Minnesota Session Laws - 2001, Regular Session

                            CHAPTER 83-S.F.No. 1155 
                  An act relating to traffic regulations; modifying 
                  width limitations on recreational equipment; 
                  prescribing maximum length of motor homes; amending 
                  Minnesota Statutes 2000, sections 169.80, subdivision 
                  2; and 169.81, subdivision 2. 
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 169.80, 
        subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
           Subd. 2.  [OUTSIDE WIDTH.] (a) The total outside width of a 
        vehicle exclusive of rear view rearview mirrors or load 
        securement devices which are not an integral part of the vehicle 
        and not exceeding three inches on each side, or the load may not 
        exceed 102 inches except that the outside width of a vehicle 
        owned by a political subdivision and used exclusively for the 
        purpose of handling sewage sludge from sewage treatment 
        facilities to farm fields or disposal sites, may not exceed 12 
        feet, and except as otherwise provided in this section. 
           (b) A vehicle exceeding 102 inches in total outside width, 
        owned by a political subdivision and used for the purpose of 
        transporting or applying sewage sludge to farm fields or 
        disposal sites may not transport sludge for distances greater 
        than 15 miles, nor may it be used for transportation of sewage 
        sludge or return travel between the hours of sunset and sunrise, 
        or at any other time when visibility is impaired by weather, 
        smoke, fog, or other conditions rendering persons and vehicles 
        not clearly discernible on the highway at a distance of 500 feet.
           (c) The total outside width of a low bed trailer or 
        equipment dolly, and the load, used exclusively for transporting 
        farm machinery and construction equipment may not exceed nine 
        feet in width except that a low bed trailer or equipment dolly 
        with a total outside width, including the load, in excess of 102 
        inches may not be operated on any interstate highway without 
        first having obtained a permit for the operation under section 
        169.86.  The vehicle must display 12-inch square red flags as 
        markers at the front and rear of the left side of the vehicle. 
           (d) The total outside width of a trackless trolley car or 
        passenger motor bus, operated exclusively in a city or 
        contiguous cities in this state, may not exceed nine feet. 
           (e) The maximum width limitation in paragraph (a) for 
        recreational equipment as defined in section 168.011, 
        subdivision 25, is exclusive of appurtenances on the 
        recreational equipment that do not extend beyond the width of 
        the exterior rearview mirror of the recreational equipment if 
        the recreational equipment is self-propelled, or the exterior 
        rearview mirror of the towing vehicle if the recreational 
        equipment is towed.  
           Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 169.81, 
        subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
           Subd. 2.  [LENGTH OF SINGLE VEHICLE; EXCEPTIONS.] (a) 
        Statewide, no single vehicle may exceed 40 feet in overall 
        length, including load and front and rear bumpers, except:  
           (1) mobile cranes, which may not exceed 48 feet in overall 
        length; and 
           (2) buses, which may not exceed 45 feet in overall length; 
        and 
           (3) type A, B, or C motor homes as defined in section 
        168.011, subdivision 25, paragraph (c), which may not exceed 45 
        feet in overall length.  
           (b) Statewide, no semitrailer may exceed 48 feet in overall 
        length, including bumper and load, but excluding 
        non-cargo-carrying equipment, such as refrigeration units or air 
        compressors, necessary for safe and efficient operation and 
        located on the end of the semitrailer adjacent to the 
        truck-tractor.  However, statewide, a single semitrailer may 
        exceed 48 feet, but not 53 feet, if the distance from the 
        kingpin to the centerline of the rear axle group of the 
        semitrailer does not exceed 43 feet.  
           (c) Statewide, no single trailer may have an overall length 
        exceeding 45 feet, including the tow bar assembly but exclusive 
        of rear bumpers that do not increase the overall length by more 
        than six inches. 
           (d) For determining compliance with this subdivision, the 
        length of the semitrailer or trailer must be determined 
        separately from the overall length of the combination of 
        vehicles.  
           (e) No semitrailer or trailer used in a three-vehicle 
        combination may have an overall length in excess of 28-1/2 feet, 
        exclusive of: 
           (1) non-cargo-carrying accessory equipment, including 
        refrigeration units or air compressors and upper coupler plates, 
        necessary for safe and efficient operation, located on the end 
        of the semitrailer or trailer adjacent to the truck or 
        truck-tractor; 
           (2) the tow bar assembly; and 
           (3) lower coupler equipment that is a fixed part of the 
        rear end of the first semitrailer or trailer. 
           Presented to the governor May 8, 2001 
           Signed by the governor May 10, 2001, 2:48 p.m.