Height Restrictions for Commercial Vehicles

Vehicle Height Restrictions

Trucks and inland waterway shipping are subject to height restrictions in virtually all regions. The restriction will usually refer to the highest point on the truck or ship, whether this be a part of the vehicle's inherent structure, part of its load or part of a temporary structure on the vehicle.

How

There are usually signposts and often signs on maps and charts that warn of height restrictions.

Why

The most common reason for height restrictions is that there is a canopy that may be too low to accommodate tall vehicles

Another reason specifically in regard to trucking, is that a height restriction can be used as a way of limiting roads or designated areas to domestic cars and vans only. For instance, refuse amenities may not allow commercial organisations to dump their trash there. As a way of enforcing this, a vehicle height restriction may be introduced.

Consequences of Non Compliance

If a vehicle hits a low bridge, for example, the consequences could be catastrophic. In 1989 in Maryland a truck carrying an excavator that was incorrectly loaded struck a pedestrian bridge that spanned a highway. The bridge collapsed onto the evening rush hour traffic, killing one motorist and seriously injuring three others.

Detection

Some authorities have introduced automatic high load sensors. When the sensor detects a load above a given height, it may trigger a stop light or sign further down the carriageway (or waterway) and local authorities may also be automatically paged.

Restrictions in Driving Hours | Public Highway Driving Regulations | Weight Restrictions | Transporting Dangerous Substances | Vehicle Height Restrictions

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