Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-07-01-.19 - CONDITIONS FOR PERMITTING MOVEMENT OF HEAVY DUTY TOWING VEHICLES

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(1) Subject to the requirements of T.C.A. § 55-7-205 and this rule, the TDOT Permit Office is authorized to issue a special permit allowing a towing vehicle to transport wrecked, disabled, or abandoned vehicles on the state highway system, including the interstate highway system, when the towing vehicle, or the towing vehicle and towed vehicle in combination, exceeds the maximum vehicle or axle weights allowed under T.C.A. § 55-7-203(b), the maximum vehicle height or width allowed under T.C.A. § 55-7-202, or the maximum vehicle lengths allowed under T.C.A. § 55-7-201. Each special permit shall be issued to a specific towing vehicle.

(2) When transporting a wrecked, disabled, or abandoned vehicle, a towing vehicle and the towed vehicle in combination shall be considered a "non-divisible load or vehicle" that cannot be reasonably dismantled or conveniently transported otherwise.

(3) For the purposes of this rule:

(a) "Emergency towing movement" means the towing of a wrecked, disabled, or abandoned vehicle from a location within or adjacent to the traffic lanes or shoulders of a highway to the nearest exit or repair or terminal facility within one hundred (100) miles from the location of the wreck, disablement, or abandonment along the highway.

(b) "Secondary towing movement" means any towing movement other than an emergency towing movement.

(c) "Towing vehicle" means a vehicle used to tow wrecked, disabled, or abandoned vehicles. A truck tractor and trailer or semi-trailer vehicle combination used to haul loads shall not be considered a towing vehicle eligible to obtain a towing permit under this rule except on a limited basis as provided in Paragraphs (7), (8), and (10) of this rule below.

(4) A towing vehicle shall require a special permit to operate on the state highway system, including the interstate highway system, if the towing vehicle by itself exceeds any of the following size and weight limitations:

(a) A total gross vehicle weight that exceeds 80,000 pounds; or, if operating on the interstate highway system, the lesser of 80,000 pounds or the weight produced by application of the formula set forth in T.C.A. § 55-7-203;

(b) Any single axle weight that exceeds 20,000 pounds, or any tandem axle weight that exceeds 34,000 pounds;

(d) A height that exceeds thirteen feet six inches (13'6"); or

(e) A length that exceeds forty-five feet (45').

(5) Except as provided in Federal law, including 23 U.S.C. § 127, a towing vehicle shall require a special permit to operate on the state highway system, including the interstate highway system, when towing a wrecked, disabled, or abandoned vehicle, if the towing vehicle and towed vehicle together exceed any of the following size and weight limitations:

(b) Any single axle weight that exceeds 20,000 pounds, or any tandem axle weight that exceeds 34,000 pounds;

(d) A height that exceeds thirteen feet six inches (13'6"); or

(e) A length of the towed vehicle that exceeds fifty-two feet (52') from the point of attachment to the towing vehicle; provided, however, that this length limitation shall not apply if the towing vehicle is towing a wrecked, disabled, or abandoned vehicle from a location within or adjacent to the traffic lanes or shoulders of a highway to an exit or a repair or terminal facility within one hundred (100) miles of the point where the towed vehicle became wrecked, disabled, or abandoned, and the movement is authorized by the owner, terminal manager, owner's agent, or law enforcement official.

(6) The TDOT Permit Office may issue a single trip permit or an annual permit for the movement of a towing vehicle that by itself exceeds one or more of the limits described in Paragraph (4) of this rule, subject to the following conditions:

(a) The height of the towing vehicle shall not exceed thirteen feet six inches (13'6");

(b) The width of the towing vehicle shall not exceed nine feet (9');

(d) The maximum gross vehicle weight of the towing vehicle shall not exceed 85,000 pounds; and

(e) The total axle weight shall not exceed:

1. 23,000 pounds on any single axle;

2. 46,000 pounds on any tandem axle group; or

3. 60,000 pounds on any tridem axle group.

(7) The TDOT Permit Office may issue an annual permit for the movement of a towing vehicle and towed vehicle that in combination exceeds one or more of the limits described in Paragraph (5) of this rule, subject to the following conditions:

(a) The height of the towing vehicle and towed vehicle in combination shall not exceed thirteen feet ten inches (13'10");

(b) The width of the towing vehicle and towed vehicle in combination shall not exceed twelve feet six inches (12'6");

(c) The length of the towing vehicle and towed vehicle in combination shall not exceed ninety feet (90') if the towing movement is a secondary towing movement;

(d) The maximum gross vehicle weight of the towing vehicle and towed vehicle in combination shall not exceed 165,000 pounds; and

(e) The total axle weight shall not exceed:

1. 25,000 pounds on any single axle;

2. 50,000 pounds on any tandem axle group; or

3. 75,000 pounds on any tridem axle group.

(f) A person or entity holding a valid annual towing permit for a towing vehicle issued in accordance with this rule may also obtain an annual towing permit for a truck tractor and trailer or semi-trailer combination authorizing the permittee to haul wrecked, disabled, or abandoned vehicles, including emergency towing movements not subject to date and time restrictions under Rule 1680-07-01-.04; provided, however, that the towing permit for a truck tractor and trailer or semi-trailer combination shall remain subject to the general size and weight limits established in T.C.A. §§ 55-7-201, 55-7-202, and 55-7-203(b), or to whatever size and weight limits are available to that motor vehicle under a separate special permit issued in accordance with some other provision of these rules.

(g) The TDOT Permit Office shall issue a decal with each annual towing permit identifying the month and year in which the annual permit will expire. The permittee shall display this decal on the driver's side of the front windshield of the permitted vehicle.

(8) The TDOT Permit Office may issue a single trip permit for the movement of a towing vehicle and towed vehicle that in combination exceeds one or more of the limits described in Paragraph (5) of this rule, subject to the following conditions:

(a) The height of the towing vehicle and towed vehicle in combination shall not exceed fifteen feet (15');

(b) The width of the towing vehicle and towed vehicle in combination shall not exceed sixteen feet (16');

1. 25,000 pounds on any single axle;

2. 50,000 pounds on any tandem axle group; or

3. 75,000 pounds on any tridem axle group;

(d) Any movement of a towing vehicle and towed vehicle that in combination exceeds a total gross vehicle weight of 165,000 pounds must be approved by the TDOT Structures Division, subject to the fees for evaluation of bridges and other structures as provided in Rule 1680-07-01-.24, and special routing may be required before a special permit may be issued; and

(e) Any towing movement exceeding the dimensions allowed under an annual permit, as described in Paragraph (7) of this rule, shall be accompanied by an escort vehicle or vehicles in accordance with Rule 1680-07-01-.06 for overwidth movements, Rule 1680-07-01-.10 for overheight movements, and Rule 1680-07-01-.11 for overlength movements. For the purpose of complying with this escort vehicle requirement, the towing vehicle itself may substitute for a front escort vehicle so long as the towing vehicle is operating with flashing amber lights displayed to the front of the vehicle.

(f) A person or entity holding a valid annual towing permit for a towing vehicle issued in accordance with this rule may also obtain a single trip towing permit for a truck tractor and trailer or semi-trailer combination authorizing the permittee to haul wrecked, disabled, or abandoned vehicles, including emergency towing movements not subject to date and time restrictions under Rule 1680-07-01-.04; provided, however, that the towing permit for a truck tractor and trailer or semi-trailer combination shall remain subject to the general size and weight limits established in T.C.A. §§ 55-7-201, 55-7-202, and 55-7-203(b), or to whatever size and weight limits are available to that motor vehicle under a separate special permit issued in accordance with some other provision of these rules.

(9) No towing vehicle or combination of towing vehicle and towed vehicle shall be authorized to exceed any total gross vehicle weight limits or axle weight limits posted on any bridge or highway by the public official having jurisdiction over the bridge or highway.

(10)

(a) A towing vehicle with a current, valid single trip permit or annual permit issued under this rule may be authorized to undertake an emergency towing movement where the combination of the towing vehicle and towed vehicle exceeds the height, width, or weight limits under Paragraphs (7) or (8) of this rule if TDOT, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, or a local traffic law enforcement agency requests the assistance of the towing vehicle to remove a wrecked, disabled, or abandoned vehicle from the highway. In such case, the wrecked, disabled, or abandoned vehicle shall be towed only to the nearest rest area, weigh station, truck parking area, or other safe location away from the highway traffic lanes and shoulders as designated by the agency requesting the assistance. TDOT may require a bridge evaluation pursuant to T.C.A. § 55-7-205(h)(4) and Rule 1680-07-01-.24, and TDOT may impose route restrictions based on the condition of the roadway and bridges.

(b) A truck tractor and trailer or semi-trailer combination having a valid towing permit issued under Paragraph (7) or (8) of this rule may also be authorized to haul a wrecked, disabled, or abandoned vehicle where the combined load exceeds the size and weight limits established in T.C.A. §§ 55-7-201, 55-7-202, and 55-7-203(b) or the size and weight limits available to that motor vehicle under a separate special permit if TDOT, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, or local law enforcement requests the assistance of that permitted vehicle to remove a wrecked, disabled, or abandoned vehicle from the highway; provided, however, that the movement of the load to the identified safe location must be accompanied by a law enforcement escort. TDOT may require a bridge evaluation pursuant to T.C.A. § 55-7-205(h)(4) and Rule 1680-07-01-.24, and TDOT may impose route restrictions based on the condition of the roadway and bridges.

(11) The cost of a single trip permit for the movement of a towing vehicle, or for the movement of a towing vehicle and towed vehicle in combination, that exceeds any of the size or weight limits described in Paragraphs (4) and (5) of this rule shall be in accordance with Rule 1680-07-01-.24, Paragraphs (1) through (3) for each category of excess size or weight, except that the cost of the permit shall include an additional fee of twelve cents ($.12) per ton mile for all weight in excess of 165,000 pounds.

(12) The cost of an annual permit for the movement of a towing vehicle, or for the movement of a towing vehicle and towed vehicle in combination, that exceeds any of the size or weight limits described in Paragraphs (4) and (5) of this rule shall be $500.00. No annual permit shall be available for any towing movement exceeding any of the size or weight limits described in Paragraph (7) of this rule; provided, however, that a towing vehicle holding an annual permit may supplement that annual permit by obtaining a single trip permit allowing for the movement of additional excessive weight at the cost of $20.00 plus twelve cents ($.12) per ton mile for all weight in excess of 165,000 pounds together with the applicable charge for evaluating bridges and other structures as provided in Rule 1680-07-01-.24(4).

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-07-01-.19

Original rule filed July 1, 1982; effective August 2, 1982. Repeal and new rule filed October 31, 1985; effective November 30, 1985. Repeal and new rule filed June 19, 1991; effective August 3, 1991. Amendment filed August 29, 1996; effective December 27, 1996. Rule has been assigned a new control number from 1680-02-02-.19 filed and effective February 1, 2003. Repeal and new rule filed February 14, 2018; effective 5/15/2018.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 55-7-201 and 55-7-205.

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