348.08(1)(1) No person, without a permit therefor shall operate on a highway any motor vehicle drawing or having attached thereto more than one vehicle, except that:
348.08(1)(a)
(a) Two or 3 vehicles may, without such permit, be drawn or attached when such vehicles are being transported by the drive-away method in saddlemount combination and the overall length of such combination of vehicles does not exceed 65 feet.
348.08(1)(b)
(b) Two trailers used primarily as implements of husbandry in connection with seasonal agricultural activities or one such trailer and any other implement of husbandry may, without such permit, be drawn by a farm tractor if the operation of such combination of vehicles is exclusively a farming operation and not for the transportation of property for hire and if the overall length of such combination of vehicles does not exceed 60 feet.
348.08(1)(c)
(c) "Tour trains," as defined in
s. 340.01 (67m), may, without such permit, be drawn by a motor vehicle upon and along county and municipal roads and streets and across state trunk highways, and upon and along state trunk highways where there are no alternate municipal or county routes or streets for such operation. The following requirements and restrictions shall apply to "tour train" operations:
348.08(1)(c)1.
1. Tour trains shall operate within a radius of 10 miles from the situs of the beginning and ending of the excursion.
348.08(1)(c)2.
2. Tour trains shall operate only along those portions of the state trunk highway system approved by the department.
348.08(1)(c)3.
3. The towing vehicle shall be of such design and construction that it will safely tow the unit at speeds up to 35 m.p.h. and the towing vehicle shall in no case be a farm-type tractor, but shall be a motor vehicle originally designed and manufactured expressly for operation upon public highways.
348.08(1)(c)5.
5. Tour trains shall be equipped with head lamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, directional signal lamps and reflectors as provided in
ch. 347 and in compliance with these provisions as if the train were a single motor vehicle.
348.08(1)(c)6.
6. All hitches, couplings, safety chains or cables shall be in compliance with
s. 347.47.
348.08(1)(d)
(d) Two trailers transporting empty pressurized or nonpressurized tanks used for hauling or storing liquid agricultural fertilizer or 2 implements of husbandry, including 2 empty trailers used primarily as implements of husbandry in connection with seasonal agricultural activities, may, without such permit, be drawn by a motor truck or truck tractor if the overall length of such combination of vehicles and load does not exceed 60 feet. For purposes of this paragraph, "empty" means less than 20% full.
348.08(1)(f)
(f) A double bottom transporting dairy products from the point of production to the first point of processing may operate on any highway not designated under
s. 348.07 (4) if the overall length of such double bottom does not exceed 60 feet. If the double bottom operates on a highway designated under
s. 348.07 (4),
s. 348.07 (2) (f),
(fm) and
(gm) applies.
348.08(1)(g)
(g) Three trailers containing only warning signs used exclusively for highway maintenance or construction purposes may, without a permit, be drawn by a motor truck if the overall length of the combination of vehicles does not exceed 60 feet.
348.08(1)(h)
(h) Two new trailers or semitrailers to be used for transporting farm products or livestock may, without such permit, be drawn by a motor truck not exceeding 25 feet in length if each trailer or semitrailer is 28 feet 6 inches or less in length and the trailers or semitrailers are being transported directly from a manufacturer to a dealer or directly from a dealer to another dealer. The length of the first trailing unit does not include a frame extension by which the 2nd trailing unit is drawn.
348.08(2)
(2) Whenever any train of agricultural vehicles is being operated under
sub. (1) (b), the train shall be equipped as provided in
s. 347.21 (1m) and
(2). Whenever any train of agricultural vehicles is being operated under
sub. (1) (d), the train shall be equipped as provided in
s. 347.21 (1) and
(2). The trailer hitches of a train of agricultural vehicles shall be of a positive nature so as to prevent accidental release.
348.08 Annotation
State may not prohibit 65 foot double bottom trailers. Raymond Motor Transportation, Inc. v. Rice, 434 US 429 (1978).
348.09
348.09
Projecting loads on side of vehicles. 348.09(1)
(1) No person, without a permit therefor, shall operate on a highway any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer carrying any load extending beyond the fender line on the left side or extending more than 6 inches beyond the fender line on the right side of the vehicle. In the case of motor trucks, "fender line" means the outermost limits of the rear fenders, flare boards or floor of the body, whichever projects outward the farthest.
348.09(2)
(2) This section applies even though the total width of the vehicle and load does not exceed the maximum permitted under
s. 348.05.
348.10
348.10
Special limitations on load. 348.10(1)
(1) No person, without a permit therefor, may operate on a highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles with any load thereon extending more than 3 feet beyond the front of the foremost vehicle, except as provided in
s. 348.07 (2) (j), and except that a vehicle carrying another vehicle equipped with a crane or boom which extends more than 3 feet beyond the front of the foremost vehicle may be operated without permit if the total length of the vehicle or combination of vehicles, measuring from the end of the foremost projection of the load to the rear of the rearmost vehicle, does not exceed statutory length limitations.
348.10(2)
(2) No person shall operate a vehicle on a highway unless such vehicle is so constructed and loaded as to prevent its contents from dropping, sifting, leaking or otherwise escaping therefrom.
348.10(3)
(3) No person may operate on a highway any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer carrying logs unless the logs are transported within a cargo body or are securely fastened to the vehicle by chains, steel cables or other attachment devices of equivalent strength whose safety is approved by the department.
348.10(3m)
(3m) No person may operate on a highway any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer carrying junk or scrapped vehicles unless one of the following conditions is satisfied:
348.10(3m)(a)
(a) Each junk or scrapped vehicle is securely fastened to the vehicle carrying the load by chains, steel cables or other attachment devices of equivalent strength whose safety is approved by the department. In this paragraph, "securely fastened" means that each tier of junk or scrapped vehicles is secured by at least 2 chains, steel cables or other attachment devices across the axis of its width.
348.10(3m)(b)
(b) The vehicle carrying the load is equipped with stakes which are securely fastened by chains, steel cables or other attachment devices of equivalent strength whose safety is approved by the department and the top of the load is lower than the top of the stakes.
348.10(3m)(c)
(c) The vehicle carrying the load is equipped with sides, sideboards or side stakes and with a rear endgate, endboard or rear stakes. These devices shall be of sufficient strength and height to prevent the cargo from shifting upon or falling from the vehicle. No device may have any aperture large enough to permit cargo in contact with one or more of the devices to pass through the aperture.
348.10(4)
(4) All other provisions notwithstanding, no person shall operate on a highway any trailer or semitrailer when the gross weight of the trailer or semitrailer exceeds the empty weight of the towing vehicle, unless the trailer or semitrailer is equipped with brakes as provided in
s. 347.35 (3) (a) and
(b).
348.10(5)
(5) The load imposed upon trailers or semitrailers shall be distributed in a manner that will prevent side sway under all conditions of operation:
348.10(5)(a)
(a) All items of load carried by any trailer, semitrailer or mobile home, except bulk material such as sand, gravel, dirt not in containers, shall be secured to, on or in the trailer in such manner as to prevent shifting of the load while the trailer or mobile home is being drawn by a towing vehicle.
348.10(5)(b)
(b) Boats of any type transported on a trailer or semitrailer being drawn by a towing vehicle shall be secured in position at bow and stern by attachments of such strength and design as to prevent the boat from shifting its position on the trailer or becoming separated from the trailer while being transported thereon.
348.10(5)(c)
(c) The load carried by any trailer, semitrailer or mobile home shall be so positioned that a weight of not less than 35 pounds is imposed at the center of the point of attachment to the towing vehicle when parked on a level surface.
348.11
348.11
Penalty for violating size and load limitations. 348.11(1)(1) Any person violating
s. 348.09 or
348.10 may be required to forfeit not less than $10 nor more than $200.
348.11(2)
(2) Any person violating
ss. 348.05 to
348.08 may be required to forfeit not less than $50 nor more than $100 for the first offense and may be required to forfeit not less than $100 nor more than $200 for the 2nd and each subsequent conviction within one year.
348.11 History
History: 1971 c. 278.
WEIGHT
348.15
348.15
Weight limitations on class "A" highways. 348.15(1)(b)
(b) "Class `A' highway" includes all state trunk highways and connecting highways and those county trunk highways, town highways and city and village streets, or portions thereof, which have not been designated as class "B" highways pursuant to
s. 349.15.
348.15(3)
(3) Subject to any modifications made by a 1st class city under
s. 349.15 (3), no person, without a permit, may operate on a class "A" highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles unless the vehicle or combination of vehicles complies with the following weight limitations:
348.15(3)(a)
(a) The gross weight imposed on the highway by any one wheel or multiple wheels supporting one end of an axle may not exceed 11,000 pounds.
348.15(3)(b)
(b) The gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle may not exceed 20,000 pounds. In addition, the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of the steering axle of a truck tractor may not exceed 13,000 pounds unless the manufacturer's rated capacity of the axle and the tires is sufficient to carry the weight, but not to exceed 20,000 pounds.
348.15(3)(bg)
(bg) In the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting exclusively milk from the point of production to the primary market and the return of dairy supplies and dairy products from such primary market to the farm, the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle may not exceed 21,000 pounds or, for 2 axles 8 or less feet apart, 37,000 pounds or, for groups of 3 or more consecutive axles more than 9 feet apart, a weight of 2,000 pounds more than is shown in
par. (c), but not to exceed 80,000 pounds. This paragraph does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for that portion of USH 51 between Wausau and STH 78 and that portion of STH 78 between USH 51 and the I 90/94 interchange near Portage upon their federal designation as I 39.
348.15(3)(br)
(br) In the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting exclusively peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise or in the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting exclusively scrap metal, the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle may not exceed 21,500 pounds or, for 2 axles 8 or less feet apart, 37,000 pounds or, for groups of 3 or more consecutive axles more than 9 feet apart, a weight of 4,000 pounds more than is shown in
par. (c), but not to exceed 80,000 pounds. This paragraph does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for that portion of USH 51 between Wausau and STH 78 and that portion of STH 78 between USH 51 and the I 90/94 interchange near Portage upon their federal designation as I 39.
348.15(3)(bv)
(bv) In the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles used primarily for the transportation of septage, as defined in
s. 281.49 (1) (a), the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle may not exceed 21,500 pounds or, for 2 axles 8 or less feet apart, 37,000 pounds or, for groups of 3 or more consecutive axles more than 9 feet apart, a weight of 4,000 pounds more than is shown in
par. (c) or, for groups of 4 or more consecutive axles more than 10 feet apart, a weight of 6,000 pounds more than is shown in
par. (c) or, for groups of 5 or more consecutive axles more than 14 feet apart, a weight of 7,000 pounds more than is shown in
par. (c), but not to exceed 80,000 pounds. This paragraph does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for that portion of USH 51 between Wausau and STH 78 and that portion of STH 78 between USH 51 and the I 90/94 interchange near Portage upon their federal designation as I 39.
348.15(3)(c)
(c) The gross weight imposed on the highway by any group of 2 or more consecutive axles of a vehicle or combination of vehicles may not exceed the maximum gross weights in the following table for each of the respective distances between axles and the respective numbers of axles of a group: [See Figure 348.15 (3) (c) following]
-
See PDF for table 
348.15(3)(d)
(d) Notwithstanding
par. (c), 2 consecutive sets of tandem axles may impose on the highway a gross load of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance between the first and last axles of such consecutive sets of tandem axles is 36 feet or more.
348.15(3)(e)
(e) Notwithstanding
pars. (a),
(b) and
(c), in the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting exclusively livestock, the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle or axle group may exceed the applicable weight limitation specified in
pars. (a),
(b) and
(c) by 15% if the gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles does not exceed the maximum gross weight specified for that vehicle or combination of vehicles under
par. (c). This paragraph does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for that portion of USH 51 between Wausau and STH 78 and that portion of STH 78 between USH 51 and the I 90/94 interchange near Portage upon their federal designation as I 39.
348.15(4)
(4) Notwithstanding the possibility of increased weight on a particular wheel or axle or group of axles due to practical operating problems, including, but not limited to, accumulation of snow, ice, mud or dirt, the use of tire chains or minor shifting of load, the maximum weights set forth in
sub. (3) include absolutely all weights allowable.
348.15(5)
(5) For enforcement of weight limitations specified by this chapter the gross weight, measured in pounds, imposed on the highway by any wheel or any one axle or by any group of 2 or more axles shall be determined by weighing the vehicles and load, either by single draft or multiple draft weighing on certified stationary scales or on portable scales in good working order which are tested in comparison to certified stationary scales within 90 days immediately prior to any weighing operation by the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection or other authorized testing agencies for accuracy to within standard accepted tolerances. The weighing operation shall be performed in accordance with and under conditions accepted as good weighing technique and practice. In multiple draft weighing the sum of the weight of respective components shall be used to establish the weight of a combination of the components. It is recognized that the weight, determined in accordance with methods prescribed in this chapter, includes all statutory weights and represents the momentary load force or reaction imposed on the scale at the time of weighing. Such weights include any variation due to the following factors:
348.15(5)(a)
(a) Positioning or tilt of the vehicle on the scale platform and adjacent bearing surface;
348.15(5)(b)
(b) Momentary position of axle centers with respect to wheel bearings and vehicle body;
348.15(5)(c)
(c) Temporary distribution of loading on the wheel or axle; and
348.15(5)(d)
(d) Miscellaneous variable factors of spring flexure, shackle friction, clutch engagement, brake pressure, tire compression and other variable factors.
348.15(5m)
(5m) The distances between axles and between the foremost and rearmost of a group of axles shall be measured between axle centers to the nearest even foot, and when a fraction is exactly one-half foot, the nearest larger whole number shall be used.
348.15(5r)
(5r) Irrespective of
sub. (5), in determining overweight under
sub. (3) the results of weighing by means of either portable scales or certified stationary scales shall be admissible as evidence. In all cases where a vehicle is weighed on a certified stationary scale, axles less than 6 feet apart shall be weighed as one unit.
348.15(6)
(6) At any state weighing scale where a vehicle is found overloaded, the driver may request its reweighing at the same scale. Upon reweighing the state officials shall supply the tabulated weight ticket to the driver. All weight tickets for any vehicle shall be supplied to the court in case the matter goes to trial.
348.15(8)(a)(a) Unless the department provides otherwise by rule, any axle of a vehicle or combination of vehicles which does not impose on the highway at least 8% of the gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles may not be counted as an axle for the purposes of
sub. (3) (c).
348.15 Annotation
Where a tractor-trailer combination was too long and too wide for the scale, multiple weighing of the separate wheel groups is permissible. An overload permit is to be disregarded where the total weight exceeded that specified in the permit. State v. Trailer Service, Inc. 61 W (2d) 400, 212 NW (2d) 683.
348.15 Annotation
Sub. (5r) applies only to determinations of overweight under sub. (3) (b) 2., 1979 stats. [now sub. (3) (br)]. State v. Consolidated Freightways Corp. 72 W (2d) 727, 242 NW (2d) 192.
348.15 Annotation
Subs. (3) (b) 2, 1979 stats. [now (3) (br)] and (5r) discussed. 62 Atty. Gen. 100.
348.16
348.16
Weight limitations on class "B" highways. 348.16(1)(b)
(b) "Class `B' highway" includes those county trunk highways, town highways and city and village streets, or portions thereof, which have been designated as class "B" highways by the local authorities pursuant to
s. 349.15.
348.16(2)
(2) Except as provided in
sub. (3) and
s. 348.175 and subject to any modifications made by a city of the first class pursuant to
s. 349.15 (3), no person, without a permit therefor, shall operate on a class "B" highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles imposing wheel, axle, group of axles, or gross weight on the highway exceeding 60 per cent of the weights authorized in
s. 348.15 (3).
348.16(3)
(3) Any motor vehicle whose operation is pickup or delivery may pick up or deliver on a class "B" highway if the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle does not exceed 16,500 pounds, subject to the approval of the county highway commissioner or the county highway committee in the case of highways maintained by the county.
348.16 History
History: 1981 c. 312.
348.17
348.17
Special or seasonal weight limitations. 348.17(1)
(1) No person, whether operating under a permit or otherwise, shall operate a vehicle in violation of special weight limitations imposed by state or local authorities on particular highways, highway structures or portions of highways when signs have been erected as required by
s. 349.16 (2) giving notice of such weight limitations, except when the vehicle is being operated under a permit expressly authorizing such weight limitations to be exceeded.
348.17(2)
(2) Whenever the operator of a vehicle is ordered by the officer or agency in charge of maintenance or by a traffic officer to suspend operation of such vehicle because of the damage such vehicle is causing or likely to cause to the highway or the public investment therein, the operator shall forthwith comply with such order.
348.17(3)
(3) During an energy emergency, after consultation with the department of administration, the department may waive the divisible load limitation of
s. 348.25 (4) and authorize for a period not to exceed 30 days the operation of overweight vehicles having a registered gross weight of 50,000 pounds or more and carrying energy resources or fuel or milk commodities designated by the governor or a designee, regardless of the highways involved, to conserve energy. Such authorization may only allow weights not more than 10% greater than the gross axle and axle combination weight limitations, and not more than 15% greater than the gross vehicle weight limitations under
ss. 348.15 and
348.16. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit the department to waive the requirements of
ss. 348.05 to
348.07. This subsection does not apply to vehicles on highways designated as parts of the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for that portion of USH 51 between Wausau and STH 78 and that portion of STH 78 between USH 51 and the I 90/94 interchange near Portage upon their federal designation as I 39.
348.17(4)(a)(a) If the secretary of agriculture, trade and consumer protection determines that an agricultural emergency exists with respect to the harvest of a particular crop, the secretary of transportation may authorize the movement of vehicles or combinations of vehicles that exceed the weight limitations under
s. 348.15 or
348.16 by not more than 15% of the applicable weight limitations. The authorization is limited to vehicles or combinations of vehicles that are transporting crops from field to storage or processing facilities and that have a registered gross weight of 50,000 pounds or more or are described in
s. 340.01 (24) (b). This paragraph does not apply to vehicles or combinations of vehicles on highways designated as parts of the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for that portion of USH 51 between Wausau and STH 78 and that portion of STH 78 between USH 51 and the I 90/94 interchange near Portage upon their federal designation as I 39, and to implements of husbandry.
348.17(4)(b)
(b) The secretary of agriculture, trade and consumer protection shall specify in writing the factors which resulted in the determination under
par. (a) that an agricultural emergency exists. The factors shall include but not be limited to:
348.17(4)(b)1.
1. The extent of the uncompleted harvest of the crop involved.
348.17(4)(b)2.
2. The lateness of the harvest season for the crops involved.
348.17(4)(c)
(c) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit the department to waive the requirements of
ss. 348.05 to
348.07.
348.17(4)(d)
(d) The secretary of transportation may limit the application of authorizations under this subsection to specific areas of the state, to specific crops, or to specific highways. An authorization under this subsection is valid for up to 90 days, as determined by the secretary of transportation.
348.17 History
History: 1991 a. 316;
1995 a. 348, ss.
11,
13 to
15,
17.
348.175
348.175
Seasonal operation of vehicles hauling peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise or abrasives or salt for highway winter maintenance. The transportation of peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise or of abrasives or salt for highway winter maintenance in excess of gross weight limitations under
s. 348.15 shall be permitted during the winter months when the highways are so frozen that no damage may result thereto by reason of such transportation. If at any time any person is so transporting such products or abrasives or salt upon a class "A" highway in such frozen condition then that person may likewise use a class "B" highway without other limitation, except that chains and other traction devices are prohibited on class "A" highways but such chains and devices may be used in cases of necessity. The officers or agencies in charge of maintenance of highways, upon determination of such frozen condition and freedom of damage to such highways by transportation shall declare particular highways, or highways within areas of the state as eligible for increased weight limitations. Such declaration shall include the maximum weight on each axle, combination of axles and the gross weight allowed. Any person transporting any such product over any highway of this state under this section is liable to the maintaining authority for any damage caused to such highway. This section does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for that portion of USH 51 between Wausau and STH 78 and that portion of STH 78 between USH 51 and the I 90/94 interchange near Portage upon their federal designation as I 39.
