2006 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.
History: 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