(a) General rule.--Except as provided for in subsection (d), no vehicle shall, when operated upon a highway, have a gross weight exceeding 80,000 pounds, and no combination driven upon a highway shall have a gross weight exceeding 80,000 pounds, or the applicable weight set as forth in subsection (b) or (c), whichever is less.
(b) Combination of vehicles.--No combination shall, when operated upon a highway, have a gross weight exceeding the following:
|
Combination of Vehicles | Maximum Gross Weight In Pounds |
| Two-axle truck tractor & single-axle semitrailer | 58,400 |
| Two-axle truck tractor & two-axle semitrailer | 73,280 |
| Three-axle truck tractor & single-axle semitrailer | 73,280 |
| Two-axle truck & two-axle trailer | 73,280 |
(c) Motor vehicles.--No motor vehicle when operated upon a highway shall have a gross weight exceeding the following specified maximum gross weight for the following described motor vehicles:
|
| Maximum Gross Weight In Pounds |
| Two-axle motor vehicle | 38,000 |
| Three-axle motor vehicle | 58,400 |
| Four-axle motor vehicle | 73,280 |
| Five-axle motor vehicle | 73,280 |
| Six-axle motor vehicle | 77,000 |
| Seven-axle motor vehicle | 80,000 |
(d) Natural gas vehicles.--
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a vehicle that is operated by an engine fueled primarily by compressed or liquefied natural gas may exceed the gross vehicle weight limits imposed under this section by an amount, not to exceed a maximum of 2,000 pounds, that is equal to the difference between the weight of the vehicle attributable to the natural gas tank and fueling system carried by the vehicle and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system.
(2) The weight exemption provided for under this subsection shall apply to all State highways and interstate highways as provided by the exemption permitted under 23 U.S.C. § 127 (relating to vehicle weight limitations-Interstate System).
(June 18, 1980, P.L.229, No.68, eff. 60 days; Oct. 10, 1980, P.L.791, No.147, eff. imd.; Dec. 21, 1998, P.L.1126, No.151, eff. 60 days; June 22, 2001, P.L.559, No.37, eff. 60 days; July 20, 2017, P.L.342, No.31, eff. 60 days)
2017 Amendment. Act 31 amended subsec. (a) and added subsec. (d).
2001 Amendment. Act 37 amended subsecs. (a) and (c).
Cross References. Section 4941 is referred to in sections 4945, 4961 of this title.