19A NCAC 02D .0607      PERMITS – Movement and Travel Requirements

(a)  All vehicles and vehicle combinations described in 19A NCAC 02D .0601 and .0602 shall adhere to the following movement requirements.

(1)           Unless otherwise authorized or restricted by this Rule, movement shall be made between sunrise and sunset. Movement of 16-foot wide mobile or modular home units with a maximum of 3-inch gutter edge shall be permitted Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. Movement of 16-foot wide mobile or modular home unit with a maximum 3-inch gutter edge may occur after 2:30 pm, but not beyond sunset, if the unit is traveling on an approved route as determined by an engineering study, and exported out-of-state. Sunday travel may be authorized from sunrise to sunset after consideration of the vehicle or vehicle combination dimensions. Considerations of safety and traffic flow may require the issuing office to impose additional time restrictions or allowances.

(2)           No movement shall be permitted for a vehicle or vehicle combination after 12:00 p.m. on the weekday preceding and until 12:00 p.m. on the weekday following Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, or Christmas Day fall on a Saturday or Sunday, travel is restricted from 12:00 p.m. on the preceding Friday until 12:00 p.m. on the following Monday.

(3)           Continuous travel occurring 24 hours a day, each day per year, shall not be authorized for vehicle or vehicle combinations with a gross weight in excess of 112,000 pounds. Self-propelled equipment shall be authorized for continuous travel if the overhang is less than 10 feet in length and meets all other requirements of this Subparagraph. The overhang shall be marked on both sides and end with high-intensity, glass-bead, retro-reflective sheeting tape. Each side of the self-propelled equipment shall be marked 24 inches from the road surface at the nearest feasible center point, between the steer and drive axles. The sheeting tape shall be 2 inches by 12 inches. Any rear overhang shall display a mounted brake light and flashing amber light, 8 inches in diameter with a minimum candlepower of 800 watts.

(4)           Permitted vehicles owned or leased by the same company or permitted vehicles originating at the same location shall travel no less than two miles apart. Convoy travel shall not be authorized except as directed by law enforcement escort or permit office.

(5)           Blades of construction equipment and front-end loader buckets shall not extend more than 14 feet across the roadway. A blade, bucket, or other attachment that is an original part of the manufactured equipment may be removed and hauled with the equipment without being considered a divisible load.

(6)           Permitted vehicle or vehicle combination movements shall not travel at a speed in excess of the posted speed limit. The issuing office shall be permitted to impose speed restrictions below the posted speed limit considering safety and load. A towing unit and mobile or modular home combination shall not exceed a maximum speed of 60 miles per hour. The driver of the permitted vehicle shall avoid creating traffic congestion by relinquishing the traffic way when a buildup of traffic occurs.

(7)           The object to be transported shall not be loaded or parked on the highway right of way without permission from the office that originally issued the permit and after confirmation of an emergency condition, such as mechanical problems or weather events.

(8)           No movements shall be made when visibility is less than 500 feet. Moves shall not be made when travel conditions are considered unsafe by the Division of Highways, State Highway Patrol, or other law enforcement officers having jurisdiction. Movement of a mobile or modular unit that exceed a width of 10 feet shall be prohibited if wind speed gusts are in excess of 25 miles per hour.

(9)           The mover shall be responsible for any expenses, arrangements, or approvals associated with removing or replacing any obstructions, including traffic signals, signs, and utility lines. Trees, shrubs, or State signs shall not be cut, trimmed, or removed without approval from the Division of Highways District Engineer having jurisdiction over the area involved. In determining whether to grant approval for cutting or trimming trees or shrubs, the District Engineer shall consider the species, age, and appearance of the tree or shrub in question and its contribution to the aesthetics of the area.

(b)  Movement of all vehicles and vehicle combinations subject to this Section shall adhere to the following safety requirements.

(1)           A yellow banner measuring a total length of 7 feet x 18 inches high bearing the legend "Oversize Load" in 10-inch black letters 1.5-inch-wide brush stroke shall be displayed in one or two pieces totaling the required length on the front and rear bumpers of a permitted vehicle and vehicle combination with a width greater than 10 feet. A towing unit mobile or modular home combination shall display banners of the size specified bearing the legend "Oversize ----- feet Load" identifying the actual width of the unit in transport. Escort vehicles shall display banners as specified in this Subparagraph with the exception of length to extend the entire width of the bumpers.

(2)           Red or orange flags measuring 18 inches square shall be displayed on all sides at the widest point of load for all loads in excess of 8 feet 6 inches wide, but the flags shall be mounted so as not to increase the overall width of the load.

(3)           All permitted vehicles and vehicle combinations shall be equipped with tires, axels and brakes in accordance with North Carolina Statutes and Motor Carrier and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations.

(4)           Rear view mirrors and other safety devices on towing units attached for movement of overwidth loads shall be removed or retracted to conform with legal width when unit is not towing or hauling such vehicle or load.

(5)           Flashing amber lights shall be used as determined by the issuing permit office.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 20-116; 20-118; 20-119; 136-18(5);

Eff. July 1, 1978;

Amended Eff. October 1, 1994; December 29, 1993; October 1, 1991; October 1, 1990;

Temporary Amendment Eff. January 10, 2002; December 31, 2000; October 1, 2000;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2012; June 1, 2010; April 1, 2009; August 1, 2002;

Readopted Eff. July 1, 2019.