Department of Transportation

Truck Routing

Frequently Asked Questions
Why are 102-inch wide trucks and double-trailer trucks permitted on New Jersey roads?
102-inch wide and double-trailer trucks are on New Jersey roads as the direct result of the federal Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982. The Act mandated that all states designate a statewide network of roadways to accommodate 102-inch wide trucks and double-trailer trucks and to give these vehicles statewide access to points of loading, unloading and service. Prior to this, the standard vehicle width both nationally and in New Jersey was 96-inches and double-trailers were not authorized in New Jersey.
Does New Jersey mandate routing for 96-inch wide trucks?
New Jersey has never had statewide truck routing regulations for trucks 96 inches or less in width. Since the early 1980s the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has regulated trucks wider than 96 inches, trucks with trailers more than 48 feet but not exceeding 53 feet and twin trailer trucks. The 102-inch wide and double-trailer trucks are on New Jersey roads as a direct result of the federal Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982. Since there were no restrictive regulations in place regarding 96-inch wide trucks in New Jersey when the 102-inch mandates were enacted by Congress, NJDOT cannot regulate 96-inch wide trucks in the same manner as it does 102-inch trucks.
Who can enforce truck routing regulations?
Violations such as speeding, tailgating, illegal passing and emitting visible smoke can be enforced and a ticket issued by state and local police. Local municipal police have full authority under law to enforce the motor vehicle laws and write tickets on municipal roads, county roads and state highways. Local police can also enforce routing restrictions against 102-inch wide and other Surface Transportation Assistance Act interstate trucks; the principle difference in enforcement is that the State Police are authorized to stop trucks to inspect them without "probable cause" for doing so. Local police must have a "probable cause" reason to pull over any vehicle. This distinction is found in the New Jersey Statutes at N.J.S.A. 39:3-3-84.3a(1) and a (2), and 39:5-1.
How does the February 21, 2006 U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals decision affect the Route 29 truck restrictions?
The following routes are not impacted by the February 21, 2006 ruling:
I-95 to Route 12
A permanent truck restriction on trucks exceeding 13 tons was placed on Route 29 from its intersection with I-95 to its northern terminus at Route 12 through P.L. 2001, Chapter 45, effective on May 31, 2001.
Route 129 to I-95
The New Jersey Department of Transportation issued a traffic order on December 11, 2002, to restrict trucks over 13 tons from using the Route 29 tunnel and restrict trucks over 13 tons from using Route 29 between I-95 and Route 129. Vehicles and combinations of vehicles exceeding 13 tons gross registered vehicle weight or gross vehicle weight rating, regardless of vehicle dimensions are prohibited. Emergency and government vehicles are exempt from this restriction. In addition, the following types of vehicles are exempt from restriction on the section of Route 29 between Route 1 and I-95:
  • Vehicles which have an origin or final destination within three miles of Route 29;
  • Vehicles engaged in the commercial transportation of rapidly setting concrete mixtures;
  • Vehicles making a pickup, delivery or providing services at locations on or within three miles of the prohibited section.
Both State Police and local police can enforce these restrictions. Violations can result in a $77 fine and the assessment of two points to a driver's motor vehicle record.
Route 29 Tunnel Hazardous Materials Restrictions
Transport of hazardous materials is prohibited into and through the Route 29 tunnel as established by N.J.A.C. 16:49-3.


Last updated date: August 21, 2019 1:22 PM