(A) The maximum length of a single vehicle on any highway of this state may not exceed 42 feet except the following:
(1) Semitrailers.
(2) Charter or regulated route buses may be up to 45 feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers.
(3) A motor home as defined in ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5 § 1-145.01 may be up to 45 feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers. The length limitations described in this subsection shall be exclusive of energy-absorbing bumpers and rear view mirrors.
(B) (1) On all non-state highways, the maximum length of vehicles in combinations is as follows:
(a) A truck tractor in combination with a semitrailer may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension. An agency or instrumentality of the State of Illinois or any unit of local government shall not be required to widen or otherwise alter a non-state highway constructed before the effective date of Public Act 100-343 to accommodate truck tractors under this division (B)(1).
(b) A truck tractor- semitrailer-trailer may not exceed 60 feet overall dimension.
(c) Combinations specially designed to transport motor vehicles or boats may not exceed 60 feet overall dimension.
(d) The distance between the kingpin and the center axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 42 feet six inches. The limit contained in this division (B)(4) shall not apply to trailers or semitrailers used for the transport of livestock as defined by ILCS Ch, 625, Act 5, § 18b-101.
(2) Exemptions.
(a) Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature that cannot readily be dismembered are exempt from length limitations, provided that no object may exceed 80 feet in length and the overall dimension of the vehicle including the load may not exceed 100 feet. This exemption does not apply to operation on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Legal holidays referred to in this section are the days on which the following traditional holidays are celebrated: New Year's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
(b) Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities or properties are exempt from length limitations, provided that during night operations every vehicle and its load must be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
(c) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in § 74.106(C)(6), is exempt from length limitations.
(d) All other combinations not listed herein may not exceed 60 feet overall dimension.
(C) Except as provided in subsections (C-1) and (C-2) below, combinations of vehicles may not exceed a total of two vehicles, except for the following:
(1) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one trailer.
(2) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one converter dolly.
(3) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one vehicle that is defined in ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5 § 1-101 et seq. as special mobile equipment, provided the overall dimension does not exceed 60 feet.
(4) A truck in transit may draw three trucks in transit coupled together by the triple saddlemount method.
(5) Recreational vehicles consisting of three vehicles, provided the following:
(a) The total overall dimension does not exceed 60 feet.
(b) The towing vehicle is a properly registered vehicle capable of towing another vehicle using a fifth-wheel-type assembly.
(c) The second vehicle in the combination of vehicles is a recreational vehicle that is towed by a fifth-wheel assembly. This vehicle must be properly registered and must be equipped with brakes, regardless of weight.
(d) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the three vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer designed or used for transporting a boat, all-terrain vehicle, personal watercraft, or motorcycle.
(e) The towed vehicles may be only for the use of the operator of the towing vehicle.
(f) All vehicles must be properly equipped with operating brakes and safety equipment required by this code, except for the additional brake requirement found in § 74.106(C)(5)(c) above.
(6) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles, provided the towing vehicle:
(a) Is specifically designed as a tow truck having a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 pounds and equipped with air brakes, provided that air brakes are required only if the towing vehicle is towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer combination that is equipped with air brakes. For the purpose of this section, gross vehicle weight rating, or GVWR, means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck.
(b) Is equipped with flashing, rotating, or oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet in all directions.
(c) Is capable of utilizing the lighting and braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination of vehicles.
(d) Does not engage a tow exceeding 50 highway miles from the initial point of wreck or disablement to a place of repair. Any additional movement of the vehicles may occur only upon issuance of authorization for that movement under the provisions of ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, §§ 15-301 et seq.
(e) The Illinois Department of Transportation may, by rule or regulation, prescribe additional requirements regarding length limitations for a tow truck towing another vehicle.
(f) For purposes of this section, a tow-dolly that merely serves as substitute wheels for another legally licensed vehicle is considered part of the licensed vehicle and not a separate vehicle.
(7) Commercial vehicles consisting of three vehicles, provided the following:
(a) The total overall dimension does not exceed 65 feet.
(b) The towing vehicle is a properly registered vehicle capable of towing another vehicle using a fifth-wheel type assembly or a goose-neck hitch ball.
(c) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the three vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer.
(d) All vehicles must be properly equipped with operating brakes and safety equipment required by Illinois state law.
(e) The combination of vehicles must be operated by a person who holds a commercial driver's license (CDL).
(f) The combination of vehicles must be en route to a location where new or used trailers are sold by and Illinois or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer dealer.
(C-1) A combination of three vehicles is allowed access to any state designated highway if:
(1) The length of neither towed vehicle exceeds 28.5 feet;
(2) The overall wheel base of the combination of vehicles does not exceed 62 feet; and
(3) The combination of vehicles is en route to a location where new or used trailers are sold by an Illinois or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer dealer.
(C-2) A combination of three vehicles is allowed access from any state designated highway onto any county, township, or municipal highway for a distance of five highway miles for the purpose of delivery or collection of one or both of the towed vehicles if:
(1) The length of neither towed vehicle exceeds 28.5 feet;
(2) The combination of vehicles does not exceed 40,000 pounds in gross weight and eight feet six inches in width;
(3) There is no sign prohibiting that access;
(4) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare between state designated highways; and
(5) The combination of vehicles is en route to a location where new or used trailers are sold by an Illinois or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer dealer.
(D) (1) On Class I highways there are no overall length limitations on motor vehicles operating in combinations provided:
(a) The length of a semitrailer, unladen or with load, in combination with a truck tractor may not exceed 53 feet.
(b) The distance between the kingpin and the center of the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet 6 inches. The limit contained in this division shall not apply to trailers or semi-trailers used for the transport of livestock as defined by state law.
(c) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen or with load, operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination, may not exceed 28 feet, 6 inches.
(d) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5 § 1-142.05, may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.
(e) Combinations of vehicles specifically designed to transport motor vehicles or boats may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of front and rear bumpers, but exclusive of the overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in § 74.106(I) below.
(f) Stinger-steered semitrailer vehicles, as defined in ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5 § 1-198, specifically designed to transport motor vehicles or boats, may not exceed 75 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in § 74.106(I) below.
(g) A truck in transit transporting three trucks coupled together by the triple saddlemount method may not exceed 75 feet overall dimension.
(2) Exemptions.
(a) Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature that cannot readily be dismembered are exempt from length limitations, provided that no object may exceed 80 feet in length, and the overall dimension of the vehicle, including the load, may not exceed 100 feet. This exemption does not apply to operation on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Legal holidays referred to in this section are the days on which the following traditional holidays are celebrated: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
(b) Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities or properties are exempt from length limitations, provided that during night operations every vehicle and its load must be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
(c) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in § 74.106(C)(6), is exempt from length limitations.
(3) The length limitations described in this division shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices, such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and other devices, that the Illinois Department of Transportation may interpret as necessary for safe and efficient operation. However, no device so excluded shall be capable, either by design or use, of carrying cargo.
(4) ILCS Ch. 5, Act 100 § 5-35, relating to procedure for rulemaking, shall not apply to the designation of highways under this division.
(E) (1) On Class II highways there are no overall length limitations on motor vehicles operating in combinations, provided:
(a) The length of a semitrailer, unladen or with load, in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 53 feet overall dimension.
(b) The distance between the kingpin and the center of the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet, 6 inches. The limit contained in this division shall not apply to trailers or semi-trailers used for the transport of livestock as defined by state law.
(c) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination may not exceed 65 feet in dimension from front axle to rear axle.
(d) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen or with load, operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination, may not exceed 28 feet, 6 inches.
(e) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5 § 1-142.05, may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.
(f) A combination of vehicles, specifically designed to transport motor vehicles or boats, may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in § 74.106(I) below.
(g) Stinger steered semitrailer vehicles, as defined in ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5 § 1-198, specifically designed to transport motor vehicles or boats, may not exceed 75 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of front and rear bumpers, but exclusive of the overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in § 74.106(I) below.
(h) A truck in transit transporting three trucks coupled together by the triple saddlemount method may not exceed 75 feet overall dimension.
(2) Exemptions.
(a) Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting poles, pipes, machinery or other objects of a structural nature that cannot readily be dismembered are exempt from length limitations, provided that no object may exceed 80 feet in length, and the overall dimension of the vehicle, including the load, may not exceed 100 feet. This exemption does not apply to operation on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Legal holidays referred to in this division are the days on which the following traditional holidays are celebrated: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas.
(b) Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities or properties are exempt from length limitations, provided that during night operations every vehicle and its load must be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
(c) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in § 74.106(C)(6), is exempt from length limitations.
(3) Local authorities and road district commissioners, with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction, may also allow, by ordinance or resolution, length limitations of this division.
(4) The length limitations described in this division shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices, such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and other devices, that the Illinois Department of Transportation may interpret as necessary for safe and efficient operation. However, no device so excluded shall be capable, either by design or use, of carrying cargo.
(5) ILCS Ch. 5, Act 100 § 5-35, relating to procedures for rulemaking, shall not apply to the designation of highways under this division.
(F) On Class III and other non-designated state highways, the length limitations for vehicles in combination are as follows:
(1) Truck tractor-semitrailer combinations must comply with a maximum 65 feet extreme overall dimension. An agency or instrumentality of the State of Illinois or any unit of local government shall not be required to widen otherwise alter a Class III or other non- designated state highway constructed before the effective date of Public Law 100-343 to accommodate truck tractor-semitrailer combinations under this division (F)(1).
(2) Semitrailers, unladen or with load, may not exceed 53 feet overall dimension.
(3) No truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination may exceed 60 feet extreme overall dimension.
(4) The distance between the kingpin and the center axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 42 feet 6 inches. The limit contained in this division shall not apply to trailers or semi-trailers used for the transport of livestock as defined by state law.
(G) (1) Length limitations in divisions (A) through (F) do not apply to the following:
(a) Vehicles operated in the daytime, except on Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays, when transporting poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature that cannot readily be dismembered, provided the overall length of vehicle and load may not exceed 100 feet and no object exceeding 80 feet in length may be transported unless a permit has been obtained as authorized in ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 15-301.
(b) Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities or properties, but during night operation every vehicle and its load must be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps upon the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
(c) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles, provided the towing vehicle meets the following conditions:
1. It is specifically designed as a tow truck having a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 pounds and equipped with air brakes, provided that air brakes are required only if the towing vehicle is towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer combination that is equipped with air brakes.
2. It is equipped with flashing, rotating, or oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet in all directions.
3. It is capable of utilizing the lighting and braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination of vehicles.
4. It does not engage in a tow exceeding 50 miles from the initial point of wreck or disablement.
(2) The Illinois Department of Transportation may, by rule or regulation, prescribe additional requirements regarding length limitations for a tow truck towing another vehicle. The towing vehicle, however, may tow any disabled vehicle from the initial point of wreck or disablement to a point where repairs are actually to occur. This movement shall be valid only on state routes. The tower must abide by posted bridge weight limits.
(3) For the purpose of this division, gross vehicle weight rating, or GVWR, shall mean the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck.
(4) Legal holidays referred to in this division shall be specified as the day on which the following traditional holidays are celebrated: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
(H) (1) 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 front wheels of the vehicle or the front bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a front bumper.
(2) The provisions of this division shall not apply to any vehicle or combination of vehicles specifically designed for the collection and transportation of waste, garbage, or recyclable materials, provided:
(a) The vehicle's operation is in the course of collecting garbage, waste, or recyclable materials;
(b) The vehicle is traveling at a speed not in excess of 15 miles per hour while collecting garbage, waste, or recyclable materials; and
(c) However, in no instance shall the load extend more than seven feet beyond the front wheels of the vehicle, or the front bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a front bumper.
(I) (1) The load upon the front vehicle of a combination of vehicles specifically designed to transport motor vehicles shall not extend more than three feet beyond the foremost part of the transporting vehicle.
(2) The load upon the rear transporting vehicle shall not extend more than four feet beyond the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle.
(3) This division shall only be applicable upon highways designated above in divisions (D) and (E).
(J) Articulated vehicles comprised of two sections, neither of which exceeds a length of 42 feet, designed for the carrying of more than ten persons, may be up to 60 feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers, provided that the vehicles are:
(1) Operated by or for any public body or motor carrier authorized by law to provide public transportation services; or
(2) Operated in local public transportation service by any other person and the municipality in which the service is to be provided approved the operation of the vehicle.
(Ord., passed ; Am. Ord., passed 7-19-83; Am. Ord. 7140, passed 8-20-85; Am. Ord. 7208, passed 9-23-86) Penalty, see § 70.999
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 15-107