Free SP4415 Motor Vehicle Size Regulation Summary - Wisconsin

MOTOR VEHICLE SIZE REGULATION SUMMARY
SP4415 4/2007 Corresponding Wisconsin Statute numbers in brackets [ ].

Wisconsin Department of Transportation

General Maximum Size Restrictions: Width - Vehicle & Load [348.05(1)]............................................................................................................8 feet, 6 inches 13 Height - Vehicle & Load [348.06(1)].......................................................................................................... feet, 6 inches Length - Single Vehicle & Load [348.07(1)].............................................................................................................40 feet Length - Combination of 2 Vehicles & Load [348.07(1)]............................................................................................65 feet 12 Drawbar Length [347.47(1)].................................................................................................................................... feet Note: Loads shall not extend: 1. Beyond the left fender line of the vehicle [348.09(1)]; 2. More than 6 inches beyond the right fender line [348.09(1)]; 3. More than 3 feet beyond the front bumper [348.10(1)]. Safety Devices: [348.05(2m)] 1. The following safety devices are not included in the calculation of width: rear view mirrors, turn signal lamps, hand holds for cab entry and egress, splash and spray suppressant devices, and load induced tire bulge Ch. Trans 276.03(1) Wis. Admin. Rules. 2. The following safety devices are not to be included in the calculation of width providing such devices do not extend beyond 3 inches on each side of a vehicle: door hardware (including door handles and locking devices), load tie down devices, and toe holds or retractable steps Ch. Trans 276.03(2) Wis. Admin. Rules. Measuring: The length of the semitrailer or trailer shall be measured from the front thereof to the rear of the semitrailer or trailer or cargo, whichever is longer, excluding: bumpers, stake pockets, air deflectors, and refrigeration units [348.07(3)(b)]. The distance between a kingpin and semitrailer axle shall be measured as follows: 1. On a semitrailer having a tandem axle: from the kingpin to a point midway between the first and last axles of the tandem axle [348.07(3)(c)(1)]; 2. On a semitrailer not having a tandem axle: from the kingpin to the center of the rear-most axle [348.07(3)(c)(2)]. Width: 8 feet, 6 inches Maximum allowable width for vehicle and load, without a permit [348.05(1)]. Some Exceptions: 1. No limitation for implements of husbandry temporarily operated upon a highway in the course of performance of its work [348.05(2)(a)]. 2. 12 feet for farm tractors, except that the total outside width of a farm tractor shall not exceed 9 feet when operated on any Wisconsin highway which is part of the national system of interstate and defense highways [348.05(2)(c)]. 3. 9 feet for loads of tie logs, tie slabs, and veneer logs on single and tandem axle trucks (not applicable on highways designated as part of the national system of interstate and defense highways) [348.05(2)(k)]. 4. 12 feet for loads of hay in bales if the total outside width of the loads does not exceed the width of a single traffic lane of any highway over which the loads are carried (not applicable to vehicles on highways designated as part of the national system of interstate and defense highways) [348.05(2)(l)]. Overwidth Farm Machinery: Farm tractors exceeding 12 feet in width and all other farm machinery and implements of husbandry exceeding 8 feet, 6 inches in width, not being operated in the course of performance of its work may be moved, towed or hauled over the highways without special permit between one-half hour before sunrise and sunset on Mondays to Thursdays and from one-half hour before sunrise to 2 PM on Fridays. Such overwidth machinery shall not be moved on any Wisconsin highway which is part of the national system of interstate highways without special permit [348.05(3)]. Height: 13 feet, 6 inches Maximum allowable height for vehicle and load, without a permit [348.06(1)]. Exception: No limitation for implements of husbandry temporarily operated upon a highway [348.06(2)(a)].

Length:

40 feet Maximum allowable length for single vehicle and load, without a permit [348.07(1)]. 65 feet Maximum allowable length for combination of 2 vehicles and load, without a permit [348.07(1)]. Some Exceptions: 1. No limitation for implements of husbandry temporarily operated upon a highway [348.07(2)(e)]. 2. No overall length limitation for a tractor-semitrailer combination, a double bottom, or an automobile haul-away when operated on a designated highway under sub (4m) [348.07(2)(f)]. 3. 75 feet for a tractor-semitrailer combination that is operated on any part of the state trunk highway system [348.07(2)(fs)]. 4. 48 feet for a semitrailer or trailer operated as part of a 2-vehicle combination [348.07(2)(g)]. 5. 28 feet 6 inches for a semitrailer or trailer operated as part of a double bottom [348.07(2)(gm)]. 6. 53 feet for a semitrailer whose length from kingpin to axle does not exceed 43 feet and which is operated as part of a 2-vehicle combination on a designated highway [348.07(2)(gr)]. 7. 53 feet for a semitrailer whose length from kingpin to axle does not exceed 43 feet and which is operated as part of a 2-vehicle combination on any part of the state trunk highway system, except as provided in par. (gr) or sub. (4m) [348.07(2)(gv)]. 8. The Secretary shall, by rule, designate those parts of the state trunk highway system to which sub. (2)(fs) and (gv) do not apply [348.07(4m)]. 9. 66 feet for an automobile haul-away plus an additional overhang of 4 feet to the front of the vehicle and 5 feet to the rear of the vehicle [348.07(2)(j)]. Note: The limitations on length and number of vehicles in combination shall not apply to a combination of vehicles in an emergency towing operation in which:

1. The towing vehicle is being used to remove a stalled or disabled vehicle or combination of vehicles from the highway to the nearest adequate place for repairs; OR 2. The towing vehicle is an emergency truck tractor temporarily substituted for a stalled or disabled truck tractor. Permits Issued by Division of Motor Vehicles: Most permits for oversize/overweight (O/O) vehicles are issued by the maintenance authority for the class of roadway on which the O/O vehicle proposes to travel. With some exceptions, permits for operation on State, U.S. and Interstate highways are issued by the Permit Unit of the Motor Carrier Services Section of the Division of Motor Vehicles. Applications may be submitted in several ways: * Online through a secured extranet application. For information, call 608-266-7320. Once you are enrolled, this application is available to you 24/7. Many permits are automatically analyzed and approved. * In person or by overnight mail to WisDOT Permits, 4802 Sheboygan Ave., Room 151, Madison, WI 53705. Office hours are 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. * By mail to WisDOT Permits, PO Box 7980, Madison, WI 53707-7980.