Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.719 — MI Code / Chapter 257 / Act Act-300-of-1949 / Section 257.719
Height of vehicle; liability for damage to bridge or viaduct or resulting injury; normal length maximum; prohibitions; length of certain vehicles prohibited from operation on state highways; combination of truck and semitrailer transporting assembled motor vehicles or bodies; connecting assemblies and lighting devices; gross weight; violation as civil infraction; applicability of subsections (2)(a) and (3)(b); definitions.
Status: in_force

Sec. 719.

(1) A vehicle unloaded or with load shall not exceed a height of 13 feet 6 inches. The owner of a vehicle that collides with a lawfully established bridge or viaduct is liable for all damage and injury resulting from a collision caused by the height of the vehicle, whether the clearance of the bridge or viaduct is posted or not.

(2) Lengths described in this subsection shall be known as the normal length maximum. Except as provided in subsection (3), the following vehicles and combinations of vehicles shall not be operated on a highway in this state in excess of these lengths:

(a) Subject to subsection (9), any single vehicle: 40 feet; a crib vehicle on which logs are loaded lengthwise of the vehicle: 42.5 feet; any single bus or motor home: 45 feet.

(b) Articulated buses: 65 feet.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a combination of a truck and semitrailer or trailer, or a truck tractor, semitrailer, and trailer, or truck tractor and semitrailer or trailer, designed and used exclusively to transport assembled motor vehicles or bodies, recreational vehicles, or boats: 65 feet. A combination of a truck and semitrailer or trailer, or a truck tractor, semitrailer, and trailer, or a truck tractor and semitrailer or trailer designed and used to transport boats from the manufacturer: 75 feet. A stinger-steered combination: 80 feet. The load on the combinations of vehicles described in this subdivision may extend an additional 3 feet beyond the front and 4 feet beyond the rear of the combinations of vehicles, except that the load on a stinger-steered combination may extend an additional 4 feet beyond the front and 6 feet beyond the rear. Retractable extensions used to support and secure the load that do not extend beyond the allowable overhang for the front and rear shall not be included in determining length of a loaded vehicle or vehicle combination.

(d) Truck tractor and semitrailer combinations: no overall length, the semitrailer: 50 feet.

(e) Except as provided in subdivision (j), truck and semitrailer or trailer: 59 feet.

(f) Except as provided in subdivisions (g) and (k), truck tractor, semitrailer, and trailer, or truck tractor and 2 semitrailers: 59 feet.

(g) A truck tractor, semitrailer, and trailer, or a truck tractor and 2 semitrailers, in which no semitrailer or trailer is more than 28-1/2 feet long: 65 feet. This subdivision only applies while the vehicle is being used for a business purpose reasonably related to picking up or delivering a load and only if each semitrailer or trailer is equipped with a device or system capable of mechanically dumping construction materials or dumping construction materials by force of gravity.

(h) More than 1 motor vehicle, wholly or partially assembled, in combination, utilizing 1 tow bar or 3 saddle mounts with full mount mechanisms and utilizing the motive power of 1 of the vehicles in combination: 55 feet.

(i) A recreational vehicle that has its own motive power, in combination with a trailer: 65 feet or, if the operator of the recreational vehicle has a group commercial motor vehicle designation on his or her operator's or chauffeur's license, 75 feet.

(j) Truck and trailer combinations designed and used to transport agricultural drainage tubing: 75 feet.

(k) A towaway trailer transporter combination: 82 feet. As used in this subdivision, "towaway trailer transportation combination" means that term as defined in 49 USC 31111.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), the following vehicles and combinations of vehicles shall not be operated on a designated highway of this state in excess of these lengths:

(a) Truck tractor and semitrailer combinations: no overall length limit, the semitrailer 53 feet. City, village, or county authorities may prohibit stops of vehicles with a semitrailer longer than 50 feet within their jurisdiction unless the stop occurs along appropriately designated routes, or is necessary for emergency purposes or to reach shippers, receivers, warehouses, and terminals along designated routes.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (2)(k), truck and semitrailer or trailer combinations: 65 feet, except that a person may operate a truck and semitrailer or trailer designed and used to transport saw logs, pulpwood, and tree length poles that does not exceed an overall length of 70 feet or a crib vehicle and semitrailer or trailer designed and used to transport saw logs that does not exceed an overall length of 75 feet. A crib vehicle and semitrailer or trailer designed to and used to transport saw logs shall not exceed a gross vehicle weight of 164,000 pounds. A person may operate a truck tractor and semitrailer designed and used to transport saw logs, pulpwood, and tree length wooden poles with a load overhang to the rear of the semitrailer which does not exceed 6 feet if the semitrailer does not exceed 50 feet in length.

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (5)(d), a truck tractor with a log slasher unit and a log saw unit: no overall limit if the length of each unit does not exceed 28-1/2 feet, or the overall length of the log slasher unit and the log saw unit, as measured from the front of the first towed unit to the rear of the second towed unit while the units are coupled together, does not exceed 58 feet. The coupling devices of the truck tractor and units set forth in this subdivision shall meet the requirements established under the motor carrier safety act of 1963, 1963 PA 181, MCL 480.11 to 480.25.

(d) Except as provided in subsection (2)(k), truck tractor and 2 semitrailers, or truck tractor, semitrailer, and trailer combinations: no overall length limit, if the length of each semitrailer or trailer does not exceed 28-1/2 feet each, or the overall length of the semitrailer and trailer, or 2 semitrailers as measured from the front of the first towed unit to the rear of the second towed unit while the units are coupled together does not exceed 58 feet.

(e) More than 1 motor vehicle, wholly or partially assembled, in combination, utilizing 1 tow bar or 3 saddle mounts with full mount mechanisms and utilizing the motive power of 1 of the vehicles in combination: 97 feet.

(f) Truck tractor and lowboy semitrailer combinations: no maximum overall length, if the lowboy semitrailer does not exceed 59 feet, except as otherwise permitted under this subdivision. A lowboy semitrailer more than 59 feet in length shall not operate with more than any combination of 4 axles on the lowboy unless an oversized load permit is issued by the state transportation department or a local authority with respect to highways under its jurisdiction. As used in this subdivision, "lowboy semitrailer" means a flatbed semitrailer with a depressed section that has the specific purpose of being lowered and raised for loading and unloading.

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a combination of a truck and semitrailer, or truck tractor and semitrailer, used exclusively to transport assembled motor vehicles or bodies that have a trailer length of 53 feet may have a load that extends an additional 3 feet beyond the front of the trailer and 4 feet beyond the rear of the trailer. Retractable extensions used to support and secure the load that do not extend beyond the allowable overhang for the front and rear shall not be included in determining length of a loaded vehicle or vehicle combination. The total overall length loaded of the combination of vehicles described in this subsection shall not exceed 79 feet.

(5) The following combinations and movements are prohibited:

(a) A truck shall not haul more than 1 trailer or semitrailer, and a truck tractor shall not haul more than 2 semitrailers or 1 semitrailer and 1 trailer in combination at any 1 time, except that a farm tractor may haul 2 wagons or trailers, or garbage and refuse haulers may, during daylight hours, haul up to 4 trailers for garbage and refuse collection purposes, not exceeding in any combination a total length of 55 feet and at a speed limit not to exceed 15 miles per hour.

(b) A combination of vehicles or a vehicle shall not have more than 11 axles, except when operating under a valid permit issued by the state transportation department or a local authority with respect to a highway under its jurisdiction.

(c) Any combination of vehicles not specifically authorized under this section is prohibited.

(d) Except as provided in subsection (3)(c), a combination of 2 semitrailers pulled by a truck tractor, unless each semitrailer uses a fifth wheel connecting assembly that conforms to the requirements of the motor carrier safety act of 1963, 1963 PA 181, MCL 480.11 to 480.25.

(e) Except as provided in subsection (2)(c), a vehicle or a combination of vehicles shall not carry a load extending more than 3 feet beyond the front of the lead vehicle.

(f) A vehicle described in subsections (2)(e) and (3)(e) employing triple saddle mounts unless all wheels that are in contact with the roadway have operating brakes.

(6) All combinations of vehicles under this section shall employ connecting assemblies and lighting devices that are in compliance with the motor carrier safety act of 1963, 1963 PA 181, MCL 480.11 to 480.25.

(7) The total gross weight of a truck tractor, semitrailer, and trailer combination or a truck tractor and 2 semitrailers combination that exceeds 59 feet in length shall not exceed a ratio of 400 pounds per engine net horsepower delivered to clutch or its equivalent specified in the handbook published by the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. (SAE), 1977 edition.

(8) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction. The owner of the vehicle may be charged with a violation of this section.

(9) The provisions in subsections (2)(a) and (3)(b) prescribing the length of a crib vehicle on which logs are loaded lengthwise do not apply unless 23 USC 127(d) is amended to allow crib vehicles carrying logs to be loaded as described in this section.

(10) As used in this section:

(a) "Designated highway" means a highway approved by the state transportation department or a local authority with respect to a highway under its jurisdiction.

(b) "Length" means the total length of a vehicle, or combination of vehicles, including any load the vehicle is carrying. Length does not include devices described in 23 CFR 658.16 and 23 CFR part 658, appendix D, 23 CFR 658.16 and 23 CFR part 658, appendix D, as on file with the secretary of state are adopted by reference. A safety or energy conservation device shall be excluded from a determination of length only if it is not designed or used for the carrying of cargo, freight, or equipment. Semitrailers and trailers shall be measured from the front vertical plane of the foremost transverse load supporting structure to the rearmost transverse load supporting structure. Vehicle components not excluded by law shall be included in the measurement of the length, height, and width of the vehicle.

(c) "Stinger-steered combination" means a truck tractor and semitrailer combination in which the fifth wheel is located on a drop frame located behind and below the rearmost axle of the power unit.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949; Am. 1951, Act 43, Eff. Sept. 28, 1951; Am. 1954, Act 111, Imd. Eff. Apr. 15, 1954; Am. 1955, Act 208, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1955; Am. 1956, Act 141, Imd. Eff. Apr. 16, 1956; Am. 1957, Act 291, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957; Am. 1958, Act 88, Imd. Eff. Apr. 11, 1958; Am. 1964, Act 94, Eff. Aug. 28, 1964; Am. 1966, Act 79, Imd. Eff. June 14, 1966; Am. 1968, Act 43, Imd. Eff. May 21, 1968; Am. 1969, Act 59, Imd. Eff. July 21, 1969; Am. 1970, Act 70, Imd. Eff. July 12, 1970; Am. 1973, Act 207, Imd. Eff. Jan. 11, 1974; Am. 1974, Act 95, Imd. Eff. Apr. 25, 1974; Am. 1976, Act 201, Imd. Eff. July 23, 1976; Am. 1978, Act 225, Eff. Mar. 30, 1979; Am. 1978, Act 386, Imd. Eff. July 27, 1978; Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979; Am. 1978, Act 565, Imd. Eff. Dec. 29, 1978; Am. 1980, Act 487, Imd. Eff. Jan. 21, 1981; Am. 1981, Act 147, Imd. Eff. Nov. 10, 1981; Am. 1982, Act 350, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 1982; Am. 1982, Act 533, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983; Am. 1984, Act 1, Imd. Eff. Jan. 24, 1984; Am. 1985, Act 174, Imd. Eff. Dec. 2, 1985; Am. 1986, Act 187, Imd. Eff. July 8, 1986; Am. 1988, Act 88, Eff. Apr. 15, 1988; Am. 1988, Act 356, Imd. Eff. Dec. 7, 1988; Am. 1990, Act 78, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1990; Am. 1992, Act 127, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1992; Am. 1995, Act 248, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1995; Am. 1996, Act 136, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1996; Am. 2000, Act 306, Imd. Eff. Oct. 16, 2000; Am. 2002, Act 78, Imd. Eff. Mar. 25, 2002; Am. 2002, Act 453, Imd. Eff. June 21, 2002; Am. 2003, Act 142, Imd. Eff. Aug. 5, 2003; Am. 2004, Act 420, Eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Am. 2009, Act 37, Imd. Eff. June 4, 2009; Am. 2012, Act 80, Imd. Eff. Apr. 11, 2012; Am. 2012, Act 282, Imd. Eff. July 5, 2012; Am. 2015, Act 208, Eff. Feb. 28, 2016; Am. 2017, Act 35, Eff. Aug. 21, 2017; Am. 2017, Act 170, Eff. Feb. 19, 2018; Am. 2018, Act 35, Eff. May 22, 2018