2 Del. Admin. Code § 2405-2.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 2405-2.0 - Legal Vehicle Sizes and Weights

2.1 Length. If the overall length of any vehicle or combination of vehicles exceeds the legal length limits contained herein, a permit shall be required.

2.1.1 Single motor vehicles, including any load thereon, shall not exceed 40 feet in length, except as otherwise provided in this section.

2.1.2 On Interstate and U. S. Routes not otherwise posted:

2.1.2.1 The maximum length of a semitrailer, including any load thereon, exclusive of truck tractor size shall be 53 feet.

2.1.2.2 Buses shall not exceed 45 feet in length.

2.1.2.3 The maximum length of a trailer or semi-trailer in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination, including any load thereon, exclusive of tractor size shall be 29 feet.

2.1.3 On all other highways:

2.1.3.1 Single motor vehicles, including any load thereon, shall not exceed 40 feet in length, and no combination of vehicle, including the load thereon, shall exceed 60 feet in length, except as otherwise provided in this section

2.1.3.1.1 A truck and semitrailer combination engaged in the transportation of motor vehicles shall not exceed a length of 65 feet exclusive of the overhang of the transported vehicle.

2.1.3.1.2 Buses shall not exceed 45 feet in length.

2.1.3.1.3 Piling and pole trailers and vehicles or combinations of vehicles engaged in the transportation of steel beams, pipes, angles, channels and other lengths of steel, or other metals, or other articles impossible of dismemberment, shall not exceed 70 feet. When carrying long logs, poles, piling, and etc. a pole trailer shall be required.

2.1.3.2 The limitations as to the length of load shall not apply in the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting boats commonly known as crew or rowing shells for use in interscholastic or intercollegiate rowing contests provided that such boats shall not exceed 70 feet in length.

2.1.4 The maximum overhang shall not exceed 6 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle and no load shall be permitted to touch or drag upon the roadway regardless of permissible overhang. No vehicle or combination of vehicles shall carry any load extending more than 3 feet beyond the front thereof.

2.1.5 Pilings or poles or mill logs, or nursery stock, or rowing shells, or steel beams, pipes, angles, channels and other length or steel, or other metal, or other articles impossible of dismemberment shall not extend more than 10 feet beyond the rear of the bed or body of such vehicle.

2.2 Width

2.2.1 If the overall width of any vehicle or combination of vehicles exceeds 8 feet - 6 inches measured as defined below, a permit shall be required.

2.2.2 On Interstate and U.S. Routes the outside width of 8 feet - 6 inches is exclusive of safety equipment, which may extend not more than 3 inches more on each side of the vehicle.

2.2.3 On all other highways, no vehicle including any load thereon shall exceed a total outside width of 8 feet - 6 inches inclusive of safety devices.

2.3 Height. On any Interstate, U.S. Route, or highway if the maximum height of any vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load thereon, exceeds 13 feet - 6 inches a permit shall be required.

2.4 Weight. A permit is required if the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) exceeds the limits imposed by statute as shown in Table 2.1. Vehicles that do not exceed GVW but do exceed individual axle weights shown in Table 2.1 will require a permit. DelDOT Bridge Management Section and Materials and Research Section will automatically review permits with an individual axle weight at or greater than 25,000 lbs. Analysis may occur at a lower weight on a case-by-case basis. The permittee is responsible to effectively distribute a load or reduce the overall weight below this axle limit, as necessary, to lessen the higher live load forces overstressing state structures.

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2.5 Penalties

2.5.1 Based on the Authority provided under Delaware State Code Chapter 45, Section 4508, of Title 21, relating to Penalties, any person who violates any requirements of Section 2.0 relating to the size or weight of a vehicle or a combination of vehicles or restrictions regarding parking in residence districts shall be punished as follows:

2.5.1.1 A first offense shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $28.75 nor more than $230.00 or by a term of imprisonment of not more than 30 days or both.

2.5.1.2 A subsequent like offense shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $115.00 nor more than $575.00 or by a term of imprisonment of not more than 60 days or both.

2.5.2 Any person who violates any requirement of Section 2.0, specifically relating to the weight of a vehicle or a combination of vehicles, such that said vehicle shall be classified as an "overweight vehicle," shall in addition to whatever other penalties may be allowed by law be punished as follows:

2.5.2.1 A first offense shall be punishable by a fine for all excess weight exceeding the vehicles registered weight or Federal Bridge Formula, if operating on the interstate, for the first 5,000 lbs. in the amount of 2.3 cents per pound and a fine for all excess weight over the first 5,000 lbs. in the amount of 5.75 cents per pound or by a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days or both.

2.5.2.2 Each subsequent offense shall be punishable by a fine for all excess weight exceeding the vehicles registered weight or Federal Bridge Formula, if operating on the interstate, for the first 5,000 lbs. in the amount of 5.75 cents per pound and a fine for all excess weight over the first 5,000 lbs. in the amount of 11.5 cents per pound or by a term of imprisonment not to exceed 60 days or both.

2.5.3 For purposes of Section 2.0 a first offense shall be defined as one not previously committed by the person charged within the previous 24 months prior to the date of the offense. A subsequent like offense shall be deemed to have occurred if the person charged has previously been convicted or charged and subsequently convicted of the same offense within the previous 24 months prior to the date of this offense.

2 Del. Admin. Code § 2405-2.0

21 DE Reg. 585 (1/1/2018)
26 DE Reg. 408 (11/1/2022)
26 DE Reg. 1078 (6/1/2023) (Final)