Connecticut Department of Transportation


Office of the State Traffic Administration
Vehicles Prohibited from Connecticut Route 15
(Merritt Parkway and Wilbur Cross Parkway)
between the New York State Line & I-91 in Meriden, CT
and
State Route 796 (Milford Parkway)

There have been NO changes to the regulations governing the use of State highways designated as "Parkways" since 2014.

The following is provided for clarification, is not an all-inclusive list, and any omisssion should not be considered as permissible.

With regards to the use of limited access State highways designated as a Parkway:
ALL VEHICLES WITH A HEIGHT EXCEEDING 8 FEET ARE PROHIBITED
ALL VEHICLES WITH A LENGTH EXCEEDING 24 FEET ARE PROHIBITED
ALL VEHICLES WITH A WIDTH EXCEEDING 7 FEET 6 INCHES (EXCLUDING MIRRORS) ARE PROHIBITED
ALL VEHICLES WITH BUSINESS BRANDING, ADVERTISING, OR LOGOS ARE PROHIBITED

Please be advised that new entry signing is scheduled to be installed along the Merritt Parkway portion of Connecticut Route 15 between Greenwich (New York State Line) to Stratford (Start of the Wilbur Cross portion of Connecticut Route 15). The following is an example of a new sign that will be installed:

The following answers a majority of the questions this offices receives by phone and by email regarding useage of the Parkways (includes Merritt Parkway, Wilbur Cross Parkway, and Milford Parkway.)
Passenger Vehicles May use Parkways subject to the HEIGHT, LENGTH, AND WIDTH limits noted above providing they have no business branding, advertising, or logos thereon which would classify them as a vehicle used for commercial purposes.
Commercial Vehicles PROHIBITED
Examples:

  • Vehicles bearing Commercial license plate
  • Trucks
  • Any vehicle with advertising, logos, etc.
Trucks PROHIBITED
Examples:

  • Rental Trucks (U-Haul, Budget, Penske, etc.)
  • Tractor Trailers
  • Box Trucks
Recreational Vehicles (RV) PROHIBITED
Examples:

  • Rental RVs
  • Personal RVs
Trailers/Towing

PROHIBITED
Exceptions as noted to the right
Examples:

  • Utility Trailers
  • Car Trailers
  • Tow Trailers
  • Camper Trailers

Exception:

A vehicle which has become disabled while using the parkway may be towed from the parkway but only by a registered wrecker or a wrecker vehicle which is defined as follows:

  • A vehicle is properly registered, designed, equipped and used exclusively for the purpose of towing for compensation wrecked or disabled motor vehicles.
Buses PROHIBITED
Examples:

All buses, including commercial buses, bearing BUS license plate or otherwise.
Combination License Plated Vehicles Generally
PROHIBITED
Exceptions noted to the right
Exception:

Combination Plated vehicles with Gross Vehicle Weight Rating fully loaded of 7500 lbs or less and without business branding, advertising, or logos etc. which would classify them as a vehicle used for commercial purposes.
School Buses Generally
PROHIBITED
Exceptions as noted to the right
Exception:

Two-axle four-wheeled type II registered school bus that satisfy all of the following:
  • Gross vehicle weight rating of ten thousand pounds or less
  • Owned by or under contract to a public, private, or religious school or public school district
  • Engaged in the transportation of school children to and from school or school activities
  • Are not more than:
    • 98 inches high (8 FT 2 IN)
    • 84 inches wide (7 FT 0 IN)
    • 203 inches long (16 FT 11 IN)
Services Buses Generally
PROHIBITED
Exceptions as noted to the right
Exception:

Service buses that satisfy all of the following:
  • Owned by or under contract to a public, private, or religious school or public school district
  • Engaged in the transportation of school children to and from school or school activities
  • Are not more than:
    • 8 feet high
    • 7 feet 6 inches wide
    • 24 feet long
Services Buses for students with special needs Generally
PROHIBITED
Exceptions as noted to the right
Exception:

Service buses for students with special needs that satisfy all of the following:
  • Owned by or under contract to a public, private, or religious school or public school district
  • Engaged in the transportation of school children with special needs to and from school or school activities
  • Are not more than:
    • 120 inches high (10 FT 0 IN)
    • 90 inches wide (7 FT 6 IN)
    • 288 inches long (24 FT 0 IN)
Hearses PROHIBITED when in procession otherwise allowed provided the vehicle does not exceed the HEIGHT, LENGTH, AND WIDTH limits noted above.

For further information, please contact:

Office of the State Traffic Administration
Connecticut Department of Transportation
2800 Berlin Turnpike
Newington, CT 06131

Phone: (860) 594-3020
Fax: (860) 594-2552
Email: DOT.OSTA@ct.gov