LEGAL LIMITATIONS AND DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS Legal Limitations
Projecting Loads
Equipment that is permanently attached to and cannot be readily removed from a vehicle is not considered load if the vehicle meets state safety standards and is licensed for use on state highways, and if any projection beyond the vehicle is at least 6 feet above the surface of the highways.
A vehicle or combination of vehicles with a projection or projecting load cannot exceed the total length limitations for that vehicle or combination of vehicles. In addition:
1. A load cannot project more than 4 feet beyond the front of a single vehicle or 4 feet in front of the foremost vehicle of a combination of vehicles.
2. A load cannot project more than 8 feet beyond the rear of the bed or body of a single vehicle or the rear vehicle of a combination of vehicles.
Exception: The load on the rear vehicle of a combination of vehicles transporting forest products in their natural state cannot project more than 20 feet beyond the rear of the bed or the back of the rear tire of the vehicle, whichever is further from the cab and the load must clear the pavement by at least two (2) feet. When the rear projection is more than 15 feet, the vehicle may operate only during daylight hours.
Exception: Vehicles transporting wooden poles or piling cannot project more than 15 feet beyond the rear of the bed or the back of the rear tire of the vehicle, whichever is further from the cab and must clear the pavement by at least two (2) feet. When the rear projection is more than 8 feet, the vehicle may operate only during daylight hours.
Exception: (Compactor Refuse) Vehicles equipped with front-end loading attachments and containers are exempt from the legal limitation for projections beyond the front of the vehicle, provided that the vehicle is actively engaged in the collection of garbage, rubbish, refuse or recyclable materials. This exemption applies to travel on non-Interstate highways only.
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