18.8.509 GENERAL PERMIT RESTRICTIONS

(1) Unless otherwise provided for in statute or in these rules, permits issued under 61-10-121 through 61-10-125, MCA, are subject to the following requirements.

(2) Alteration of any word or figure on the face of a permit will void the permit immediately and it will be subject to confiscation by the inspecting officer.

(3) A permit is not transferable upon change of ownership of a vehicle. If the owner of the vehicle for which a current permit has been issued replaces the vehicle, the department may transfer the permit to the new vehicle. A permit is transferable as provided in 61-10-121(1), MCA.

(4) The original or legible copy of a computer-generated term permit must be carried in the assigned vehicle, unless the vehicle is being operated on a telephonic permit. A term permit issued to a Montana implement dealer, or a term permit issued on financial stationery or a self-issuing prepaid term permit must be the original document and carried in the assigned vehicle.

(5) Resident implement dealers may purchase a term special permit for width, length, and height determined by the department, pursuant to the following criteria:

(a) two integrated implements of husbandry may be towed by truck or truck tractor;

(b) towing unit and driver must comply with safety requirements under 49 CFR 383, and 390 through 399;

(d) travel is restricted to daylight hours.

(6) Extreme caution in the operation of a motor vehicle shall be exercised when hazardous conditions such as those caused by snow, ice, sleet, fog, mist, rain, dust, or smoke adversely affect visibility or traction. Speed shall be reduced when such conditions exist. The driver of any vehicle equipped with vehicular hazard warning lights may activate such lights whenever necessary to warn the operators of following vehicles of the presence of a traffic hazard ahead of the signaling vehicle, or to warn the operators of other vehicles that the signaling vehicle may itself constitute a traffic hazard. When conditions become sufficiently dangerous, the company or the operator shall discontinue operations, and operations shall not be resumed until the vehicle can be safely operated. No travel is allowed when a route has been placed under severe driving conditions as determined by the Department of Transportation. The Department of Transportation road report is available between November 1 and May 1, 24 hours a day by calling 511 or (800) 226-7623 and on the Department of Transportation web site at www.mdt511.com.

(7) If any oversize or overweight movement by the permittee constitutes a hazard or is involved in an accident upon any highway in the state of Montana, such permittee shall be subject to additional restrictions at the discretion of the administrator of the M.C.S. Division for special permits for future use of the highways.

(8) Convoys will not be allowed unless otherwise specified in these rules.

(9) All vehicles shall comply with Montana licensing requirements.

(10) The total responsibility for protection of the public using the highway shall be assumed by the permittee.

(11) Vehicles operating under special permit are restricted to the posted speed limit unless a lower speed is required as a condition of the permit.

(12) Unless otherwise specified in statute or in these rules, the following travel restrictions apply to vehicles operating under special permits:

(a) continuous travel is allowed for vehicles or vehicle combinations with load to and including 10 feet wide, or 110 feet long, or 14 feet 6 inches high;

(b) vehicles traveling at night must be equipped with lights the full width and length of the vehicle and load which are visible for not less than 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night;

(i) a single vehicle exceeding 55 feet in length;

(ii) vehicles or vehicle combinations with load over 10 feet wide to and including 18 feet wide, over 110 feet long to and including 120 feet long, or over 14 feet 6 inches high to and including 18 feet high;

(iii) no travel on holidays, holiday weekends and "red routes" from 3 p.m. Friday until sunrise Saturday and from 12 noon Sunday until sunrise Monday;

(d) travel is allowed during daylight hours, five days a week for the following vehicles and vehicle combinations:

(i) vehicles or vehicle combinations with load exceeding 18 feet wide, or 120 feet long, or 18 feet high;

(ii) no travel on Saturday, Sunday, holidays and holiday weekends, and "red routes" from 3 p.m. Friday until sunrise Monday.

(13) The Motor Carrier Services Division administrator or its designee mayissue special permits for travel at night, on Saturdays and Sundays, and on holidays in the interests of safety or to minimize disruptions to the traveling public.

History: 61-10-129, 61-10-155, MCA; IMP, 61-10-121, 61-10-122, 61-10-123, 61-10-124, 61-10-125, MCA; Eff. 12/31/72; AMD, Eff. 9/5/74; AMD, Eff. 11/4/74; AMD, 1979 MAR p. 322, Eff. 4/2/79; AMD, 1988 MAR p. 1704, Eff. 7/29/88; AMD, 1991 MAR p. 2219, Eff. 11/15/91; AMD, 1994 MAR p. 1148, Eff. 4/29/94; AMD, 1996 MAR p. 2980, Eff. 7/19/96; AMD, 1997 MAR p. 546, Eff. 3/25/97; AMD, 1998 MAR p. 171, Eff. 1/16/98; AMD, 2000 MAR p. 1075, Eff. 4/28/00; AMD, 2004 MAR p. 2392, Eff. 10/8/04; AMD, 2012 MAR p. 1350, Eff. 7/13/12.