Parkway Use and Retrictions

Connecticut Parkways Use and Restrictions

PROHIBITED FROM ALL CONNECTICUT PARKWAYS

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

ALL VEHICLES WITH A HEIGHT EXCEEDING 8 FEET
ALL VEHICLES WITH A WIDTH EXCEEDING 7 FEET 6 INCHES (EXCLUDING MIRRORS)
ALL VEHICLES WITH A LENGTH EXCEEDING 24 FEET

Additionally, the following are prohibited from entry upon and use of the highway right-of-way of those limited access state highways designated as parkways (Section 14-298-249):

• commercial motor vehicles
• trailers of any kind
• all towed vehicles except as provided in Section 14-298-240
• buses
• hearses when part of a procession or cortege
• vehicles bearing other than passenger, camper, taxicab, vanpool or hearse registrations and those vehicles bearing combination registrations which have a gross weight in excess of seventy-five hundred pounds

Permits for entry upon and use of the parkways by vehicles normally excluded may be issued by the Office of the State Traffic Administration when, in its opinion, the interests of public necessity would be served. Such permits shall be in writing and shall specify: the period of validity of such permit; the parkway or portion thereof; and the identity of the vehicle concerned. A copy of the permit shall be carried in the vehicle.

Parkway Permit Form

Frequently Asked Questions about Parkway Usage

All passenger vehicles may use Parkways if they meet the HEIGHT, WIDTH, AND LENGTH limits.

Parkway bans on commercial traffic does not apply to (1) taxicabs, (2) vanpool vehicles, and (3) service buses that are not registered school buses, but which are owned by or contracted to public, private, or religious schools or school districts and are used to transport children to and from school or school activities.

1. Can I pull a small trailer with my car? 
2. What is a commercial vehicle?
3. Can I drive a rental truck on the parkway?
4. Are recreational vehicles (RV) allowed on a parkway?
5. Are combination license plated vehicles allowed on a parkway?
6. What if I get on a parkway by mistake with a prohibited vehicle?
7. What if I need a tow truck?
8. What about hearses?
9. Can buses use the parkways?
10. Can school buses use the parkways?
11. What about a service bus (school van)?
12. What about service buses for students with special needs?

1. Can I pull a small trailer with my car
   No. All trailers are prohibited including camper trailers, utility trailers, car trailers, and tow trailers. Disabled vehicles may be towed from the parkway but only by a registered wrecker service.


2. What is a commercial vehicle
   Any vehicles bearing commercial license plate or any truck used for business . All commercial vehicles are prohibited (CGS Section 14-1(19)).


3. Can I drive a rental truck on the parkway?
   No. All rental trucks (U-Haul, Budget, Penske, etc.), tractor trailers and box trucks are prohibited.


4. Are recreational vehicles (RV) allowed on a parkway?
   No. Personal or rental RVs are typically oversized and are not allowed.


5. Are combination license plated vehicles allowed on a parkway?
   Combination plated vehicles are usually prohibited unless the fully loaded GVW is 7500 lbs. or less, and it is within the size restrictions      


6. What if I get on a parkway by mistake with a prohibited vehicle?
   If you find yourself mistakenly on a parkway and are driving a prohibited vehicle, turn on hazard lights, pull to the shoulder / grassy roadside area to ensure your vehicle is completely out of the travel way, and call CT State Police for assistance in exiting the parkway safely.


7. What if I need a tow truck?
   A disabled vehicle may be towed from the parkway but only by a registered wrecker that is properly registered, designed, equipped and used exclusively for the purpose of towing for compensation wrecked or disabled motor vehicles.


8. What about hearses?
   If the vehicle does not exceed the height width and length limits it is allowed to use a parkway. Funeral processions are prohibited.


9. Can buses use the parkways?
   All buses, including commercial buses, bearing BUS license plate, or otherwise are prohibited except as noted below.


10. Can school buses use the parkway?
    Two-axle four-wheeled type II registered school bus that satisfy all of the following conditions may use a parkway:
    
    • 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); or 203 inches long (16 FT 11 IN).


11. What about a service bus (school van)?
    Service buses that are not registered school buses, but which are owned by or contracted to public, private, or religious schools or school districts and are used to transport children to and from school or school activities. These school vans must conform to the OSTA's regulations establishing the maximum weight, height, length, and width of vehicles that can use the parkways (CGS Section 13a-26 (a)).


12. What about service buses for students with special needs?
    Service buses for students with special needs that satisfy all of the following may use a parkway:
    • 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).

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