(a) Definitions.—
In this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) Automobile transporter.— The term “automobile transporter” means any vehicle combination designed and used for the transport of assembled highway vehicles, including truck camper units. An automobile transporter shall not be prohibited from the transport of cargo or general freight on a backhaul, so long as it complies with weight limitations for a truck tractor and semitrailer combination.
(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 motor vehicles when operating in combination with a semitrailer in transporting motor vehicles or any other commodity, including cargo or general freight on a backhaul.
(4) Driveaway saddlemount vehicle transporter combination.— The term “driveaway saddlemount vehicle transporter combination” means a vehicle combination designed and specifically used to tow up to 3 trucks or truck tractors, each connected by a saddle to the frame or fifth-wheel of the forward vehicle of the truck or truck tractor in front of it. Such combination may include one fullmount.
(5) Backhaul.— The term “backhaul” means the return trip of a vehicle transporting cargo or general freight, especially when carrying goods back over all or part of the same route.
(6) Trailer transporter towing unit.— The term “trailer transporter towing unit” means a power unit that is not used to carry property when operating in a towaway trailer transporter combination.
(7) Towaway trailer transporter combination.—
The term “towaway trailer transporter combination” means a combination of vehicles consisting of a trailer transporter towing unit and 2 trailers or semitrailers—
(A) with a total weight that does not exceed 26,000 pounds; and
(B) in which the trailers or semitrailers carry no property and constitute inventory property of a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer of such trailers or semitrailers.
(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.
| 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, § 411(f)(2); added Oct. 18, 1986, Pub. L. 99–500, § 101(l) [H.R. 5205, § 324(a)], 100 Stat. 1783–308, and Oct. 30, 1986, Pub. L. 99–591, § 101(l) [H.R. 5205, § 324(a)], 100 Stat. 3341–308; Dec. 22, 1987, Pub. L. 100–202, § 106, 101 Stat. 1329–433. |
| 31111(a)(2) |
49 App.:2311(f)(1). |
Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, § 411(f)(1), 96 Stat. 2160; Oct. 18, 1986, Pub. L. 99–500, § 101(l) [H.R. 5205, § 324(a)], 100 Stat. 1783–308; Oct. 30, 1986, Pub. L. 99–591, § 101(l) [H.R. 5205, § 324(a)], 100 Stat. 3341–308; Dec. 22, 1987, Pub. L. 100–202, § 106, 101 Stat. 1329–433. |
| 31111(b) |
49 App.:2311(a). |
Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, § 411(a), 96 Stat. 2159; Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–554, § 104(a), 98 Stat. 2831; Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 4006(b)(1), 105 Stat. 2151. |
| |
49 App.:2311(b). |
Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, § 411(b), (g), (h), 96 Stat. 2159, 2160. |
| 31111(c) |
49 App.:2311(c). |
Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, § 411(c), 96 Stat. 2159; Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–554, § 104(b), 98 Stat. 2831; Oct. 18, 1986, Pub. L. 99–500, § 101(l) [H.R. 5205, § 324(b)], 100 Stat. 1783–308; Oct. 30, 1986, Pub. L. 99–591, § 101(l) [H.R. 5205, § 324(b)], 100 Stat. 3341–308; Dec. 22, 1987, Pub. L. 100–202, § 106, 101 Stat. 1329–433. |
| 31111(d) |
49 App.:2311(h). |
|
| 31111(e) |
49 App.:2311(e). |
Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, § 411(e), 96 Stat. 2160; Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 4006(c), 105 Stat. 2151. |
| 31111(f) |
49 App.:2311(i). |
Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, 96 Stat. 2097, § 411(i); added Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–554, § 102, 98 Stat. 2829. |
| 31111(g) |
49 App.:2311(d). |
Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, § 411(d), 96 Stat. 2160; Apr. 2, 1987, Pub. L. 100–17, § 133(a)(7), 101 Stat. 171; Nov. 5, 1990, Pub. L. 101–516, § 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
2015—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 114–94, § 5520(a), struck out “specifically” before “for the transport” and inserted at end “An automobile transporter shall not be prohibited from the transport of cargo or general freight on a backhaul, so long as it complies with weight limitations for a truck tractor and semitrailer combination.”
Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 114–94, § 5520(b), struck out “only” before “motor vehicles when operating” and inserted “or any other commodity, including cargo or general freight on a backhaul” before period at end.
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 114–94, § 5520(c), added par. (5).
Subsec. (a)(6), (7). Pub. L. 114–94, § 5523(a), added pars. (6) and (7).
Subsec. (b)(1)(G). Pub. L. 114–94, § 5520(d), added subpar. (G).
Subsec. (b)(1)(H). Pub. L. 114–94, § 5523(b), added subpar. (H).
2008—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 110–244, § 301(r)(1), in heading, substituted “Driveaway saddlemount” for “Drive-away saddlemount with fullmount”, and, in text, substituted “driveaway saddlemount” for “drive-away saddlemount with fullmount” and inserted at end “Such combination may include one fullmount.”
Subsec. (b)(1)(D). Pub. L. 110–244, § 301(r)(2), substituted “all driveaway saddlemount” for “a driveaway saddlemount with fullmount”.
2005—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 109–59, § 4141(a), added par. (4).
Subsec. (b)(1)(D) to (F). Pub. L. 109–59, § 4141(b), added subpar. (D) and redesignated former subpars. (D) and (E) as (E) and (F), respectively.
1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–178, § 4005(1), substituted “section, the following definitions apply:” for “section—” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 105–178, § 4005(5), added par. (1). Former par. (1) redesignated (2).
Pub. L. 105–178, § 4005(2), inserted “Maxi-cube vehicle.—The term” after “(1)”.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 105–178, § 4005(4), redesignated par. (1) as (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3).
Pub. L. 105–178, § 4005(3), inserted “Truck tractor.—The term” after “(2)”.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 105–178, § 4005(4), redesignated par. (2) as (3).
1995—Subsec. (b)(1)(E). Pub. L. 104–88 added subpar. (E).
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
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 1301 of this title.