REASONABLE ACCESS UNDER FEDERAL LAW:
Federal law requires that reasonable access be granted to vehicles with dimensions authorized by the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 to operate between the National Network (which includes the Interstate System highways as well as qualifying Federal-aid Primary System highways as designated by the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation and the Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Transportation) and terminals and facilities for food, fuel, repairs, and rest. Federal law also requires reasonable access between the National Network and points of loading and unloading for household goods carriers, motor carriers of passengers, and commercial motor vehicle combinations consisting of a truck tractor with two trailing units that meet certain criteria.
REASONABLE ACCESS PERMITS:
A reasonable access permit is a written authorization of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles when a truck tractor, semi-trailer, or trailer combination as set forth below exits the National Network in Vermont identified in 23 CFR Part 658, Appendix A, as authorized under federal reasonable access rules.
Reasonable access permits are required:
- For truck tractor - semi-trailer - trailer combinations. Neither a trailer nor a semi-trailer in these combinations may exceed twenty-eight feet (28').
- To authorize access to RT4 from the New Hampshire line to the junction of RT100 south for certain automobile transportation vehicles (stinger steer) up to seventy-five feet (75') in length, and for household goods haulers up to seventy-two feet (72') in length.
The National Network in Vermont, as contained in 23 CFR Part 658, Appendix A, is as follows:
- The entire Interstate System: I-89, I-91, I-93 and I-189
- US 4 from the New York State Line to Rutland City's eastern Boundary
- US 7 from the end of the 4-lane divided highway in Wallingford to US 4 North Intersection in Rutland
- VT 9 from 1-91 intersection 3 North of Brattleboro to the New Hampshire State Line
EXCEPTIONS:
A permit shall not be required in order to operate a vehicle described in the “Reasonable Access Permits” section of these rules as follows:
- On public highways within a one-quarter mile radius of Exit Number 21 on 1-89 in Swanton.
- From Exit Number 8 on I-91 in Brattleboro, northerly on US Route 5 to its intersection with Ferry Road and then easterly on Ferry Road to the entrance to C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc.
- From Exit Number 3 on I-91 in Brattleboro, easterly on VT Route 9 to the New Hampshire State Line.
- From the terminus of the four-lane divided highway in Wallingford northerly on US Route 7 to US Route 4 in Rutland.
- From the New York State Line easterly on US Route 4 to the Eastern city limit of the City of Rutland.
- On public highways within a one mile radius of the following exits on the Interstate Highway System.
A complete list of exits and roadways that can be utilized for up to one mile without the need of a Reasonable Excess Permit, access "Rules for Overweight Overdimension Permits" below.