Administrative Rules of Montana › Department 18 - TRANSPORTATION › Chapter 18.8 - MOTOR CARRIER SERVICES DIVISION › Subchapter 18.8.5 - Overdimensional Permit Requirements › Rule 18.8.519 - WRECKERS AND/OR TOW VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS

Current through Register Vol. 13, July 5, 2024
(1) When
				proceeding to an emergency, a wrecker or tow vehicle which exceeds the weight
				limits set forth in
				61-10-141, MCA, must enter an open
				weigh station except if the emergency creates highway blockage and/or serious
				threat to life and property. If this condition exists, the wrecker or tow
				vehicle must have top lights flashing and may pass by the open weigh
				station.
(2) If separating a towed
				power unit combination would create a safety risk to the traveling public or to
				property on the roadway, a wrecker or tow vehicle may tow the vehicles or
				vehicle combination from the emergency scene or place of disablement on a
				public roadway to the operator's place of business or yard or suitable secure
				facility if it is within 100 miles of the emergency scene.
(3) Combinations, including double and triple
				saddle mount configurations, nondivisible loads, or unusual combinations not
				readily separated (including but not limited to loaded fuel semi-trailers,
				stinger steered combinations, and loaded logging trucks with pole trailer
				connected to the disabled power unit) may be towed from the emergency scene or
				place of disablement to the operator's place of business or yard if it is
				within 100 miles of the emergency scene or place of disablement. If a move
				exceeds 100 miles, the disabled vehicles may be removed from the emergency
				scene or place of disablement on a public roadway but must be separated at the
				first place where the combination can be safely reduced to a single
				unit.
(4) When returning from an
				emergency, the wrecker or tow vehicle and load which exceeds the weight limits
				in 61-10-141, MCA, must enter an open
				weigh station.
(5) Permit
				requirements for tow vehicles operating under emergency conditions:
(a) If a tow vehicle or the vehicle being
				towed exceeds statutory limits, special permits are required and must be
				carried in the tow vehicle when returning from an emergency. An emergency
				response does not exempt the tow truck operator from special permit
				requirements. If the type of special permit cannot be determined, the permits
				must be obtained at the weigh station when returning from the emergency scene
				or place of disablement through the use of the Motor Carrier Services (MCS)
				courtesy weight permit process;
(b)
				A special permit is valid for both the towing vehicle and the disabled vehicle
				and load;
(c) Special permits for
				overweight are valid for both divisible and nondivisible loads, however routing
				and restrictions on the original permit must be followed unless properly
				amended by MCS;
(d) An emergency
				response exempts the tow truck operation from restricted hours of operation
				within 100 miles of the emergency scene; and
(e) All flag vehicles, light, and signing
				regulations found at ARM
				18.8.510A,
				18.8.510B, and
				18.8.511A apply to wreckers and/or
				tow truck vehicles when responding to or returning from an emergency.