19A NCAC 02D .0607. PERMITS-WEIGHT, DIMENSIONS AND LIMITATIONS

(a)  The State Highway Administrator or his designee may issue a vehicle specific single trip permit for vehicle and vehicle combinations with non-divisible overwidth loads limited to a maximum width of 15 feet under the conditions specified in this Rule.  The State Highway Administrator or his designee may authorize the issuance of a permit for movement of load width in excess of 15 feet in accordance with 19A NCAC 02D .0600 after analysis of the proposed load and evaluation of the proposed route of travel.  However, a mobile or modular unit is limited to a maximum width of 16 feet and a 3 inch gutter edge.

(b)  An annual oversize and overweight permit may be issued as follows:

(1)           for unlimited movement without the requirement of an escort on all North Carolina highways, where permitted by the posted road and bridge limits, for vehicle and vehicle combinations transporting a general non-divisible commodity which has a minimum extreme wheelbase of 51 feet and does not exceed:

(A)          width of 12 feet;

(B)          height of 13 feet, 6 inches;

(C)          length of 105 feet;

(D)          gross weight of 90,000 pounds; and

(E)           axle weights of 20,000 pounds steer axle, 25,000 pounds single axle, 50,000 pounds tandem axle, 60,000 pounds tridem axle and 68,000 pounds for a four or more axle grouping.

(2)           for unlimited movement without the requirement of an escort on all North Carolina highways, where permitted by the posted road and bridge limits, for four or five axle self-propelled equipment or special mobile equipment, defined as a non-property hauling vehicle, which has permanently attached equipment, that is operated on the highway only for the purpose of traveling to and from a non-highway job and is licensed as special mobile equipment by the Division of Motor Vehicles, capable of traveling at a highway speed of 45 miles per hour which has a minimum wheel base of 30 feet and which does not exceed:

(A)          width of 12 feet;

(B)          height of 13 feet, 6 inches;

(C)          length of 105 feet;

(D)          gross weight of 90,000 pounds; and

(E)           axle weights of 20,000 pounds steer axle, 25,000 pounds single axle, 50,000 pounds tandem axle, 60,000 pounds tridem axle and 68,000 pounds for a four or more axle grouping.

(3)           for unlimited movement with the requirement of an escort vehicle on all North Carolina highways, where permitted by the posted bridge and load limits, for vehicles and vehicle combinations transporting farm equipment and which does not exceed:

(A)          a width of 14 feet;

(B)          a height of 13 feet 6 inches; and

(C)          a weight as set forth in G.S. 20-118(b)(3).

(4)           with the requirement of an escort for mobile or modular homes with a maximum height of 13 feet 6 inches being transported from a manufacturer to a North Carolina mobile or modular home dealership with a unit width not to exceed 14 feet with an allowable roof overhang not to exceed a total unit width of 12 inches or 16 feet with a 3 inch gutter edge.  These mobile or modular homes shall be authorized to travel on designated routes approved by the Department of Transportation considering construction work zones, highway lane widths, origin and destination or other factors to ensure safe movement.

(5)           with the requirement of an escort to a North Carolina licensed mobile or modular home retail dealer and the transporter for delivery of mobile or modular homes not to exceed a maximum unit width of 14 feet with a total roof overhang not to exceed 12 inches and a height of 13 feet 6 inches.  The annual permit shall be valid for delivery of mobile or modular homes within a maximum 25-mile radius of the dealer location.  Confirmation of destination for delivery shall be carried in the permitted towing unit readily available for law enforcement inspection.

(6)           for unlimited movement without the requirement of an escort on all North Carolina highways, where permitted by the posted road and bridge limits, for vehicle and vehicle combinations transporting non-divisible commodities which do not exceed:

(A)          width of 12 feet;

(B)          length as set forth in G.S. 20-115.1(b) and G.S. 20-116(e) but not to exceed 105 feet;

(C)          height of 13 feet 6 inches;

(D)          gross weight and axle weights as set forth in G.S. 20-118(b)(1)(2)(3).

(c)  A 14 foot-wide mobile or modular home unit may be transported with a bay window, room extension, or porch providing the protrusion does not extend beyond the maximum 12 inches of roof overhang or the total width of overhang on the applicable side of the home.  An extender shall be placed on the front and rear of the mobile or modular home with a length to extend horizontally equal to but not beyond the extreme outermost edge of the home's extension.  The extenders shall have retro-reflective sheeting, a minimum of 4 inches, which shall be Type III high intensity (encapsulated lens) or Type IV high performance (prismatic) with alternating fluorescent yellow and black diagonal stripes sloping towards the outside of the home with a minimum area of 288 square inches.  The bottom of the extenders shall be 6 feet to 8 feet above the road surface with a 5 inch amber flashing beacon mounted on the top of each extender.

(d)  The maximum weight permitted on a designated route is determined by the bridge capacity of bridges to be crossed during movement.  The route traveled from an origin to a destination must be included within one permitted route of travel.  Moves exceeding weight limits for highways or bridge structures shall be denied if considered by the issuing agent to be unsafe or if they may cause damage to the highway or structure.  A surety bond shall be required if the Department determines it is necessary to cover the cost of potential damage to pavement, bridges or other damages incurred during the permitted move.

(e)  The maximum permittable weights for non-divisible loads are as follows:

(1)           The maximum single trip and annual permit weight allowed for a vehicle or vehicle combination not including off highway construction equipment is:

(A)          Steer Axle                                                                                              20,000 pounds;

(B)          Single axle                                                                                             25,000 pounds;

(C)          Tandem axle                                                                                        50,000 pounds;

(D)          Tridem axle                                                                                          60,000 pounds;

(E)           Four or more axle group                                                                     68,000 pounds;

(F)           Five or more axle group exceeding 68,000 pounds requires an engineering study;

(G)          Three axle single vehicle may have a maximum gross weight up to 70,000 pounds;

(H)          Four axle single vehicle may have a maximum gross weight up to 90,000 pounds;

(I)            Five axle single vehicle may have a maximum gross weight up to 94,500 pounds;

(J)            Five axle vehicle combination may have a maximum gross weight up to 112,000 pounds;

(K)          Six axle single vehicle may have a maximum gross weight up to 108,000 pounds;

(L)           Six axle vehicle combination may have a maximum gross weight up to 120,000 pounds;

(M)         Seven axle single vehicle may have a maximum gross weight up to 122,000 pounds;

(N)          Seven axle vehicle combination may have a maximum gross weight up to 132,000 pounds; and

(O)          Seven or more axle vehicle combination with a gross weight exceeding 132,000 pounds requires an engineering study.

(2)           The maximum permit weight allowed for self propelled off highway construction equipment with low pressure or low flotation tires is:

(A)          Single axle                                                                                             37,000 pounds;

(B)          Tandem axle                                                                                        50,000 pounds;

(C)          Two axle single vehicle may have a maximum gross weight up to 70,000 pounds;

(D)          Three axle single vehicle may have a maximum gross weight up to 80,000 pounds; and

(E)           Four axle single vehicle may have a maximum gross weight up to 90,000 pounds.

(3)           A vehicle combination consisting of a power unit and trailer hauling a sealed ship container may qualify for a specific route overweight permit provided the vehicle:

(A)          Is going to or from a designated seaport (to include in state and out of state) and has been or shall be transported by marine shipment;

(B)          Is licensed for the maximum allowable weight for a 51 feet extreme wheelbase measurement specified in G.S. 20-118;

(C)          Does not exceed maximum dimensions of width, height and length specified in G.S. 20-116;

(D)          Is a vehicle combination with at least five axles; and

(E)           Has proper documentation (shippers bill of lading or trucking bill of lading) of sealed commodity being transported available for law enforcement officer inspection.

(f)  Overlength permits shall be limited as follows:

(1)           Single trip permits are limited to 105 feet inclusive of the towing vehicle. Approval may be given by the Central Permit Office for permitted loads in excess of 105 feet after review of geographic route of travel, consideration of local construction projects and other dimensions of the load;

(2)           Mobile or modular home units shall not exceed a length of 76 feet and a total overall length inclusive of the towing vehicle of 105 feet; and

(3)           Annual (blanket) permits shall not be issued for lengths to exceed 105 feet.

(g)  An Overheight Permit Application for heights in excess of 14 feet must be submitted in writing to the Central Permit Office at least two working days prior to the anticipated date of movement.  An Overheight Permit Application for heights 14 feet and less must be submitted in writing or verbally to the Central Permit Office.  The issuance of the permit does not imply nor guarantee the clearance for the permitted load and all vertical clearances shall be checked by the permittee prior to movement underneath.

(h)  Movement of all vehicles and vehicle combinations subject to this Rule shall be made as follows:

(1)           Movement shall be made between sunrise and sunset Monday through Saturday.  Sunday travel may be authorized from sunrise to sunset after consideration of the overall permitted dimensions. Exception:  A 16 foot-wide mobile or modular home unit with a maximum 3 inch gutter edge is restricted to travel from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  A 16 foot-wide unit is authorized to continue operation after 2:30 p.m., but not beyond sunset, when traveling on an approved route as determined by an engineering study and the unit is being exported out-of-state. Additional time restrictions may be set by the issuing office if it is in the best interest for safety or to expedite flow of traffic.

(2)           No movement is permitted for a vehicle and vehicle combination after noon on the weekday preceding the six holidays of New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day until noon on the weekday following a holiday.  If the observed holiday falls on the weekend, travel is restricted from 12:00 noon on the preceding Friday until 12:00 noon on the following Monday.

(3)           Continuous travel (24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year) is authorized for any vehicle and vehicle combination up to but not to exceed a permitted gross weight of 112,000 pounds provided the permitted vehicle has no other over legal dimension of width, height or length included in the permitted move.  Exception:  Self-propelled equipment may be authorized for continuous travel with overhang (front or rear or both) not to exceed a total of 10 feet provided overhang is marked with high intensity glass bead retro-reflective sheeting tape measuring 2 inches by 12 inches displayed on both sides and the end of the extension and on each side of the self-propelled vehicle 24 inches from the road surface at nearest feasible center point between the steer and drive axles.  Any rear overhang must display a mounted brake light and a flashing amber light, 8 inches in diameter with a minimum candlepower of 800 watts.

(4)           Permitted vehicles owned or leased by the same company or permitted vehicles originating at the same location shall travel at a distance of not less than two miles apart.  Convoy travel is not authorized except as directed by law enforcement escort.

(5)           If blades of construction equipment or front end loader buckets cannot be angled to extend no more than 14 feet across the roadway, they shall be removed.  A blade, bucket or other attachment that is an original part of the equipment as manufactured may be removed and hauled with the equipment without being considered a divisible load.

(6)           The speed of permitted moves shall be that which is reasonable and prudent for the load, considering weight and bulk, under conditions existing at the time; however, the maximum speed shall not exceed the posted speed limit.  A towing unit and mobile or modular home combination shall not exceed a maximum speed of 60 miles per hour.  The driver of the permitted vehicle shall avoid creating traffic congestion by periodically relinquishing the traffic way to allow the passage of following vehicles when a build up of traffic occurs.

(7)           The object to be transported shall not be loaded or parked, day or night, on the highway right of way without permission from the office issuing the permit after confirmation of an emergency condition.

(8)           No move shall be made when weather conditions render visibility less than 500 feet for a person or vehicle.  Moves shall not be made when travel conditions are considered unsafe by the Division of Highways, State Highway Patrol or other Law Enforcement Officers having jurisdiction.  Movement of a mobile or modular unit exceeding a width of 10 feet is prohibited when wind velocities exceed 25 miles per hour in gusts.

(9)           All obstructions, including traffic signals, signs and utility lines shall be removed prior to and replaced after the move at the expense of the mover, provided arrangements for and approval from the owner is obtained.  Trees, shrubs, or official signs shall not be cut, trimmed or removed without approval from the Division of Highways District Engineer having jurisdiction over the area involved.  In determining whether to grant approval, the district engineer shall consider the species, age and appearance of the tree or shrub in question and its contribution to the aesthetics of the area.

(10)         The Department of Transportation may require escort vehicles to accompany oversize or overweight loads.  The weight, width of load, width of pavement, height, length of combination, length of overhang, maximum speed of vehicle, geographical route of travel, weather conditions and restricted time of travel shall be considered to determine escort requirements.

(i)  Additional safety measures are as follows:

(1)           A yellow banner measuring a total length of 7 feet x 18 inches high bearing the legend "Oversize Load" in 10 inch black letters 1.5 inch wide brush stroke shall be displayed in one or two pieces totaling the required length on the front and rear bumpers of a permitted vehicle and vehicle combination with a width greater than 10 feet.  A towing unit mobile or modular home combination shall display banners of the size specified bearing the legend "Oversize ----- feet Load" identifying the actual width of the unit in transport.  Escort vehicles shall display banners as specified in this Subparagraph with the exception of length to extend the entire width of the bumpers;

(2)           Red or orange flags measuring 18 inches square shall be displayed on all sides at the widest point of load for all loads in excess of 8 feet 6 inches wide but the flags shall be mounted so as not to increase the overall width of the load;

(3)           All permitted vehicles and vehicle combinations shall be equipped with tires of the size specified and the required number of axles equipped with operable brakes in good working condition as provided in North Carolina Statutes and Motor Carrier and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations;

(4)           Rear view mirrors and other safety devices on towing units attached for movement of overwidth loads shall be removed or retracted to conform with legal width when unit is not towing or hauling such vehicle or load; and

(5)           Flashing amber lights shall be used as determined by the issuing permit office.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 20-116; 20-118; 20-119; 136-18(5); Board of Transportation Minutes for February 16, 1977 and November 10, 1978;

Eff. July 1, 1978;

Amended Eff. October 1, 1994; December 29, 1993; October 1, 1991; October 1, 1990;

Temporary Amendment Eff. January 10, 2002; December 31, 2000; October 1, 2000;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2012; June 1, 2010; April 1, 2009; August 1, 2002.