VTL 385(14) — Exceeding Bridge Capacity or Clearance

VTL 385(14) is a pretty self-explanatory ticket to receive. If either the weight or the height of a vehicle exceeds the posted limit on a bridge or structure, the driver is in violation of the statute. More often than not, this ticket is given not to 18 wheeler truck drivers, but to normal drivers who rent out commercial vehicles such as U-haul trucks, and unknowingly go onto non commercial parkways/roadways leading to bridges/structures which they were never supposed to be on and or near.

How Much Is a VTL 385(14) Exceeding Bridge Capacity Ticket in NY?

• Fine and surcharge: The first-offense fine is $0–$1,000; a 2nd offense within 12 months carries a fine of $0–$2,000. A mandatory $88 (city courts) or $93 (justice courts) surcharge also applies.
• Jail: Up to 30 days in jail (though jail is highly unlikely).
• Points: Per the NY DMV, VTL 385(14) carries 10 points—enough to trigger a license suspension if combined with other violations.
• Insurance and DMV Assessment impact: A 10-point conviction significantly raises the risk of higher insurance rates and automatically triggers the NY DMV Driver Responsibility Assessment surcharge (at least $300 per year for three years) because the 6-point threshold is exceeded on a single ticket.

VTL 385(14) — Statute

The language of VTL § 385(14) reads:

No person shall operate or move a vehicle or a combination of vehicles over, on or through any bridge or structure on any highway if the weight of such vehicle, or combination of vehicles, and load, is greater than the posted capacity of the structure or exceeds the height of the posted clearance as shown by an official sign.

Disputing a VTL 385(14) Ticket

A VTL 385(14) citation charges that the vehicle's weight or height exceeded the limit posted by an official sign on a bridge or highway structure. The statute applies to both weight (gross vehicle weight vs. the posted capacity) and height (vehicle height vs. the posted clearance).

Possible defenses include: the posted sign was not "official" or was obscured, missing, or incorrectly placed (this is a common occurrence on obscured bridges/structures north of New York City); the vehicle's actual weight or height was within the posted limit and the officer's measurement or weight ticket contained an error; a valid oversize/ overweight permit was in effect at the time of the stop; or the bridge structure was not the type or location covered by VTL 385(14).

An experienced traffic attorney can often negotiate a reduction to a lesser violation (e.g., a lower-point or 0-point equipment charge), seek dismissal on procedural grounds, or appear in your place to minimize the total impact on your license and insurance.

Is VTL 385(14) the Same Ticket as VTL 385-2 Overheight Vehicle?

No. VTL § 385(14) is a location-specific violation for exceeding the height or weight limit posted by an official sign on one particular bridge or structure. VTL § 385(2) is a separate, statewide default that caps every vehicle at 13.5 feet regardless of location. A vehicle under 13.5 feet can still violate 385(14) if it exceeds a lower local limit posted at a specific bridge.

• Local sign vs. statewide default: 385(14) applies only where a bridge or structure has posted its own capacity or clearance sign, while VTL 385-2 Overheight Vehicle is a fixed 13.5-foot ceiling that applies everywhere in New York, per the text of VTL § 385.
• Weight or height vs. height only: 385(14) can be charged for exceeding a posted weight capacity or a posted clearance; 385(2) covers height exclusively.
• Point value differs: A 385(14) conviction carries 10 DMV points, while a 385(2) conviction carries 8 points. Confusing the two can lead to misjudging how serious a ticket actually is.

Benjamin Goldman Law Office

The Benjamin Goldman Law Office is a New York State traffic ticket defense firm. We have fought over 100,000 tickets across New York State and are more than eager to help fight others. A VTL 385(14) ticket carries 10 points—the highest point value available on a single non-criminal traffic citation—and the consequences for your license, DMV record, and insurance are severe. We strongly recommend contesting this ticket.

Contact us for a free consultation. We will review your ticket and the circumstances of your stop and let you know your options.

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