Pole and utility vehicles/trailers – Texas

Length limit

A vehicle or combination of vehicles exclusively for the transportation of poles or pipe may be operated if not longer than 65 feet, including the load. This rule is not applicable to a truck-tractor or truck-tractor combination.

Drawbars and trailer hitches

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.

Lamps and reflectors

In addition to other equipment requirements, 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 is mounted on the rearmost support for the load to indicate the maximum width of the trailer; and
• Hazard lamps that meet the requirements of Tex. Transp. Code § 547.332, if the pole trailer is at least 30 feet long or at least 80 inches wide.

Length limitation exception (forest to mill)

A vehicle or combination of vehicles used exclusively for transporting poles, piling, or unrefined timber from the forest to a wood processing mill if:

• Not longer than 90 feet, including the load; and
• The distance from the forest to the mill does not exceed 125 miles.

This exception does not apply to a truck-tractor or truck-tractor combination.

Exception (length of electrical power poles)

A vehicle or combination of vehicles (not a truck-tractor or truck-tractor combination) used exclusively to transport poles required for the maintenance of electric power lines may be operated if: (1) not longer than 75 feet, including the load; and (2) the operator pays to the department $120 each calendar year. 

Display of hazard warning lamps

A pole trailer at least 80 inches wide or 30 feet long that is stopped on a roadway or shoulder must immediately display vehicular hazard warning lamps that comply with Tex. Transp. Code § 547.331, unless:

• Parked lawfully in an urban district;
• Stopped lawfully to receive a discharge or passenger;
• Stopped to avoid conflict with other traffic;
• Stopped to comply with a police officer to traffic-control device; or
• Displays other warning devices required by Tex. Transp. Code §§ 547.504 to 547.507.

Time permits

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.

Annual permits for power line poles

An annual permit will be issued for the movement of poles needed for the maintenance of electric power transmission and distribution lines. The maximum length of the permitted vehicle may not exceed 75 feet. 

Key definitions

"Pole trailer" means a vehicle without motive power: (1) designed to be drawn by another vehicle and secured to the other vehicle by pole, reach, boom, or other security device; and (2) ordinarily used to transport a long or irregularly shaped load, including poles, pipes, or structural members, generally capable of sustaining themselves as beams between the supporting connections.