35401
. (a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b), (c), and (d), a
combination of vehicles coupled together, including attachments, may
not exceed a total length of 65 feet.
(b) (1) A combination of vehicles coupled together, including
attachments, that consists of a truck tractor, a semitrailer, and a
semitrailer or trailer, may not exceed a total length of 75 feet, if
the length of neither the semitrailers nor the trailer in the
combination of vehicles exceeds 28 feet 6 inches.
(2) A B-train assembly is excluded from the measurement of
semitrailer length when used between the first and second
semitrailers of a truck tractor-semitrailer-semitrailer combination
of vehicles. However, if there is no second semitrailer mounted to
the B-train assembly, it shall be included in the length measurement
of the semitrailer to which it is attached.
(c) (1) A tow truck in combination with a single disabled vehicle
or a single abandoned vehicle that is authorized to travel on the
highways by this chapter is exempt from subdivision (a) when
operating under a valid annual transportation permit.
(2) A tow truck, in combination with a disabled or abandoned
combination of vehicles that are authorized to travel on the highways
by this chapter, is exempt from subdivision (a) when operating under
a valid annual transportation permit and within a 100-mile radius of
the location specified in the permit.
(3) A tow truck may exceed the 100-mile radius restriction imposed
under paragraph (2) if a single trip permit is obtained from the
Department of Transportation.
(d) A city or county may, by ordinance, prohibit a combination of
vehicles of a total length in excess of 60 feet upon highways under
its respective jurisdiction. The ordinance may not be effective until
appropriate signs are erected indicating either the streets affected
by the ordinance or the streets not affected, as the local authority
determines will best serve to give notice of the ordinance.
(e) A city or county, upon a determination that a highway or
portion of highway under its jurisdiction cannot, in consideration of
public safety, sustain the operation of trailers or semitrailers of
the maximum kingpin to rearmost axle distances permitted under
Section 35400, may, by ordinance, establish lesser distances
consistent with the maximum distances that the highway or highway
portion can sustain, except that a city or county may not restrict
the kingpin to rearmost axle measurement to less than 38 feet on
those highways or highway portions. A city or county considering the
adoption of an ordinance shall consider, but not be limited to,
consideration of, all of the following:
(1) A comparison of the operating characteristics of the vehicles
to be limited as compared to operating characteristics of other
vehicles regulated by this code.
(2) Actual traffic volume.
(3) Frequency of accidents.
(4) Any other relevant data.
In addition, the city or county may appoint an advisory committee
consisting of local representatives of those interests that are
likely to be affected and shall consider the recommendations of the
advisory committee in adopting the ordinance. The ordinance may not
be effective until appropriate signs are erected indicating the
highways or highway portions affected by the ordinance.
This subdivision shall only become operative upon the adoption of
an enabling ordinance by a city or county.
(f) Whenever, in the judgment of the Department of Transportation,
a state highway cannot, in consideration of public safety, sustain
the operation of trailers or semitrailers of the maximum kingpin to
rearmost axle distances permitted under Section 35400, the director,
in consultation with the Department of the California Highway Patrol,
shall compile data on total traffic volume, frequency of use by
vehicles covered by this subdivision, accidents involving these
vehicles, and other relevant data to assess whether these vehicles
are a threat to public safety and should be excluded from the highway
or highway segment. The study, containing the conclusions and
recommendations of the director, shall be submitted to the Secretary
of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. Unless otherwise
notified by the secretary, the director shall hold public hearings in
accordance with the procedures set forth in Article 3 (commencing
with Section 35650) of Chapter 5 for the purpose of determining the
maximum kingpin to rear axle length, which shall be not less than 38
feet, that the highway or highway segment can sustain without
unreasonable threat to the safety of the public. Upon the basis of
the findings, the Director of Transportation shall declare in writing
the maximum kingpin to rear axle lengths which can be maintained
with safety upon the highway. Following the declaration of maximum
lengths as provided by this subdivision, the Department of
Transportation shall erect suitable signs at each end of the affected
portion of the highway and at any other points that the Department
of Transportation determines to be necessary to give adequate notice
of the length limits.
The Department of Transportation, in consultation with the
Department of the California Highway Patrol, shall compile traffic
volume, geometric, and other relevant data, to assess the maximum
kingpin to rearmost axle distance of vehicle combinations appropriate
for those state highways or portion of highways, affected by this
section, that cannot safely accommodate trailers or semitrailers of
the maximum kingpin to rearmost axle distances permitted under
Section 35400. The department shall erect suitable signs
appropriately restricting truck travel on those highways, or portions
of highways.
(g) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2010.