N.J. Stat. § 39:3-84

Current through L. 2024, c. 87.

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

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

2 3 4 5 6 7

axles axles axles axles axles axles

3 22400 22400 22400 22400 22400 22400

4 34000 34000 34000 34000 34000 34000

5 34000 34000 34000 34000 34000 34000

6 34000 34000 34000 34000 34000 34000

7 34000 34000 34000 34000 34000 34000

8 34000 34000 34000 34000 34000 34000

9 39000 42500 42500 42500 42500 42500

10 40000 43500 43500 43500 43500 43500

11 41000 44000 44000 44000 44000 44000

12 42000 45000 50000 50000 50000 50000

13 43000 45500 50500 50500 50500 50500

14 44000 46500 51500 51500 51500 51500

15 44800 47000 52000 52000 52000 52000

16 44800 48000 52500 58000 58000 58000

17 44800 48500 53500 58500 58500 58500

18 44800 49500 54000 59000 59000 59000

19 44800 50000 54500 60000 60000 60000

20 44800 51000 55500 60500 66000 66000

21 44800 51500 56000 61000 66500 66500

22 44800 52500 56500 61500 67000 67000

23 44800 53000 57500 62500 68000 68000

24 44800 54000 58000 63000 68500 74000

25 44800 54500 58500 63500 69000 74500

26 44800 55500 59500 64000 69500 75000

27 44800 56000 60000 65000 70000 75500

28 44800 57000 60500 65500 71000 76500

29 44800 57500 61500 66000 71500 77000

30 44800 58500 62000 66500 72000 77500

31 44800 59000 62500 67500 72500 78000

32 44800 60000 63500 68000 73000 78500

33 44800 60500 64000 68500 74000 79000

34 44800 61500 64500 69000 74500 80000

35 44800 62000 65500 70000 75000 80000

36 44800 63000 66000 70500 75500 80000

37 44800 63500 66500 71000 76000 80000

38 44800 64500 67500 71500 77000 80000

39 44800 65000 68000 72500 77500 80000

40 44800 66000 68500 73000 78000 80000

41 44800 66500 69500 73500 78500 80000

42 44800 67200 70000 74000 79000 80000

43 44800 67200 70500 75000 80000 80000

44 44800 67200 71500 75500 80000 80000

45 44800 67200 72000 76000 80000 80000

46 44800 67200 72500 76500 80000 80000

47 44800 67200 73500 77500 80000 80000

48 44800 67200 74000 78000 80000 80000

49 44800 67200 74500 78500 80000 80000

50 44800 67200 75500 79000 80000 80000

51 44800 67200 76000 80000 80000 80000

52 44800 67200 76500 80000 80000 80000

53 44800 67200 77500 80000 80000 80000

54 44800 67200 78000 80000 80000 80000

55 44800 67200 78500 80000 80000 80000

56 44800 67200 79500 80000 80000 80000

57 44800 67200 80000 80000 80000 80000

58 44800 67200 80000 80000 80000 80000

59 44800 67200 80000 80000 80000 80000

60 44800 67200 80000 80000 80000 80000

61 44800 67200 80000 80000 80000 80000

62 44800 67200 80000 80000 80000 80000

63 44800 67200 80000 80000 80000 80000

64 44800 67200 80000 80000 80000 80000

65 44800 67200 80000 80000 80000 80000

66 44800 67200 80000 80000 80000 80000

67 44800 67200 80000 80000 80000 80000

68 44800 67200 80000 80000 80000 80000

69 44800 67200 80000 80000 80000 80000

70 44800 67200 80000 80000 80000 80000

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.

N.J.S. § 39:3-84

Amended by L. 2009, c. 3,s. 1, eff. 1/15/2009.

Amended by L. 2007, c. 249,s. 1, eff. 1/4/2008.

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.