Vehicle Snow Removal Laws in Pennsylvania: What to Know Before Your Fleet Trucks or Buses Hit Winter Roads

Like other road laws, snow removal rules for fleet trucks and buses are determined by where the vehicle is, not where the driver is licensed.

Operators should know, however, that vehicle snow removal laws vary widely by state.

Is it illegal to drive with snow on your truck in Pennsylvania? The state’s Act 90 (2022) goes beyond many other state statutes that penalize drivers and operators only when snow and ice flies off their vehicles.

In Pennsylvania, law enforcement can pull over vehicles simply because they still have buildup on their roof within 24 hours of snowfall ending.

Pennsylvania snow removal requirements

Safety is always a driver’s top priority. From a legal standpoint, though, there are penalties to consider.

According Title 75, Chapter 49, section 3721 of Pennsylvania Statutes, penalties for not removing snow from vehicles are:

• $50 fines for each offense if the officer believes accumulated snow or ice poses a threat.
• Fines of no less than $200 and no more than $1,500 “when snow or ice is dislodged or falls from a moving vehicle or motor carrier vehicle and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious bodily injury.”

The reason for Act 90? Pennsylvania passed Christine’s Law in 2022 after an “ice missile” hit a motorist’s windshield. This fatal accident was preventable.

Of course, federal regulations for maximum vehicle weight and securing loads — 23 CFR 658.17 and 49 CFR 393.100(b) — apply everywhere in the US. Pennsylvania’s Chapter 49, Subchapter A, lists the state’s specific standards for vehicle weight (section 4941), height (4922), securing loads (4903), and safe operation (4905).

The business side of snow and ice removal

Beyond safety, fines, and liability, clearing snow off commercial trucks and buses makes simple business sense — cutting weight saves on fuel costs.

Efficiency is key, though. The snow removal process increases downtime and is dangerous to anyone climbing onto a vehicle’s roof. Operators sometimes skip it.

Snow removal machines for truck and bus fleets can do the job faster and more safely than manual scraping.

• Prevent employee injuries.
• Lower manual labor costs.
• Put vehicles on the road faster after a snowfall.
• Protect your brand.

Rite-Hite solves these issues with heavy-duty and medium-duty snow removal machines. Scraper Systems™ Fleet Plows clear up to 24 inches of snow in under 30 seconds per truck or bus.

Comprehensive expertise of transportation laws is tough when you serve customers with interstate freight transport or travel. Having a system in place for fleet truck and bus snow removal takes one major variable out of the equation — and improves your bottom line.

Operational costs add up with manual snow and ice removal. Learn how much you can save with our calculator tool.

If you see value for your fleet, our reps can answer remaining questions or quickly get you a quote to start you saving during the winter months.

The information provided herein does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or other professional advice. All information, content and materials available in this blog are for general informational purposes only. Information in this blog may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. Additional laws, regulations or statutes may apply locally or on specific roadways. Readers, users or browsers of this blog are responsible for understanding applicable current and pending legislation in all relevant jurisdictions. No reader, user, or browser of this blog should act or refrain from acting based on information herein without first consulting authorities in relevant jurisdictions along travel routes for the most up-to-date information. The content in this blog is provided “as is,” and no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any information, content or materials herein.