Section 408-3-010 - PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO PERMITS FOR THE MOVEMENT OF EXTRA-LONG VEHICLE COMBINATIONS010.01DEFINITIONS010.01AEXTRA-LONG VEHICLE COMBINATIONS: For the purpose of these Rules and Regulations, extra-long vehicle combinations may include the following vehicle combinations: 010.01A1 A vehicle combination consisting of a truck-tractor, semi-trailer and two trailers having an overall length of not more than 105 feet, the semi-trailer and trailers of which must be of approximately equal lengths.010.01A2 A vehicle combination consisting of a truck-tractor, semi-trailer and single trailer having an overall length of not more than 105 feet, the semi-trailer and trailers of which must be of approximately equal lengths.010.01A3 A vehicle combination consisting of a truck-tractor, semi-trailer and single trailer, one trailer of which is not more than 48 feet long and the other trailer of which is not more than 28 feet long nor less than 26 feet long. The entire combination of which is not more than 95 feet long. In this combination, the shorter trailer shall be operated as the rear trailer.010.01BTRAILER: Trailer shall mean any vehicle, with or without motive power, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that no part of its weight rests upon the towing vehicle; and for the purpose of these Rules and Regulations, a semi-trailer used with a converter dolly shall be considered a trailer.010.01CSTAGING AREA: A location within six miles of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways that is approved by the Department, designated in the extra-long vehicle combination permit, and that is to be used by the permittee for assembling or disassembling extra-long vehicle combinations.010.01DROUTE: Highways, roads, or streets upon which the permittee will be allowed to move an extra-long vehicle combination when moving from or to a designated staging area to or from the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, and the area and the interchanges of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, which may be traveled by the permittee. No extra-long vehicle permits will be issued to allow travel east of Nebraska Highway 50 on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. Except as designated on the permit, in case of deteriorating weather conditions, emergency or breakdown, vehicles moving by authority of an extra- long vehicle permit, which leave the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, shall not be permitted to reenter the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways.010.02EXTRA-LONG VEHICLE COMBINATION PERMITS: The Department, at its discretion, may issue annual permits for the operation of extra-long vehicle combinations when unladen, but only over a designated route on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, and from a staging area located not more than six miles from the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. 010.02A No departure from, amendment, alteration, or change of the routes designated on the extra- long vehicle combination permit shall be allowed. If the permit holder desires to travel on any route not designated on its permit, the Department must approve in writing, an amendment authorizing the additional route.010.02BINSPECTION OF PERMIT AND VEHICLE: As a condition of the issuance of an extra-long vehicle combination permit, applicant must agree that the operator of the vehicle operating under the authority of an extra-long vehicle combination permit will submit to an inspection of the permit and of the vehicle at any time such vehicle is on Nebraska highways whether or not there is reason to believe that such vehicle is in violation of the permit or the Nebraska motor vehicle laws.010.02C A permit granted by the Department may contain restrictions or prohibit operations as determined necessary by the Department. Movement shall be made from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. No movement shall be permitted on Saturday, Sunday, or holidays or long holidays as defined in the Department's Rules and Regulations pertaining to the issuing of overdimensional and overweight permits. No movement will be permitted when the ground winds in the vicinity or on the highways over which the extra-long vehicle combinations may move exceed a velocity of 25 miles per hour, nor during steady rain, snow, sleet, ice or other conditions that cause the pavement to be slippery. Movement during fog that does not permit 800 feet of minimum visibility is not permitted. Should any of these conditions be encountered after commencement of the move, the driver shall cease operations by moving the extra-long vehicle combination from the roadway at the first point that the vehicle can be safely removed to prohibit the hazardous operation of the combination and to provide for safety of other highway users. Movement of extra-long vehicle combinations during any of the aforesaid prohibited time shall be grounds for revocation of the permit.010.03APPLICATION FOR EXTRA-LONG VEHICLE COMBINATION PERMIT010.03A Application for an Extra-Long Vehicle Combination Annual Permit may only be obtained at the Permit Office of the Nebraska Department of Transportation headquarters in Lincoln, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Permit approval may take up to five working days.010.03B The permit application must list all truck-tractors to be operated under the registered permit, as well as the license number of such vehicles, the state of issuance of the license, the vehicle identification numbers and the drivers who will operate under the requested permit. Only trucks owned or leased exclusively to the permit applicant for the entire term of the requested permit and only drivers under the control and supervision of the applicant may be listed on such applications. An annual permit is required for each qualified carrier company or individual. In the event permittee desires to change the information listed on its permit application regarding vehicles or drivers, it may do so by written notice to the Department in Lincoln. Such notice shall be by means of registered mail or personally delivered, and shall not be effective for a period of two calendar days from the receipt of such notice by the Department.010.03CDRIVER QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants for an extra-long vehicle combination permit must certify in writing to the Department that the driver of a vehicle which is permitted to move by authority of such permit has complied with all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and all State laws, rules and regulations pertaining to drivers and drivers licenses. Applicants must notify the Department in writing of traffic citations issued to any driver for improper operation of an extra-long vehicle combination within five days of the issuance of said citation.010.03D The owner or operator of each extra-long vehicle combination shall have on file with the Department, an insurance certificate with a company authorized to do business in Nebraska, in an amount of not less than $1,000,000 for public liability and property damage. The certificate of insurance must be for $1,000,000, issued as a combined single limit of liability. The insurance certificate must contain a provision stating that the insurance company will give at least thirty days written notice to the Department in case of cancellation.010.04RESTRICTIONS PERTAINING TO MOVEMENT OF EXTRA-LONG VEHICLE COMBINATIONS010.04A A sign may be required to be displayed at least 8 feet above the roadway surface on the rear-most vehicle of the combination of the vehicles. The sign shall be of a yellow material with black letters of not less than 10 inches high, and must conform to this format: CAUTION
EXTRA-LONG
VEHICLE
010.04B The granting of a permit shall not constitute a waiver of any license (tonnage) requirements imposed by the State of Nebraska.010.04C The granting of a permit pursuant to these Rules and Regulations shall not waive any liability or responsibility of the applicant which might accrue for property damages, including damage to the highways, or for personal injuries, resulting from the operation of extra-long vehicle combinations.010.04D A distance of at least 500 feet must be maintained between all vehicles, and any two extra- long combinations of vehicles when operating on Nebraska streets or highways, except when one extra-long combination of vehicles is passing another.010.04ETRACKING REQUIREMENTS: All vehicles in an extra-long combination of vehicles and all devices used to couple vehicles in the extra-long vehicle combination must be designed, constructed and installed so that each towed vehicle follows the alignment of the towing vehicle, without shifting or swerving more than three inches to the right or left of the alignment when the combination is moving in a straight line on a level, smooth, paved highway during calm, dry weather conditions.010.04F Extra-long vehicle combinations of not more than three cargo units shall have not less than six axles nor more than nine axles.010.04G In the event of breakdown or accident, extra-long vehicle combinations shall be removed from the traveled portion of the highway unless the breakdown or accident is such that the vehicles cannot be removed immediately. In the event the breakdown or accident is such that the vehicles cannot be removed, the driver shall place flares or when possible, position a flagmen on the highway 500 feet to the rear of the disabled vehicle until the vehicle is moved from the traveled portion of the roadway. If the accident or breakdown occurs on a two-lane highway, flares shall be placed 500 feet in each direction from the vehicles and, in addition, flares shall be placed on the edge of the roadway at 100-foot intervals to caution the traveling public. No more than two vehicles of a wrecked or disabled extra-long vehicle combination may be towed behind a wrecker or other emergency vehicle.010.04H In addition to any other accident reports required by State or Federal laws, all accidents involving extra-long vehicle combinations shall be reported in writing by the permittee to the Nebraska Department of Transportation, Permit Office, P.O. Box 94759, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509, within five business days of such accident.010.04I The Department may impose additional restrictions and requirements not set forth in these Rules and Regulations as a condition for the operation of the extra-long vehicle combinations over particular highways or sections of particular highways in this State. The Department shall revoke or amend a decision to allow the operation of an extra-long vehicle combination on any highway of this State if changed circumstances or conditions render the operation of the combination of vehicles impracticable or unsafe.010.05REVOCATION OF EXTRA-LONG VEHICLE COMBINATION PERMIT010.05A Any traffic citation received by a driver for a moving traffic violation involving improper operation of an extra-long vehicle combination will be cause for revocation of the permit issued pursuant to these Rules and Regulations. Law enforcement agencies shall report traffic citations as soon as possible to the Department.010.05B Any violation of these Rules and Regulations or the Rules and Regulations pertaining to overdimensional and overweight permits will be cause for revocation of an extra-long vehicle combination permit.010.05C Reinstatement of a permit revoked pursuant to these Rules and Regulations shall be allowed only after a public hearing pursuant to Title 407, Chapter 2 of the Rules and Regulations of the Nebraska Department of Transportation, and only if the permittee can demonstrate good cause for such reinstatement.408 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 3, § 010
Adopted effective 4/30/2023