.(3); or R.S.39:3-84b.(4) of this act, whichever is the lesser allowable gross weight.



TABLE OF MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHTS

Distance in feet

between axle

centers of first

and last axles

of any group

of two or more

consecutive axles



234567

axlesaxlesaxlesaxlesaxlesaxles

3224002240022400224002240022400

4340003400034000340003400034000

5340003400034000340003400034000

6340003400034000340003400034000

7340003400034000340003400034000

8340003400034000340003400034000

9390004250042500425004250042500

10400004350043500435004350043500

11410004400044000440004400044000

12420004500050000500005000050000

13430004550050500505005050050500

14440004650051500515005150051500

15448004700052000520005200052000

16448004800052500580005800058000

17448004850053500585005850058500

18448004950054000590005900059000

19448005000054500600006000060000

20448005100055500605006600066000

21448005150056000610006650066500

22448005250056500615006700067000

23448005300057500625006800068000

24448005400058000630006850074000

25448005450058500635006900074500

26448005550059500640006950075000

27448005600060000650007000075500

28448005700060500655007100076500

29448005750061500660007150077000

30448005850062000665007200077500

31448005900062500675007250078000

32448006000063500680007300078500

33448006050064000685007400079000

34448006150064500690007450080000

35448006200065500700007500080000

36448006300066000705007550080000

37448006350066500710007600080000

38448006450067500715007700080000

39448006500068000725007750080000

40448006600068500730007800080000

41448006650069500735007850080000

42448006720070000740007900080000

43448006720070500750008000080000

44448006720071500755008000080000

45448006720072000760008000080000

46448006720072500765008000080000

47448006720073500775008000080000

48448006720074000780008000080000

49448006720074500785008000080000

50448006720075500790008000080000

51448006720076000800008000080000

52448006720076500800008000080000

53448006720077500800008000080000

54448006720078000800008000080000

55448006720078500800008000080000

56448006720079500800008000080000

57448006720080000800008000080000

58448006720080000800008000080000

59448006720080000800008000080000

60448006720080000800008000080000

61448006720080000800008000080000

62448006720080000800008000080000

63448006720080000800008000080000

64448006720080000800008000080000

65448006720080000800008000080000

66448006720080000800008000080000

67448006720080000800008000080000

68448006720080000800008000080000

69448006720080000800008000080000

70448006720080000800008000080000

c.The dimensional and weight restrictions set forth herein shall not apply to a combination of vehicles which includes a disabled vehicle or a combination of vehicles being removed from a highway in this State, provided that such oversize or overweight vehicle combination may not travel on the public highways more than 75 miles from the point where such disablement occurred. If the disablement occurred on a limited access highway, the distance to the nearest exit of such highway shall be added to the 75-mile limitation. A heavy-duty tow truck, as defined in section 1 of P.L.1999, c.396 (C.39:3-84.6), shall be permitted, in combination with the towed unit or units, to exceed the axle, dimensional and maximum gross weight limits for tow trucks and towed unit combinations; except that the limit shall not exceed 150,000 pounds gross combined weight. This provision shall not affect the application of section 6 of P.L.1950, c.142 (C.39:3-84.4) concerning driver liability for damages and does not provide an exemption to exceed the height and weight restrictions marked or posted on a bridge or overpass in the State. A heavy-duty tow truck in combination with the towed unit or units shall not be operated at a speed greater than 45 miles per hour when the heavy-duty tow truck in combination with the towed unit or units weighs more than 80,000 pounds, or one or more of its axles exceeds the limitations prescribed herein in the Table of Maximum Gross Weights, or the tow truck in combination with the towed unit exceeds maximum length and width standards as prescribed by law.

d.The Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission may promulgate rules and regulations, including the establishment of fees, for the issuance, at his discretion and if good cause appears, of a special written permit authorizing the applicant:

(1)To operate or move a vehicle or combination of vehicles or special mobile equipment, transporting one piece loads that cannot be dismembered, dismantled or divided in order to comply with the weight limitations set forth in this act. The special written permit issued by the director shall be in the possession of the driver or operator of the vehicle or combination of vehicles or special mobile equipment for which said permit was issued; and

(2)To operate or move a vehicle or combination of vehicles or specialized mobile equipment, transporting a load or cargo that cannot be dismembered, dismantled or divided in order to comply with the dimensional limitations set forth in this act. The special written permit shall be in the possession of the driver or operator of the vehicle or combination of vehicles or special mobile equipment for which the permit was issued; and

(3)Under emergency conditions, to operate or move a type of vehicle or combination of vehicles or special mobile equipment of a size or weight, including load or contents, which exceeds the maximum size or weight limitations specified in this act.

e.If the Commissioner of Transportation has, by regulations adopted pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), designated certain routes within the State for use by a combination of vehicles with a prescribed maximum width or length or consisting of a drawing vehicle and two motor drawn vehicles with a prescribed maximum length, no such combination of vehicles shall be found or operated on any other public road, street or highway or any other public or quasi-public property in this State, unless otherwise permitted by such regulations.

Amended 1942, c.268; 1950, c.142, s.2; 1955, c.198; 1957, c.161, s.2; 1959, c.171; 1961, c.71, s.1; 1961, c.113, s.2; 1963, c.49, s.2; 1964, c.136, s.15; 1967, c.137; 1971, c.383; 1973, c.11; 1975, c.91; 1977, c.51, s.3; 1983, c.126, s.1; 1983, c.349, s.2; 1989, c.47; 1991, c.115; 1991, c.449; 1995, c.397, s.3; 1999, c.29; 1999, c.348, s.2; 1999, c.396, s.9; 2007, c.249; 2009, c.3, s.1.