Chapter 348

348.01(2)(c) (c) “Tandem axle” means any 2 or more consecutive axles whose centers are 42 or more inches apart and which are individually attached to or articulated from, or both, a common attachment to the vehicle including a connecting mechanism designed to equalize the load between axles.

348.01(2)(cm) (cm) “To or from a farm-related destination,” with respect to operating or transporting an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle, means movement between or among farms, fields, agricultural storage or processing facilities, locations where the implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle is stored, or any combination of the foregoing.

348.01(2)(d) (d) “Vehicle for recreational use” includes a bicycle, moped, motor bicycle, motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, utility terrain vehicle, snowmobile, boat, as defined in s. 30.50 (2), sailboard, as defined in s. 30.50 (11), personal watercraft, electric scooter, or electric personal assistive mobility device, but does not include an automobile, motor truck, motor home, play vehicle, or in-line skates.

348.01 History History: 1981 c. 312 ss. 1, 2, 4; 1985 a. 202, 212, 332; 1989 a. 165; 1993 a. 62, 439; 1999 a. 85; 2005 a. 11, 167; 2007 a. 16; 2009 a. 180; 2011 a. 59, 208; 2013 a. 216, 220, 377; 2015 a. 15, 55, 232, 360; 2019 a. 11.

348.02 348.02 Applicability of chapter.

348.02(1) (1) The provisions of this chapter restricting the size, weight and load of vehicles apply also to vehicles owned by or operated by or for a governmental agency, subject to such exceptions in this chapter.

348.02(2) (2) The provisions of this chapter restricting the size and weight of vehicles apply to the vehicle and any load which it is carrying except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

348.02(3) (3) Any owner of a vehicle who causes or permits such vehicle to be operated on a highway in violation of this chapter is guilty of the violation the same as if the owner had actually operated the vehicle.

348.02(4) (4) The limitations on size, weight and load imposed by this chapter do not apply to road machinery actually engaged in construction or maintenance of a highway within the limits of the project.

348.02(5) (5) The limitations on weight, length and number of vehicles in combination imposed by this chapter shall not apply to a combination of vehicles in an emergency towing operation in which the towing vehicle is being used to remove a stalled or disabled vehicle or combination of vehicles from the highway to the nearest adequate place for repairs, or in which the towing vehicle is an emergency truck tractor temporarily substituted for a stalled or disabled truck tractor. The vehicle owner or the owner’s agent shall designate the nearest adequate place for repairs for vehicles or combinations of vehicles exceeding the statutory length limits or limits on the number of vehicles in combination.

348.02(6) (6) The provisions of this chapter apply to implements of husbandry and agricultural commercial motor vehicles.

348.02 History History: 1977 c. 197; 1979 c. 348; 1981 c. 268, 312, 390; 1989 a. 134; 1991 a. 316; 2013 a. 377.

348.03 348.03 Self-certification for agricultural commercial motor vehicles.

348.03(1) (1) The department shall prescribe a form for the owner or operator of an agricultural commercial motor vehicle to certify that the vehicle and its operation satisfy all requirements specified in the definition under s. 340.01 (1o).

348.03(2) (2) The certification on the form under sub. (1) of an owner or operator of an agricultural commercial motor vehicle may be offered to the department or any traffic officer as evidence of the truth of the matters asserted in the certification, but the certification is not conclusive of such matters.

348.03 History History: 2013 a. 377.

subch. II of ch. 348 SUBCHAPTER II

SIZE AND LOAD

348.05 348.05 Width of vehicles.

348.05(1) (1) No person without a permit therefor shall operate on a highway any vehicle having a total width in excess of 8 feet 6 inches, except as otherwise provided in this section.

348.05(2) (2) The following vehicles may be operated without a permit for excessive width if the total outside width does not exceed the indicated limitations:

348.05(2)(a) (a) Subject to ss. 347.24 (3), 347.245 (1), and 347.25 (2g), no limitation for implements of husbandry.

348.05(2)(am) (am) Ten feet for an agricultural commercial motor vehicle, except that, if the agricultural commercial motor vehicle is operated for purposes of spraying pesticides or spreading lime or fertilizer but not including manure application and has extending tires, fenders, or fender flares, the total outside width of the agricultural commercial motor vehicle may not exceed 12 feet. This paragraph does not apply to an agricultural commercial motor vehicle on a highway that is a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways.

348.05(2)(b) (b) No limitation for snowplows operated by or for a governmental agency.

348.05(2)(d) (d) Ten feet 6 inches for snowplows attached to motor vehicles normally used for the transportation of milk.

348.05(2)(e) (e) Twelve feet for skidders, forwarders, harvesters, and wheeled feller bunchers operated for logging purposes at times other than hours of darkness and operated on the highway for a distance of 0.5 miles or less. This paragraph does not apply on any highway that is a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways.

348.05(2)(f) (f) Eight feet 8 inches for urban passenger buses and 8 feet 6 inches for interurban passenger buses.

348.05(2)(i) (i) A realistic body width of 8 feet 6 inches for mobile homes, including recreational vehicles, and motor homes, and, for motor homes and for recreational vehicles used only as temporary or recreational dwellings, up to an additional 4 inches on the left side and 6 inches on the right side of such vehicles for appurtenances provided that, if any appurtenance extends the maximum 4 inches on the left side or 6 inches on the right side, the appurtenance is located at a height of not less than 8 feet from the ground. In this paragraph, “appurtenance” means any mechanical or other device, including retracted awning assemblies, vent grates, electrical outlet covers, and door handles, that is related to the structure of the vehicle and is installed upon the vehicle by a manufacturer or dealer.

348.05(2)(k) (k) Nine feet for loads of tie logs, tie slabs and veneer logs, provided that no part of the load shall extend more than 6 inches beyond the fender line on the left side of the vehicle or extend more than 10 inches beyond the fender line on the right side of the vehicle. This paragraph does not apply to transport on highways designated as parts of the national system of interstate and defense highways under s. 84.29.

348.05(2)(L) (L) Twelve feet for loads of hay in bales and, from September 15 to December 15 of each year, for loads of Christmas trees from the point of harvesting or staging to a Christmas tree yard or point of commercial shipment, if the total outside width of the loads do not exceed the width of a single traffic lane of any highway over which the loads are carried. This paragraph does not apply to vehicles on highways designated as parts of the national system of interstate and defense highways under s. 84.29.

348.05(2)(m) (m) Nine feet for a vehicle or vehicle combination used by a pipeline company or operator, public service corporation, municipal utility, or cooperative association described in s. 196.01 (5) (b) 1., or by a motor carrier operating under contract with a pipeline company or operator, public service corporation, municipal utility, or cooperative association described in s. 196.01 (5) (b) 1., for transportation of poles, pipe, girders, and similar materials.

348.05(2g) (2g) 

348.05(2g)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (c), and subject to par. (b), sub. (2) (a) also applies to implements of husbandry while being operated or transported by an implement dealer or farmer for purposes of delivery, repair, or servicing of the implement of husbandry if the implement of husbandry is being operated or transported under either of the following circumstances:

348.05(2g)(a)1. 1. Directly from a farmer’s owned or leased land to the business location of an implement dealer that is within a 75-mile radius of the farmer’s owned or leased land.

348.05(2g)(a)2. 2. Directly from the business location of an implement dealer to a farmer’s owned or leased land that is within a 75-mile radius of the implement dealer’s business location.

348.05(2g)(b) (b)

348.05(2g)(b)1. 1. Paragraph (a) applies to a person operating or towing an implement of husbandry only if the person complies with ss. 347.24 (3), 347.245 (1), and 347.25 (2g), as applicable. For purposes of this subdivision, the requirements under ss. 347.24 (3), 347.245 (1), and 347.25 (2g) shall apply to an implement of husbandry being towed to the same extent as if the implement of husbandry were being operated.

348.05(2g)(b)2. 2. Paragraph (a) applies to a person transporting by trailer or semitrailer an implement of husbandry only if the person complies with s. 347.24 (3) (b) 1. For purposes of this subdivision, the requirements under s. 347.24 (3) (b) 1. shall apply to an implement of husbandry being transported by trailer or semitrailer to the same extent as if the implement of husbandry were being operated.

348.05(2g)(c) (c) This subsection does not apply to implements of husbandry being transported by trailer or semitrailer on a highway that is a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways, but does apply to implements of husbandry being operated or towed on a highway that is a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways.

348.05(2m) (2m) The secretary, by rule, shall designate safety devices which may not be included in the calculation of width under subs. (1) and (2). The designation of safety devices under this subsection may not be inconsistent with the safety devices designated by the U.S. secretary of transportation under P.L. 97-369, section 321.

348.05(3m) (3m) 

348.05(3m)(a) (a) Subject to par. (c), implements of husbandry of any width may be transported by trailer or semitrailer, without a permit, on a highway to or from a farm-related destination, at times other than hours of darkness.

348.05(3m)(b) (b) This subsection does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways.

348.05(3m)(c) (c) Paragraph (a) applies only if the person transporting the implement of husbandry complies with s. 347.24 (3) (b) 1. For purposes of this paragraph, the requirements under s. 347.24 (3) (b) 1. shall apply to an implement of husbandry being transported to the same extent as if the implement of husbandry were being operated.

348.05(3r) (3r) 

348.05(3r)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), and subject to s. 348.09 (3) (b), sub. (2) (am) also applies to agricultural commercial motor vehicles while being operated or transported by trailer or semitrailer by an implement dealer or farmer for purposes of delivery, repair, or servicing of the agricultural commercial motor vehicle if the agricultural commercial motor vehicle is being operated or transported by trailer or semitrailer under either of the following circumstances:

348.05(3r)(a)1. 1. Directly from a farmer’s owned or leased land to the business location of an implement dealer that is within a 75-mile radius of the farmer’s owned or leased land.

348.05(3r)(a)2. 2. Directly from the business location of an implement dealer to a farmer’s owned or leased land that is within a 75-mile radius of the implement dealer’s business location.

348.05(3r)(b) (b) This subsection does not apply to agricultural commercial motor vehicles being operated or transported by trailer or semitrailer on a highway that is a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways.

348.05(3t) (3t) 

348.05(3t)(a) (a) Subject to par. (b) and s. 348.09 (3) (b), agricultural commercial motor vehicles not exceeding the width specified in sub. (2) (am) may be transported by trailer or semitrailer, without a permit, on a highway to or from a farm-related destination, at times other than hours of darkness.

348.05(3t)(b) (b) This subsection does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways.

348.05(4) (4) Notwithstanding sub. (1), the secretary may restrict vehicles to a width of less than 8 feet 6 inches on any portion of any state or local highway if he or she deems such restriction necessary to protect the public safety. Any such restriction shall be indicated by official signs. If the secretary restricts vehicles to a width of less than 8 feet 6 inches on any local highway, the local authority in charge of maintenance shall be responsible for erecting the appropriate signs on the local highway.

348.05 History History: 1975 c. 50; 1977 c. 26; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (9) (b); 1981 c. 22; 1983 a. 78, 508; 1985 a. 187; 1993 a. 353, 404; 1995 a. 7, 225, 348; 1999 a. 85; 2003 a. 213; 2011 a. 243; 2013 a. 369, 377; 2015 a. 15, 171; 2015 a. 195 s. 83; 2015 a. 232; 2017 a. 365 s. 111.

348.05 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. Trans 276.04, Wis. adm. code.

348.06 348.06 Height of vehicles.

348.06(1) (1) Except as provided in subs. (2) and (2m), no person, without a permit therefor, may operate on a highway any motor vehicle, mobile home, recreational vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer having an overall height in excess of 13 1/2 feet.

348.06(2) (2) Implements of husbandry, and 2-vehicle combinations transporting by trailer or semitrailer implements of husbandry to or from a farm-related destination, of any height may be operated upon a highway without a permit for excessive height. The operator of the implement of husbandry or 2-vehicle combination is responsible for ensuring that there is adequate height clearance between the implement of husbandry being operated or transported and any overhead structure or obstruction, other than a structure or obstruction that is any of the following:

348.06(2)(a) (a) Any overhead utility line that does not satisfy the requirements of the state electric code promulgated by the public service commission.

348.06(2)(b) (b) Any overhead electric line of a cooperative association that is organized under ch. 185 and that does not comply with the National Electrical Safety Code.

348.06(2m) (2m) 

348.06(2m)(a) (a) Double-decked buses having an overall height not exceeding 14 feet 5 inches may be operated without a permit for excessive height upon a highway, other than a state trunk highway, that has a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less if the vehicle owner or operator has, prior to the vehicle’s operation, obtained written approval for such operation and for the vehicle’s route from the local authority with jurisdiction over the highway on any highway on which the vehicle will be operated. A local authority may not approve the operation of a vehicle under this subsection on a highway under its jurisdiction unless all of the following apply:

348.06(2m)(a)1. 1. The local authority has received a copy of the vehicle’s proposed route, inspected the route, and verified that there is at least 6 inches of height clearance between the vehicle and any overhead structure or obstruction, including any utility line, on all parts of the route.

348.06(2m)(a)2. 2. The vehicle owner has agreed, in writing, to assume liability for any personal injury or property damage resulting from the vehicle’s striking of any overhead structure or obstruction, including any utility line, regardless of whether the personal injury or property damage occurs on an approved route.

348.06(2m)(a)3. 3. The local authority has inspected the vehicle and verified that the sign required under par. (b) is displayed.

348.06(2m)(b) (b) A vehicle specified in par. (a) shall conspicuously display, in the operator’s area of the vehicle, a sign informing the operator that operation of the vehicle on any highway that is not part of a route approved under par. (a) is unlawful.

348.06(2m)(c) (c) A local authority may, for any reason, deny approval for the operation of a vehicle under this subsection, or deny approval of any route regardless of whether the requirements under par. (a) are satisfied, on any highway under the local authority’s jurisdiction.

348.06(2m)(d) (d) A local authority that has approved operation of a vehicle under this subsection shall, with respect to any route approved for every such vehicle, inspect the approved route at least once each year. If the inspection reveals that the clearance requirements specified in par. (a) 1. are no longer satisfied, the local authority shall revoke the route approval, but may approve an alternative route that complies with the clearance requirements specified in par. (a) 1.

348.06(2m)(e) (e) A local authority may delegate to any department, division, official, or employee of the local authority the responsibility for issuing approvals, conducting inspections, or carrying out any other duty specified under this subsection.

348.06(3) (3) The limitations on total height stated in this section shall not be construed as requiring a clearance of such height or as relieving the owners of vehicles not exceeding such total height from liability for any damage.

348.06 History History: 1999 a. 85; 2005 a. 11; 2007 a. 11; 2013 a. 377; 2015 a. 15, 232.

348.07 348.07 Length of vehicles.

348.07(1) (1) No person, without a permit therefor, may operate on a highway any single vehicle with an overall length in excess of 45 feet or any combination of 2 vehicles with an overall length in excess of 70 feet, except as otherwise provided in subs. (2), (2a), (2m), (2r), and (4m) and s. 348.08 (1).

348.07(2) (2) The following vehicles may be operated without a permit for excessive length if the overall length does not exceed the indicated limitations:

348.07(2)(e) (e)

348.07(2)(e)1. 1. Sixty feet for an implement of husbandry that is a single vehicle.

348.07(2)(e)2. 2. Except as provided in subd. 3., 100 feet for implements of husbandry that are 2-vehicle combinations and for 2-vehicle combinations transporting by trailer or semitrailer implements of husbandry to or from a farm-related destination.

348.07(2)(e)3. 3. No length limitation for an implement of husbandry that is an irrigation system in combination with a farm tractor, farm truck, farm truck tractor, or motor truck temporarily operated upon a highway.

348.07(2)(f) (f) No overall length limitation for a tractor-semitrailer combination, a double bottom or an automobile haulaway when such tractor-semitrailer combination, double bottom or automobile haulaway is operated on a highway designated under sub. (4).

348.07(2)(fm) (fm) No length limitation for a truck tractor or road tractor when such truck tractor or road tractor is operated in a tractor-semitrailer combination or as part of a double bottom or an automobile haulaway on a highway designated under sub. (4).

348.07(2)(fs) (fs) 75 feet for a tractor-semitrailer combination, except as provided in par. (f) or sub. (4m).

348.07(2)(g) (g) 48 feet for a semitrailer or trailer operated as part of a 2-vehicle combination, except as provided in par. (gr) or (gv).

348.07(2)(gm) (gm) 28 feet 6 inches for a semitrailer or trailer operated as part of a double bottom on a highway designated under sub. (4).

348.07(2)(gr) (gr) 53 feet for a semitrailer whose length from kingpin to axle does not exceed 43 feet and which is operated as part of a 2-vehicle combination on a highway designated under sub. (4). The length limits in this paragraph do not apply to a trailer or a semitrailer that is authorized to operate under par. (im).

348.07(2)(gv) (gv) 53 feet for a semitrailer whose length from kingpin to axle does not exceed 43 feet and which is operated as part of a 2-vehicle combination, except as provided in par. (gr) or sub. (4m). The length limits in this paragraph do not apply to a trailer or a semitrailer that is authorized to operate under par. (im).

348.07(2)(h) (h) Sixty-six feet for articulated buses operated in urban areas.

348.07(2)(im) (im) Seventy-five total feet for a 2-vehicle combination designed and primarily used for transporting livestock, if the trailer or semitrailer, measured as required by sub. (3) (b), is not longer than 53 feet, the trailer or semitrailer is equipped with at least 2 axles, and the towing vehicle is not a motor truck, truck tractor, road tractor, or combination vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or actual gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less.

348.07(2)(j) (j) 66 feet for an automobile haulaway plus an additional overhang of 4 feet to the front of the vehicle and 5 feet to the rear of the vehicle.

348.07(2)(k) (k) Sixty feet for a single vehicle, and 120 feet for a 2-vehicle combination, used by a pipeline company or operator, public service corporation, municipal utility, or cooperative association described in s. 196.01 (5) (b) 1., or by a motor carrier operating under contract with a pipeline company or operator, public service corporation, municipal utility, or cooperative association described in s. 196.01 (5) (b) 1., for transportation of poles, pipe, girders and similar materials. A vehicle or vehicle combination described in this paragraph may, in addition to the vehicle length specified in this paragraph, carry a load extending not more than 10 feet beyond the front bumper of the vehicle or foremost vehicle in the vehicle combination.