Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 49 - Size, Weight and Load
Section 4941 - Maximum gross weight of vehicles

(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 and electric vehicles.--
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a vehicle that is operated by an engine fueled primarily by compressed or liquefied natural gas or powered primarily by means of electric battery power 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 or the battery or battery pack 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; Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.2067, No.145, eff. 60 days)

2022 Amendment. Act 145 amended subsec. (d)(1).
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 4921, 4945, 4961 of this title.

Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes