
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 49USC31111]

 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
             SUBTITLE VI--MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS
 
                           PART B--COMMERCIAL
 
              CHAPTER 311--COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY
 
               SUBCHAPTER II--LENGTH AND WIDTH LIMITATIONS
 
Sec. 31111. Length limitations

    (a) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions apply:
        (1) Automobile transporter.--The term ``automobile transporter'' 
    means any vehicle combination designed and used specifically for the 
    transport of assembled highway vehicles, including truck camper 
    units.
        (2) Maxi-cube vehicle.--The term ``maxi-cube vehicle'' means a 
    truck tractor combined with a semitrailer and a separable property-
    carrying unit designed to be loaded and unloaded through the 
    semitrailer, with the length of the separable property-carrying unit 
    being not more than 34 feet and the length of the vehicle 
    combination being not more than 65 feet.
        (3) Truck tractor.--The term ``truck tractor'' means--
            (A) a non-property-carrying power unit that operates in 
        combination with a semitrailer or trailer; or
            (B) a power unit that carries as property only motor 
        vehicles when operating in combination with a semitrailer in 
        transporting motor vehicles.

    (b) General Limitations.--(1) Except as provided in this section, a 
State may not prescribe or enforce a regulation of commerce that--
        (A) imposes a vehicle length limitation of less than 45 feet on 
    a bus, of less than 48 feet on a semitrailer operating in a truck 
    tractor-semitrailer combination, or of less than 28 feet on a 
    semitrailer or trailer operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer-
    trailer combination, on any segment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower 
    System of Interstate and Defense Highways (except a segment exempted 
    under subsection (f) of this section) and those classes of 
    qualifying Federal-aid Primary System highways designated by the 
    Secretary of Transportation under subsection (e) of this section;
        (B) imposes an overall length limitation on a commercial motor 
    vehicle operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer or truck tractor-
    semitrailer-trailer combination;
        (C) has the effect of prohibiting the use of a semitrailer or 
    trailer of the same dimensions as those that were in actual and 
    lawful use in that State on December 1, 1982;
        (D) has the effect of prohibiting the use of an existing 
    semitrailer or trailer, of not more than 28.5 feet in length, in a 
    truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination if the semitrailer or 
    trailer was operating lawfully on December 1, 1982, within a 65-foot 
    overall length limit in any State; or
        (E) imposes a limitation of less than 46 feet on the distance 
    from the kingpin to the center of the rear axle on trailers used 
    exclusively or primarily in connection with motorsports competition 
    events.

    (2) A length limitation prescribed or enforced by a State under 
paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection applies only to a semitrailer or 
trailer and not to a truck tractor.
    (c) Maxi-Cube and Vehicle Combination Limitations.--A State may not 
prohibit a maxi-cube vehicle or a commercial motor vehicle combination 
consisting of a truck tractor and 2 trailing units on any segment of the 
Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways (except a 
segment exempted under subsection (f) of this section) and those classes 
of qualifying Federal-aid Primary System highways designated by the 
Secretary under subsection (e) of this section.
    (d) Exclusion of Safety and Energy Conservation Devices.--Length 
calculated under this section does not include a safety or energy 
conservation device the Secretary decides is necessary for safe and 
efficient operation of a commercial motor vehicle. However, such a 
device may not have by its design or use the ability to carry cargo.
    (e) Qualifying Highways.--The Secretary by regulation shall 
designate as qualifying Federal-aid Primary System highways those 
highways of the Federal-aid Primary System in existence on June 1, 1991, 
that can accommodate safely the applicable vehicle lengths provided in 
this section.
    (f) Exemptions.--(1) If the chief executive officer of a State, 
after consulting under paragraph (2) of this subsection, decides a 
segment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense 
Highways is not capable of safely accommodating a commercial motor 
vehicle having a length described in subsection (b)(1)(A) of this 
section or the motor vehicle combination described in subsection (c) of 
this section, the chief executive officer may notify the Secretary of 
that decision and request the Secretary to exempt that segment from 
either or both provisions.
    (2) Before making a decision under paragraph (1) of this subsection, 
the chief executive officer shall consult with units of local government 
in the State in which the segment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of 
Interstate and Defense Highways is located and with the chief executive 
officer of any adjacent State that may be directly affected by the 
exemption. As part of the consultations, consideration shall be given to 
any potential alternative route that serves the area in which the 
segment is located and can safely accommodate a commercial motor vehicle 
having a length described in subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section or the 
motor vehicle combination described in subsection (c) of this section.
    (3) A chief executive officer's notification under this subsection 
must include specific evidence of safety problems supporting the 
officer's decision and the results of consultations about alternative 
routes.
    (4)(A) If the Secretary decides, on request of a chief executive 
officer or on the Secretary's own initiative, a segment of the Dwight D. 
Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways is not capable of 
safely accommodating a commercial motor vehicle having a length 
described in subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section or the motor vehicle 
combination described in subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary 
shall exempt the segment from either or both of those provisions. Before 
making a decision under this paragraph, the Secretary shall consider any 
possible alternative route that serves the area in which the segment is 
located.
    (B) The Secretary shall make a decision about a specific segment not 
later than 120 days after the date of receipt of notification from a 
chief executive officer under paragraph (1) of this subsection or the 
date on which the Secretary initiates action under subparagraph (A) of 
this paragraph, whichever is applicable. If the Secretary finds the 
decision will not be made in time, the Secretary immediately shall 
notify Congress, giving the reasons for the delay, information about the 
resources assigned, and the projected date for the decision.
    (C) Before making a decision, the Secretary shall give an interested 
person notice and an opportunity for comment. If the Secretary exempts a 
segment under this subsection before the final regulations under 
subsection (e) of this section are prescribed, the Secretary shall 
include the exemption as part of the final regulations. If the Secretary 
exempts the segment after the final regulations are prescribed, the 
Secretary shall publish the exemption as an amendment to the final 
regulations.
    (g) Accommodating Specialized Equipment.--In prescribing regulations 
to carry out this section, the Secretary may make decisions necessary to 
accommodate specialized equipment, including automobile and vessel 
transporters and maxi-cube vehicles.

(Pub. L. 103-272, Sec. 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 993; Pub. L. 104-
88, title I, Sec. 104(b), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 919; Pub. L. 105-178, 
title IV, Sec. 4005, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 400.)

                                          Historical and Revision Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
           Revised  Section                    Source (U.S. Code)              
 Source (Statutes at Large)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
31111(a)(1)...........................  49 App.:2311(f)(2).              Jan. 6
, 1983, Pub. L. 97-424, 96 Stat.
                                                                          2097,
 Sec.  411(f)(2); added Oct. 18,
                                                                          1986,
 Pub. L. 99-500, Sec.  101(l)
                                                                          [H.R.
 5205, Sec.  324(a)], 100 Stat.
                                                                          1783-
308, and Oct. 30, 1986, Pub. L.
                                                                          99-59
1, Sec.  101(l) [H.R. 5205, Sec.
                                                                          324(a
)], 100 Stat. 3341-308; Dec. 22,
                                                                          1987,
 Pub. L. 100-202, Sec.  106, 101
                                                                          Stat.
 1329-433.
31111(a)(2)...........................  49 App.:2311(f)(1).              Jan. 6
, 1983, Pub. L. 97-424, Sec.
                                                                          411(f
)(1), 96 Stat. 2160; Oct. 18,
                                                                          1986,
 Pub. L. 99-500, Sec.  101(l)
                                                                          [H.R.
 5205, Sec.  324(a)], 100 Stat.
                                                                          1783-
308; Oct. 30, 1986, Pub. L. 99-
                                                                          591, 
Sec.  101(l) [H.R. 5205, Sec.
                                                                          324(a
)], 100 Stat. 3341-308; Dec. 22,
                                                                          1987,
 Pub. L. 100-202, Sec.  106, 101
                                                                          Stat.
 1329-433.
31111(b)..............................  49 App.:2311(a).                 Jan. 6
, 1983, Pub. L. 97-424, Sec.
                                                                          411(a
), 96 Stat. 2159; Oct. 30, 1984,
                                                                          Pub. 
L. 98-554, Sec.  104(a), 98 Stat.
                                                                          2831;
 Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102-240,
                                                                          Sec. 
 4006(b)(1), 105 Stat. 2151.
                                        49 App.:2311(b).                 Jan. 6
, 1983, Pub. L. 97-424, Sec.
                                                                          411(b
), (g), (h), 96 Stat. 2159, 2160.
31111(c)..............................  49 App.:2311(c).                 Jan. 6
, 1983, Pub. L. 97-424, Sec.
                                                                          411(c
), 96 Stat. 2159; Oct. 30, 1984,
                                                                          Pub. 
L. 98-554, Sec.  104(b), 98 Stat.
                                                                          2831;
 Oct. 18, 1986, Pub. L. 99-500,
                                                                          Sec. 
 101(l) [H.R. 5205, Sec.
                                                                          324(b
)], 100 Stat. 1783-308; Oct. 30,
                                                                          1986,
 Pub. L. 99-591, Sec.  101(l)
                                                                          [H.R.
 5205, Sec.  324(b)], 100 Stat.
                                                                          3341-
308; Dec. 22, 1987, Pub. L. 100-
                                                                          202, 
Sec.  106, 101 Stat. 1329-433.
31111(d)..............................  49 App.:2311(h).
31111(e)..............................  49 App.:2311(e).                 Jan. 6
, 1983, Pub. L. 97-424, Sec.
                                                                          411(e
), 96 Stat. 2160; Dec. 18, 1991,
                                                                          Pub. 
L. 102-240, Sec.  4006(c), 105
                                                                          Stat.
 2151.
31111(f)..............................  49 App.:2311(i).                 Jan. 6
, 1983, Pub. L. 97-424, 96 Stat.
                                                                          2097,
 Sec.  411(i); added Oct. 30,
                                                                          1984,
 Pub. L. 98-554, Sec.  102, 98
                                                                          Stat.
 2829.
31111(g)..............................  49 App.:2311(d).                 Jan. 6
, 1983, Pub. L. 97-424, Sec.
                                                                          411(d
), 96 Stat. 2160; Apr. 2, 1987,
                                                                          Pub. 
L. 100-17, Sec.  133(a)(7), 101
                                                                          Stat.
 171; Nov. 5, 1990, Pub. L. 101-
                                                                          516, 
Sec.  327(a), 104 Stat. 2182.
                                        49 App.:2311(g).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------

    In this section, the words ``Dwight D. Eisenhower System of 
Interstate and Defense Highways'' are substituted for ``National System 
of Interstate and Defense Highways'' because of the Act of October 15, 
1990 (Public Law 101-427, 104 Stat. 927).
    In subsection (a), the word ``property'' is substituted for 
``cargo'' for consistency in the revised title.
    Subsection (b)(1) is substituted for 49 App.:2311(a) and (b) (2d-
last sentences) to eliminate unnecessary words and for consistency in 
the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. 
Hyphens are used in describing the combinations ``truck tractor-
semitrailer'' and ``truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer'' for consistency. 
In clause (D), the word ``actually'' is omitted as surplus.
    Subsection (b)(2) is substituted for 49 App.:2311(b) (1st sentence) 
because of the restatement.
    In subsection (d), the words ``such as rear view mirrors, turn 
signal lamps, marker lamps, steps and handholds for entry and egress, 
flexible fender extensions, mudflaps and splash and spray suppressant 
devices, load-induced tire bulge, refrigeration units or air compressors 
and other devices'' are omitted as unnecessary and because most items 
listed relate to width rather than length.
    In subsection (e), the words ``by regulation'' are added for 
clarity. The words ``subject to the provisions of subsections (a) and 
(c) of this section'' are omitted as surplus. The text of 49 
App.:2311(e)(2) and (3) is omitted as executed.
    In subsection (f), the word ``commercial'' is added before ``motor 
vehicle'' for consistency.
    In subsection (f)(4)(C), the reference to regulations prescribed 
under subsection (e) is substituted for the reference in the source to 
regulations issued under subsection (a) to be more precise. The word 
``amendment'' is substituted for ``revision'' for consistency in the 
revised title.
    Subsection (g) is substituted for 49 App.:2311(d) to eliminate 
unnecessary words. The Secretary's general authority to prescribe 
regulations is provided in 49:322(a). The word ``vessel'' is substituted 
for ``boat'' because of 1:3. The text of 49 App.:2311(g) is omitted as 
executed.


                               Amendments

    1998--Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105-178, Sec. 4005(1), substituted 
``section, the following definitions apply:'' for ``section--'' in 
introductory provisions.
    Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 105-178, Sec. 4005(5), added par. (1). 
Former par. (1) redesignated (2).
    Pub. L. 105-178, Sec. 4005(2), inserted ``Maxi-cube vehicle.--The 
term'' after ``(1)''.
    Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 105-178, Sec. 4005(4), redesignated par. (1) 
as (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3).
    Pub. L. 105-178, Sec. 4005(3), inserted ``Truck tractor.--The term'' 
after ``(2)''.
    Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 105-178, Sec. 4005(4), redesignated par. (2) 
as (3).
    1995--Subsec. (b)(1)(E). Pub. L. 104-88 added subpar. (E).


                    Effective Date of 1995 Amendment

    Amendment by 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 
this title.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 5112, 31112, 31114 of this 
title; title 23 section 127.
