55-7-201. Maximum length of vehicles. —

(a)  For purposes of this section, "truck tractor" means the noncargo carrying power unit that operates in combination with a semitrailer or trailer, except that a truck tractor and semitrailer engaged in the transportation of automobiles may transport motor vehicles on part of the power unit.

(b)  No motor vehicle as defined in § 55-1-103 consisting of a straight truck whose length, including any part of its body or load, exceeds forty feet (40¢) and no straight truck with trailer attached, the total length of which combination, including any part of the body or load, exceeds sixty-five feet (65¢) shall be operated on any highway.

(c)  Motor vehicles consisting of a truck-tractor and semitrailer or trailer combination shall be permitted to operate over the federal and state highway system; provided, that the towed vehicle shall not exceed fifty feet (50¢) in length from the point of attachment to the tractor, except that this length may be increased to fifty-two feet (52¢) when the load on the vehicle consists of livestock, motor vehicle parts, automobiles and/or motor vehicles. If the towed vehicle exceeds forty-eight feet (48¢) in length from the point of attachment to the tractor and the load on the vehicle does not consist of livestock, motor vehicle parts, automobiles and/or motor vehicles, the distance between the kingpin and the rearmost axle or a point midway between the two (2) rear axles, if the two (2) rear axles are a tandem axle, shall not exceed forty-one feet (41¢).

(d)  Motor vehicles consisting of a truck-tractor and twin trailer combination shall be permitted to operate on the interstate system and other federal-aid highways designated by the commissioner of transportation; provided, that neither of the towed vehicles shall exceed twenty-eight feet six inches (28¢ 6²) in length.

(e)  No twin trailer truck authorized by this chapter shall be operated on any highway designated as a scenic highway under the authority of title 54, chapter 17. The interstate system and other federal-aid highways designated by the commissioner shall not be considered scenic routes for purposes of this chapter.

(f)  The limitation as to length stated in this section shall not apply to loads of poles, logs or timber in single length pieces; provided, that no motor vehicle, including any part of the body or load, transporting such material shall be in excess of seventy-five feet (75¢) in length unless a permit has first been obtained as authorized in § 55-7-205.

(g)  The length limitations described in this section shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices designated by the commissioner except that no device excluded from the limitations of this section shall have by its design or use the capability to carry cargo.

(h)  It is not a violation of the length limits set forth in this section when otherwise properly titled and registered vehicles, which are in compliance with applicable length requirements, are disabled on the highways and require a tow or other assistance in proceeding to the nearest exit or repair or terminal facility within one hundred (100) miles of the disablement, and the combined lengths of the disabled vehicle and the tow vehicle exceed the limits herein. This exemption shall only apply to vehicles disabled while operating on the highway, and only to their transport to the nearest exit or suitable repair facility.

[Acts 1933, ch. 35, § 3; 1945, ch. 132, § 1; mod. C. Supp. 1950, § 2715.1 (Williams, § 2715.3); Acts 1959, ch. 87, § 1; 1967, ch. 400, § 1; 1974, ch. 500, § 1; 1979, ch. 91, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-1107; Acts 1981, ch. 448, § 5; 1982, ch. 768, § 1; 1982, ch. 912, §§ 1, 4; 1982, ch. 953, § 3; 1983, ch. 319, § 4; 1987, ch. 116, § 1; 1988, ch. 483, § 1; T.C.A., § 55-11-201; Acts 2007, ch. 235, § 1.]

 

55-7-202. Maximum width and height. —

(a) (1) No motor vehicle as defined in § 55-1-103 or any trailer or semitrailer, whose width, including any part of the load, exceeds eight feet (8¢) (that is, four feet (4¢) on each side of the center line of the vehicle), or whose height, including any part of the load, exceeds thirteen and one-half feet (13½¢), shall be operated on any highway; provided, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to farm tractors or farm machinery temporarily moving on any highway.

      (2) Subdivision (a)(1) relating to maximum width restrictions on trailers and semitrailers shall not apply to a trailer or semitrailer utilized for transporting seed cotton or rolled alfalfa bales; provided, that the width of any such trailer or semitrailer, including any part of the load, shall not exceed ten feet (10¢) (that is five feet (5¢) on each side of the center line of the trailer, or semitrailer), and such movement is performed during daylight hours within a radius of fifty (50) miles of the point of origin, and no part of the movement is upon any highway designated and known as a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways or any fully controlled access highway facility or other federal-aid highway designated by the commissioner of transportation.

      (3) In the event federal law and regulations permit the operation of passenger buses of widths in excess of eight feet (8¢) on the national systems of interstate and defense highways, then there may be operated on highways with four (4) or more lanes, and such other highways as are designated and approved by the commissioner within the state, passenger buses, the width of which do not exceed eight feet six inches (8¢ 6²), or such width, not exceeding eight feet six inches (8¢ 6²), as is permitted under the federal rules and regulations.

      (4) It is not a violation of this part to transport a houseboat eighteen feet (18¢) in width, or less, on the highways, but any houseboat in excess of eight feet (8¢) shall be subject to the fees provided in § 55-7-205.

(b) The approval of the commissioner for buses in excess of eight feet (8¢) to operate on streets and roads shall be inoperative unless approved by the legislative body of any city with a population of one hundred seventy thousand (170,000) to two hundred fifty thousand (250,000), according to the 1970 federal census.

(c) Motor vehicles not exceeding eight feet six inches (8¢6²) in width are permitted to operate over the interstate system and other federal-aid highways designated by the commissioner. Incidental appurtenances and retracted awnings, where the width does not exceed six inches (6²), and safety devices, as designated by the commissioner, shall be excluded from the measurement of width and the provisions contained in § 55-7-205. Within the limitations as provided in this chapter, any such vehicles may use and must confine themselves to the shortest reasonable route to and from the interstate system, other designated highways, and terminals; or, in the case of household goods carriers, to and from points of loading and unloading. Access to facilities in interchange areas adjoining these highways for food, fuel, repairs and rest shall not be denied.

(d) Notwithstanding the limitations in subsection (a), a motor vehicle, as defined in § 55-1-103, or a trailer or semitrailer, whose width, including any part of the load, does not exceed eight feet six inches (8¢ 6²) (that is, four feet three inches (4¢ 3²) on each side of the center line of the vehicle), and whose height, including any part of the load does not exceed thirteen feet six inches (13¢ 6²), may be operated on the federal and state highway system. Any such vehicles may use and must confine themselves to the shortest reasonable route to and from the federal and state highway system, and terminals; or, in the case of household goods carriers, to and from points of loading and unloading. Access to facilities in interchange areas adjoining these highways for food, fuel, repairs and rest shall not be denied.

[Acts 1933, ch. 35, §§ 4, 7; 1945, ch. 132, § 2; mod. C. Supp. 1950, § 2715.2 (Williams, §§ 2715.4, 2715.7); Acts 1959, ch. 87, § 2; 1963, ch. 103, § 2; 1969, ch. 280, § 1; 1972, ch. 518, § 12; 1978, ch. 925, §§ 1, 2; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-1108; Acts 1983, ch. 319, § 5; 1986, ch. 855, § 1; 1988, ch. 483, § 2; T.C.A., § 55-11-202; Acts 1989, ch. 330, § 2; 1993, ch. 99, § 1; 2000, ch. 669, § 1; 2000, ch. 962, § 1.]

 

55-7-203. Maximum weight per axle or group of axles allowed. —

Except as otherwise provided by law, no freight motor vehicle shall be operated over, on, or upon the public highways of this state where the total weight on a single axle or any group of axles exceeds the weight limitations set forth below in subdivisions (1)-(7).

(1) (A) No axle shall carry a load in excess of twenty thousand pounds (20,000 lbs.).

      (B) Axle combinations and fifth wheel placement on the tractor shall ensure equal weight distribution on weight carrying axle combinations, and the axle combinations shall be equipped with brakes having power motivation.

      (C) An axle load as set out herein is defined as the total load transmitted to the road by all wheels whose centers may be included between two (2) parallel transverse vertical planes, forty inches (40²) apart, extending across the full width of the vehicle.

(2) The total gross weight concentrated on the highway surface from any tandem axle group shall not exceed thirty-four thousand pounds (34,000 lbs.) for each tandem axle group. "Tandem axle group" means two (2) or more axles spaced forty inches (40²) or more apart from center to center having at least one (1) common point of weight suspension.

(3) The total gross weight of a vehicle, freight motor vehicle, truck-tractor, trailer or semitrailer or combinations of these vehicles operated over, on or upon the public highways of this state shall not exceed eighty thousand pounds (80,000 lbs.); provided, that none of the foregoing shall be operated over or on the interstate system of this state where the total gross weight of the vehicle or combination thereof including the load therein exceeds seventy-three thousand two hundred eighty pounds (73,280 lbs.) or where the weight exceeds eighteen thousand pounds (18,000 lbs.) on any single axle or where the weight exceeds thirty-two thousand pounds (32,000 lbs.) on any tandem axle group unless the weight is distributed on a group of two (2) or more consecutive axles produced by application of the following formula: Where W = overall gross weight on any group of two (2) or more consecutive axles to the nearest five hundred pounds (500 lbs.), L = distance in feet between the extreme of any group of two (2) or more consecutive axles, and N = number of axles in group under consideration, except that two (2) consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross load of thirty-four thousand pounds (34,000 lbs.) each, where the overall distance between the first and last axles of such consecutive sets of tandem axles is thirty-six feet (36¢) or more, except such vehicles, or combinations thereof operating under special permits now authorized by law; provided, that wherever a maximum permissive gross weight of eighty thousand pounds (80,000 lbs.) or of lengths prescribed in § 55-7-201 or a height of thirteen and one-half feet (13 ½¢) is authorized for any vehicle or combination of vehicles, it is the legislative intent that the prescribed weight, length, and height limits shall be strictly enforced, and it is unlawful for any state, county, or municipal officer to allow or permit any additional weight, length or height by way of tolerance or otherwise, except that the commissioner of transportation may issue special permits pursuant to § 55-7-205.

(4) "Freight motor vehicle," as used in this section, includes both the tractor or truck and the trailer, semitrailer or trailers, if any, and the weight of any combination shall not exceed the maximum fixed herein; provided, that no freight motor vehicle with motive power shall haul more than one (1) vehicle unless otherwise provided.

(5) No freight motor vehicle shall haul a trailer on any highway of this state when the trailer (including its load) weighs more than three thousand five hundred pounds (3,500 lbs.). The restrictions on hauling a trailer in excess weight of three thousand five hundred pounds (3,500 lbs.) by a freight motor vehicle, as described in the preceding sentence, shall not be applicable whenever a converter dolly or equivalent fixed connection having the same safety characteristics is appropriately installed or placed under the trailer to be hauled by this freight motor vehicle. For the purposes of this subdivision (5), "trailer" means a vehicle without motive power designed or used for carrying freight or property wholly on its own structure; provided, that it is not unlawful for any motor vehicle subject to this part to have a semitrailer, which, for the purposes hereof, is defined as a vehicle for the carrying of property or freight and so designed that some part of the weight of the semitrailer or its load rests upon or is carried by the motor vehicle to which it is attached. The hauling of a trailer (to the extent herein permitted) or a semitrailer shall be subject to the further provisions hereof. This part is not intended to prohibit the movements of spools carrying wire or cable, when used for construction or repair purposes. The weight limitation respecting trailers shall not be applicable to implements designed to distribute fertilizer while such vehicles are being drawn by a freight motor vehicle between the plant and the farm.

(6) If the gross weight of a freight motor vehicle does not exceed the sum obtained by computing the total weight allowable for the number and type of its axles, the driver shall not be cited for violation of an axle weight limitation while transporting crushed stone, fill dirt and rock, soil, bulk sand, coal, clay, shale, phosphate muck, asphalt, concrete, other building materials, solid waste, tankage or animal residues, livestock and agricultural products, or agricultural limestone over the state highway system other than the portion designated as the interstate system.

(7) For purposes of enforcement of this section, weight restrictions shall be deemed to have a margin of error of ten percent (10%) of the true gross or axle weight for all logging, sand, coal, clay, shale, phosphate, solid waste, recovered materials, farm trucks and machinery trucks when being operated over the state highway system other than the portion designated as the interstate system. For the purposes of this subdivision (7):

      (A) "Clay truck" means those trucks used for hauling clay from the place of extraction to the place where the clay is used or processed;

      (B) "Coal truck" means those trucks used for hauling coal and coal products;

      (C) "Farm truck" means those trucks utilized by farmers to load grain, fiber, produce, livestock, milk or other agricultural products produced on their farms and to transport the agricultural commodities to their respective markets. The trucks include farm to market transportation when the truck is operated by the farmer, the farmer's family or employee or a representative hired by the farmer to haul the commodity;

      (D) "Logging truck" means those trucks used for hauling logs, pulpwood, bark, wood chips or wood dust from the woods to the mill or from the mill to a loading or storage place or market;

      (E) "Machinery truck" means those trucks used for hauling machinery by the owner/operator within a one hundred (100) mile radius of the base location of the owner/operator's area of operation, subject to the limitation of one (1) truck per owner/operator;

      (F) "Phosphate truck" means those trucks used for hauling phosphate, phosphate products, or other raw materials used in the manufacture of phosphorus;

      (G) "Recovered materials truck" means those trucks used for hauling recovered materials, as defined in § 68-211-802, but only while those materials are being hauled from the point of generation to the facility where they will be processed for subsequent shipment to an end-user;

      (H) "Sand truck" means those trucks used for hauling raw sand from the place of extraction to the place where the sand is used or processed; provided, that if the commissioner of transportation is formally notified by an appropriate federal officer that as a result of any provision of Acts 1989, ch. 349, adding sand trucks to this subdivision (7) that Tennessee will lose federal funds, then such act shall be void and inoperative;

      (I) "Shale truck" means those trucks used for hauling shale from the place of extraction to the place where the shale is used or processed; and

      (J) "Solid waste truck" means those trucks used for hauling solid waste, as defined in § 68-211-802, but only while the solid waste is being collected and being hauled from the place or places of collection to a landfill or disposal facility.

[Acts 1933, ch. 35, § 2; 1935 (E.S.), ch. 17, § 1; 1939, ch. 105, § 6; 1941, ch. 84, § 3; 1945, ch. 164, § 3; C. Supp. 1950, § 2715.3 (Williams, §§ 1166.33, 2715.2); Acts 1959, ch. 87, § 3; 1963, ch. 103, §§ 3, 4; 1970, ch. 501, § 2; 1976, ch. 411, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-1109; Acts 1981, ch. 448, § 6; 1981, ch. 535, §§ 1-3; 1982, ch. 904, § 2; 1982, ch. 912, § 3; 1982, ch. 953, §§ 6, 8; 1983, ch. 319, § 6; 1987, ch. 425, §§ 1-3, 5, 6; 1988, ch. 642, §§ 1-5; 1988, ch. 1028, § 1; T.C.A., § 55-11-203; Acts 1989, ch. 35, §§ 1, 2; 1989, ch. 349, §§ 1-3; 1994, ch. 673, § 1; 1995, ch. 139, §§ 1, 2; 1995, ch. 220, § 1; 1996, ch. 882, §§ 1, 2, 4, 5.]

 

55-7-204. Buses — Length limitations. —

A bus with a length of not more than forty-five feet (45¢) may be operated on a highway of this state.

[Acts 1953, ch. 32, § 1 (Williams, § 2710.5); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 59-1110, 55-11-204; Acts 1992, ch. 534, § 1.]

 

55-7-205. Permits for moving vehicles of excess weight or size — Signs — Rules and regulations — Fees. —

(a)  (1) The commissioner of transportation has the authority to grant special permits for the movements of freight motor vehicles carrying gross weights in excess of the gross weights set forth in § 55-7-203, or dimensions in excess of the dimensions set forth in §§ 55-7-201 and 55-7-202, and shall charge a fee in accordance with the fee schedules contained in subsection (g) for the issuance of a permit for each movement.

      (2)  The fee provisions shall not apply to farm tractors or farm machinery moving on any highway.

      (3) It is not necessary to obtain a permit, nor is it unlawful to move any vehicle or machinery in excess of the maximum width and height prescribed in § 55-7-202, used for normal farm purposes only where the vehicle or machinery is hauled on a farm truck as defined in § 55-1-119, or the vehicle or machinery is being transported by a farm machinery equipment dealer or repair person in making a delivery of new or used equipment or machinery to the farm of the purchaser, or in making a pickup and delivery of the farm machinery or equipment from the farm to a shop of a farm equipment dealer or repair person for repairs and return to the farm, and the movement is performed during daylight hours within a radius of fifty (50) miles of the point of origin, and no part of such movement is upon any highway designated and known as a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways or any fully controlled access highway facility.

      (4) It is not necessary to obtain a permit nor is it unlawful to move any trailer or semitrailer utilized for transporting rolled hay bales; provided, that the width of the trailer or semitrailer, including any part of the load, does not exceed ten feet (10¢) (that is five feet (5¢) on each side of the centerline of the trailer or semitrailer), and the movement is performed during daylight hours within a radius of fifty (50) miles of the point of origin and no part of the movement is upon any highway designated and known as a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways or any fully controlled access highway facility or other federal-aid highway designated by the commissioner.

      (5) No fee authorized by this section shall be charged for the issuance or renewal of such special permits to any retail electric service owned by a municipality or electric cooperative corporation, or to any telephone company or to contractors when they are moving utility poles doing work for such utilities.

      (6) Upon compliance with the appropriate rules and regulations, such electric services, telephone companies, and their contractors, when they are moving utility poles, may be issued special permits for stated periods not exceeding one (1) year.

      (7) All fees received shall be paid into the state treasury and placed in the highway fund for the administration of this section.

      (8) The commissioner has the authority to reduce the maximum gross weight of freight motor vehicles operating over lateral highways and secondary roads where through weakness of structure in either the surface of or the bridges over the lateral highways or secondary roads, the maximum loads provided by law, in the opinion of the commissioner, injure or damage the roads or bridges. The appropriate county officials shall have the same authority as to county roads.

(b) The commissioner has the authority to grant a special permit with a duration of one (1) year for the movement of a single motor vehicle, that does not exceed the length limitation set forth in § 55-7-115 and the weight limitations set forth in § 55-7-203(3), that has a width greater than one hundred two inches (102²) but not exceeding one hundred eight inches (108²), and that is used exclusively to transport seed cotton modules.

      (1) This special permit will allow the vehicle to travel upon the interstate system of highways and other federal-aid highways designated by the commissioner.

      (2) The cost of this special annual permit shall be one hundred dollars ($100).

      (3) Solely during the harvest season for cotton, the movement of the vehicle operating under a special annual permit shall be unrestricted with respect to day of the week, time or holiday observation. At other times, the movement of the vehicle shall be subject to the rules and regulations which the commissioner has prescribed pursuant to subsection (e).

(c) The commissioner shall, at each bridge and on each lateral highway or secondary road, post signs indicating the maximum gross weight permitted thereon, and it is unlawful to operate any freight motor vehicles thereon with a gross weight in excess of the posted weight limit, and any person violating the rules and regulations of the commissioner upon the secondary or lateral roads commits a Class A misdemeanor.

(d) The commissioner of safety shall, with the approval of the governor, provide means and prescribe rules and regulations governing the weighing of freight motor vehicles, which rules and regulations may make allowances for differentials in weight due to weather conditions.

(e) The commissioner of transportation shall prescribe by orders of general application, rules and regulations for the issuance and/or renewal of these special permits for stated periods not exceeding one (1) year, for the transportation of such oversize, overweight, or overlength articles or commodities as cannot be reasonably dismantled or conveniently transported otherwise, and for the operation of such superheavy or overweight vehicles, motor trucks, semitrailers and trailers, whose gross weight, including load, height, width, or length, may exceed the limits prescribed herein or which in other respects fail to comply with the requirements of this code, as may be reasonably necessary for the transportation of these oversize, overweight, or overlength articles or commodities as cannot be reasonably dismantled or conveniently transported otherwise.

(f) Permits shall be issued and may be renewed only upon the terms and conditions, in the interest of public safety and the preservation of the highways, as are prescribed in general rules and regulations promulgated by the orders of the commissioner.

(g) Rules and regulations so prescribed by the commissioner may require, as a condition of the issuance of these permits, that an applicant shall agree to and give bond with surety (unless an applicant shall by sworn statement furnish satisfactory proof of the applicant's own solvency to the authority issuing the permit) to indemnify the state and/or counties thereof, against damages to roads, or bridges, resulting from the use thereof by the applicant. Each permit and bond, if the commissioner so authorizes, may cover more than one (1) vehicle operated by the same applicant. The operation of vehicles, motor trucks, tractors, semitrailers or trailers in accordance with the terms of any such permit shall not constitute a violation of this part; provided, that the operator thereof shall have a permit, or a copy thereof, authenticated as the commissioner may require, in the operator's possession. The operation of any vehicle, motor truck, semitrailer or trailer, in violation of the terms of the permit, constitutes a violation of law punishable under § 55-7-206.

(h) The commissioner shall charge fees for granting special permits for the movements described in subsection (a) in accordance with the following schedules:

      (1) Excessive width:

         (A) Not more than ten feet (10¢), ten dollars ($10.00);

         (B) Over ten feet (10¢) but not more than twelve feet (12¢), fifteen dollars ($15.00);

         (C) Over twelve feet (12¢) but not more than fourteen feet (14¢), twenty-five dollars ($25.00);

         (D) Over fourteen feet (14¢) but not more than sixteen feet (16¢), thirty dollars ($30.00);

         (E) Except as provided in subdivision (h)(1)(F), over sixteen feet (16¢), thirty dollars ($30.00) plus five dollars ($5.00) for each additional foot or fraction thereof greater than seventeen feet (17¢); and

         (F) (i) For houseboats over seventeen feet (17¢), two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), plus one hundred dollars ($100) for each additional inch or fraction thereof greater than eighteen feet (18¢).

              (ii) All permits issued by the department pursuant to subdivision (h)(1)(F)(i) shall require three (3) escort vehicles that comply with the applicable rules and regulations and routing approval from the department. Permits shall only be issued under subdivision (h)(1)(F)(i) for movements on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

      (2) Excessive height or length:

Fifteen dollars ($15.00);

      (3) Excessive weight:

Fifteen dollars ($15.00) plus five cents (5¢) per ton-mile;

      (4) Evaluation of bridges and similar structures:

         (A) Movements weighing over two hundred thousand pounds (200,000 lbs.) but not more than three hundred thousand pounds (300,000 lbs.), one hundred dollars ($100);

         (B) Movements weighing over three hundred thousand pounds (300,000 lbs.) but not more than five hundred thousand pounds (500,000 lbs.), three hundred dollars ($300);

         (C) Movements weighing over five hundred thousand pounds (500,000 lbs.) but not more than one million pounds (1,000,000 lbs.), five hundred dollars ($500); and

         (D) Movements weighing over one million pounds (1,000,000 lbs.), actual cost;

      (5) A permit shall be available from the department of transportation on an annual basis for overdimensional and/or overweight vehicles, except for those vehicles permitted as provided for in subdivision (h)(6), for five hundred dollars ($500) per year for weights up to one hundred twenty thousand pounds (120,000 lbs.) and for one thousand dollars ($1,000) per year for weights in excess of one hundred twenty thousand pounds (120,000 lbs.). Movements in excess of one hundred fifty thousand pounds (150,000 lbs.) shall be required to obtain a special permit at a cost of fifteen dollars ($15.00) plus five cents (5¢) per ton-mile for all weight in excess of one hundred fifty thousand pounds (150,000 lbs.); and

      (6) A permit shall be available from the department on an annual basis for individual owners of overdimensional boats used strictly for noncommercial pleasure purposes for double the amount of the regular fee described in subdivisions (h)(1) and (2).

(i) The authority issuing the permits has the right to revoke the permits at any time in the event that in the use of the permit the holder of a permit abuses the privilege given thereby, or otherwise makes wrongful use of the permit. The authorized county authorities (as well as the commissioner) may issue permits, but always consistently with rules and regulations, prescribed by the commissioner, for movements over any and all roads, except city streets, within the limits of the county for which they are acting.

(j) A violation of a material provision of a special permit shall render it void.

(k) Any statute, resolution or ordinance to the contrary notwithstanding, the authority of any county or city agency to issue permits is limited with respect to maximums for weight and dimensions to the maximums therefor approved by the commissioner.

[Acts 1933, ch. 35, § 8; 1939, ch. 105, § 7; 1941, ch. 84, § 4; 1945, ch. 164, § 4; mod. C. Supp. 1950, § 2715.4 (Williams, §§ 1166.34, 2715.8); Acts 1953, ch. 7, § 1; impl. am. Acts 1959, ch. 9, § 3; Acts 1976, ch. 592, §§ 1-5; 1977, ch. 96, § 1; 1977, ch. 195, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-1111; Acts 1981, ch. 40, § 1; 1981, ch. 448, §§ 7, 10; 1981, ch. 535, §§ 6, 7, 8; 1982, ch. 953, §§ 2, 4, 5; 1983, ch. 319, § 7; 1986, ch. 855, § 2; 1988, ch. 622, §§ 1, 2; T.C.A., § 55-11-205; Acts 1989, ch. 518, § 1; 1989, ch. 591, §§ 1, 6; 1991, ch. 226, § 2; 2000, ch. 669, § 2; 2000, ch. 962, § 2; 2001, ch. 254, § 1.]

 

55-7-206. Penalty for violation of this part — Injunction proceedings — Disposition of fines, penalties and forfeitures. —

(a)  Each violation of §§ 55-7-201 — 55-7-203 and each violation of restrictions on the maximum gross weight of freight motor vehicles duly adopted and promulgated by the commissioner of transportation, under § 55-7-205, and each violation of rules and regulations duly adopted and promulgated by the commissioner of safety under that section, is a Class C misdemeanor.

(b) Any taxpayers of the state shall have the right by injunction proceedings to enjoin any actual or threatened use of any highway prohibited by the sections referenced in subsection (a).

(c) (1) All fines, penalties and forfeitures of bonds imposed or collected under this section shall be paid over within fifteen (15) days following the last day of the month in which the fines, penalties, and forfeitures of bonds were received to the department of safety with a statement accompanying the same, setting forth the action or proceedings in which moneys were collected, the name and residence of the defendant, the nature of the offense, and fine, penalty or forfeiture imposed.

      (2) The fines, penalties and forfeitures, when so collected by the department of safety, shall be deposited with the state treasurer and shall become a part of the general funds of the state.

(d) (1) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, when any freight motor vehicle is found to be in violation of only § 55-7-203(3), a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be imposed.

      (2) The courts of general sessions have jurisdiction to hear citations issued pursuant to this provision.

(e) A violation of § 55-7-204 is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable only by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(f) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a violation of the first sentence of § 55-7-201(c) is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable only by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(g) Notwithstanding this section or any other law to the contrary, any violation of § 55-7-202, relative to excessive width or height, and any violation of permit restrictions on movements of excessive width and height as set forth in regulations duly adopted and promulgated by the commissioner of transportation under § 55-7-205, is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable only by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100) for these violations. A violation of a permit requirement relative to time restrictions is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable only by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100).

[Acts 1933, ch. 35, § 9; 1939, ch. 171, § 1; mod. C. Supp. 1950, § 2715.5 (Williams, § 2715.9); Acts 1953, ch. 3, § 6; 1957, ch. 161, § 1; impl. am. Acts 1959, ch. 9, §§ 3, 14; Acts 1963, ch. 197, § 1; impl. am. Acts 1972, ch. 829, § 5; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-1112; Acts 1981, ch. 448, § 8; 1982, ch. 904, § 1; 1984, ch. 932, §§ 1, 2; T.C.A., § 55-11-206; Acts 1989, ch. 156, § 2; 1991, ch. 258, § 1; 1991, ch. 502, § 1; 1995, ch. 327, § 1.]

 

55-7-207. Exception from length and weight requirements for public transit systems. —

(a)  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "publicly owned transit system" means a system of vehicles, designed to carry all persons who desire to use the system, over designated routes within a designated area, which is owned or operated by a county or municipality, incorporated or existing under the laws of Tennessee, or any combination thereof, with any other county or counties, municipality or municipalities, intrastate or interstate, or its or their agencies or instrumentalities, including a transit authority created pursuant to title 7, chapter 56 or other operating or management organization created by any such county, municipality or combination for the purpose of managing a public transportation system.

(b) (1)  Section 55-7-202, other than the limitation on height, and § 55-7-204, shall not be applicable to buses owned or operated by publicly owned transit systems as defined above; provided, that the width and weight limitations of 23 U.S.C. § 127, as amended, shall not be exceeded.

     (2)  Subdivision (b)(1) shall apply on all public roads in any county in which is provided by the publicly-owned transit system regularly scheduled public mass transportation service.

(c)  This section shall apply only to buses owned and/or operated by a publicly owned transit system that itself is an agency of a metropolitan government or county or municipality whose population according to the 1970 census exceeds four hundred thousand (400,000) but is less than eight hundred thousand (800,000).

[Acts 1980, ch. 808, §§ 1-3; T.C.A., § 55-11-207.]

 

55-7-208. Twin trailer trucks. —

(a)  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, twin trailer trucks conforming to the provisions of § 55-7-201 shall be permitted to operate on the interstate system and other federal-aid highways designated by the commissioner of transportation. Within the limitations as provided in this chapter, any such twin trailer truck may use and must confine itself to the shortest reasonable route to and from the interstate system, other designated highways, and terminals; or in the case of household goods carriers, to and from points of loading and unloading; or, where these twin trailers are manufactured or assembled within the state, from the place of manufacture or assembly, to the highways upon which the truck is permitted to operate by this chapter. Access to facilities in interchange areas adjoining these highways for food, fuel, repairs and rest shall not be denied.

(b)  The state department, county or municipal agency or department having present authority to designate uses of roads and highways within its jurisdiction has the authority to establish certain reasonable routes over which twin trailer trucks subject to the restrictions in subsection (a) must travel on the highways within the jurisdictional boundaries and control of that county or municipality in the interest of public safety, bearing in mind the need for safe, efficient interstate transportation. The state department, county or municipal agency or department having the authority to designate reasonable routes shall also consider maintenance cost of the routes and safety of the motoring public before designating the routes.

[Acts 1982, ch. 912, § 2; 1983, ch. 319, § 8; T.C.A., § 55-11-208.]