An Act To Amend the Law Governing Maximum Length Limits for Truck Tractor Semitrailers
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 2005
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: FARRIN
Amends: 29-A MRSA §2390

Legislative Document
No. 2005
S.P. 707
In Senate, January 8, 2020
An Act To Amend the Law Governing Maximum Length Limits for 
Truck Tractor Semitrailers
Submitted by the Department of Transportation pursuant to Joint Rule 203.
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator FARRIN of Somerset.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  29-A MRSA §2390, sub-§1, ¶J, as amended by PL 2005, c. 478, §1, is 
further amended to read:
J.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, a single semitrailer whose 
total structural length exceeds 48 feet but does not exceed 53 feet may be operated in 
combination with a truck tractor on a highway network if the following conditions are 
met.
(1)  The wheelbase of the semitrailer, measured as the distance from the kingpin 
to the center of the rearmost axle of the semitrailer, may not exceed 43 45 feet, 6 
inches.
(2)  The kingpin setback of the semitrailer, measured as the distance from the 
kingpin to the front of the semitrailer, may not exceed 3 1/2 feet in length.
(3)  The rear overhang of the semitrailer, measured as the distance from the 
center of the rear tandem axles of the semitrailer to the rear of the semitrailer, 
may not exceed 35% of the wheelbase of the semitrailer.
(4)  The semitrailer must be equipped with a rear underride guard that is of 
sufficient strength to prevent a motor vehicle from penetrating underneath the 
semitrailer, extends across the rear of the semitrailer to within an average 
distance of 4 inches of the lateral extremities of the semitrailer, exclusive of 
safety bumper appurtenances, and is placed at a height not exceeding 22 inches 
from the surface of the ground as measured when the semitrailer is empty and is 
on a level surface.
(5)  The semitrailer must be equipped with vehicle lights that comply with or 
exceed federal standards and reflective material approved by the Commissioner 
of Transportation that must be located on the semitrailer in a manner prescribed 
by the commissioner.  The semitrailer must display a conspicuous warning on the 
rear of the semitrailer indicating that the vehicle combination has a wide turning 
radius.
(8)  Except as provided in subparagraph (10), the overall length of the truck 
tractor and semitrailer combination of vehicles traveling beyond the national 
network may not exceed 74 feet, including all structural parts of the vehicle, 
permanent or temporary, and any load carried on or in the vehicle.  For the 
purposes of this subparagraph, "national network" means those highways in the 
State identified under 23 Code of Federal Regulations, Appendix A to Part 658.
(9)  Notwithstanding section 2380, the width of the semitrailer must be 102 
inches, except that the width of the rear safety bumper and appurtenances to the 
safety bumper may not exceed 103 inches and except that the width of a flatbed 
or lowboy semitrailer, measured as the distance between the outer surface edges 
of the semitrailer's tires, must be at least 96 inches but no more than 102 inches.
(10)   For vehicles whose overall length exceeds 74 feet, including all structural 
parts of the vehicle, permanent or temporary, and any load carried on or in the 
vehicle, access is permitted to service facilities or terminals within one mile of 
the national network.  For purposes of this subparagraph, "national network" 
means those highways in the State identified under 23 Code of Federal 
Regulations, Appendix A to Part 658.
(12)  This vehicle combination may not transport cargo that has been prohibited 
for this vehicle combination by the Commissioner of Transportation.
(13)  This paragraph does not apply to a trailer or semitrailer when transporting 
or returning empty from transporting a nondivisible load or object under the 
provisions of an overlimit permit granted by section 2382.
Nothing in this paragraph limits the authority of the department under Title 23, 
section 52 to adopt rules prohibiting or limiting access by semitrailers or other 
vehicles to a highway or portion of a highway or other segment of the transportation 
infrastructure in order to ensure public safety.
SUMMARY
This bill increases the maximum length limit for the wheelbase of a semitrailer 
operated in combination with a truck tractor on a highway network to 45 feet, 6 inches.