Pole and Utility Vehicles/Trailers – State Comparison

Alabama

Loads of poles and logs are exempt from size and weight limitations.

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Alaska

N/A

The requirement that a drawbar or other connection may not exceed 15 feet in length from one vehicle to another does not apply when the connection is between two vehicles, one or both of which is transporting poles or pipes.

The requirement that a drawbar or other connecting device must connect a towed vehicle to track within six inches of the immediately preceding vehicle to which it is connected does not apply to a pole trailer.

Pole trailers must be equipped with:

• One yellow side marker light on each side at or near the front of the load;
• One yellow reflector at or near the front of the load;
• On the side at the rear of the pole trailer at the rearmost support for the load, one combination marker light showing yellow to the front and red to the rear and side, mounted to indicate maximum width of the pole trailer; and
• Two red reflectors mounted on the rear, one on each side of the bolster or load.

N/A

N/A

Arizona

The general front and rear length limitations do not apply to a load on a pole trailer when transporting poles or pipes, except that a pole or pipe exceeding 80 feet long must not be transported unless a permit has been obtained. 

N/A

A pole trailer with a gross weight of more than 3,000 pounds must have:

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

• On the rear, two reflectors, one on each side; and
• Two stoplights on a trailer or semitrailer if it is loaded in a manner or is of a dimension as to obscure the stoplight on the towing vehicle.

N/A

A special permit may be issued for a vehicle, a combination of vehicles, or vehicle and load combination transporting a non-reducible load of poles or pipes with a length of over 80 feet. 

Arkansas

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.

N/A

N/A

The length limitations do not apply vehicles transporting objects 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.

Permit rules:

• 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.

• 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.

California

Unless a commodity can be transported within limits specified in the vehicle code, poles, timbers, pipes, integral structural materials, or single unit component parts may be transported if not exceeding 80 feet in length on:

• A pole or pipe dolly or other lawful trailer connected to a motor vehicle;
• A semitrailer; or
• A semitrailer and a pole or pipe dolly in connection with a truck tractor to haul flexible integral structural material.

N/A

Pole or pipe dollies, or logging dollies, that are 80 inches or more in overall width and not equipped as required by Cal Veh. Code § 25100(a), must be equipped during darkness with at least one combination clearance and side-marker lamp on each side showing red to the front, side, and rear.

The limitations as to the length of vehicles and loads do not apply when poles and the tools and materials incidental to the work to be performed are transported on a pole or pipe dolly or otherwise lawful semitrailer used as a pole or pipe dolly, transporting not more than three poles no more than 80 feet in length between a storage yard and job location where such tools and materials are to be used, by:

• A public utility company;
• Local public agencies engaged in the business of supplying electricity or telephone service;
• The DOT; or
• A licensed contractor in the performance of work for a utility, the department, or a local public agency.

N/A

Colorado

N/A

The requirement that when one vehicle is towing another, the drawbar or other connection must be of sufficient strength to pull all weight towed, and the drawbar or other connection must not exceed 15 feet from one vehicle to the other, does not apply to:

• The connection between any two vehicles transporting poles or pipe which cannot be readily dismembered; or
• When the connections between vehicles are of rigid construction and are included as part of the structural design of the towed vehicle and the overall combined length of the vehicles and the connection does not exceed 55 feet.

N/A

N/A

N/A

Connecticut

A combination of truck and trailer longer than 65 feet may not be operated on any highway or bridge without a special permit specifying the operating conditions, except when a combination of truck and trailer or tractor and semitrailer is loaded with utility poles, both the trailer and semitrailer may have:

• A maximum length of 48 feet,
• Utility poles a maximum length of 50 feet, and
• An overall length not exceeding 80 feet.

N/A

Pole trailers 30 feet or more in overall length must have:

• On each side, one amber side marker lamp and one amber reflector,
• Centrally located with respect to the length of the vehicle.

• On each side, one amber marker lamp at or near the front of the load;
• One amber reflector at or near the front of the load; and
• On the rearmost support for the load, one combination marker lamp showing amber to the front and red to the rear and side, mounted to indicate maximum width of the pole trailer.

N/A

N/A

Delaware

Piling and pole trailers and vehicles or combinations of vehicles engaged in the transportation of steel beams, pipes, angles, channels and other lengths of steel, or other metals, or other articles impossible of dismemberment, may not:

• Exceed 70 feet in length; or
• Extend more than 10 feet beyond the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle.

N/A

The rules applicable to lamps or flags on projecting loads do not apply to any vehicle or combination of vehicles carrying piling, poles, or mill logs.

N/A

The permit allowing for movement of pole, piling, and mill stock:

• Is a multi-trip permit;
• Is valid for an individual tractor only; and
• May be used Monday through Sunday sunrise to sunset during the effective dates of the permit.

District of Columbia

The limitations on length of vehicles and loads do not apply to any load upon a:

• Pole-trailer operating in the daytime when transporting poles, pipes, or structural materials which cannot be dismembered; nor
• To vehicles transporting objects at night when required for emergency repair of public utility or public service facilities.

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Florida

The vehicle length limitations do not apply when transporting poles during nighttime and when the vehicle and load do not exceed 120 feet in overall length. The transporting vehicle must be:

• Equipped with a working warning light device, and
• Accompanied by one leading and one trailing company-provided flasher-equipped escort vehicle.

• A maximum of 6-foot intervals mounted along the pole or trailer extending the length of the trailer, and
• 36-inch intervals along the pole extending beyond the rear of the trailer.

• Such equipment, when in the travel position, is supported in such a manner that it has a minimum of 80 inches clearance above the roadway;
• Such equipment is illuminated on the forwardmost sides with high visibility reflective tape;
• The respective daytime and nighttime requirements for operation are otherwise met;
• Nighttime emergency or required maintenance operation of such utility vehicles with overall lengths more than 50 feet are led by a company-provided flasher-equipped escort vehicle; and
• Trailers are not pulled by utility vehicles over 50 feet in length.

N/A

See warning light and reflective tape requirements provided above.

The vehicle length limitations do not apply to utility vehicles owned or operated by governmental entities or public utility corporations when transporting poles during daytime, except on weekends and holidays and when the vehicle and load do not exceed 120 feet in overall length, provided proper flags are located at the rearmost end of the load.

However, such vehicle movements with an overall length more than 75 feet must be:

• Equipped with a working warning light device; and
• Accompanied by a company-provided flasher-equipped escort vehicle when making turns within corporate city limits.

N/A

Georgia

N/A

N/A

Any motor vehicle or trailer transporting a load of logs, long pulpwood, poles, or posts which extend more than four feet beyond the rear of the body or bed must have securely affixed as close as practical to the end of any such projection one amber strobe type lamp equipped with a multidirectional type lens mounted to be visible from the rear and both sides of the projecting load.

If the mounting of one strobe lamp cannot be accomplished so that it is visible from the rear and both sides of the projecting load, multiple strobe lights must be utilized to meet these visibility requirements.

In lieu of the strobe type lamp or lamps, one light-emitting diode (LED) light equipped with a multidirectional type of lens, must be mounted to be visible from the rear and from both sides of the projecting load.

If the mounting of one LED light cannot be accomplished so that it is visible from the rear and from both sides of the projecting load, multiple LED lights must be utilized to meet these visibility requirements.

Flags must be located to indicate the maximum width of loads which extend beyond the rear of the vehicle. There must be a single flag at the extreme rear of the projecting load if the projecting load is two feet wide or less. Two such warning flags are required if the projecting load is wider than two feet.

N/A

N/A

Hawaii

The limitations on vehicle length do not apply to vehicles transporting pipe, poles, timbers, reinforcing steel, structural steel, or other objects of a structural nature that cannot be readily dismembered. 

N/A

When transported by night every vehicle must be equipped with enough clearance lamps upon the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.

For public utilities maintenance and service vehicles, the total combined length of the public utility maintenance and service vehicle must not exceed 65 feet in length.

N/A

Idaho

The length of a truck tractor with stinger-steered pole trailer or log dolly, connected by a reach or pole, or a combination used for transporting long loads such as poles, pipes, logs or structural members generally capable of sustaining themselves as beams between supporting bunks or connections must not exceed 75 feet.

N/A

On every pole trailer more than 3,000 pounds gross weight, there must be:

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

• On the rear, two reflectors, one on each side; and
• On the front, two reflectors, one on each side.

N/A

N/A

Illinois

Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature that cannot readily be dismantled or disassembled are exempt from length limitations, provided that:

• No object may exceed 80 feet in length, and
• The overall dimension of the vehicle including the load may not exceed 100 feet.

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Indiana

A combination of two vehicles coupled together, including load, may not exceed a total length of 60 feet.

N/A

N/A

The length limitation of 60 feet for a combination of two vehicles coupled together (including load) does not apply to a pole trailer owned by or operated for a public utility, while the pole trailer is being used in connection with the utility services.

N/A

Iowa

Vehicles operated during daylight hours transporting poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature, which cannot be readily disassembled, when required for emergency repair of public service facilities or properties, are not subject to the limitations on overall length of vehicles and combinations of vehicles.

When one vehicle is towing another, the drawbar or other connection must not exceed 15 feet from one vehicle to the other except the connection between any two vehicles transporting poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of structural nature which cannot readily be dismembered.

Non-reducible truck-trailer combinations are allowed tow bars up to 21 feet. Reflector and sign rules apply.

The night operation of these vehicles requires the load to be clearly marked with:

• Sufficient clearance lamps on both sides, and
• Marker lamps at the extreme ends of the projecting load.

N/A

N/A

Kansas

The limitations governing maximum length of a semitrailer or trailer do not apply to vehicles operating in the daytime when transporting poles, pipe, machinery or other objects of a structural nature which cannot readily be dismembered.

N/A

Trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers 30 feet or more in overall length must have:

• On each side, one amber side marker lamp, and
• One amber reflector, centrally located with respect to the length of the vehicle.

• On each side, one amber marker lamp at or near the front of the load;
• One amber reflector at or near the front of the load; and
• On the rearmost support for the load, one combination marker lamp showing amber to the front and red to the rear and side, mounted to indicate maximum width of the pole trailer.

N/A

It is unlawful to operate any such vehicle or combination of vehicles which exceeds a total length of 85 feet unless a special permit for operation has been issued. 

Kentucky

N/A

N/A

Pole trailers and trailer converter dollies must meet the federal requirements at 49 CFR 393.11 for lamps, reflective devices, and electrical equipment in effect at the time of manufacture.

N/A

N/A

Louisiana

The load carried by a combination of vehicles transporting timber poles, piling, or forest products in their natural or treated state must:

• Not exceed 65 feet plus one-foot additional tolerance in length;
• Operate only during daylight hours; and
• Display a red flag or cloth not less than one foot square at the rear of the load.

The load upon the rear vehicle of a combination of vehicles transporting poles and piling:

• Must not project more than 15 feet beyond the rear of the bed or rear tire of the vehicle, whichever is further from the cab; and
• Maintain a two-foot clearance above the pavement.

• Must not project more than 20 feet beyond the rear of the bed or rear tire of said vehicle, whichever is further from the cab; and
• Maintain a two-foot clearance above the pavement.

• Operate only during daylight hours;
• Display a red flag or cloth not less than one foot square at the rear of its projected load; and
• Be equipped with stationary vertical retaining poles on the driver’s side of the trailer portion.

The drawbar or connection between two vehicles, when one is towing another, may exceed the 15-foot drawbar rule when the vehicles are transporting poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature which cannot be readily dismembered.

Trailers, semi-trailers and pole trailers 30 feet or more in length must have, centrally located with respect to the length of the trailer, on each side:

• One amber side marker lamp; and
• One amber reflector.

All vehicles or combinations of vehicles utilizing a balance type utility trailer or a fifth-wheel type utility trailer engaged in the transportation of utility poles are:

• Deemed to have a special permit by operation of law and may use the public highways for the transportation of utility poles by a utility to provide service to the area it serves;
• Subject to the restriction that no load may extend more than 35 feet past the rear of the vehicle or combination of vehicles; and
• The load must maintain a minimum clearance of one and one-half feet above the ground.

Utility vehicle permits are for vehicles transporting utility poles which exceed the legal limitations on length and projecting loads. These permits:

• Allow a maximum length of 90 feet if the poles are at least two feet above the roadway;
• They may be purchased only by utility companies but may be used by contractors working for these companies;
• Are valid for 24 hours from the effective date and time of day shown on the permit;
• DO NOT prohibit traveling at night, during severe weather, on Sundays after 1 p.m., or on holidays.

Maine

N/A

N/A

N/A

The requirement that a person obtain a permit before moving a vehicle or other object that exceeds the statutory length limitations does not apply to the transportation of utility poles by a tractor and semitrailer, without regard to overall length, if the utility poles are moved by a utility company or the utility company’s contractor from a staging area to the final point of installation.

N/A

Maryland

The length and load limits do not apply to a vehicle or combination of vehicles carrying poles, pilings, and logs that do not exceed 75 feet in length. 

Rear overhang limits do not apply to:

• Any vehicle carrying poles, piling, or mill logs; and
• Any combination of vehicles carrying poles, piling, or mill logs that do not exceed 75 feet in length.

Pole trailers greater than or equal to 30 feet in length must have on each side, centrally located:

• One amber side marker lamp, and
• One amber reflector.

• On each side, one amber side marker lamp at or near the front of the load;
• One amber reflector at or near the front of the load; and
• On the rearmost support for the load, one combination marker lamp showing amber to the front and red to the rear and side, mounted to indicate maximum width of the pole trailer.

N/A

N/A

Massachusetts

Notwithstanding the statutory length limits on motor vehicles, trucks and trailers, the combined overall length of a “pole dolly” or “pole dickey” and the load carried may, while being used for the transportation of pole or single units of lumber or metal, exceed 48 feet, but:

• The overall length when considered in combination with the motor vehicle accompanying it must not exceed 65 feet; or
• In the case of an electric company, or a telephone company, it must not exceed 75 feet, without a special permit.

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Michigan

A person may operate:

• A truck and semitrailer, or trailer designed and used to transport saw logs, pulpwood, and tree length poles that does not exceed an overall length of 70 feet; or
• A crib vehicle and semitrailer or trailer designed and used to transport saw logs that does not exceed an overall length of 75 feet. 

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Minnesota

Vehicle length limits do not apply when vehicle combinations transport:

• Telephone poles, electric light and power poles, piling, or pole-length pulpwood; or
• Pipe or other objects by a public utility when required for emergency or repair of public service facilities or when operated under special permits.

The connection between any two vehicles transporting poles, pipe, machinery or other objects of structural nature which cannot readily be dismembered are exempt from the 15-foot tow-bar requirement.

Combinations of vehicles must be equipped with sufficient clearance markers, or lamps for night transportation, on both sides and upon the extreme ends of a projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.

N/A

N/A

Mississippi

The load upon the rear vehicle of a combination of vehicles transporting forest or agricultural products in their natural state must not project more than 28 feet beyond the rear axle of the vehicle.

If projecting more than 28 feet beyond the rear axle and, due to the end use for which they are intended (such as tall utility poles or light poles or the like), then this special circumstance may be considered good cause for obtaining a permit before operation.

Any vehicle transporting projecting loads that extend four feet or more beyond the rear or body of the vehicle must operate during daylight or nighttime hours.

The requirement that every trailer towed a public highway at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour must be coupled to the towing vehicle by means of a safety chain, chains, cables, or equivalent device in addition to the regular hitch or coupling does not apply to a pole, pipe, casing, long or piling dolly.

The connection between any two vehicles transporting poles, pipe, machinery or other objects of a structural nature which cannot be readily dismembers are exempt from the 15-foot tow-bar rule.

Despite the length exception for vehicle operated at night by public utilities, every vehicle and its load must be equipped with enough clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps upon the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of such load.

The vehicle length limitations do not apply to vehicles operated at nighttime by a public utility transporting poles, pipes, machinery or other objects of a structural nature which cannot readily be dismembered when required for emergency repair of public service facilities or properties.

N/A

Missouri

N/A

N/A

N/A

Blanket overlength permits not exceeding 150 feet, zero inches in length may be issued for the transport of poles or pipe for minor construction, reconstruction, replacements, or emergency repairs to a public utility, a public agency, or their contractor.

These permits must be issued for each power unit (truck-tractor or derrick truck) to travel from the nearest available pole or pipe storage yard.

Railroad derailments and other civil or natural disasters may create the need for emergency movement by oversize/overweight vehicles. The Missouri DOT will also issue emergency utility response permits for the transporting of utility wires or cables, poles, and equipment needed for repair work immediately following a disaster where utility service has been disrupted; except for and excluding super heavy and large load movements.

Montana

A pole trailer or semitrailer combination hauling raw logs may not exceed 75 feet in overall length. The semitrailer combination:

• Does not require a trip permit unless greater than 75 feet in length.
• Is allowed an overhang of not more than 15 feet for any log, measured from the center of the rear axle (except by special single-trip permit).

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Nebraska

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Nevada

N/A

N/A

Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer 80 inches or more in overall width or 30 feet or more in overall length manufactured after January 1, 1970, must be equipped with hazard warning lamps (visible from not less than 500 feet in normal sunlight) meeting the following requirements:

Front lamps:

• Mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and
• Displaying simultaneously flashing white or amber lights, or any shade of color between white and amber.

• Mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and
• Showing simultaneously flashing amber or red lights, or any shade of color between amber and red.

On every pole trailer, there must be:

• On each side, one amber side marker lamp at or near the front of the load;
• On each side, one amber reflector at or near the front of the load; and
• On the rearmost part of the load or the rearmost support for the load, one combination marker lamp showing amber to the front and red to the rear and side, mounted to indicate the maximum width of the pole trailer.

The length or vehicle restrictions do not apply to vehicles used by a public utility for the transportation of poles. 

N/A

New Hampshire

A vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting a non-divisible load of poles, logs, or timbers is exempt from the statutory length limit if any overhang does not interfere with steering the vehicle.

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

New Jersey

When transporting poles, pilings, structural units or other articles which cannot be dismembered, dismantled or divided, the overall length of a vehicle, including load, must not exceed 50 feet.

The overall length of a motor-drawn vehicle must not exceed 63 feet when transporting poles, pilings, structural units or other articles that cannot be dismembered, dismantled or divided.

N/A

Every pole trailer must be equipped on the rear, on each side, and on the rearmost support for the load with certain lamps, signals, and reflectors.

The lighting and reflector rules do not apply to a single axle, skeleton frame trailer, not exceeding 2,500 pounds net weight and not exceeding 80 inches in over-all width which is designed to transport poles and is owned by a public utility. However, these public utility vehicles must have:

On the rear:

• Two tail lamps, one at each side;
• Stop lamps, one at each side;
• Two turn signals, one at each side;
• Two reflectors, one at each side on each side.

N/A

New Mexico

N/A

N/A

Every pole trailer must be equipped with tail lamps and side reflectors on the rear and on each side at the rearmost support for the load. And on pole trailers greater than or equal to 30 feet in overall length, an amber marker lamp on each side near the center.

N/A

N/A

New York

The statutory provision limiting the total length of a combination of vehicles, inclusive of load and bumpers, to be not more than 65 feet, does not apply to vehicles hauling poles, girders, columns, or other similar objects of great length provided that the vehicle complies with the safety requirements of federal and state laws pertaining to overlength vehicles.

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

North Carolina

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. 

A utility pole carried by a self-propelled pole carrier may extend beyond the front overhang limit under certain specific circumstances.

N/A

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.

N/A

N/A

North Dakota

Whenever any pole trailer 80 inches or more in overall width or 30 feet or more in overall length is stopped upon a roadway or adjacent shoulder, the driver must immediately actuate vehicular hazard warning signal lamps.

N/A

Every pole trailer must be equipped with at least one taillamp mounted on the rear, which must emit a red light plainly visible from 1,000 feet to the rear.

Every pole trailer 80 inches or more in overall width or 30 feet or more in overall length must be equipped with front and rear warning lamps. All these warning lights must be visible from not less than 500 feet in normal sunlight.

N/A

N/A

Ohio

Highway load limits do not apply to vehicles and pole trailers used in the transportation of wooden and metal poles, nor to the transportation of pipes or well-drilling equipment.

N/A

Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer must be equipped with two or more stop lamps. 

Every pole trailer must carry on the rear, either as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two or more red reflectors constructed and installed to provide adequate and reliable illumination.

Pole trailers must have on each side:

• One amber side marker lamp and one amber reflector, centrally located with respect to the length of the vehicle;
• One amber side marker lamp at or near the front of the load; and
• One amber reflector at or near the front of the load.

N/A

N/A

Oklahoma

Pole trailers 80 inches or more in overall width are exempt from the ordinary rules for clearance lamps, side markers, and reflectors.

N/A

Every pole trailer must be equipped:

• On each side, with one red or amber side marker lamp and one amber 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, with two red reflex reflectors, one at each side located at the same level and as widely spaced laterally and as near the top as practicable, but not less than 15 inches above the surface of the road.

Poles and gas lines used to maintain public utility services, but not new construction, may be moved during daylight hours, and during nighttime hours only in an “emergency”, when the overall length does not exceed 80 feet. If more than 80 feet in length, these loads are subject to the permit requirements.

The DOT may issue an annual fleet permit to an electric utility, regulated by the Corporation Commission or a rural electric cooperative solely for the movement of poles. An annual fleet permit may be used by any vehicle in the fleet provided that a certified copy of the permit is carried in the vehicle. Oversize loads operating under an annual permit must not exceed:

• 12 feet in width,
• 14 feet in height, and
• 55 feet in length.

Oregon

N/A

N/A

N/A

Public utilities, telecommunications utilities, people's utilities districts and cooperative rural electrification districts or common or contract carriers when acting as agent for the purpose of transporting and hauling poles, piling or structures may use and operate any combination of vehicles having an overall length including load which is not in excess of 80 feet unless an emergency exists.

Specific rules govern the application process and issuance of permits by the DOT for the movement of vehicles transporting logs, poles, piling and structural members which, when loaded, have overall lengths more than those permitted.

Pennsylvania

A pole trailer, even though its body has a rear end clearance of more than 30 inches from the ground when empty, need not be equipped with a rear bumper or rear end protection device. 

N/A

The rules applicable to lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment do not apply to pole trailers and trailer converter dollies.

N/A

N/A

Rhode Island

Pole trailers are excepted from the rules governing the maximum number and length of coupled vehicles.

The limitations as to the length of vehicles and loads do not apply to any load upon a pole trailer when transporting poles or pipes or structural material that cannot be dismembered, provided that a permit has first been obtained.

When one vehicle is towing another, the drawbar or other connection must be of sufficient strength to pull all weight towed and the drawbar or other connection must not exceed 15 feet from one vehicle to the other except the connection between any two vehicles transporting poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of structural nature which cannot readily be dismembered.

N/A

N/A

N/A

South Carolina

The limitations regarding length of vehicles and loads do not apply to a load upon a pole trailer, longwood trailer, or self-propelled pole carrier when:

• Transporting poles or logs.
• During daylight hours only, when transporting pipes or structural material which cannot be dismembered.

N/A

N/A

The length of load provisions do not apply to a pole trailer or self-propelled pole carrier operated by a utility company when transporting a pole to replace a damaged one.

A pole, log, pipe, or other material exceeding 80 feet in length may not be transported unless a permit has been first obtained.

South Dakota

N/A

The requirement that every trailer towed on the public highways at a speed more than 20 mph must be coupled to the towing vehicle by means of a safety chain, chains, cables, or equivalent devices in addition to the regular trailer hitch or coupling, does not apply to a pole, pipe, casing, log, or piling dolly.

Except for a vehicle equipped with a slow-moving vehicle emblem, each pole trailer must be equipped with at least two stop lamps. However, each pole trailer manufactured and assembled before July 1, 1973, must be equipped with at least one stop lamp. Every pole trailer having a width at any part more than 80 inches must be equipped with four clearance lamps.

Under a electric utility permit, a vehicle transporting poles extending more than 4 feet beyond the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle's trailer:

• During daylight hours, must meet the flagging requirements.
• During nighttime hours, must have taillights, clearance lights, and side marker lights in addition to the required vehicle and trailer lights.
• The additional lights must be attached to the poles.

An annual vehicle permit may be issued to an electric utility company for the movement on state trunk highways of an overlength vehicle hauling utility poles.

The annual vehicle permit to an electric utility company allows:

• Poles up to 85 feet long on straight truck-trailer combination or a semi tractor-trailer combination.
• Poles over 85 feet long must have a single-trip permit.

• The trailer's wheelbase does not exceed 43 feet; and
• The trailer's overhang does not exceed 75 percent of the trailer's wheelbase.

Tennessee

The vehicle length limitations do not apply to loads of poles, logs, or timber in single length pieces, provided that the vehicle, including any part of the load, is no more than 75 feet in length, unless a permit has been obtained.

N/A

There must be attached to the rearmost extremity of any load carried on a pole trailer that projects four feet or more beyond the rear of the body or the rearmost extremity of the load:

• From 1/2 hour before sunset to 1/2 hour after sunrise and at all other times when lights must be displayed, at least one red lamp visible from 500 feet to the sides and rear.
• At all other times, one red flag of at least 18 inches square.

• One amber strobe light or one amber LED light, and
• Meet all flag requirements.

N/A

Annual no fee permits are available for electric service companies, telephone companies, and their contractors.

Texas

A vehicle or combination of vehicles (not a truck-tractor or truck tractor combination) used exclusively to transport:

• Poles or pipe, may be operated if not longer than 65 feet, including the load.
• Poles, piling, or unrefined timber from the forest to a wood processing mill may be operated if not longer than 90 feet, including the load, and if the distance from the forest to the mill does not exceed 125 miles.
• Poles required for the maintenance of electric power line, may be operated if not longer than 75 feet, including the load, and the operator pays to the department $120 each calendar year. 

A drawbar or other connection may not exceed 15 feet between the vehicles except for a connection between two vehicles transporting poles, pipe, or other objects of structural nature that cannot be readily dismembered. 

A pole trailer must have:

• Two side marker lamps, one on each side at or near the front of the load;
• One reflector at or near the front of the load;
• One combination marker lamp that emits an amber light to the front and a red light to the rear and side; and
• Hazard lamps if the pole trailer is at least 30 feet long or at least 80 inches wide.

N/A

A permitted vehicle transporting utility poles will be allowed emergency nighttime movement to restore electrical utility service, if the vehicle is accompanied by a rear escort flag vehicle.

Utah

N/A

The drawbar or other connection between any two vehicles may not exceed 15 feet in length, except in the case of a connection between and two vehicles transporting poles, pipe, machinery, or structural material that cannot be dismembered when transported upon a pole trailer. 

A pole trailer must be equipped with hazard warning lights if it is 80 inches or more in overall width or 30 feet or more in overall length. And when stopped on a roadway or adjacent shoulder, the operator must immediately actuate the vehicular hazard warning signal lamps. 

N/A

N/A

Vermont

The vehicle length limitations do not prevent the operation of so-called pole dinkeys or pole semitrailers when being used to support the ends of poles, timbers, pipes, or structural members, the overall length of which may exceed 75 feet under special permission from the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

N/A

Every pole trailer must be equipped with at least two taillamps mounted on the rear, except that one taillamp will be allowed on any vehicle equipped with only one when it was manufactured.

N/A

N/A

Virginia

Generally, no vehicle may carry any load extending more than 3 feet beyond the front of such vehicle. However, any utility pole carried by a self-propelled pole carrier may extend beyond the front overhang limit, if the pole:

• Is no more than 55 feet in length;
• Cannot be dismembered;
• Does not extend more than 10 feet beyond the front bumper of the vehicle: and
• If between sunrise and sunset: (1) the front of the pole is marked by a flag of the type required on the rear of certain loads; or (2) operation of the vehicle is required to make emergency repairs to utility service; and the front of the pole is marked by a light of the type required on the rear of certain loads.

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Washington

The general length limitations of 75 feet does not apply to vehicles transporting poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature that cannot be dismembered and operated by a public utility when required for emergency repair of public service facilities or properties.

N/A

For night transportation every such vehicle and load must be equipped with enough clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps upon the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.

Pole trailers 30 feet or more in overall length must have, on each side, one amber side marker lamp and one amber reflector, centrally located with respect to the length of the vehicle.

After June 1, 1978, every pole trailer 80 inches or more in overall width or 30 feet or more in overall length must be equipped with hazard warning lamps.

N/A

A log truck with pole trailer hauling a single load of nondivisible poles, where the log truck is supporting a proportionate share of the load, must be permitted for overlength based on load length, like a truck tractor semi-trailer configuration.

An overlength permit may be issued to a log truck pulling a pole-trailer, trailer combination, carrying two distinct and separate loads (divisible loads), as if it was a truck-tractor pulling a set of double trailers.

West Virginia

A combination of vehicles coupled together may not consist of more than two units and no combination of vehicles including any load may have an overall length, including front and rear bumpers, over 55 feet except as otherwise provided in respect to the use of a pole trailer.

The limitations as to length of vehicles and loads do not apply to any load upon a pole trailer when transporting poles or pipes or structural material which cannot be dismembered.

N/A

N/A

N/A

No pole or pipe or other material exceeding 80 feet in length may be transported unless a permit has first been obtained.

Wisconsin

Vehicles used by a pipeline company or operator, public service corporation, municipal utility, or cooperative association, or by a motor carrier operating under contract with any of these entities, for the transportation of poles, pipe, girders and similar materials, may be operated without a permit for excessive length if the overall length does not exceed 60 feet for a single vehicle and 120 feet for a 2-vehicle combination.

Any such vehicle or vehicle combination may also carry a load extending not more than 10 feet beyond the front bumper of the vehicle or foremost vehicle in the vehicle combination.

N/A

N/A

N/A

See permit discussion above.

Wyoming

Permits are required for vehicles and loads exceeding 102 inches in width, 14 feet in height, and:

• 60 feet in length for single units or semi-trailers in a truck-trailer and semi-trailer combination; or
• 81 feet for a semi-trailer, trailer, or double semi-trailer combined length in a truck-tractor and semi-trailer, trailer, or double semi-trailer combination, including the mechanism.

N/A

A pole trailer being drawn at the end of a combination of vehicles, must be equipped with at least two regulatory compliant tail lamps mounted on the rear.

After January 1, 1986, every pole trailer 80 inches or more in over-all width or 30 feet or more in over-all length must be equipped with regulatory compliant lamps.

N/A

See permit discussion above.