Pole and utility vehicles/trailers – Arkansas

Length limitations – Nighttime vs. daytime

Length limitations do not apply to vehicles operated in the daytime when transporting poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature which cannot readily be dismembered.

In addition, the length limitations do not apply vehicles transporting objects operated at nighttime by a public utility, or its agent, or electric/telephone cooperatives, or their agents, when required for emergency repair of public facilities or properties or when operated under permit as provided by law.

Examples:

• If the load is flush or longer than the trailer (regardless of the length of trailer) the load is exempted from permit during daylight hours.
• If the load is shorter than the trailer and if the trailer is over 53 feet 6 inches, an oversize permit is required for the trailer.
• If the load is exempted from a permit, it is exempted from all requirements of an escort, etc.
• Poles, pipes, things of structural nature or machinery transported at night are treated as any other combination of permit load.

Permit exemption

A truck-tractor pole trailer combination with five axles (no more or less) is conditionally exempt from needing a permit if transporting logs from their first point of severance to the location where they first undergo preparation for processing, or processing is not required to have a permit if:

• The rear overhang is no more than 25 feet, measured from the center point between the two axles of the rear tandem axle group to the end of the logs extending furthermost from the rear of the pole trailer;
• The logs maintain a minimum clearance of two feet above the surface of the roadway;
• During daytime movement, one 18 inch red or fluorescent orange flag must be on each rear comer of the load; and
• During nighttime movement, one steady burning red lamp must be mounted on each rear comer of the load.