Minnesota Legislature
Office of the Revisor of Statutes
Minnesota Session Laws - 1996, Regular Session
Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language
KEY: stricken = old language to be removed
underscored = new language to be added
CHAPTER 289-H.F.No. 2188
An act relating to motor carriers; modifying and
reorganizing provisions relating to allowable truck
lengths and combinations; amending Minnesota Statutes
1994, sections 168.011, subdivisions 13 and 14;
168.013, subdivision 1e; 169.81, subdivision 2, and by
adding a subdivision; and 169.86, subdivision 1;
Minnesota Statutes 1995 Supplement, section 169.81,
subdivision 3.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 168.011,
subdivision 13, is amended to read:
Subd. 13. [TRAILER.] "Trailer" means any vehicle designed
for carrying property or passenger on its own structure and for
being drawn by a motor vehicle but shall not include a trailer
drawn by a truck-tractor semitrailer combination, or an
auxiliary axle on a motor vehicle which carries a portion of the
weight of the motor vehicle to which it is attached. For the
purpose of registration, trailers coupled with a truck-tractor,
semitrailer combination are semitrailers.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 168.011,
subdivision 14, is amended to read:
Subd. 14. [SEMITRAILER.] "Semitrailer" means a vehicle of
the trailer type so designed and used in conjunction with a
truck-tractor that a considerable part of its own weight or that
of its load rests upon and is carried by the truck-tractor and
shall include a trailer drawn by a truck-tractor semitrailer
combination. For the purpose of registration, trailers coupled
with a truck-tractor, semitrailer combination are semitrailers.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 168.013,
subdivision 1e, is amended to read:
Subd. 1e. [TRUCKS; TRACTORS; COMBINATIONS; EXCEPTIONS.] On
trucks and tractors except those in this chapter defined as farm
trucks, on truck-tractor and semitrailer combinations except
those defined as farm combinations, and on commercial zone
vehicles, the tax based on total gross weight shall be graduated
according to the Minnesota base rate schedule prescribed in this
subdivision, but in no event less than $120.
Minnesota Base Rate Schedule
Scheduled taxes include five percent
surtax provided for in subdivision 14
TOTAL GROSS WEIGHT
IN POUNDS TAX
A 0 - 1,500 $ 15
B 1,501 - 3,000 20
C 3,001 - 4,500 25
D 4,501 - 6,000 35
E 6,001 - 9,000 45
F 9,001 - 12,000 70
G 12,001 - 15,000 105
H 15,001 - 18,000 145
I 18,001 - 21,000 190
J 21,001 - 26,000 270
K 26,001 - 33,000 360
L 33,001 - 39,000 475
M 39,001 - 45,000 595
N 45,001 - 51,000 715
O 51,001 - 57,000 865
P 57,001 - 63,000 1015
Q 63,001 - 69,000 1185
R 69,001 - 73,280 1325
S 73,281 - 78,000 1595
T 78,001 - 81,000 1760
For purposes of the Minnesota base rate schedule, for
vehicles with six or more axles in the "S" and "T" categories,
the base rates are $1,520 and $1,620 respectively.
For each vehicle with a gross weight in excess of 81,000
pounds an additional tax of $50 is imposed for each ton or
fraction thereof in excess of 81,000 pounds, subject to
subdivision 12.
Truck-tractors except those herein defined as farm and
commercial zone vehicles shall be taxed in accord with the
foregoing gross weight tax schedule on the basis of the combined
gross weight of the truck-tractor and any semitrailer or
semitrailers which the applicant proposes to combine with the
truck-tractor.
Commercial zone trucks include only trucks, truck-tractors,
and semitrailer combinations which are:
(1) used by an authorized local cartage carrier operating
under a permit issued under section 221.296 and whose gross
transportation revenue consists of at least 60 percent obtained
solely from local cartage carriage, and are operated solely
within an area composed of two contiguous cities of the first
class and municipalities contiguous thereto as defined by
section 221.011, subdivision 17; or,
(2) operated by an interstate carrier registered under
section 221.60, or by an authorized local cartage carrier or
other carrier receiving operating authority under chapter 221,
and operated solely within a zone exempt from regulation by the
interstate commerce commission pursuant to United States Code,
title 49, section 10526(b).
The license plates issued for commercial zone vehicles
shall be plainly marked. A person operating a commercial zone
vehicle outside the zone or area in which its operation is
authorized is guilty of a misdemeanor and, in addition to the
penalty therefor, shall have the registration of the vehicle as
a commercial zone vehicle revoked by the registrar and shall be
required to reregister the vehicle at 100 percent of the full
annual tax prescribed in the Minnesota base rate schedule, and
no part of this tax shall be refunded during the balance of the
registration year.
On commercial zone trucks the tax shall be based on the
total gross weight of the vehicle and during each of the first
eight years of vehicle life shall be 75 percent of the Minnesota
base rate schedule. During the ninth and succeeding years of
vehicle life the tax shall be 50 percent of the Minnesota base
rate schedule.
On trucks, truck-tractors and semitrailer combinations,
except those defined as farm trucks and farm combinations, and
except for those commercial zone vehicles specifically provided
for in this subdivision, the tax for each of the first eight
years of vehicle life shall be 100 percent of the tax imposed in
the Minnesota base rate schedule, and during the ninth and
succeeding years of vehicle life, the tax shall be 75 percent of
the Minnesota base rate prescribed by this subdivision.
For the purpose of registration, trailers coupled with a
truck-tractor, semitrailer combination are semitrailers.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 169.81,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [LENGTH OF SINGLE VEHICLE; EXCEPTIONS.]
(a) Statewide, no single unit motor vehicle, except mobile
cranes which may not exceed 48 feet and buses which may not
exceed 45 feet, unladen or with load may exceed a length of 40
feet extreme in overall dimensions inclusive of length,
including load and front and rear bumpers, except that the
governing body of a city is authorized by permit to provide for
the maximum length of a motor vehicle, or combination of motor
vehicles, or the number of vehicles that may be fastened
together, and which may be operated upon the streets or highways
of a city; provided, that the permit may not prescribe a length
less than that permitted by state law. A motor vehicle operated
in compliance with the permit on the streets or highways of the
city is not in violation of this chapter:
(1) mobile cranes, which may not exceed 48 feet in overall
length; and
(2) buses, which may not exceed 45 feet in overall length.
(b) Statewide, no single semitrailer may have an exceed 48
feet in overall length, exclusive of including bumper and load,
but excluding non-cargo-carrying accessory equipment, including
such as refrigeration units or air compressors, necessary for
safe and efficient operation mounted or and located on the end
of the semitrailer adjacent to the truck or truck-tractor, in
excess of 48 feet, except that. However, statewide, a single
semitrailer may have an overall length in excess of exceed 48
feet, but not greater than 53 feet, if the distance from the
kingpin to the centerline of the rear axle group of the
semitrailer does not exceed 41 feet.
Statewide, no single trailer may have an overall
length inclusive of exceeding 45 feet, including the tow bar
assembly and but exclusive of rear protective bumpers which
that do not increase the overall length by more than six inches,
in excess of 45 feet.
For determining compliance with the provisions of this
subdivision, the length of the semitrailer or trailer must be
determined separately from the overall length of the combination
of vehicles.
(c) No semitrailer or trailer used in a three-vehicle
combination may have an overall length in excess of 28-1/2 feet,
exclusive of:
(1) non-cargo-carrying accessory equipment, including
refrigeration units or air compressors and upper coupler plates,
necessary for safe and efficient operation, mounted or located
on the end of the semitrailer or trailer adjacent to the truck
or truck-tractor;
(2) the tow bar assembly; and
(3) lower coupler equipment that is a fixed part of the
rear end of the first semitrailer or trailer.
The commissioner may not grant a permit authorizing the
movement, in a three-vehicle combination, of a semitrailer or
trailer that exceeds 28-1/2 feet, except that the commissioner
may renew a permit that was granted before April 16, 1984, for
the movement of a semitrailer or trailer that exceeds the length
limitation in this paragraph, or may grant a permit authorizing
the transportation of empty trailers that exceed 28-1/2 feet,
when using a B-train hitching mechanism as defined in Code of
Federal Regulations, title 23, section 658.5, paragraph (o),
from a point of manufacture in the state to the state border.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 169.81, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 2a. [NUMBER OF UNITS IN VEHICLE COMBINATIONS;
GENERALLY, EXCEPTIONS.] (a) Statewide, no combination of
vehicles coupled together may consist of more than two units,
except as provided in paragraph (b).
(b) Three-unit combinations may only be used as provided
for in subdivisions 3, paragraph (c); 3c; 8; and 10. Further,
vehicles transporting milk from the point of production to the
point of first processing may consist of no more than three
units. Mount combinations, consisting of a truck or
truck-tractor transporting similar vehicles by having the front
axle of the transported vehicle mounted onto the center of the
rear part of the preceding vehicle, may be used.
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 1995 Supplement, section
169.81, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. [LENGTH OF VEHICLE COMBINATIONS.] (a) Statewide,
except as provided on the highways identified under provisions
in paragraph (b) (c), no combination of vehicles coupled
together, including truck-tractor and semitrailer, may consist
of more than two units and no combination of vehicles, unladen
or with load, may exceed a total length of 75 feet.
(b) However, the total length limitation does not apply
to the transportation of telegraph poles, combinations of
vehicles transporting:
(1) telephone poles, electric light and power poles,
piling, or pole length pulpwood, and is subject to the following
further exceptions: the length limitations do not apply to
vehicles transporting; or
(2) pipe or other objects by a public utility when required
for emergency or repair of public service facilities or when
operated under special permits as provided in this subdivision,
but with respect to night transportation, a vehicle and the load
section 169.86.
These combinations of vehicles must be equipped with a
sufficient number of clearance lamps and marker markers, or
lamps for night transportation, on both sides and upon the
extreme ends of a projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions
of the load. Mount combinations may be drawn but the
combinations may not exceed 65 feet in length. The limitation
on the number of units does not apply to vehicles used for
transporting milk from point of production to point of first
processing, in which case no combination of vehicles coupled
together unladen or with load, including truck-tractor and
semitrailers, may consist of more than three units and no
combination of those vehicles may exceed a total length of 65
feet. Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, and
except as provided in paragraph (b), no combination of vehicles
consisting of a truck-tractor and semitrailer designed and used
exclusively for the transportation of motor vehicles or boats
may exceed 65 feet in length. The load may extend a total of
seven feet, but may not extend more than three feet beyond the
front or four feet beyond the rear, and in no case may the
overall length of the combination of vehicles, unladen or with
load, exceed 65 feet. For the purpose of registration, trailers
coupled with a truck-tractor, semitrailer combination are
semitrailers. The state as to state trunk highways, and a city
or town as to roads or streets located within the city or town,
may issue permits authorizing the transportation of combinations
of vehicles exceeding the limitations in this subdivision over
highways, roads, or streets within their boundaries.
Combinations of vehicles authorized by this subdivision may be
restricted as to the use of highways by the commissioner as to
state trunk highways, and a road authority as to highways or
streets subject to its jurisdiction. Nothing in this
subdivision alters or changes the authority vested in local
authorities under the provisions of section 169.04.
(b) (c) The following combination of vehicles regularly
engaged in the transportation of commodities may operate only on
divided highways having four or more lanes of travel, and on
other highways as may be designated by the commissioner of
transportation subject to section 169.87, subdivision 1, and
subject to the approval of the authority having jurisdiction
over the highway, for the purpose of providing reasonable access
between the divided highways of four or more lanes of travel and
terminals, facilities for food, fuel, repair, and rest, and
points of loading and unloading for household goods carriers,
livestock carriers, or for the purpose of providing continuity
of route:
(1) a truck-tractor and semitrailer exceeding 65 75 feet in
length;
(2) a combination of vehicles with an overall length
exceeding 55 feet and including a truck-tractor and semitrailer
drawing one additional semitrailer which may be equipped with an
auxiliary dolly;
(3) a combination of vehicles with an overall length
exceeding 55 feet and including a truck-tractor and semitrailer
drawing one full trailer;
(4) a truck-tractor and semitrailer designed and used
exclusively for the transportation of motor vehicles or boats
and exceeding an overall length of 65 75 feet including the load
except as restricted by applicable federal law; and
(5) a truck or truck-tractor transporting similar vehicles
by having the front axle of the transported vehicle mounted onto
the center or rear part of the preceding vehicle, defined in
Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, sections 390.5 and 393.5
as drive-away saddlemount combinations or drive-away saddlemount
vehicle transporter combinations, when the overall length
exceeds 65 75 feet.
Vehicles operated under the provisions of this section must
conform to the standards for those vehicles prescribed by the
United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway
Administration, Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety, as amended.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 169.86,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [APPLICATION FOR PERMIT.] (a) The
commissioner, with respect to highways under the commissioner's
jurisdiction, and local authorities, with respect to highways
under their jurisdiction, may, in their discretion, upon
application in writing and good cause being shown therefor,
issue a special permit, in writing, authorizing the applicant to
move a vehicle or combination of vehicles of a size or weight of
vehicle or load exceeding the maximum specified in this chapter,
or otherwise not in conformity with the provisions of this
chapter, upon any highway under the jurisdiction of the party
granting such permit and for the maintenance of which such party
is responsible.
(b) Permits relating to over-width, over-length
manufactured homes shall not be issued to persons other than
manufactured home dealers or manufacturers for movement of new
units owned by the manufactured home dealer or manufacturer,
until the person has presented a statement from the county
auditor and treasurer where the unit is presently located,
stating that all personal and real property taxes have been
paid. Upon payment of the most recent single year delinquent
personal property or current year taxes only, the county auditor
or treasurer must issue a taxes paid statement to a manufactured
home dealer or a financial institution desiring to relocate a
manufactured home that has been repossessed. This statement
must be dated within 30 days of the contemplated move. The
statement from the county auditor and treasurer where the unit
is presently located, stating that all personal and real
property taxes have been paid, may be made by telephone. If the
statement is obtained by telephone, the permit shall contain the
date and time of the telephone call and the names of the persons
in the auditor's office and treasurer's office who verified that
all personal and real property taxes had been paid.
(c) The commissioner may not grant a permit authorizing the
movement, in a three-vehicle combination, of a semitrailer or
trailer that exceeds 28-1/2 feet, except that the commissioner
(1) may renew a permit that was granted before April 16, 1984,
for the movement of a semitrailer or trailer that exceeds the
length limitation in section 169.81, subdivision 2, or (2) may
grant a permit authorizing the transportation of empty trailers
that exceed 28-1/2 feet when using a B-train hitching mechanism
as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 23, section
658.5, paragraph (o), from a point of manufacture in the state
to the state border.
(d) The state as to state trunk highways, a statutory or
home rule charter city as to streets in the city, or a town as
to roads in the town, may issue permits authorizing the
transportation of combinations of vehicles exceeding the
limitations in section 169.81, subdivisions 2a and 3, over
highways, streets, or roads within its boundaries. Combinations
of vehicles authorized by this paragraph may be restricted as to
the use of state trunk highways by the commissioner, to the use
of streets by the city road authority, and to the use of roads
by the town road authority. Nothing in this paragraph or
section 168.81, subdivisions 2a and 3, alters or changes the
authority vested in local authorities under section 169.04.
Presented to the governor February 27, 1996
Signed by the governor February 28, 1996, 11:48 a.m.
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes