Pennsylvania Highways: Pennsylvania Truck Information

Pennsylvania Highways
Pennsylvania Truck Information

INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION PLAN (IRP)

IRP allows motor carriers to proportionally register their vehicles for states in which they operate such that they are not required to obtain separate registrations for each state. IRP registration fees are based upon the proportional mileage operated in each state.

The IRP program applies to vehicles which are operated through Pennsylvania and are used for the transportation of persons for hire or are designated, used, or maintained primarily for transportation of property. The plan covers vehicles and combinations having a gross weight in excess of 26,000 pounds and vehicles having three or more axels, regardless of weight.

TRUCK/VEHICLE REGISTRATION

All vehicles used to conduct business in Pennsylvania must be either registered in Pennsylvania or through a reciprocity pact with another state.

Further Information Contact:
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Commercial Registration Section
P.O. Box 68284
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8284..........................................................717-783-6095
Registration Period - June 1 through May 31
Reciprocity Pact - International Registration Plan
Trip Permits - May be obtained for temporary operation in states not included in original apportionment.

MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ASSISTANT PROGRAM (MCSAP)
Basis For Inspections

Conducted in accordance with the United States Department of Transportation's North American Uniform Driver-Vehicle Inspection Procedures.

Inspection standards published by the Department in their regulations (Title 67).

Regulations based upon Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR 390-397).

Regulations are as consistent as possible with motor carrier safety regulations nationwide.

Classes of Violations
Basic - Not considered to present imminent danger to the public. The include drivers' record keeping and items which are broken, damaged, or inoperable but which are not considered severe enough to present the potential for an accident or breakdown.
Out-of-Service - Considered severe enough to post an imminent danger to the public. They include drivers who have driven more than the allowable number of hours, defective tires, lights and/or brakes.

Compliance Requirements
Basic violations must be corrected within 15 days or before the start of the vehicle's next trip, whichever comes first. Out-of-service violations must be corrected before resuming travel. Repairman and motor carrier must certify corrections have been made to the Department within 15 days.

Penalties
Citations may be issued for violations discovered during inspection. It is at the discretion of the inspector whether to issue a citation to the driver or carrier or both.

Basic Violation:	Citation to driver	$25 per violation
	Citation to carrier	$50 per violation
Out-of-service Violation:	Citation to driver	$50 per violation
	Citation to carrier	$100 per violation

If a driver fails to comply with the inspector's request to inspect his vehicle, the following many occur:

Vehicle can be taken into custody until inspection is completed.
Driver could be fined $500 if found guilty of refusing the request to inspect his vehicle or if he continues with his trip before repairs have been made.

Further Information Contact:
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Motor Carrier Division
P.O. Box 8210
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8210..........................................................717-787-7445

WEIGHT LIMITS

Axel Weights - Trucks and Combination Vehicles with Registered Gross Weight of 73,280 pounds or less.

Steering Axle..............................................................20,000 pounds

Other Axles: Center-to-Center Distance Between 2 Adjacent Axles	Maximum Axle Weight (pounds)
	1 of 2 Adjacent Axles	Other Adjacent Axle
Under 6' 6' to 8' Over 8'	18,000 18,000 22,400	18,000 22,400 22,400

Combination Vehicles with Registered Gross Weight and Actual Gross Weight in excess of 73,280 pounds are determined by the Federal Bridge Formula.

MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT

Type of Vehicle	Maximum Gross Weight in Pounds
Two-Axle Truck	38,000
Three-Axle Truck	58,400
Four-Axle Truck	73,280
Three-Axle Combination	58,400
Four-Axle Combination	73,280
Five or More-Axle Combination	80,000

SIZE LIMITS


	Width		8'0"
	Height		13'6"
	Length
		Single Motor Vehicle	40'
		Tractor-Trailer	53' Trailer (41' King pin to center line of rear axle)
		Tractor-Trailer-Trailer (Twins)	Allowed on Approved Routes Only

National Network and Pennsylvania Access Approved Routes
	Width		8'6"
	Height		13'6"
	Length
		Single Motor Vehicle	40'
		Tractor-Trailer	53' Trailer (41' King pin to center line of rear axle)
		Tractor-Trailer-Trailer (Twins)	28'6" (each trailer)

All Highways
	Auto & Boat Transports - Conventional		65'
	Stinger Steered		75'

Load Overhang
	Auto & Boat Transports
		Front	3'
		Rear	4'
	All Other Vehicles
		Front	3'
		Rear	6'

Further Information Contact:
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Motor Carrier Division
P. O. Box 8210
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8210..........................................................717-787-7445
(Request copy of Trucker's Handbook)

OVERWEIGHT/OVERSIZE PERMITS

Required for all loads/vehicles in excess of maximum allowances shown above. To acquire a permit, contact the PennDOT Maintenance Office in the county of the trip origin prior to the beginning of the trip.

Further Information Contact:
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Central Permit Office
P. O. Box 8210
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8210..........................................................717-787-4680

If traveling on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a separate permit is required. For further information, see the Turnpike Information Section.

WORK ZONE SAFETY

Work zones throughout Pennsylvania can be found at any time of the year. Drivers are reminded to slow down, pay attention to signing and travel cautiously through work sites. The people behind the barriers and under the hard hats are depending on you to "Give 'em a BRAKE." Fines for moving violations committed in a Work Zone or Maintenance Area are double the usual amount.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS' SPILL REPORTING

All vehicular releases of hazardous materials, to include diesel fuel, with the potential of affecting the environment (air, soil, water) must be reported immediately to "911" or the local emergency number (Dial "0" and ask for operator).

If unable to reach local authorities, report the spill to the Pennsylvania State Emergency Operations Center at 1-800-HBG-PEMA or 717-651-2001

Further Information Contact:
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
ATTN: Bureau of Plans
P. O. Box 3321
Harrisburg, PA 17105-3321

MOTOR CARRIER ROAD TAXES

All trucks, truck tractors, and combinations with a gross of registered gross weight in excess of 26,000 pounds are required to display a Road Tax Identification marker. The marker fee is $5.00 and is valid from April 1 through March 31.

Trip Permits: 5 day-permits are issued to qualified applicants upon request.

Road Tax Reports: Carriers must report total miles traveled and fuel purchased overall and in Pennsylvania to:
Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
Bureau of Motor Carrier Road Tax
Department 280646
Harrisburg, PA 17128-0646..........................................................717-787-5355

Reports are due as follows:

REPORTING PERIOD	DUE DATE
April-June	July 31
July-September	October 31
October-December	January 31
January-March	April 30

Fuel Tax (Tax Based on Mileage Traveled in Pennsylvania)
Variable, currently averages $0.3182 per gallon.

Requirements: Registration, cab card, and registration marker on cab, and quarterly reports required. IRP registration must identify Pennsylvania and the weight desired. Fuel Tax decal must be displayed on driver's side of power unit.

There are no exemptions for filing fuel consumption quarterly tax reports.

Further Information Contact:
Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
Bureau of Motor Carrier Road Tax
P. O. Box 280646
Harrisburg, PA 17128-0646..........................................................717-787-5355

FUEL USE TAX (Tax paid at pump for fuel purchased in Pennsylvania)
Variable, currently $0.308 per gallon. Includes gallonage taxes of $0.12 fuel tax and $0.188 Oil Franchising Tax

Further Information Contact:
Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
Bureau of Motor Fuel Taxes
Department 280646
Harrisburg, PA 17128-0646..........................................................1-800-482-4382

PITTSBURGH AREA TUNNEL RESTRICTIONS
(Pertains to the Liberty, Squirrel Hill, and Fort Pitt Tunnels.)

Explosives and flammable liquids are not permitted in the tunnels. Should you be involved in an accident and need assistance from PennDOT when using the tunnels, you should contact:
PennDOT Maintenance Office..........................................................412-381-1815

WEATHER INFORMATION

Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton	610-264-2241
Erie	814-453-2211
Harrisburg	717-234-7379
Philadelphia	215-936-1212
Pittsburgh	412-936-1212
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre	570-457-2711

PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE INFORMATION

Minimum speed on Turnpike: 40 miles per hour (weather permitting)

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS

General Information:	717-939-9551
Road/Weather Conditions:	1-800-331-3414 (in PA) 717-939-9871 (outside)
State Police and/or Emergency Road Service:	1-800-932-0586 (in PA)
Commercial Credit Card Information:	717-939-9551 X 2932
Turnpike Cellular Phone Coverage:	Dial *11 for Emergency Assistance

EMERGENCY HELP INFORMATION

Pennsylvania Turnpike Maintenance Buildings and Safety Vehicles monitor Channel 9 on Citizen Band Radios.

Emergency call boxes are located on both sides of the Turnpike System every mile.

HAZARDOUS PERMIT INFORMATION

Annual permit is required for transporting all hazardous materials.
Requests must be in writing and submitted prior to trip.

Further information contact:
717-939-9551 Extension 5330 or 634 or 717-986-9634

PERMIT RESTRICTIONS

Special permits are required for all loads/vehicles in excess of maximum allowance shown below:

Weight: 100,000 lbs

Width: Exceeding 10 feet

Overall Length: Exceeding 85 feet

Height: 13'6" permitted in all areas except
between interchanges 2 to 57 and 236 to
56, where 14' maximum is permitted.

Over dimensional permits may be obtained by calling 717-939-9551, Extension 2980

Stinger steered car carriers are allowed to operate on the Turnpike System without a permit. However, the front and rear overhang of stinger steered vehicles shall not be included in calculating the overall length of the stinger steered vehicle so long as the front overhang does not exceed three (3) feet and the rear overhand does not exceed four (4) feet.

TUNNEL RESTRICTIONS

Combustibles, non-flammable gas, fuel oil, liquid oxygen (1073), St. Andrews Cross and miscellaneous commodities. . .Class 9 (previously listed as O.R.M.'s) are allowed through the Turnpike tunnels with appropriate permits. Carriers hauling other hazardous
materials are not permitted to use the tunnels and will be given travel information on the Turnpike.

ALL PLACARDED VEHICLES REQUIRE
PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE COMMISSION
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PERMIT

PLACARDS SHOWN BELOW PERMITTED
THROUGH TUNNELS
Placecards permitted through tunnels
ALL OTHER PLACARDS PROHIBITED THROUGH TUNNELS.

Back to Pennsylvania Highways
Page updated June 05, 2006.
Graphics copyright © Jeffrey J. Kitsko. All rights reserved.
Information courtesy of the 1998 Truckers Guide to Pennsylvania, and reproduced to aid motor carriers.

Weight:	100,000 lbs
Width:	Exceeding 10 feet
Overall Length:	Exceeding 85 feet
Height:	13'6" permitted in all areas except between interchanges 2 to 57 and 236 to 56, where 14' maximum is permitted.