Pa. Cons. Stat. » 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. (VEHICLES) / Chapter 49
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4901 (2026)

 Scope and application of chapter.

✓ current as of May 2026
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CHAPTER 49

SIZE, WEIGHT AND LOAD

 

Subchapter

A.  General Provisions

B.  Width, Height and Length

C.  Maximum Weights of Vehicles

D.  Special Permits for Excessive Size and Weight

E.  Measuring and Adjusting Vehicle Size and Weight

 

Enactment.  Chapter 49 was added June 17, 1976, P.L.162, No.81, effective July 1, 1977.

Cross References.  Chapter 49 is referred to in sections 102, 1334.1, 3745.1, 6309, 6506 of this title; sections 4102, 4150 of Title 3 (Agriculture); sections 6202, 6207 of Title 27 (Environmental Resources).

 

 

SUBCHAPTER A

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Sec.

4901.  Scope and application of chapter.

4902.  Restrictions on use of highways and bridges.

4903.  Securing loads in vehicles.

4904.  Limits on number of towed vehicles.

4905.  Safety requirements for towed vehicles.

4906.  Fire apparatus and emergency vehicles.

4907.  Penalty for violation of chapter.

4908.  Operation of certain combinations on interstate and certain other highways.

4908.1. Operation of motor homes on interstate and certain other highways (Repealed).

4909.  Transporting foodstuffs in vehicles used to transport waste.

§ 4901.  Scope and application of chapter.

(a)  General rule.--No vehicle, combination or load which has a size or weight exceeding the limitations provided in this chapter and no vehicle, combination or load which is not so constructed or equipped as required in this title or the regulations of the department shall be operated or moved upon any highway of this Commonwealth, unless permitted as provided in this title by the department or local authority with respect to highways and bridges under their respective jurisdictions. Failure to obtain a permit prior to the operation or movement of such a vehicle, combination or load shall subject the owner, lessee and operator of the vehicle or combination to the institution of summary criminal proceedings by citation for any violations of this part.

(b)  Limitations on local regulation.--The maximum size and weight of vehicles specified in this chapter shall govern throughout this Commonwealth and local authorities shall have no power or authority to alter these limitations except as express authority may be granted in this title.

(c)  Permit authorizing prohibited movement.--If an overweight or oversize movement cannot be made in any other feasible manner, the permit may authorize the movement to be made in contravention to any provision of this title provided that:

(1)  the department or local authority determines that the movement is in the public interest; and

(2)  the movement is escorted by certified escort vehicles as defined under section 3108 (relating to drivers of certified escort vehicles) or the Pennsylvania State Police and the following shall apply:

(i)  The department, in consultation with the Pennsylvania State Police, shall determine whether a Pennsylvania State Police escort is necessary.

(ii)  If it is jointly determined by the Pennsylvania State Police and the department that the movement must be escorted by the Pennsylvania State Police, the permittee shall bear the total costs of escorting the movement.

(d)  Responsibility of local authorities.--Local authorities:

(1)  that have adopted an ordinance under this chapter; or

(2)  that establish or enforce size or weight limitations which differ from those provided for in this chapter;

have the burden and responsibility to properly administer, adhere to and enforce compliance with the requirements of this chapter and the regulations of the department. Failure of a local authority to properly administer, adhere to or enforce the substantive requirements of this chapter and the department's regulations shall subject the local authority to penalties set forth under section 4907 (relating to penalty for violation of chapter).

(e)  Definition.--As used in this section, the term "extra-duty Pennsylvania State Police" means sworn members of the Pennsylvania State Police performing escort duty outside of their regularly scheduled shift on an overtime basis.

(Dec. 7, 1994, P.L.820, No.115, eff. imd.; Dec. 28, 1994, P.L.1450, No.172, eff. 60 days; June 22, 2001, P.L.411, No.33, eff. 60 days; Dec. 9, 2002, P.L.1278, No.152, eff. 60 days; Oct. 30, 2015, P.L.216, No.55, eff. 60 days)

 

2015 Amendment.  Act 55 amended subsec. (c).

2002 Amendment.  Act 152 amended subsec. (c) and added subsec. (e).

2001 Amendment.  Act 33 added subsec. (d).

1994 Amendments.  Acts 115 and 172 amended subsec. (a). The amendments by Acts 115 and 172 are identical and therefore have been merged.

Cross References.  Section 4901 is referred to in section 4962 of this title.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1982–2024 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Pollock, 606 A.2d 500 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
Commonwealth v. Pollock, 606 A.2d 500 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992). · cites it 2× “[1] 75 Pa.C.S. § 4901(a) (Purdon 1977) prohibits the operation of a vehicle that is not equipped as required by the Vehicle Code or the regulations upon any highway of this Commonwealth.”
Austin v. Commonwealth, 442 A.2d 832 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1982). “75 Pa. C. S. §4901 (a) prohibits the operation upon a highway of a vehicle that is not equipped as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder.”
Perry Twp. v. D.D. Osikowicz, & individual t/d/b/a Valier Coal Yard (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2024). · cites it 2× “75 Pa.C.S. § 4901(a) (emphasis added); see also Section 189.”
— 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4901(a) — 2 cases
Commonwealth v. Pollock, 606 A.2d 500 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992). “[1] 75 Pa.C.S. § 4901(a) (Purdon 1977) prohibits the operation of a vehicle that is not equipped as required by the Vehicle Code or the regulations upon any highway of this Commonwealth.”
Perry Twp. v. D.D. Osikowicz, & individual t/d/b/a Valier Coal Yard (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2024). “75 Pa.C.S. § 4901(a) (emphasis added); see also Section 189.”
— 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4901(d) — 1 case
Perry Twp. v. D.D. Osikowicz, & individual t/d/b/a Valier Coal Yard (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2024). “75 Pa.C.S. § 4901(a) (emphasis added); see also Section 189.”
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