32-22-8.1. Length limitations on trailers, semitrailers, and auto and boat transporters--Violation as misdemeanor.
Unless otherwise signed, any motor vehicle may travel upon any segment of the national system of interstate and defense highways and the state trunk highway system if the vehicle is operated within the following length limitation:
(1)Fifty-three feet on the length of the semitrailer unit operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer combination;
(2)Twenty-eight and one-half feet on each trailer unit operating in a road tractor-trailer-trailer combination if the towbars do not exceed nineteen feet and the overall length of the trailer-trailer unit including towbars does not exceed eighty feet;
(3)Eighty feet on the overall length of a straight truck-trailer combination, provided that, if the towbar between the straight truck and trailer exceeds nineteen feet, the towbar is flagged during daylight hours and lighted at night; or
(4)The maximum length of a semitrailer-semitrailer or semitrailer-trailer combination, excluding the length of the truck-tractor, is eighty-one and one-half feet provided the maximum length of either unit does not exceed forty-five feet. If the towbar length exceeds nineteen feet, the towbar shall be flagged during daylight hours and lighted at night. The weight of the second unit may not exceed the weight of the first unit by more than three thousand pounds.
No other length limitation may be imposed on the vehicles described in this section. Length limitations are exclusive of load overhang, retractable extensions used to support overhanging load and safety and energy conservation devices, including but not limited to mirrors, turn signal lamps, hand holds, flexible fender extensions, and mud flaps. Load overhang and retractable extensions on any vehicle may not extend more than four feet beyond the rear bumper, bed, or body nor more than three feet beyond the front bumper, bed, or body of the vehicle carried thereon. Retractable extensions shall be retracted if not being used to support overhanging load. If a vehicle exceeds the length limitations of this section, the driver of the vehicle is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Source: SL 1983, ch 246, §4; SL 1984, ch 230, §9; SL 1985, ch 258; SL 1986, ch 261; SL 1987, ch 210, §23; SL 1989, ch 264, §17; SL 1990, ch 257, §3; SL 1998, ch 190, §1.
Structure South Dakota Codified Laws
Chapter 22 - Weight Size And Load Restrictions
Section 32-22-2 - Movement of load or wide farm machinery during darkness as misdemeanor.
Section 32-22-5 - Maximum length of vehicle--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 32-22-6 - Flagging or lighting extended loads--Violations as misdemeanors.
Section 32-22-8.2 - Local regulation restricted--Access permits.
Section 32-22-8.3 - Issuance of trip permits unaffected.
Section 32-22-8.4 - Length limitations on stinger-steered automobile transports.
Section 32-22-9 - Combination of vehicles of more than two units--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 32-22-10 - Requirements for combination vehicles.
Section 32-22-12.1 - Certain combination exempt--Specifications--Violation as misdemeanor--Rules.
Section 32-22-14 - Maximum height of vehicles--Exceptions--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 32-22-14.1 - Exemption of vehicles used to transport farm commodities or implements.
Section 32-22-16 - Maximum weight of vehicle or combination of vehicles--Axles--Misdemeanor.
Section 32-22-16.1 - Formula for weight on group of consecutive axles.
Section 32-22-19 - Combination vehicles deemed single for weight purposes.
Section 32-22-21.1 - Single trip permits to move to scale site.
Section 32-22-21.2 - Highways to which maximum weight limit applies.
Section 32-22-22 - Tire width defined.
Section 32-22-28 - Metal wheeled vehicles--Maximum weight--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 32-22-29 - Track vehicles excepted.
Section 32-22-30.1 - Construction vehicles and equipment--Operation on highway projects.
Section 32-22-39 - Books of single trip permits--Payment of fee--Designation of routes.
Section 32-22-40 - Annual or single trip permits by local subdivisions.
Section 32-22-41 - Oversize permits--Duration--Rules.
Section 32-22-42 - Rules governing issuance of overweight and oversize permits--Fees.
Section 32-22-42.3 - Livestock hauler exemption.
Section 32-22-42.12 - Certain vehicles hauling from point of harvest--Exemption.
Section 32-22-42.13 - Single trip permit.
Section 32-22-42.15 - Last trailer marked long load.
Section 32-22-43 - Liability for damages not affected by issuance of permit.
Section 32-22-46 - Emergency movement of national defense vehicles.
Section 32-22-47 - Maximum vehicle weight on bridges--Required and permissible signs--Exception.
Section 32-22-48 - Damages for crossing bridge with overweight vehicle--Misdemeanor.
Section 32-22-49 - Person and vehicle defined.
Section 32-22-50 - Authority to weigh vehicle--Requiring vehicle to be driven to scales.
Section 32-22-51 - Removal of overweight portion of load--Risk of loss of unloaded cargo.
Section 32-22-52 - Operation of oversize or overweight vehicle as misdemeanor.
Section 32-22-55 - Schedule of penalties for operation of overweight vehicle.
Section 32-22-57 - Lift axle control requirements--Permits--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 32-22-57.2 - Specification of size and load carrying capacity of variable load axles.
Section 32-22-59 - Restrictions on size, weight or class.
Section 32-22-60 - Size and load restrictions--Notice--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 32-22-62 - Exemption of tow trucks or wreckers under certain conditions.