603 KAR 5:070. Motor vehicle dimension limits

      Section 1. Definitions. (1) "Length exclusion safety device" means an appurtenance:

      (a) That is located at the front or rear of a motor vehicle semitrailer or trailer;

      (b) Whose function is related to the safe and efficient operation of the semitrailer or trailer; and

      (c) That is not designated, designed or used for carrying cargo.

      (2) "National Truck Network" means the network of highways:

      (a) On which vehicles authorized by the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 31111 are allowed to operate pursuant to KRS 189.222 and 23 C.F.R. 658; and

      (b) Included in an official order issued by:

      1. The secretary;

      2. Maintained on the Transportation Cabinet Web site at www.kytc.state.ky.us/planning/index.htm; and

      3. Available in hard copy upon request at the Division of Vehicle Enforcement.

      (3) "Width exclusion safety device" means an appurtenance:

      (a) That is located at the side of a motor vehicle semitrailer or trailer;

      (b) Whose function is normally related to the safe and efficient operation of the semitrailer or trailer; and

      (c) That is not designated, designed or used for carrying cargo.

 

      Section 2. Width Exclusion Safety Devices. (1) The following items shall be designated as a width exclusion safety device:

      (a) Rearview mirrors;

      (b) Turn signal lamps;

      (c) Hand holds for cab entry or egress;

      (d) Splash and spray suppressant devices; and

      (e) Load induced tire bulge.

      (2) The following items shall be designated as width exclusion safety devices if they do not extend beyond three (3) inches (0.0762 meter) on either side of the vehicle:

      (a) Corner cap;

      (b) Rear or side door hinges and their protective hardware;

      (c) Rain gutters;

      (d) Side marker lamps;

      (e) Lift pads for a piggyback trailer;

      (f) Hazardous materials placards;

      (g) Tarp and tarp hardware;

      (h) Tie-down assembly on a platform trailer;

      (i) Wall variation from true flat; and

      (j) Weevil pins or sockets on a low bed trailer.

 

      Section 3. Except as provided in Section 4 of this administrative regulation, the maximum dimensions for a motor vehicle or combination motor vehicle, except a bus, using a public highway in Kentucky shall be as follows:

      (1) Height: including body and load, not to exceed thirteen (13) feet and six (6) inches (4.115 meters).

      (2) Width: including body and load, not to exceed eight (8) feet (2.44 meters), excluding a width exclusion safety device.

      (3) Length. Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section:

      (a) The length of a single unit motor vehicle, including a part of the body or load, and excluding a length exclusion safety device, shall not exceed forty-five (45) feet (13.716 meters).

      (b) A motor vehicle and trailer or semitrailer combination, including a part of the body or load, and excluding a length exclusion safety device, shall not exceed sixty-five (65) feet (19.812 meters).

      (4) Length exceptions:

      (a) If a truck tractor or semitrailer unit is exclusively engaged in the transportation of motor vehicles or boats, a three (3) foot (0.915 meters) front and four (4) foot (1.22 meters) rear overhang shall not be included in the measurement of the sixty-five (65) feet (19.812 meters) limit established in subsection (3)(b) of this section;

      (b) A single unit motor vehicle transporting utility poles or pipes in which the vehicle and load do not exceed forty-five (45) feet (13.716 meters) shall be allowed to operate on the public highways of Kentucky.

      (5) Weight.

      (a) The gross weight limit is established in 603 KAR 5:066.

      (b) The axle weight limit and the bridge weight formula are established in 603 KAR 5:066.

 

      Section 4. (1) A motor vehicle or a combination motor vehicle, except a bus, with dimensions greater than those specified in Section 3 of this administrative regulation that does not exceed the dimensions established in subsection (2) of this section may be operated without an overweight or overdimensional permit on the following highways:

      (a) The National Truck Network;

      (b) The fifteen (15) mile (24.14 kilometers) access authorized in KRS 189.222(1)(f);

      (c) The five (5) mile (8.05 kilometers) access authorized in Section 5(2) of this administrative regulation; and

      (d) The one (1) mile (1.61 kilometers) access authorized in Section 5(3) of this administrative regulation.

      (2) A motor vehicle, combination motor vehicle, or towed unit, including any part of the body and load, and excluding a length or width exclusion safety device, shall not exceed, without an overdimensional permit, the following width and length dimensions if operating on the National Truck Network:

      (a) Width - 102 inches (2.59 meters).

      (b) Length of a towed unit.

      1. Fifty-three (53) feet (16.154 meters) when operated in a single semitrailer combination.

      2. Twenty-eight (28) feet (8.53 meters) if operated in a tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination or a tractor-semitrailer-semitrailer combination not to exceed two (2) towed units per combination.

      3. There shall not be an overall length limitation on a motor vehicle or combination motor vehicle if the requirements established in this subsection are met.

      4. In a tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination vehicle in which the two (2) trailing units are connected with a rigid frame extension attached to the rear frame of the first semitrailer which allows for a fifth wheel connection point for the second semitrailer, the length of the extension shall be excluded from the measurement of semitrailer length.

      5. If there is not a second semitrailer mounted to the fifth wheel of the rear frame of a semitrailer, the length of the extension shall be included in the length measurement for the semitrailer.

      (3) The gross vehicle weight limit for a motor vehicle with the dimensions established in subsection (2) of this section while operating on a highway segment established in Section 5 of this administrative regulation shall be 80,000 pounds (36,287.36 kilograms) except the axle weight limits and bridge weight limits established in 603 KAR 5:066 shall not be exceeded.

      (4) The dimensions and weights specified in this section shall not be subject to an enforcement tolerance.

 

      Section 5. (1) Operation of motor vehicles with increased dimensions that do not exceed the limitations established in Section 4(2) of this administrative regulation shall be allowed on all highways included in the National Truck Network.

      (2) Except as provided by Section 8 of this administrative regulation, a motor vehicle with an increased dimension as established in Section 4 of this administrative regulation shall be allowed five (5) driving miles (8.05 kilometers) on a state-maintained highway from a highway segment established as part of the National Truck Network and fifteen (15) miles (24.14 kilometers) from an interstate or parkway exit to attain reasonable access to a terminal or facility for food, fuel, repairs, or rest.

      (3) Except as provided by Section 7 of this administrative regulation, a motor vehicle with an increased dimension as established in Section 4 of this administrative regulation shall be allowed one (1) driving mile (1.61 kilometers) on a nonstate maintained, publicly-owned, public use highway from a highway segment established as part of the National Truck Network to attain reasonable access to a terminal or facility for food, fuel, repair, or rest.

 

      Section 6. (1) Household Goods Transporters. A motor vehicle with an increased dimension as established in Section 4 of this administrative regulation that is used to transport household goods by a motor carrier certificated by either the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to transport household goods shall have access to any public roadway in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

      (2) Single unit semitrailers. A motor vehicle with an increased dimension as established in Section 4 of this administrative regulation that consists of a truck tractor and single semitrailer which does not exceed twenty-eight (28) feet excluding a length exclusion safety device shall have access to any public roadway in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

 

      Section 7. Nonstate Maintained Exceptions to One (1) Mile (1.61 Kilometers) Automatic Access. The city of Anchorage in Jefferson County has adopted ordinances which exempt for safety reasons certain locally maintained roadways from the automatic one (1) mile (1.61 kilometers) access provision of Section 5(3) of this administrative regulation: The streets all within the corporate city limits of Anchorage listed in the city ordinance which shall not be used by a motor vehicle with an increased dimension as established in Section 4 of this administrative regulation shall be:

      (1) Evergreen Road;

      (2) Bellewood Road;

      (3) Lucas Lane; and

      (4) Old Harris Creek Road.

 

      Section 8. State-maintained Exceptions to Automatic Five (5) Mile (8.05 Kilometers) and fifteen (15) mile (24.14 kilometers) Access. The Department of Highways has found the following road segment for safety reasons to be exempt from the five (5) mile (8.05 kilometers) and fifteen (15) mile (24.14 kilometers) automatic access on a state-maintained highway as established in Section 5(2) of this administrative regulation. These road segments shall not be used by a vehicle with an increased dimension as established in Section 4 of this administrative regulation:

      (1) Kentucky 146 - from the west boundary of the city of Anchorage at milepoint 4.258 to the east boundary of the city of Anchorage at milepoint 5.878;

      (2) Kentucky 418 - from milepoint 2.892 at the intersection with the Blue Sky Parkway just southeast of the I-75 interchange in Fayette County to milepoint 6.089 at the Fayette/Clark County line;

      (3) Kentucky 1973 - from milepoint 0.000 at the intersection with US 25 to milepoint 1.866 at its intersection with Kentucky 418, all in Fayette County; and

      (4) US 119 in Letcher County from its junction with Kentucky 932 (MP 10.065) northeast of Oven Fork to Kentucky 15 (MP 17.308) in Whitesburg.

 

      Section 9. Adoption Without Change. (1) 23 C.F.R. 658.5, Truck size and weight, route designation, length, width and weight limitations, August, 2001, is adopted without change.

      (2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to copyright law, at the Transportation Cabinet, Division of Vehicle Enforcement, 1st Floor, 200 Mero Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40622, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The telephone number is [phone]. (1 Ky.R. 817; eff. 5-14-75; Am. 2 Ky.R. 193; eff. 12-10-75; 8 Ky.R. 12; eff. 8-5-81; 782; eff. 3-1-82; 10 Ky.R. 828; eff. 1-4-84; 12 Ky.R. 231; eff. 9-10-85; 14 Ky.R. 2202; eff. 8-5-88; 15 Ky.R. 549; 963; eff. 10-4-88; 2119; eff. 5-2-89; 16 Ky.R. 863; 1376; eff. 2-3-90; 17 Ky.R. 1834; eff. 2-7-91; 18 Ky.R. 460; 1008; 1335; eff. 10-1-91; 2372; eff. 3-7-92; 19 Ky.R. 231; 891; eff. 10-8-92; 2309; 2644; eff. 5-26-93; 22 Ky.R. 620; 1077; eff. 11-1-95; 24 Ky.R. 1390; 1671; eff. 1-22-98; 28 Ky.R. 929; 1387; eff. 12-19-2001; 30 Ky.R. 1362; 2153; eff. 4-12-04.)

Notation

      RELATES TO: KRS 186.050, 186.655, 189.222, 23 C.F.R. Part 658, 49 U.S.C. 31111

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 189.222(1), (9), 23 C.F.R. Part 658

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 189.222 authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to establish reasonable size limits for motor vehicles using the State Primary Road System, which includes the roads maintained by the Department of Highways. 23 C.F.R. 658.19 requires that vehicles with increased dimensions transporting household goods and truck tractors towing only one (1) semitrailer not exceeding twenty-eight (28) feet (8.53 meters) in length be provided statewide access unless a route is specifically excluded for safety reasons. This administrative regulation establishes the motor vehicle and combination vehicle dimensions for all classes of highways in Kentucky. 23 C.F.R. Part 658 sets forth the highways available for use by vehicles with increased dimensions. This administrative regulation includes these highways as well as others which have been constructed to accommodate the motor vehicles with increased dimensions. In addition, 23 C.F.R. 658.19 requires each state to allow the increased dimension vehicles to operate within one (1) driving mile (1.61 kilometers) of the designated highways. On state-maintained highways in Kentucky, the increased dimension vehicles are allowed to operate within five (5) driving miles (8.05 kilometers) of a designated highway unless the designated highway is an interstate or a parkway in which instance the increased dimension vehicles are allowed to operate within fifteen (15) miles (24.14 kilometers) of the interstate or parkway exit. The bus dimension limits are established in 603 KAR 5:071.