Section 20. General

A. The Code of Virginia sets forth limitations of weight, width, height and length of objects and vehicles that may be moved upon state highways and also empowers the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue oversize or overweight permits for vehicles traveling over Virginia's highways with loads that, when reduced to their smallest dimensions, exceed maximum legal weight or size limits.

B. The intent of establishing statutory limitations is to protect the traveling public from hazard and unnecessary inconvenience, and to preserve the capacity and structural integrity of highways and bridges. Also, it is assumed that the state legislature did not intend for the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to allow, by permit, the movement of any and all vehicles or loads over the highways where such movements would exceed statutory limitations (especially where other forms of transportation are available or when loads can be reasonably reduced to meet statutory limits).

C. Permits issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles have jurisdiction only on those roads maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation or where an agreement exists between the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and a jurisdiction that bears the responsibility of maintaining their own roads. However, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles' hauling permit is valid for travel over city streets provided that the streets are listed within the permit. Applicants must secure approval from local authorities prior to making movements over roads under local jurisdiction that are not listed on the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles' hauling permit.

D. The policy of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is to give primary consideration to the safety, comfort, convenience of the traveling public and to the economic interest of the Commonwealth while preserving the integrity of the state's highway system.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 25, Issue 26, eff. September 30, 2009.

Statutory Authority

§ 46.2-203 and Article 18 (§ 46.2-1139 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of Title 46.2 of the Code of Virginia.