SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

1995 SESSION

LD4554685
SENATE BILL NO. 957
Offered January 23, 1995
A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1139 of the Code of Virginia, relating to permits for operation of oversize and overweight vehicles.
----------

Patrons--Houck, Chichester, Goode, Saslaw, Trumbo, Waddell and Wampler; Delegates: Abbitt, Davies and Dickinson
----------
Referred to the Committee on Transportation
----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 46.2-1139 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 46.2-1139. Permits for excessive size and weight generally; penalty.

A. The Commonwealth Transportation Board and local authorities of cities and towns, in their respective jurisdictions, may, upon written application and good cause being shown, issue a permit authorizing the applicant to operate on a highway a vehicle of a size or weight exceeding the maximum specified in this title. Any such permit may designate the route to be traversed and contain any other restrictions or conditions deemed necessary by the body granting the permit. The Commonwealth Transportation Board shall have authority to promulgate such emergency or other regulations as it shall deem necessary or convenient in carrying out the purposes of this article. Any such regulations shall be issued in the manner provided for in the Administrative Process Act (§ 9-6.14:1 et seq.).

B. Except for permits issued under § 46.2-1141 for overweight vehicles transporting containerized freight and permits issued for overweight vehicles transporting irreducible loads, no overweight permit issued by the Board or any local authority under any provision of this article shall be valid for the operation of any vehicle on an interstate highway if the vehicle has:

1. A single axle weight in excess of 20,000 pounds; or

2. A tandem axle weight in excess of 34,000 pounds; or

3. A gross weight, based on axle spacing, greater than that permitted in § 46.2-1127; or

4. A gross weight, regardless of axle spacing, in excess of 80,000 pounds.

C. Every permit issued under this article for the operation of oversize or overweight vehicles shall be carried in the vehicle to which it refers and may be inspected by any officer. Violation of any term of any permit issued under this article shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor.

D. Any permit issued by the Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner or local authorities of cities and towns pursuant to state law may be restricted so as to prevent travel on any federal-aid highway if the continuation of travel on such highway would result in a loss of federal-aid funds. Before any such permit is restricted by the Commissioner, or local authority, written notice shall be given to the permittee.

2. That an emergency exists and this act is in force from its passage.