2007 California Vehicle Code Chapter 4. Length

CA Codes (veh:35400-35414)

35400.  (a) A vehicle may not exceed a length of 40 feet.
   (b) This section does not apply to any of the following:
   (1) A vehicle used in a combination of vehicles when the excess
length is caused by auxiliary parts, equipment, or machinery not used
as space to carry any part of the load, except that the combination
of vehicles shall not exceed the length provided for combination
vehicles.
   (2) A vehicle, when the excess length is caused by any parts
necessary to comply with the fender and mudguard regulations of this
code.
   (3) (A) An articulated bus or articulated trolley coach that does
not exceed a length of 60 feet.
   (B) An articulated bus or articulated trolley coach described in
subparagraph (A) may be equipped with a folding device attached to
the front of the bus or trolley if the device is designed and used
exclusively for transporting bicycles.  The device, including any
bicycles transported thereon, shall be mounted in a manner that does
not materially affect efficiency or visibility of vehicle safety
equipment, and shall not extend more than 36 inches from the front
body of the bus or trolley coach when fully deployed.  The handlebars
of a bicycle that is transported on a device described in this
subparagraph shall not extend more than 42 inches from the front of
the bus.
   (4) A semitrailer while being towed by a motortruck or truck
tractor, if the distance from the kingpin to the rearmost axle of the
semitrailer does not exceed 40 feet for semitrailers having two or
more axles, or 38 feet for semitrailers having one axle if the
semitrailer does not, exclusive of attachments, extend forward of the
rear of the cab of the motortruck or truck tractor.
   (5) A bus or house car when the excess length is caused by the
projection of a front safety bumper or a rear safety bumper, or both.
  The safety bumper shall not cause the length of the vehicle to
exceed the maximum legal limit by more than one foot in the front and
one foot in the rear.  For the purposes of this chapter, "safety
bumper" means any device that is fitted on an existing bumper or
which replaces the bumper and is constructed, treated, or
manufactured to absorb energy upon impact.
   (6) A schoolbus, when the excess length is caused by the
projection of a crossing control arm.  For the purposes of this
chapter, "crossing control arm" means an extendable and retractable
device fitted to the front of a schoolbus that is designed to impede
movement of pupils exiting the schoolbus directly in front of the
schoolbus so that pupils are visible to the driver while they are
moving in front of the schoolbus.  An operator of a schoolbus shall
not extend a crossing control arm while the schoolbus is in motion.
Except when activated, a crossing control arm shall not cause the
maximum length of the schoolbus to be extended by more than 10
inches, inclusive of any front safety bumper.  Use of a crossing
control arm by the operator of a schoolbus does not, in and of
itself, fulfill his or her responsibility to ensure the safety of
students crossing a highway or private road pursuant to Section
22112.
   (7) A bus, when the excess length is caused by a device, located
in front of the front axle, for lifting wheelchairs into the bus.
That device shall not cause the length of the bus to be extended by
more than 18 inches, inclusive of any front safety bumper.
   (8) A bus, when the excess length is caused by a device attached
to the rear of the bus designed and used exclusively for the
transporting of bicycles.  This device may be up to 10 feet in
length, if the device, along with any other device permitted pursuant
to this section, does not cause the total length of the bus,
including any device or load, to exceed 50 feet.
   (9) A bus operated by a public agency or a passenger stage
corporation, as defined in Section 226 of the Public Utilities Code,
used in transit system service, other than a schoolbus, when the
excess length is caused by a folding device attached to the front of
the bus which is designed and used exclusively for transporting
bicycles.  The device, including any bicycles transported thereon,
shall be mounted in a manner that does not materially affect
efficiency or visibility of vehicle safety equipment, and shall not
extend more than 36 inches from the front body of the bus when fully
deployed.  The handlebars of a bicycle that is transported on a
device described in this paragraph shall not extend more than 42
inches from the front of the bus.  A device described in this
paragraph may not be used on a bus that, exclusive of the device,
exceeds 40 feet in length or on a bus having a device attached to the
rear of the bus pursuant to paragraph (8).
   (10) (A) A bus of a length of up to 45 feet when operating on
those highways specified in subdivision (a) of Section 35401.5.  The
Department of Transportation or local authorities, with respect to
highways under their respective jurisdictions, may not deny
reasonable access to a bus of a length of up to 45 feet between the
highways specified in subdivision (a) of Section 35401.5 and points
of loading and unloading for motor carriers of passengers as required
by the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of
1991 (P.L. 102-240).
   (B) A bus operated by a public agency and on those highways
specified in subparagraph (A) may be equipped with a folding device
attached to the front of the bus that is designed and used
exclusively for transporting bicycles.  The device, including all
bicycles transported thereon, may be mounted in a manner that does
not materially affect efficiency or visibility of vehicle safety
equipment, and may not extend more than 36 inches from the front body
of the bus when fully deployed.  The handlebars of a bicycle that is
transported on a device described in this subparagraph may not
extend more than 42 inches from the front of the bus.  The total
length of the bus, including the folding device or load, may not
exceed 48.5 feet.  A Route Review Committee, established under this
subparagraph, shall review the routes where a public agency proposes
to operate a 45-foot bus equipped with a front mounted bicycle rack.
The Route Review Committee shall be comprised of one member from the
public agency appointed by the general manager of the public agency;
one member who is a traffic engineer and is employed and selected by
the public agency that has jurisdiction over the largest
proportional share of routes among all affected agencies; and one
member appointed by the labor organization that is the exclusive
representative of the bus drivers of the public agency.  If there is
no exclusive representative of the bus drivers, a bus driver member
shall be chosen by a majority vote of the bus drivers employed by the
agency.  The members of the Route Review Committee shall be selected
not more than 30 days after receipt of a public agency proposal to
equip a 45-foot bus with a front mounted bicycle rack.  The review
shall include a field review of the proposed routes.  The purpose of
the Route Review Committee is to ensure the safe operation of a
45-foot bus that is equipped with a front mounted bicycle rack.  The
Route Review Committee, by a unanimous vote, shall make a
determination of which routes are suitable for the safe operation of
a 45-foot bus that is equipped with a front mounted bicycle rack.
These determinations shall be consistent with the operating
requirements specified in subparagraph (A).  It is the intent of the
Legislature that the field review required under this subparagraph
include consultation with traffic engineers from affected public
agencies that have jurisdiction over segments of the route or routes
under review, to ensure coordination with all effected state and
local public road agencies that may potentially be impacted due to
the operation of a 45-foot bus with a front mounted bicycle rack.
   (11) (A) A house car of a length of up to 45 feet when operating
on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways or when
using those portions of federal aid primary system highways that have
been qualified by the United States Secretary of Transportation for
that use, or when using routes appropriately identified by the
Department of Transportation or local authorities, with respect to
highways under their respective jurisdictions.
   (B) A house car described in subparagraph (A) may be operated on a
highway that provides reasonable access to facilities for purposes
limited to fuel, food, and lodging when that access is consistent
with the safe operation of the vehicle and when the facility is
within one road mile of identified points of ingress and egress to or
from highways specified in subparagraph (A) for use by that vehicle.

   (C) As used in this paragraph and paragraph (10), "reasonable
access" means access substantially similar to that authorized for
combinations of vehicles pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section
35401.5.
   (D) Any access route established by a local authority pursuant to
subdivision (d) of Section 35401.5 is open for access by a house car
of a length of up to 45 feet.  In addition, local authorities may
establish a process whereby access to services by house cars of a
length of up to 45 feet may be applied for upon a route not
previously established as an access route.  The denial of a request
for access to services shall be only on the basis of safety and an
engineering analysis of the proposed access route.  In lieu of
processing an access application, local authorities, with respect to
highways under their jurisdiction, may provide signing, mapping, or a
listing of highways, as necessary, to indicate the use of these
specific routes by a house car of a length of up to 45 feet.
   (c) The Legislature, by increasing the maximum permissible kingpin
to rearmost axle distance to 40 feet effective January 1, 1987, as
provided in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b), does not intend this
action to be considered a precedent for any future increases in truck
size and length limitations.
   (d) Any transit bus equipped with a folding device installed on or
after January 1, 1999, that is permitted under subparagraph (B) of
paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) or under paragraph (9) of
subdivision (b) shall be additionally equipped with any of the
following:
   (1) An indicator light that is visible to the driver and is
activated whenever the folding device is in an extended position.
   (2) Any other device or mechanism that provides notice to the
driver that the folding device is in an extended position.
   (3) A mechanism that causes the folding device to retract
automatically from an extended position.
   (e) (1) A person may not improperly or unsafely mount a bicycle on
a device described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of
subdivision (b), or in paragraph (9) or (10) of subdivision (b).
   (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 23114 or
subdivision (a) of Section 24002 or any other provision of law, when
a bicycle is improperly or unsafely loaded by a passenger onto a
transit bus, the passenger, and not the driver, is liable for any
violation of this code that is attributable to the improper or
unlawful loading of the bicycle.



35400.5.  Subdivision (a) of Section 35400 does not apply to a
motortruck used solely as a cotton module mover and which does not
exceed 48 feet in length.


35401.  (a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b), (c), and (d), a
combination of vehicles coupled together, including attachments, may
not exceed a total length of 65 feet.
   (b) (1) A combination of vehicles coupled together, including
attachments, that consists of a truck tractor, a semitrailer, and a
semitrailer or trailer, may not exceed a total length of 75 feet, if
the length of neither the semitrailers nor the trailer in the
combination of vehicles exceeds 28 feet 6 inches.
   (2) A B-train assembly is excluded from the measurement of
semitrailer length when used between the first and second
semitrailers of a truck tractor-semitrailer-semitrailer combination
of vehicles. However, if there is no second semitrailer mounted to
the B-train assembly, it shall be included in the length measurement
of the semitrailer to which it is attached.
   (3) (A) A combination of vehicles coupled together, including
attachments, may have a total length of not more than 75 feet, if all
of the following apply:
   (i) The combination of vehicles consists of a motortruck and two
trailers.
   (ii) A trailer in the combination does not exceed 28 feet 6 inches
in length.
   (iii) The combination is used exclusively to transport
agricultural products from the field to the first point of handling
and return, and each direction of transport does not exceed 80 miles.

   (iv) The combination is not operated on a highway designated by
the United States Department of Transportation as a national network
route.
   (v) The combination of vehicles may not exceed 50 miles per hour
when operating on the highway.
   (vi) The combination of vehicles shall successfully complete a
commercial vehicle safety alliance inspection on a quarterly basis
conducted by the Department of the California Highway Patrol.
   (vii) The combination of vehicles shall operate on the highway
only after, agricultural entities develop safe routing techniques, in
consultation with the Department of the California Highway Patrol,
from the field to the first point of handling and return.
   (B) This paragraph applies only in the County of San Luis Obispo
and the County of Santa Barbara or a city in those counties if the
board of supervisors of the county or the city council, as the case
may be, by resolution or ordinance adopts its provisions.
   (C) The Department of the California Highway Patrol, in
consultation with the Department of Transportation, shall conduct a
study of the effect that the exemption provided in this paragraph has
on public safety particularly the enhanced safety requirements
imposed by clauses (v), (vi), and (vii) of subparagraph (A). The
Department of the California Highway Patrol shall report the results
of the study to the Legislature and the Governor on or before April
1, 2008.
   (c) (1) A tow truck in combination with a single disabled vehicle
or a single abandoned vehicle that is authorized to travel on the
highways by this chapter is exempt from subdivision (a) when
operating under a valid annual transportation permit.
   (2) A tow truck, in combination with a disabled or abandoned
combination of vehicles that are authorized to travel on the highways
by this chapter, is exempt from subdivision (a) when operating under
a valid annual transportation permit and within a 100-mile radius of
the location specified in the permit.
   (3) A tow truck may exceed the 100-mile radius restriction imposed
under paragraph (2) if a single trip permit is obtained from the
Department of Transportation.
   (d) A city or county may, by ordinance, prohibit a combination of
vehicles of a total length in excess of 60 feet upon highways under
its respective jurisdiction. The ordinance may not be effective until
appropriate signs are erected indicating either the streets affected
by the ordinance or the streets not affected, as the local authority
determines will best serve to give notice of the ordinance.
   (e) A city or county, upon a determination that a highway or
portion of highway under its jurisdiction cannot, in consideration of
public safety, sustain the operation of trailers or semitrailers of
the maximum kingpin to rearmost axle distances permitted under
Section 35400, may, by ordinance, establish lesser distances
consistent with the maximum distances that the highway or highway
portion can sustain, except that a city or county may not restrict
the kingpin to rearmost axle measurement to less than 38 feet on
those highways or highway portions. A city or county considering the
adoption of an ordinance shall consider, but not be limited to,
consideration of, all of the following:
   (1) A comparison of the operating characteristics of the vehicles
to be limited as compared to operating characteristics of other
vehicles regulated by this code.
   (2) Actual traffic volume.
   (3) Frequency of accidents.
   (4) Any other relevant data.
   In addition, the city or county may appoint an advisory committee
consisting of local representatives of those interests that are
likely to be affected and shall consider the recommendations of the
advisory committee in adopting the ordinance. The ordinance may not
be effective until appropriate signs are erected indicating the
highways or highway portions affected by the ordinance.
   This subdivision shall only become operative upon the adoption of
an enabling ordinance by a city or county.
   (f) Whenever, in the judgment of the Department of Transportation,
a state highway cannot, in consideration of public safety, sustain
the operation of trailers or semitrailers of the maximum kingpin to
rearmost axle distances permitted under Section 35400, the director,
in consultation with the Department of the California Highway Patrol,
shall compile data on total traffic volume, frequency of use by
vehicles covered by this subdivision, accidents involving these
vehicles, and other relevant data to assess whether these vehicles
are a threat to public safety and should be excluded from the highway
or highway segment. The study, containing the conclusions and
recommendations of the director, shall be submitted to the Secretary
of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. Unless otherwise
notified by the secretary, the director shall hold public hearings in
accordance with the procedures set forth in Article 3 (commencing
with Section 35650) of Chapter 5 for the purpose of determining the
maximum kingpin to rear axle length, which shall be not less than 38
feet, that the highway or highway segment can sustain without
unreasonable threat to the safety of the public. Upon the basis of
the findings, the Director of Transportation shall declare in writing
the maximum kingpin to rear axle lengths which can be maintained
with safety upon the highway. Following the declaration of maximum
lengths as provided by this subdivision, the Department of
Transportation shall erect suitable signs at each end of the affected
portion of the highway and at any other points that the Department
of Transportation determines to be necessary to give adequate notice
of the length limits.
   The Department of Transportation, in consultation with the
Department of the California Highway Patrol, shall compile traffic
volume, geometric, and other relevant data, to assess the maximum
kingpin to rearmost axle distance of vehicle combinations appropriate
for those state highways or portion of highways, affected by this
section, that cannot safely accommodate trailers or semitrailers of
the maximum kingpin to rearmost axle distances permitted under
Section 35400.
   (g) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2009, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2009, deletes or extends
that date.


35401.  (a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b), (c), and (d), a
combination of vehicles coupled together, including attachments, may
not exceed a total length of 65 feet.
   (b) (1) A combination of vehicles coupled together, including
attachments, that consists of a truck tractor, a semitrailer, and a
semitrailer or trailer, may not exceed a total length of 75 feet, if
the length of neither the semitrailers nor the trailer in the
combination of vehicles exceeds 28 feet 6 inches.
   (2) A B-train assembly is excluded from the measurement of
semitrailer length when used between the first and second
semitrailers of a truck tractor-semitrailer-semitrailer combination
of vehicles. However, if there is no second semitrailer mounted to
the B-train assembly, it shall be included in the length measurement
of the semitrailer to which it is attached.
   (c) (1) A tow truck in combination with a single disabled vehicle
or a single abandoned vehicle that is authorized to travel on the
highways by this chapter is exempt from subdivision (a) when
operating under a valid annual transportation permit.
   (2) A tow truck, in combination with a disabled or abandoned
combination of vehicles that are authorized to travel on the highways
by this chapter, is exempt from subdivision (a) when operating under
a valid annual transportation permit and within a 100-mile radius of
the location specified in the permit.
   (3) A tow truck may exceed the 100-mile radius restriction imposed
under paragraph (2) if a single trip permit is obtained from the
Department of Transportation.
   (d) A city or county may, by ordinance, prohibit a combination of
vehicles of a total length in excess of 60 feet upon highways under
its respective jurisdiction. The ordinance may not be effective until
appropriate signs are erected indicating either the streets affected
by the ordinance or the streets not affected, as the local authority
determines will best serve to give notice of the ordinance.
   (e) A city or county, upon a determination that a highway or
portion of highway under its jurisdiction cannot, in consideration of
public safety, sustain the operation of trailers or semitrailers of
the maximum kingpin to rearmost axle distances permitted under
Section 35400, may, by ordinance, establish lesser distances
consistent with the maximum distances that the highway or highway
portion can sustain, except that a city or county may not restrict
the kingpin to rearmost axle measurement to less than 38 feet on
those highways or highway portions. A city or county considering the
adoption of an ordinance shall consider, but not be limited to,
consideration of, all of the following:
   (1) A comparison of the operating characteristics of the vehicles
to be limited as compared to operating characteristics of other
vehicles regulated by this code.
   (2) Actual traffic volume.
   (3) Frequency of accidents.
   (4) Any other relevant data.
   In addition, the city or county may appoint an advisory committee
consisting of local representatives of those interests that are
likely to be affected and shall consider the recommendations of the
advisory committee in adopting the ordinance. The ordinance may not
be effective until appropriate signs are erected indicating the
highways or highway portions affected by the ordinance.
   This subdivision shall only become operative upon the adoption of
an enabling ordinance by a city or county.
   (f) Whenever, in the judgment of the Department of Transportation,
a state highway cannot, in consideration of public safety, sustain
the operation of trailers or semitrailers of the maximum kingpin to
rearmost axle distances permitted under Section 35400, the director,
in consultation with the Department of the California Highway Patrol,
shall compile data on total traffic volume, frequency of use by
vehicles covered by this subdivision, accidents involving these
vehicles, and other relevant data to assess whether these vehicles
are a threat to public safety and should be excluded from the highway
or highway segment. The study, containing the conclusions and
recommendations of the director, shall be submitted to the Secretary
of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. Unless otherwise
notified by the secretary, the director shall hold public hearings in
accordance with the procedures set forth in Article 3 (commencing
with Section 35650) of Chapter 5 for the purpose of determining the
maximum kingpin to rear axle length, which shall be not less than 38
feet, that the highway or highway segment can sustain without
unreasonable threat to the safety of the public. Upon the basis of
the findings, the Director of Transportation shall declare in writing
the maximum kingpin to rear axle lengths which can be maintained
with safety upon the highway. Following the declaration of maximum
lengths as provided by this subdivision, the Department of
Transportation shall erect suitable signs at each end of the affected
portion of the highway and at any other points that the Department
of Transportation determines to be necessary to give adequate notice
of the length limits.
   The Department of Transportation, in consultation with the
Department of the California Highway Patrol, shall compile traffic
volume, geometric, and other relevant data, to assess the maximum
kingpin to rearmost axle distance of vehicle combinations appropriate
for those state highways or portion of highways, affected by this
section, that cannot safely accommodate trailers or semitrailers of
the maximum kingpin to rearmost axle distances permitted under
Section 35400. The department shall erect suitable signs
appropriately restricting truck travel on those highways, or portions
of highways.
   (g) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2009.




35401.1.  A combination of vehicles operated pursuant to Section
35400 or 35401 with a kingpin to rearmost axle measurement of greater
than 38 feet but not more than 40 feet may be operated on those
highways under the jurisdiction of local authorities only where it is
deemed to be safe by the owner of the vehicle or the person
operating the vehicle and where its operation is not specifically
prohibited by local ordinance pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section
35401.


35401.3.  (a) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section
35401, a combination of vehicles designed and used to transport motor
vehicles, camper units, or boats, which  consists of a motortruck
and stinger-steered semitrailer, shall be allowed a length of up to
70 feet if the kingpin is at least 3 feet behind the rear drive axle
of the motortruck.  This combination shall not be subject to
subdivision (a) of Section 35411, but the load upon the rear vehicle
of the combination shall not extend more than 6 feet 6 inches beyond
the allowable length of the vehicle.
   (b) A combination of vehicles designed and used to transport motor
vehicles, camper units, or boats, which consists of a motortruck and
stinger-steered semitrailer, shall be allowed a length of up to 75
feet if all of the following conditions are maintained:
   (1) The distance from the steering axle to the rear drive axle of
the motortruck does not exceed 24 feet.
   (2) The kingpin is at least 5 feet behind the rear drive axle of
the motortruck.
   (3) The distance from the kingpin to the rear axle of the
semitrailer does not exceed 34 feet except that the distance from the
kingpin to the rear axle of a triple axle semitrailer does not
exceed 36 feet.
   This combination shall not be subject to subdivision (a) of
Section 35411, but the load upon the rear vehicle of the combination
shall not extend more than 6 feet 6 inches beyond the allowable
length of the vehicle.



35401.5.  (a) A combination of vehicles consisting of a truck
tractor and semitrailer, or of a truck tractor, semitrailer, and
trailer, is not subject to the limitations of Sections 35400 and
35401, when operating on the National System of Interstate and
Defense Highways or when using those portions of federal-aid primary
system highways that have been qualified by the United States
Secretary of Transportation for that use, or when using routes
appropriately identified by the Department of Transportation or local
authorities as provided in subdivision (c) or (d), if all of the
following conditions are met:
   (1) The length of the semitrailer in exclusive combination with a
truck tractor does not exceed 48 feet.  A semitrailer not more than
53 feet in length shall satisfy this requirement when configured with
two or more rear axles, the rearmost of which is located 40 feet or
less from the kingpin or when configured with a single axle which is
located 38 feet or less from the kingpin.  For purposes of this
paragraph, a motortruck used in combination with a semitrailer, when
that combination of vehicles is engaged solely in the transportation
of motor vehicles, camper units, or boats, is considered to be a
truck tractor.
   (2) Neither the length of the semitrailer nor the length of the
trailer when simultaneously in combination with a truck tractor
exceeds 28 feet 6 inches.
   (b) Subdivisions (b), (d), and (e) of Section 35402 do not apply
to combinations of vehicles operated subject to the exemptions
provided by this section.
   (c) Combinations of vehicles operated pursuant to subdivision (a)
may also use highways not specified in subdivision (a) which provide
reasonable access to terminals and facilities for purposes limited to
fuel, food, lodging, and repair when that access is consistent with
the safe operation of the combinations of vehicles and when the
facility is within one road mile of identified points of ingress and
egress to or from highways specified in subdivision (a) for use by
those combinations of vehicles.
   (d) The Department of Transportation or local authorities may
establish a process whereby access to terminals or services may be
applied for upon a route not previously established as an access
route.  The denial of a request for access to terminals and services
shall be only on the basis of safety and an engineering analysis of
the proposed access route.  If a written request for access has been
properly submitted and has not been acted upon within 90 days of
receipt by the department or the appropriate local agency, the access
shall be deemed automatically approved.  Thereafter, the route shall
be deemed open for access by all other vehicles of the same type
regardless of ownership.  In lieu of processing an access
application, the Department of Transportation or local authorities
with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions may
provide signing, mapping, or a listing of highways as necessary to
indicate the use of specific routes as terminal access routes.  For
purposes of this subdivision, "terminal" means either of the
following:
   (1) A facility where freight originates, terminates, or is handled
in the transportation process.
   (2) A facility where a motor carrier maintains operating
facilities.
   (e) Nothing in subdivision (c) or (d) authorizes state or local
agencies to require permits of terminal operators or to charge
terminal operators fees for the purpose of attaining access for
vehicles described in this section.
   (f) Notwithstanding subdivision (d), the limitations of access
specified in that subdivision do not apply to licensed carriers of
household goods when directly enroute to or from a point of loading
or unloading of household goods, if travel on highways other than
those specified in subdivision (a) is necessary and incidental to the
shipment of the household goods.
   (g) (1) Notwithstanding Sections 35400 and 35401, the Department
of Transportation or local authorities, with regard to highways under
their respective jurisdictions, may, upon application, issue a
special permit authorizing the applicant to operate a combination of
vehicles consisting of a truck tractor semitrailer combination
operated pursuant to subdivision (a) with a kingpin to rearmost axle
measurement limit of not more than 46 feet on trailers used
exclusively or primarily in connection with motorsports.  As used in
this paragraph, "motorsports" means any event, and all activities
leading up to that event, including, but not limited to,
administration, testing, practice, promotion, and merchandising, that
is sanctioned under the auspices of the member organizations of the
Automobile Competition Committee for the United States.
   (2) A local authority, as a condition of issuing a special permit
under this subdivision, may establish reasonable controls on the
allowable hours of operation of those semitrailers that are
authorized to operate under this subdivision.
   (h) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:
   (1) In authorizing the use of 53-foot semitrailers, it is the
intent of the Legislature to conform with Section 2311(b) of Title 49
of the United States Code by permitting the continued use of
semitrailers of the dimensions as those that were in actual and legal
use on December 1, 1982, and does not intend this action to be a
precedent for future increases in the parameters of any of those
vehicles that would adversely affect the turning maneuverability of
vehicle combinations.
   (2) In authorizing the department to issue special transportation
permits for  motorsports, it is the intent of the Legislature to
conform with Section 31111(b)(1)(E) of Title 49 of the United States
Code.  It is also the intent of the Legislature that this action not
be a precedent for future increases in the distance from the kingpin
to the rearmost axle of semitrailers that would adversely affect the
turning maneuverability of vehicle combinations.



35401.7.  (a) The limitations of access specified in subdivision (d)
of Section 35401.5 do not apply to licensed carriers of livestock
when those carriers are directly en route to or from a point of
loading or unloading of livestock on those portions of State Highway
Route 101 located in the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, and
Mendocino from its junction with State Highway Route 1 near Leggett
north to the Oregon border, if the travel is necessary and incidental
to the shipment of the livestock.
   (b) The exemption allowed under this section does not apply unless
all of the following conditions are met:
   (1) The length of the truck tractor, in combination with the
semitrailer used to transport the livestock, does not exceed a total
of 70 feet.
   (2) The distance from the kingpin to the rearmost axle of the
semitrailer does not exceed 43 feet.
   (3) The length of the semitrailer does not exceed a total of 48
feet.
   (c) The exemption allowed under this section does not apply to
travel conducted on the day prior to, or on the day of, any federally
recognized holiday.
   (d) The Department of the California Highway Patrol, in
consultation with the Department of Transportation and in accordance
with recommendations from the Department of the California Highway
Patrol's study issued on March 20, 2006, of the effect of the
statutory exemption, shall continue the comprehensive study of the
effect that the exemption provided by this section has on the public
safety during the extended effective period of the exemption, and
make recommendations on future exemptions, including the creation of
a permitting system for cattle truck and trailer combinations meeting
applicable provisions of the federal Surface Transportation
Assistance Act of 1982 (Public Law 97-424), and appropriate safety
improvements. Notwithstanding Section 7550.5 of the Government Code,
the Department of the California Highway Patrol shall report the
findings of this additional study and recommendations to the Governor
and the Legislature on or before January 1, 2011.
   (e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2012, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2012, deletes or extends
that date.
   (f) (1) If prior to January 1, 2012, the Director of
Transportation determines that the only adjustment to State Highway
Route 101 possible to accommodate the truck sizes allowed to travel
on portions of State Highway Route 101, pursuant to subdivisions (a)
and (b) is the removal of any tree that has a diameter of 42 inches
or greater, measured outside the bark, at 12 inches above ground on
the side adjacent to the highest ground level, the director shall
notify the Secretary of State of that determination.
   (2) If prior to January 1, 2012, the Director of Transportation
determines that safety improvements to the portion of State Highway
Route 101 described in subdivision (a) have resulted in the
reclassification of the entire segment as a terminal access route
pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 35401.5, the director shall
notify the Secretary of State of that determination.
   (3) The notice required under paragraph (1) or (2) shall state
that it is being made pursuant to this section.
   (4) This section is repealed on the date the Secretary of State
receives either of the notices described in this subdivision.



35402.  (a) Any extension or device, including any adjustable axle
added to the front or rear of a vehicle, used to increase the
carrying capacity of a vehicle shall be included in measuring the
length of a vehicle, except that a drawbar shall not be included in
measuring the length of a vehicle but shall be included in measuring
the overall length of a combination of vehicles.
   (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), extensions of not more than
18 inches in length on each end of a vehicle or combination of
vehicles used exclusively to transport vehicles shall not be included
in measuring the length of a vehicle or combination of vehicles when
the vehicles are loaded.
   (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an extension of not more than
18 inches in length on the last trailer in a combination of vehicles
transporting loads shall not be included in measuring the length of
a vehicle or combination of vehicles when the vehicles are loaded.
Additionally, an extension of not more than 18 inches in length on
the front of the first trailer in a combination of vehicles
transporting loads shall not be included in measuring the length of a
vehicle or combination of vehicles when the vehicles are loaded and
on highways, other than those highways designated by the United
States Department of Transportation as national network routes.
   (d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), any extension or device which
is not used to carry any load and which does not exceed three feet
in length, added to the rear of a vehicle, and is used exclusively
for pushing the vehicle or a combination of vehicles, which vehicle
or combination of vehicles is designed and used exclusively to
transport earth, sand, gravel, and similar materials, shall be
included in measuring the length of the vehicle but shall not be
included in measuring the overall length of the combination of
vehicles.
   (e) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a truck semitrailer
combination, but not a truck tractor and semitrailer combination, may
use a sliding fifth wheel, or a truck tractor, semitrailer, trailer,
and a truck-trailer combination may use a sliding drawbar, to extend
the length of the combination by not more than 2 feet 6 inches while
traveling 35 miles per hour or less on any highway, except a
freeway.  These provisions shall apply, however, to freeway onramps
and offramps and freeway connectors.  The sliding fifth wheel or
drawbar when extended shall not be included in measuring the overall
length of the combination of vehicles if the pivot point of the
semitrailer connection is more than two feet to the rear of the
center of the rearmost axle of the motortruck or if the distance from
the pivot point to the center of the rearmost axle of the
semitrailer does not exceed 34 feet.
   Combinations of vehicles permitted by this subdivision  shall be
in compliance with the weight limits provided in Article 1
(commencing with Section 35550) of  Chapter 5 whenever any drawbar or
sliding fifth wheel is extended, contracted, or in any intermediate
position as provided for by this subdivision.



35403.  Safety devices which are required to be mounted upon a
vehicle pursuant to provisions of this code, may extend beyond the
permissible length of a vehicle, or a combination of vehicles, to a
distance not exceeding 10 inches.


35404.  Any county having a population in excess of 4,000,000 and
having within its limits a natural island with an area in excess of
20,000 acres may, by ordinance, prohibit the use of any highway or
lane, hereafter established in unincorporated area thereon, (1) by
any vehicle exceeding an overall length of 170 inches and an overall
width of 65 inches, or (2) by any such vehicle and all vehicles
driven by internal combustion engines.  Notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 906 of the Streets and Highways Code, no such
ordinance shall be enacted unless the board of supervisors shall have
theretofore adopted, by a four-fifths vote, a resolution determining
that the public convenience and necessity require that such highway
or lane have a width of 35 feet or less and a roadway width of 22
feet or less.
   Any ordinance enacted pursuant to this section shall be subject to
Sections 35718 to 35720, inclusive, of this code and shall not apply
to authorized emergency vehicles.



35406.  (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the load upon any
vehicle operated alone, or the load upon the front vehicle of a
combination of vehicles, shall not extend more than three feet beyond
the foremost part of the front tires of the vehicle or the front
bumper of the vehicle, if it is equipped with a front bumper.
   (b) When the load is composed solely of vehicles, the load upon
the front vehicle of a combination of vehicles shall not extend more
than four feet beyond the foremost part of the front tires of the
vehicle or the front bumper of the vehicle, if it is equipped with a
front bumper.


35407.  Section 35406 does not apply to the booms or masts of
shovels, cranes or water well drilling and servicing equipment
carried upon a motor vehicle if the following conditions are met:
   (a) The booms or masts shall not extend more than two-thirds of
the wheelbase beyond the front tires of such vehicle.
   (b) The projecting structure or attachments thereto shall be
securely held in place to prevent dropping or swaying.
   (c) No part of the structure which extends beyond the front tires
shall be less than seven feet from the roadway.
   (d) The driver's vision shall not be impaired by the projecting or
supporting structure.



35407.5.  Section 35406 and subdivisions (a) and (d) of Section
35407 do not apply to the booms or masts of a self-propelled
heel-boom log loader first sold in this state prior to January 1,
1988, if all of the following conditions are met:
   (a) A system of mirrors or other view enhancements permits the
driver to see in any area blocked from view.
   (b) The log loader is operated together with a four wheeled lead
vehicle which remains a reasonable distance ahead to guide the
movement of the log loader.
   (c) Two-way radio communication equipment is maintained in good
working condition on the log loader and the pilot car, and is used
between those vehicles during movement upon any highway.



35408.  In no event shall a front bumper on a motor vehicle be
constructed or installed so as to project more than two feet forward
of the foremost part of either the fenders or cab structure or
radiator, whichever extends farthest toward the front of such
vehicle.



35409.  (a) Any motor vehicle used for the purpose of taking
photographs, motion pictures, or television pictures or for teaching
safe driving may be equipped with a dismountable platform or other
device extending forward of either the fenders or cab structure or
radiator, whichever extends farthest toward the front of such
vehicle, for a distance not exceeding five feet while such vehicle is
in use for such purpose.
   (b) Any device used for the sole purpose of teaching safe driving,
as provided in subdivision (a), shall be of a type authorized by the
Department of the California Highway Patrol and the Department of
Motor Vehicles.



35410.  The load upon any motor vehicle alone or an independent load
only upon a trailer or semitrailer shall not extend to the rear
beyond the last point of support for a greater distance than that
equal to two-thirds of the length of the wheelbase of the vehicle
carrying such load, except that the wheelbase of a semitrailer shall
be considered as the distance between the rearmost axle of the towing
vehicle and the rearmost axle of the semitrailer.



35411.  (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the load upon any
combination of vehicles shall not exceed 75 feet measured from the
front extremity of the front vehicle or load to the rear extremity of
the last vehicle or load.
   (b) The load upon any combination of vehicles operating pursuant
to Section 35401 or 35401.5, when the overall length of the
combination of vehicles exceeds 75 feet, shall be confined within the
exterior dimensions of the vehicles.


35414.  (a) Except where a load can be transported consistent with
the limitations on vehicle and load length specified in other
sections of this chapter, the limitations of this chapter as to
length of vehicles do not apply when only poles, timbers, pipes,
integral structural materials, or single unit component parts,
including, but not limited to, missile components, aircraft
assemblies, drilling equipment, and tanks not exceeding 80 feet in
length are being transported upon any of the following:
   (1) Upon a pole or pipe dolly or otherwise lawful trailer used as
a pole or pipe dolly in connection with a motor vehicle.
   (2) Upon a semitrailer, except for the limitations provided in
Section 35410.
   (3) Upon a semitrailer and a pole or pipe dolly used in connection
with a truck tractor to haul flexible integral structural material.

   (b) Poles and the tools and materials incidental to the work to be
performed may be transported on a pole or pipe dolly or otherwise
lawful semitrailer used as a pole or pipe dolly, transporting not
more than three poles not exceeding 80 feet in length and when used
by public utility companies or local public agencies engaged in the
business of supplying electricity or telephone service, by the
Department of Transportation, or by a licensed contractor in the
performance of work for a utility, the department, or a local public
agency, when such transportation is between a storage yard and job
location where such tools and materials are to be used, in which
event the limitations of this chapter as to length of vehicles and
loads shall not apply.