Chapter Trans 254

Trans 254.09(1) (1) The maximum size, axle, axle combination, and total weight limitations authorized by a permit may not be exceeded.

Trans 254.09(2) (2) Property transported under a permit shall be loaded to minimize its size and weight.

Trans 254.09(3) (3) An oversize vehicle used for transporting loads under a permit shall be reduced to legal size whenever possible when being operated without load.

Trans 254.09 Note Note: Legal sizes are set forth in ch. 348 and s. 349.16, Stats.

Trans 254.09(4) (4) A load transported under a permit may not extend beyond the front of the power unit, beyond the left fender line of the transporting vehicle, or more than 6 inches beyond the right fender of the transporting vehicle, unless the overhang is minimized by suitable positioning of the load upon the vehicle.

Trans 254.09(5) (5) Loads consisting of more than one article, none of which are oversize, may not be transported under the permit.

Trans 254.09(6) (6) Vehicles and loads which, when reasonably divided, would not be oversize or overweight, may not be transported under the permit.

Trans 254.09(7) (7) Loads which, when reasonably repositioned on the transporting vehicle would not be oversize or overweight, may not be transported under the permit.

Trans 254.09(8) (8) Loads consisting of more than one article, one or more of which are oversize, may be transported under a permit only if:

Trans 254.09(8)(a) (a) The vehicle and load is not overweight, and

Trans 254.09(8)(b) (b) The other articles transported do not cause the vehicle and load to be oversize in any manner differently from the largest single article.

Trans 254.09 Note Note: For example, if a storage tank which is overwidth and overheight (but not overlength) is the single largest article transported, then a toolbox which is not wider, and is not higher, and does not make the vehicle and load overlength or overweight may also be transported.

Trans 254.09 Note However, a beam placed crosswise which makes the overall width wider than the storage tank may not be transported as an additional article. Similarly, a beam placed lengthwise which makes the vehicle and load overlength may not be transported as an additional article.

Trans 254.09 Note Finally, if the vehicle and load were overweight, then no additional article may be transported.

Trans 254.09(9) (9) The load shall be properly secured and fastened to the transporting vehicle.

Trans 254.09(10) (10) Wheels on one side of a transporting vehicle may not carry more than 60% of the total gross load.

Trans 254.09 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91.

Trans 254.10 Trans 254.10 Equipment requirements.

Trans 254.10(1) (1) Lighting. An oversize vehicle, or a vehicle with an oversize load operating during the hours of darkness, shall be equipped with the following additional lamps:

Trans 254.10(1)(a) (a) For a vehicle with a load which extends beyond the width of the vehicle:

Trans 254.10(1)(a)1. 1. At the outermost extremity of the foremost edge of the projecting load, an amber lamp visible from the front and side.

Trans 254.10(1)(a)2. 2. At the outermost extremity at the rearmost edge of the projecting load, a red lamp visible from the rear and side.

Trans 254.10(1)(a)3. 3. Any portion of an overwidth load extending beyond the width of the foremost or rearmost edge of the vehicle or load, shall be marked with an amber lamp visible from the front, both sides, and rear.

Trans 254.10(1)(a)4. 4. The overwidth portion of a load measuring 3 feet or less from front to rear, shall be marked with an amber lamp visible from the front, both sides and rear, except that if the overwidth projection is located at or near the rear it shall be marked by a red lamp visible from front, side and rear.

Trans 254.10(1)(b) (b) For a vehicle with a load which extends more than 4 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle:

Trans 254.10(1)(b)1. 1. On each side of the projecting load, 1 red lamp, visible from the side, located so as to indicate maximum overhang.

Trans 254.10(1)(b)2. 2. On the rear of the projecting load, 2 red lamps, visible from the rear, 1 at each side; and 2 red reflectors visible from the rear, 1 at each side, located so as to indicate maximum width.

Trans 254.10(1)(c) (c) All required lamps shall be illuminated whenever a vehicle is operated during hours of darkness. All lamps shall be visible at a distance of 500 feet.

Trans 254.10(2) (2) Warning lamps. When required by a permit, warning lamps shall be operated as follows:

Trans 254.10(2)(a) (a) All amber flashing or revolving warning lamps shall have a reflector at least 6 inches in diameter and shall be bright enough to be clearly visible and attention-attracting at a distance of 500 feet under all conditions when the load is on the highway, except when visibility is obstructed by a hillcrest, a curve, or an object such as another vehicle.

Trans 254.10(2)(b) (b) All warning lamps shall flash at a rate of 30 to 90 times per minute.

Trans 254.10(2)(c) (c) Strobe lamps may be used in lieu of flashing or revolving lamps.

Trans 254.10(2)(d) (d) Warning lamps may not be operated when a vehicle is not operating under the permit.

Trans 254.10(3) (3) Flags.

Trans 254.10(3)(a) (a) When a vehicle, load, or vehicle and load is overlength, a single flag shall be fastened at the extreme rear of the load if the overlength or projecting portion is 2 feet wide or less.

Trans 254.10(3)(b) (b) When a vehicle, load, or vehicle and load is overlength, 2 flags shall be fastened at the rear of the load to indicate maximum width if the overlength or projecting portion is wider than 2 feet.

Trans 254.10(3)(c) (c) When a vehicle, load, or vehicle and load is overwidth, a flag shall be fastened at each front and rear corner of the load. In addition, if any part of the load is more than 4 inches wider than the width of load or vehicle at the front or rear, a flag shall be placed at the widest point of the load.

Trans 254.10(3)(d) (d) Each flag shall be solid red or orange in color, and not less than 18 inches square.

Trans 254.10(3)(e) (e) In order to wave freely, flags shall be securely fastened by at least one corner or securely mounted on a staff.

Trans 254.10(4) (4) Signs.

Trans 254.10(4)(a) (a) When a vehicle, load, or vehicle and load, is more than 10 feet wide or is overlength, 2 warning signs shall be displayed. One sign shall be fastened at the front of the power unit and the other at either the rear of the towed unit or at the rear of the load.

Trans 254.10(4)(b) (b) Each sign shall state, in black letters on a yellow background,“OVERSIZE LOAD,” and may not be less than 7 feet long and 18 inches high. The letters of the sign may not be less than 10 inches high with a brush stroke of not less than 1.4 inches.

Trans 254.10(4)(c) (c) The sign message may not be displayed when the vehicle is not operating under the permit.

Trans 254.10 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91; CR 13-093: r. (5) Register July 2014 No. 703, eff. 8-1-14.

Trans 254.11 Trans 254.11 Times of operation.

Trans 254.11(1) (1) Except as otherwise specified in a permit, a vehicle, load, or vehicle and load that is overweight, but not oversize, may operate 24 hours a day, including weekends and restricted-travel holidays.

Trans 254.11(2) (2) Except as otherwise specified in a permit, no oversize vehicle or vehicle combination operating under a permit issued under this chapter may be operated in Columbia, Dane, Milwaukee, Rock, and Waukesha counties between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on any of the following days:

Trans 254.11(2)(a) (a) Sunday.

Trans 254.11(2)(b) (b) Any Friday in the period beginning on the 4th Friday in May and ending on Labor Day.

Trans 254.11(2)(c) (c) Any restricted-travel holiday.

Trans 254.11(2)(d) (d) The day before any restricted-travel holiday, except July 3 if that day falls on a Saturday.

Trans 254.11(3) (3) In addition to the conditions provided in sub. (2), no oversize vehicle or vehicle combination operating under a permit issued under this chapter and that exceeds 12 feet in width, 131⁄2 feet in height, or 150 feet in length, may operate in any county:

Trans 254.11(3)(a) (a) During the hours of darkness.

Trans 254.11(3)(b) (b) During the period beginning at 12:00 noon on Saturday and continuing until sunrise on Sunday.

Trans 254.11(3)(c) (c) Between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Trans 254.11(3)(d) (d) During the period beginning at 12:00 noon on the day preceding and continuing until sunrise on the day following every restricted-travel holiday.

Trans 254.11(4) (4) In addition to the conditions provided in subs. (2) and (3), no oversize vehicle or vehicle combination may operate on any part of the Milwaukee county expressway system constructed pursuant to s. 59.84, Stats., at the following days and times:

Trans 254.11(4)(a) (a) Monday through Thursday at the following times:

Trans 254.11(4)(a)1. 1. Between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

Trans 254.11(4)(a)2. 2. Between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Trans 254.11(4)(b) (b) Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

Trans 254.11(4)(c) (c) Friday or Sunday between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Trans 254.11(4a) (4a) Subsection (4) does not apply to U.S. highway 45 between West Florist Avenue and West Hampton Avenue or to interstate highway 94 between the Waukesha county line and 108th Street.

Trans 254.11 Note Note: 108th Street is also known as Mayfair Road or State Highway 100 at the described location.

Trans 254.11(5) (5) An issuing authority may issue a permit for times other than those specified in sub. (1), (2), (3), or (4), under extraordinary circumstances when, in the opinion of the issuing authority, public health and welfare is better served, and may impose additional conditions to promote the safe operation of the vehicle and load.

Trans 254.11 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91; am. (4) (intro.), cr. (4a), Register, July, 1991, No. 427, eff. 8-1-91; correction in (4) (intro.) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register June 2005 No. 594; CR 13-093: am. (1), (2) (intro.), r. and recr. (2) (a) to (d), am. (3) (intro.), (b), cr. (3) (c), (d), am. (4) (intro.), r. and recr. (4) (a), (b), cr. (4) (c) Register July 2014 No. 703, eff. 8-1-14.

Trans 254.12 Trans 254.12 Route limitations.

Trans 254.12(1) (1) No vehicle, vehicle combination, or load exceeding 16 feet in width may be operated or transported upon any portion of the national system of interstate and defense highways unless the permit contains a special condition authorizing movement with a greater width upon the interstate highway system.

Trans 254.12(2) (2) No permit allowing the dimensions of a vehicle or load to exceed 14 feet in width, 141⁄2 feet in height or 150 feet in length is valid on any part of the Milwaukee county expressway system constructed pursuant to s. 59.84, Stats., except on U.S. highway 45 between West Florist Avenue and West Hampton Avenue and on interstate highway 94 between the Waukesha county line and 108th Street.

Trans 254.12(3) (3) Self-propelled, carry-all scrapers operating under a permit may not be operated on the interstate highway system, the Milwaukee county expressway system, or on U.S. highway 41 between Green Bay and Milwaukee.

Trans 254.12(4) (4) An oversize or overweight vehicle may not be operated on a highway, whether loaded or empty, at any time that the permit is not valid.

Trans 254.12(5) (5) A permit issued by the department for a movement which is partly on the state trunk highway system and partly on other classes of highways is valid only on state highways.

Trans 254.12(6) (6) An issuing authority may issue a permit under extraordinary circumstances when, in the opinion of the issuing authority, public health and welfare is better served, and may impose additional conditions to promote the safe operation of the vehicle. Extraordinary circumstances include, but are not limited to, the construction and repair of the Milwaukee county Freeway System.

Trans 254.12 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91; emerg. cr. (6), eff. 2-1-05; correction in (2) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register June 2005 No. 594; CR 05-009: cr. (6) Register June 2005 No. 594, eff. 7-1-05; CR 13-093: am. (2) Register July 2014 No. 703, eff. 8-1-14.

Trans 254.13 Trans 254.13 Power unit change. In the event of a breakdown or unavailability of the power unit listed on the application and permit, another power unit may be substituted, provided that the make and vehicle identification number, or license number and state, of the substitute power unit are written on the permit. The issuing authority shall be advised by telephone prior to operating the substitute power unit with the oversize load. Changes in the terms of the permit, other than the identification of the power unit, require a written request and a written amendment to the permit authorizing the change. The driver of a vehicle operating under a permit shall have the amended permit in the driver’s possession prior to the movement of the load.

Trans 254.13 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91; CR 22-048: am. Register July 2023 No. 811, eff. 8-1-23.

Trans 254.14 Trans 254.14 Insurance and liability conditions.

Trans 254.14(1) (1) In applying for and accepting a permit, a permittee agrees to:

Trans 254.14(1)(a) (a) Pay any claim for any bodily injury or property damage resulting from operation under the permit for which the permittee is legally responsible.

Trans 254.14(1)(b) (b) Hold the state, its subdivisions, officers, employees and agents harmless from any claim which may arise from operation over public highways under the permit.

Trans 254.14(2) (2) Whether or not insurance, bond, or deposit as set forth in sub. (7) is required, the permittee shall be liable for all damages which any highway or its appurtenances may sustain by reason of any operation under the permit.

Trans 254.14(3) (3) An issuing authority may waive insurance requirements for permits issued to government.

Trans 254.14(4) (4) Where a certificate of insurance is required, no insurer may cancel the certificate of insurance without providing the issuing authority 10 days advance written notice of the cancellation.

Trans 254.14(5) (5) An issuing authority may require a permittee to provide more bodily injury and property damage liability coverage than is set forth in sub. (6).

Trans 254.14(6) (6) The following insurance amounts are required:

Trans 254.14(6)(a) (a) When the permitted load does not exceed 12 feet in width, 131⁄2 feet in height, or 100 feet in length and is not overweight by more than 25%:

Trans 254.14(6)(b) (b) When the permitted load exceeds the size or weight limitations in par. (a):

Trans 254.14(7) (7) A permittee shall certify, and may be required to present satisfactory written evidence, that the amount of insurance coverage given in sub. (6), or a bond in a form satisfactory to the issuing authority, will be in effect for the vehicle and load designated in the permit while operating on the public highway, unless this requirement is expressly waived by the issuing authority.

Trans 254.14 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91.