2003 Minnesota Statutes

     169.862 Permit for wide load of baled agricultural 
  product. 

    Subdivision 1.    Annual permit authority; restrictions. 
  (a) The commissioner of transportation with respect to 
 highways under the commissioner's jurisdiction, and local 
 authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, 
 may issue an annual permit to enable a vehicle carrying round 
 bales of hay, straw, or cornstalks, with a total outside width 
 of the vehicle or the load not exceeding 11-1/2 feet, to be 
 operated on public streets and highways.  

    (b) The commissioner of transportation and local 
 authorities may issue an annual permit to enable a vehicle, 
 having a maximum width of 102 inches, carrying a first haul of 
 square bales of straw, each bale having a minimum size of four 
 feet by four feet by eight feet, with a total outside width of 
 the load not exceeding 12 feet, to be operated on public streets 
 and highways between August 1 and March 1 within 35 miles of the 
 border between this state and the state of North Dakota.  

    (c) The commissioner of transportation and local 
 authorities may issue an annual permit to enable a vehicle 
 carrying square bales of hay, each with an outside dimension of 
 not less than three feet by four feet by seven feet, with a 
 total height of the loaded vehicle not exceeding 15 feet, to be 
 operated on those public streets and highways designated in the 
 permit.  

    Subd. 2.    Additional restrictions.  Permits issued 
 under this section are governed by the applicable provisions of 
 section 169.86 except as otherwise provided herein and, in 
 addition, carry the following restrictions:  

    (a) The vehicles may not be operated between sunset and 
 sunrise, when visibility is impaired by weather, fog, or other 
 conditions rendering persons and vehicles not clearly visible at 
 a distance of 500 feet, or on Sunday from noon until sunset, or 
 on the days the following holidays are observed:  New Year's 
 Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving 
 Day, and Christmas Day.  

    (b) The vehicles may not be operated on interstate highways.

    (c) The vehicles may not be operated on a trunk highway 
 with a pavement less than 24 feet wide.  

    (d) A vehicle operated under the permit must be equipped 
 with a retractable or removable mirror on the left side so 
 located that it will reflect to the driver a clear view of the 
 highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the 
 vehicle.  

    (e) A vehicle operated under the permit must display red, 
 orange, or yellow flags, 18 inches square, as markers at the 
 front and rear and on both sides of the load.  The load must be 
 securely bound to the transporting vehicle.  

    (f) Farm vehicles not for hire carrying round baled hay 
 less than 20 miles are exempt from the requirement to obtain a 
 permit.  All other requirements of this section apply to 
 vehicles transporting round baled hay. 

    The fee for the permit is $24. 

    HIST: 1979 c 44 s 1; 1983 c 198 s 12; 1983 c 293 s 68; 1985 c 
 299 s 11; 1986 c 398 art 13 s 13; 1995 c 174 s 2; 1996 c 455 art 
 3 s 22