{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1104.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1104.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1104.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1104.html"}],"law_id":58239,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58239,"structure_id":15298,"section_number":"46.2-1104","catch_line":"Reduction of limits by Commissioner of Highways and local authorities; penalties","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 46-340, 46-341; 1952, cc. 137, 237; 1958, c. 600, \u00a7 46.1-345; 1966, c. 85; 1968, c. 218; 1989, c. 727; 2005, c. 645; 2013, c. 118.","full_text":"The Commissioner of Highways, acting through employees of the Department of Transportation, may prescribe the weight, width, height, length, or speed of any vehicle or combination of vehicles passing over any highway or section of highway or bridge constituting a part of the interstate, primary, or secondary system of highways. Any limitations thus prescribed may be less than those prescribed in this title whenever an engineering study discloses that it would promote the safety of travel or is necessary for the protection of any such highway.\n\t\tIf the reduction of limits as provided in this section is to be effective for more than 90 days, a written record of this reduction shall be kept on file at the central office of the Department of Transportation. In instances where the limits, including speed limits, are to be temporarily reduced, the representative of the Department of Transportation in the county wherein such highway is located shall immediately notify the Chief Engineer for the Department of Transportation of such reduction. The Chief Engineer shall either affirm or rescind the action of reducing such limits within five days from the date the limits have been posted as hereinafter provided. A list of all highways on which there has been a reduction of limits as herein provided shall be kept on file at the central office of the Department of Transportation. Anyone aggrieved by such reduction of limits may appeal directly to the Commissioner of Highways for redress, and if he affirms the action of reducing such limits, the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall afford any such aggrieved person the opportunity of being heard at its next regular meeting.\n\t\tThe local authorities of counties, cities, and towns, where the highways are under their jurisdiction, may adopt regulations or pass ordinances decreasing the weight limits prescribed in this title for a total period of no more than 90 days in any calendar year, when an engineering study discloses that operation over such highways or streets by reason of deterioration, rain, snow, or other climatic conditions will seriously damage such highways unless such weights are reduced.\n\t\tIn all instances where the limits for weight, size, or speed have been reduced by the Commissioner of Highways or the weights have been reduced by local authorities pursuant to this section, signs stating the weight, height, width, length, or speed permitted on such highway shall be erected at each end of the section of highway affected and no such reduced limits shall be effective until such signs have been posted.\n\t\tNotwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, it shall be unlawful to operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles on any public highway or section thereof when the weight, size, or speed thereof exceeds the maximum posted by authority of the Commissioner of Highways or local authorities pursuant to this section.\n\t\tAny violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a Class 2 misdemeanor. Furthermore, the vehicle or combination of vehicles involved in such violation may be held upon an order of the court until all fines and costs have been satisfied.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":213423,"text":"The Commissioner of Highways, acting through employees of the Department of Transportation, may prescribe the weight, width, height, length, or speed of any vehicle or combination of vehicles passing over any highway or section of highway or bridge constituting a part of the interstate, primary, or secondary system of highways. Any limitations thus prescribed may be less than those prescribed in this title whenever an engineering study discloses that it would promote the safety of travel or is necessary for the protection of any such highway.\n\t\tIf the reduction of limits as provided in this section is to be effective for more than 90 days, a written record of this reduction shall be kept on file at the central office of the Department of Transportation. In instances where the limits, including speed limits, are to be temporarily reduced, the representative of the Department of Transportation in the county wherein such highway is located shall immediately notify the Chief Engineer for the Department of Transportation of such reduction. The Chief Engineer shall either affirm or rescind the action of reducing such limits within five days from the date the limits have been posted as hereinafter provided. A list of all highways on which there has been a reduction of limits as herein provided shall be kept on file at the central office of the Department of Transportation. Anyone aggrieved by such reduction of limits may appeal directly to the Commissioner of Highways for redress, and if he affirms the action of reducing such limits, the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall afford any such aggrieved person the opportunity of being heard at its next regular meeting.\n\t\tThe local authorities of counties, cities, and towns, where the highways are under their jurisdiction, may adopt regulations or pass ordinances decreasing the weight limits prescribed in this title for a total period of no more than 90 days in any calendar year, when an engineering study discloses that operation over such highways or streets by reason of deterioration, rain, snow, or other climatic conditions will seriously damage such highways unless such weights are reduced.\n\t\tIn all instances where the limits for weight, size, or speed have been reduced by the Commissioner of Highways or the weights have been reduced by local authorities pursuant to this section, signs stating the weight, height, width, length, or speed permitted on such highway shall be erected at each end of the section of highway affected and no such reduced limits shall be effective until such signs have been posted.\n\t\tNotwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, it shall be unlawful to operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles on any public highway or section thereof when the weight, size, or speed thereof exceeds the maximum posted by authority of the Commissioner of Highways or local authorities pursuant to this section.\n\t\tAny violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a Class 2 misdemeanor. Furthermore, the vehicle or combination of vehicles involved in such violation may be held upon an order of the court until all fines and costs have been satisfied.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":15298,"edition_id":1,"name":"Maximum Vehicle Size, Generally","identifier":"14","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12828,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:53:43","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:53:43","permalink":{"id":228803,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15298,"identifier":"14","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/14","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/14\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12828,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228599,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12828,"identifier":"10","token":"46.2\/III\/10","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12827,"edition_id":1,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12827,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":71111,"structure_id":15298,"section_number":"46.2-1101","catch_line":"Limitations applicable throughout Commonwealth; alteration by local authorities","url":"\/46.2-1101\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/14\/46.2-1101","metadata":false},{"id":61082,"structure_id":15298,"section_number":"46.2-1102","catch_line":"Size and weight limitations inapplicable to farm machinery, agricultural multipurpose drying units, and firefighting equipment; amber warning lights","url":"\/46.2-1102\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/14\/46.2-1102","metadata":false},{"id":85134,"structure_id":15298,"section_number":"46.2-1103","catch_line":"Greater size, weight, and load limits permitted by interstate commerce regulations","url":"\/46.2-1103\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/14\/46.2-1103","metadata":false},{"id":58239,"structure_id":15298,"section_number":"46.2-1104","catch_line":"Reduction of limits by Commissioner of Highways and local authorities; penalties","url":"\/46.2-1104\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/14\/46.2-1104","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":85134,"structure_id":15298,"section_number":"46.2-1103","catch_line":"Greater size, weight, and load limits permitted by interstate commerce regulations","url":"\/46.2-1103\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/14\/46.2-1103","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1104\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1952, chapters 137 and 237; in 1958, chapter 600; in 1966, chapter 85; in 1968, chapter 218; in 1989, chapter 727; in 2005, chapter 645<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 118<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":61082,"section_number":"46.2-1102","catch_line":"Size and weight limitations inapplicable to farm machinery, agricultural multipurpose drying units, and firefighting equipment; amber warning lights","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1102\/"},{"id":55374,"section_number":"46.2-1130.1","catch_line":"Overweight permits granted to cross bridges and culverts by certain emergency response vehicles responding to an emergency call","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1130.1\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":228817,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58239,"identifier":"46.2-1104","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/14\/46.2-1104","url":"\/46.2-1104\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1104\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/14\/46.2-1104","dublin_core":{"Title":"Reduction of limits by Commissioner of Highways and local authorities; penalties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1104","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The Commissioner<\/span> of Highways<\/span><\/span>, acting through employees of the Department<\/span> of Transportation, may prescribe the weight, width, height, length, or speed of any vehicle<\/span> or combination of vehicles<\/span> passing over any highway<\/span> or section of highway<\/span> or bridge constituting a part of the interstate, primary, or secondary system of highways<\/span><\/span>. Any limitations thus prescribed may be less than those prescribed in this title whenever an engineering study discloses that it would promote the safety of travel or is necessary for the protection of any such highway<\/span>.\n\t\tIf the reduction of limits as provided in this section is to be effective for more than 90 days, a written record of this reduction shall be kept on file at the central office of the Department<\/span> of Transportation. In instances where the limits, including speed limits, are to be temporarily reduced, the representative of the Department<\/span> of Transportation in the county wherein such highway<\/span> is located shall immediately notify the Chief Engineer for the Department<\/span> of Transportation of such reduction. The Chief Engineer shall either affirm<\/span> or rescind the action of reducing such limits within five days from the date the limits have been posted as hereinafter provided. A list of all highways<\/span><\/span> on which there has been a reduction of limits as herein provided shall be kept on file at the central office of the Department<\/span> of Transportation. Anyone aggrieved by such reduction of limits may appeal<\/span> directly to the Commissioner<\/span> of Highways<\/span><\/span> for redress, and if he affirms<\/span> the action of reducing such limits, the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall afford any such aggrieved person the opportunity of being heard at its next regular meeting.\n\t\tThe local authorities of counties, cities, and towns, where the highways<\/span><\/span> are under their jurisdiction<\/span>, may adopt regulations or pass ordinances<\/span> decreasing the weight limits prescribed in this title for a total period of no more than 90 days in any calendar year, when an engineering study discloses that operation over such highways<\/span><\/span> or streets by reason of deterioration, rain, snow, or other climatic conditions will seriously damage such highways<\/span><\/span> unless such weights are reduced.\n\t\tIn all instances where the limits for weight, size, or speed have been reduced by the Commissioner<\/span> of Highways<\/span><\/span> or the weights have been reduced by local authorities pursuant to this section, signs stating the weight, height, width, length, or speed permitted on such highway<\/span> shall be erected at each end of the section of highway<\/span> affected and no such reduced limits shall be effective until such signs have been posted.\n\t\tNotwithstanding any other provision of law<\/span> to the contrary, it shall be unlawful to operate a vehicle<\/span> or combination of vehicles<\/span> on any public highway<\/span> or section thereof when the weight, size, or speed thereof exceeds the maximum posted by authority of the Commissioner<\/span> of Highways<\/span><\/span> or local authorities pursuant to this section.\n\t\tAny violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a Class 2 misdemeanor<\/span>. Furthermore, the vehicle<\/span> or combination of vehicles<\/span> involved in such violation may be held upon an order<\/span> of the court<\/span> until all fines and costs have been satisfied.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nREDUCTION OF LIMITS BY COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES; PENALTIES\n(\u00a7 46.2-1104)\n\nThe Commissioner of Highways, acting through employees of the Department of\nTransportation, may prescribe the weight, width, height, length, or speed of any\nvehicle or combination of vehicles passing over any highway or section of\nhighway or bridge constituting a part of the interstate, primary, or secondary\nsystem of highways. Any limitations thus prescribed may be less than those\nprescribed in this title whenever an engineering study discloses that it would\npromote the safety of travel or is necessary for the protection of any such\nhighway.\n\t\tIf the reduction of limits as provided in this section is to be effective for\nmore than 90 days, a written record of this reduction shall be kept on file at\nthe central office of the Department of Transportation. In instances where the\nlimits, including speed limits, are to be temporarily reduced, the\nrepresentative of the Department of Transportation in the county wherein such\nhighway is located shall immediately notify the Chief Engineer for the\nDepartment of Transportation of such reduction. The Chief Engineer shall either\naffirm or rescind the action of reducing such limits within five days from the\ndate the limits have been posted as hereinafter provided. A list of all highways\non which there has been a reduction of limits as herein provided shall be kept\non file at the central office of the Department of Transportation. Anyone\naggrieved by such reduction of limits may appeal directly to the Commissioner of\nHighways for redress, and if he affirms the action of reducing such limits, the\nCommonwealth Transportation Board shall afford any such aggrieved person the\nopportunity of being heard at its next regular meeting.\n\t\tThe local authorities of counties, cities, and towns, where the highways are\nunder their jurisdiction, may adopt regulations or pass ordinances decreasing\nthe weight limits prescribed in this title for a total period of no more than 90\ndays in any calendar year, when an engineering study discloses that operation\nover such highways or streets by reason of deterioration, rain, snow, or other\nclimatic conditions will seriously damage such highways unless such weights are\nreduced.\n\t\tIn all instances where the limits for weight, size, or speed have been reduced\nby the Commissioner of Highways or the weights have been reduced by local\nauthorities pursuant to this section, signs stating the weight, height, width,\nlength, or speed permitted on such highway shall be erected at each end of the\nsection of highway affected and no such reduced limits shall be effective until\nsuch signs have been posted.\n\t\tNotwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, it shall be\nunlawful to operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles on any public highway\nor section thereof when the weight, size, or speed thereof exceeds the maximum\nposted by authority of the Commissioner of Highways or local authorities\npursuant to this section.\n\t\tAny violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a Class 2\nmisdemeanor. Furthermore, the vehicle or combination of vehicles involved in\nsuch violation may be held upon an order of the court until all fines and costs\nhave been satisfied.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 46-340, 46-341; 1952, cc. 137, 237; 1958, c. 600, \u00a7\n46.1-345; 1966, c. 85; 1968, c. 218; 1989, c. 727; 2005, c. 645; 2013, c. 118.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}