SECTION 730:30-9-9. Oversize permits - specific conditions and restrictions

(a)   Unless otherwise specifically required by law, in addition to the applicable General Conditions and Restrictions on Permits as contained in 730:30-9-6, no oversize vehicle shall be eligible for a permit unless all of the following conditions are met:

(1)   the permit application is for a single trip only; however, in cases where an industry located near the Oklahoma State line routinely ships oversize loads directly across the nearby state line, or in other unusual instances, the Commissioner of Public Safety may issue multi-trip oversize permits for specific movements as set forth in 730:30-9-9(j); and

(2)   the vehicle and/or load is nondivisible as defined in 730:30-9-6(2); and

(3)   the load does not exceed 16 feet in width when proposed for operation on the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways during any portion of the trip; and

(4)   the height of the vehicle and/or load will clear, by a minimum of 2 inches, the maximum height limitation for any overhead structure shown on the Vertical Clearance of Bridge Structures Map produced by and available from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, which map does not, in any event, constitute a warranty, either express or implied; and

(5)   the track of the vehicle and/or load does not require the use of highway shoulders and the turning radius of the vehicle and/or load does not require leaving the surface of roadway travel lanes or the travel lanes of interchange loops or ramps, to negotiate turns; and

(6)   the towing vehicle has sufficient power to move the oversize load safely at reasonable highway speeds.

(b)   Unless otherwise provided for in this subchapter the following trailer and semitrailer lengths may be permitted by the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety:

(1)   Semitrailers exceeding 53 feet in length, but not exceeding 59 feet 6 inches in ength, operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer combination may operate without a permit on the National Network of highways as designated by the United States Secretary of Transportation, plus the reasonable access provided for in this section as such combination is authorized by 49 U.S.C. App. § 2311 and 23 CFR Part 658.

(2)   Semitrailers and trailers operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer and trailer combination shall not exceed 53 feet in length. No permit may be issued for any such combination in which a semitrailer or trailer exceeds 53 feet in length. In no event shall the total length of the cargo carrying units exceed 110 feet. Such combination vehicles may only operate on the Interstate and four lane divided federal-aid primary systems.

(3)   Semitrailers and trailers operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer and trailer combination shall not exceed 29 feet in length for any semitrailer or trailer which is a part of the vehicle combination, and no permit may be issued for such combination if any semitrailer or trailer exceeds 29 feet in length or the overall cargo carrying capacity exceeds 95 feet in length. Such combination vehicles may operate only on the Interstate System and four lane divided highways plus reasonable access.

(4)   In no case shall any trailer or semitrailer be placed ahead of another trailer or semitrailer which carries a 5,000 pound or more heavier load. The heaviest trailer or semitrailer shall be placed in front and the lightest at the rear. An empty trailer or semitrailer must not precede a loaded trailer or semitrailer.

(5)   Semitrailer or trailer lengths shall be measured from the front of the trailer to the rear of the trailer or any extension of the load beyond the rear of the trailer. Any appendages to the rear of the trailer shall be included in the trailer length measurement.

(c)   An automobile transporter, defined as a truck and semitrailer or truck tractor and semitrailer which has the fifth wheel assemblage located on a drop from behind and below the rear most axle of the power unit and which exceeds 70 feet in length but does not exceed 75 feet in length, inclusive of both the front and rear bumpers, may, under the authority of 23 CFR Section 658.13(d), operate on the National Network as designated by the United States Secretary of Transportation, plus reasonable access, without a permit. Automobile transporters may carry an extension of the load, not to exceed 3 feet beyond the front nor more than 4 feet beyond the rear of such transporter.

(d)   Truck or truck tractor and semitrailer or trailer combinations which exceed 102 inches but not exceeding 120 inches in width may operate under authority of a special annual overwidth permit. Such permit shall be valid for the movement of single trip overwidth loads exceeding 8½ feet on roads and highways having a surface width of 20 feet or more and for travel to and subsequent travel from the initial permitted movement. Such vehicles may be utilized to transport legal dimensioned loads only when a single trip overwidth permitted movement precedes or follows the legal load movement. Proof of the overwidth permitted movement shall be made available upon demand. Such permits shall be specific to the truck tractor.

(e)   Semitrailers exceeding 53 feet but not exceeding 59 feet 6 inches and which are transporting a legal load or no load may operate on roads and highways which are not part of the National Network of Highways under the authority of a special round trip overlength permit issued for the vehicle to proceed to and/or return from a single trip overlength (more than 53 foot long load or where the use of the longer trailer to move a non-divisible load would cause axle weights which would exceed the legal weight to conform to the legal limits) movement performed under permit. The permit shall state the specific route of the trip. Special round trip permits shall be trailer specific.

(f)   Permits for vehicles or loads thereon which exceed 13½ feet in height shall operate in accordance with Section 730:30-9-6 and 730:30-9-9 of this subchapter and no special annual permits shall be authorized for movement of any vehicle or load thereon exceeding such height on the state highway system.

(g)   Manufactured homes used in the course of construction, oil field, or seasonal farming activities may operate under authority of an annual special manufactured home permit, however, such manufactured home must comply with the provision of Oklahoma Statutes Title 47 Chapter 14 Section 103F.

(h)   Reasonable access as used in this section shall mean a distance of 5 miles measured by the most direct route of travel and not by a radius from the terminal or point of service.

(i)   Reasonable access as used in 730:30-9-9(b) may, in the discretion of the Commissioner and consistent with safety, include two lane segments of the National Network in instances where four lane divided federal-aid primary highways which are part of the National Network are separated by a two lane segment of such highway which is not greater than 15 miles in length as designated by the Department to the Commissioner of Public Safety. Use of such two lane segment shall only be for direct travel between the four lane divided segments of the National Network.

(j)   Applications for special oversize nondivisible load multi-trip permits for loads to be transported on a vehicle of legal dimensions shall be filed with the Commissioner of Department of Public Safety and shall specify the size of the vehicle with load; its weight; its configuration; the route or routes proposed or area of proposed operation; and such other information as the Commissioner may require. No special multi-trip permit shall be issued for a vehicle with load which is more than 10 feet 6 inches wide, more than 14 feet in height or more than 80 feet in length. The Commissioner shall document with the application the circumstances requiring the issuance of the special multi-trip permit. For industries located near the state line as set forth in 730:30-9-9(a)(1), and regulated public utilities, an annual permit may be issued. All other multi-trip permits shall be for a period of not longer than thirty (30) days and for operation only within the area or routes designated in the application. In no event shall such special oversize multi-trip permit include an authorization for overweight operations, operations on a roadway where the width of the load exceeds the lane width, or operation not in conformance with the provisions of 730:30-9-9(a)(4) and (5). The face of the permit shall state these restrictions.

[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4685, eff 10-11-93; Amended at 11 Ok Reg 1017, eff 1-7-94 (emergency); Amended at 11 Ok Reg 3581, eff 6-27-94; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 1283, eff 5-11-95; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 2265, eff 6-13-96; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3767, eff 9-10-97 (emergency); Amended at 15 Ok Reg 2048, eff 5-26-98; Amended at 30 Ok Reg 713, eff 5-27-13]