Pole and utility vehicles/trailers – North Carolina

Vehicle combinations

Vehicle combinations transporting non-divisible poles and pipes during the day are allowed an overall length of more than 60 feet provided the trailer does not exceed 53 feet.

Self-propelled pole carrier

A utility pole carried by a self-propelled pole carrier may extend beyond the front overhang limit if:

• The pole cannot be dismembered;
• The pole is less than 80 feet in length and does not extend more than 10 feet beyond the front bumper of the vehicle; and
• It is daytime and the front of the extending load of poles is marked by a flag of the type required by N.C.G.S. § 20-117 for certain rear overhangs; or
• It is nighttime and the operation of the vehicle is required to make emergency repairs to utility service, and the front of the extending load of poles is marked by a light of the type required by N.C.G.S. § 20-117 for certain rear overhangs.

Light and reflectors

Pole trailers must have:

• On each side, one side marker lamp and one clearance lamp which may be in combination, to show to the front, side and rear; and
• On the rear of the pole trailer or load, two reflectors, one at each side.

Key definitions

“Pole trailers” are included in the definition of a trailer.

A “self-propelled pole carrier” is a vehicle designed to carry a pole on the side of the vehicle at a height of at least five feet when measured from the bottom of the brace used to carry the pole. A self-propelled pole carrier may not tow another vehicle when carrying a pole that extends beyond the front overhang limit.