H.B. 218 Enrolled

OVER WEIGHT VEHICLE AMENDMENTS
2002 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Thomas V. Hatch
This act modifies the Transportation Code by amending the exceptions to maximum vehicle
size, weight, and load limitations for certain highways if authorized by a highway authority.
This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
AMENDS:
72-7-401, as last amended by Chapter 21, Laws of Utah 1999
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 72-7-401 is amended to read:
72-7-401. Application of size, weight, and load limitations for vehicles -- Exceptions.
(1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2), the maximum size, weight, and load
limitations on vehicles under this part apply to all highways throughout the state.
(b) Local authorities may not alter the limitations except as expressly provided under
Sections 41-6-17 and 72-7-408 .
(2) Except as specifically made applicable, the size, weight, and load limitations in this
chapter do not apply to:
(a) fire-fighting apparatus;
(b) highway construction and maintenance equipment being operated at the site of
maintenance or at a construction project as authorized by a highway authority;
(c) highway construction and maintenance equipment temporarily being operated between
a material site and a highway maintenance site or a highway construction project if:
(i) the section of any highway being used is not located within a county of the first or
second class;
(ii) authorized for a specific highway project by the highway authority having jurisdiction
over each highway being used;
(iii) the distance between the material site and maintenance site or highway construction
project does not exceed ten miles; and

(iv) the operator carries in the vehicle written verification of the authorization from the
highway authority having jurisdiction over each highway being used;
[(c)] (d) implements of husbandry incidentally moved on a highway while engaged in an
agricultural operation or incidentally moved for repair or servicing, subject to the provisions of
Section 72-7-407 ;
[(d)] (e) vehicles transporting logs or poles from forest to sawmill:
(i) when required to move upon a highway other than the national system of interstate and
defense highways;
(ii) if the gross vehicle weight does not exceed 80,000 pounds; and
(iii) the vehicle or combination of vehicles are in compliance with Subsections 72-7-404 (1)
and (2)(a); and
[(e)] (f) tow trucks or towing vehicles under emergency conditions when:
(i) it becomes necessary to move a vehicle, combination of vehicles, special mobile
equipment, or objects to the nearest safe area for parking or temporary storage;
(ii) no other alternative is available; and
(iii) the movement is for the safety of the traveling public.
(3) (a) Except when operating on the national system of interstate and defense highways, a
motor vehicle carrying livestock as defined in Section 4-1-8 , or a motor vehicle carrying raw grain
if the grain is being transported by the farmer from his farm to market prior to bagging, weighing,
or processing, may exceed by up to 2,000 pounds the tandem axle weight limitations specified under
Section 72-7-404 without obtaining an overweight permit under Section 72-7-406 .
(b) Subsection (3)(a) is an exception to Sections 72-7-404 and 72-7-406 .

- 2 -