IC 9-20-9
Chapter 9. Special Restrictions Concerning Combined Vehicles
and Towing Permits
IC 9-20-9-1
"Drive away or tow away" defined; combinations of two vehicles;
length limitations; exemptions
Sec. 1. (a) As used in this section, "drive away or tow away"
means the delivery service performed by a transport operator by
which motor vehicles in transit are delivered by driving singly or in
combination by the towbar, saddlemount, or fullmount methods or
any lawful combination of those methods, including coupling
equipment or where a truck or tractor draws or tows a semitrailer or
trailer in transit.
(b) A combination of two (2) vehicles coupled together, including
load, may not exceed a total length of sixty (60) feet, except for the
following:
(1) A combination of two (2) vehicles coupled together that are
especially constructed to transport other vehicles or boats.
(2) A combination of two (2) vehicles coupled together being
transported in a drive away or tow away service.
(3) A pole trailer owned by or operated for a public utility (as
defined in IC 8-1-2-1), while the pole trailer is being used in
connection with the utility services of the public utility.
(4) Trailers used in transporting oil field equipment or pipe for
the transmission of oil or gas.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8.
IC 9-20-9-2
Combinations of three or more coupled vehicles; length limitations
Sec. 2. A combination of three (3) or more vehicles coupled
together, including load, may not exceed a total length of sixty-five
(65) feet.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8.
IC 9-20-9-3
Transport of vehicles or boats by tow bar, saddle mount, or full
mount methods; maximum length
Sec. 3. Any number of vehicles in a combination coupled
together:
(1) that are especially constructed to transport other vehicles or
boats; and
(2) by the tow bar, saddle mount, or full mount methods;
may not exceed a total length of seventy-five (75) feet.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.91-1991, SEC.4.
IC 9-20-9-4
Hauling of vehicles or parts of vehicles
Sec. 4. This chapter does not prohibit the hauling of other vehicles
or parts of vehicles in transit.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8.
IC 9-20-9-5
Loads on vehicles or combinations of vehicles; length limitations
Sec. 5. A load on a vehicle or combination of vehicles may not
extend more than:
(1) three (3) feet beyond the front bumper; and
(2) four (4) feet beyond the rear;
of a combination of vehicles especially constructed to transport other
vehicles or boats. This limit is in addition to any other length limit
set forth in this article.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8.
IC 9-20-9-6
Transport of vehicles or boats by stinger-steered vehicle; length
limitations
Sec. 6. Notwithstanding IC 9-20-1, and except for length
exclusive devices in accordance with 23 CFR 658.13, the maximum
length of a combination of two (2) coupled vehicles that is:
(1) especially constructed to transport other vehicles or boats;
and
(2) a stinger-steered vehicle;
is seventy-five (75) feet.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8.
IC 9-20-9-7
Transportation of loads consisting of equipment designed to
convert trucks into vehicles equipped with living quarters; width
limitations
Sec. 7. Notwithstanding IC 9-20-3, a motor vehicle designed and
used for hauling other motor vehicles may transport loads consisting
of equipment designed to convert trucks, the weight of which does
not exceed eleven thousand (11,000) pounds, into vehicles equipped
with living quarters for persons traveling upon the highways.
However, the transporting motor vehicle, including load, may not
exceed a total maximum width of eight (8) feet, six (6) inches.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.1-1993, SEC.55.
IC 9-20-9-8
Draw bar or other couplers; length limitations; safety devices;
compliance requirements
Sec. 8. (a) This section does not apply to farm wagons (as defined
in IC 9-13-2-60(a)(1)). However, a farm wagon (as defined in
IC 9-13-2-60(a)(2)) that is operated on a highway may not be used to
tow another vehicle.
(b) The draw bar or other connection between any two (2)
vehicles, one (1) of which is towing or drawing the other upon a
highway, may not exceed fifteen (15) feet in length from one (1)
vehicle to the other.
(c) Each trailer and semitrailer hauled by a motor propelled
vehicle must be attached to the vehicle and to each other with the
forms of coupling devices that will prevent the trailer or semitrailer
from being deflected more than six (6) inches from the path of the
towing vehicle or to each other, by suitable safety chains or devices,
one (1) on each side of the coupling and at the extreme outer edge of
the vehicle. Each chain or device and connection used must be of
sufficient strength to haul the trailer when loaded.
(d) A vehicle, including a combination of vehicles engaged in
interstate commerce, and any safety equipment on the vehicle,
including safety chains, cables, or other devices, that is otherwise in
compliance with:
(1) the United States Department of Transportation Federal
Highway Administration motor carrier safety regulations;
(2) the motor vehicle safety standards of the National Highway
Safety Bureau of the United States Department of
Transportation; or
(3) the successor of either or both of those agencies;
is considered to be in compliance with this section.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.150-2009, SEC.8.
IC 9-20-9-9
Combinations of vehicles exceeding dimensional and weight
restrictions; conditions for operation
Sec. 9. A combination of vehicles, including a towing vehicle and
a disabled vehicle or disabled combination of vehicles, that exceeds
the dimensional and weight restrictions imposed by this article may
be operated on a highway in Indiana upon the following conditions
and in accordance with the rules that the Indiana department of
transportation prescribes:
(1) The towing vehicle must be:
(A) specifically designed for such operations;
(B) equipped with amber flashing lights; and
(C) capable of utilizing the lighting and braking systems of
the disabled vehicle or combination of vehicles if the
systems are operational.
(2) The disabled vehicle or disabled combination of vehicles
may not exceed the dimensional or weight restrictions imposed
by this article unless a permit for operation in excess of those
restrictions has been granted to the disabled vehicle or disabled
combination of vehicles under this article. However, an owner
or operator of a towing vehicle that is assisting a disabled
vehicle or disabled combination of vehicles is not subject to the
penalties imposed by IC 9-20-18-1 through IC 9-20-18-10 and
IC 9-20-18-12 if the disabled vehicle or disabled combination
of vehicles exceeds the dimensional or weight restrictions
imposed by IC 9-20-3 or IC 9-20-4 and a permit for the excess
has not been granted.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8.
IC 9-20-9-10
Special towing permits; conditions; route designation
Sec. 10. (a) Instead of complying with the requirements of section
9 of this chapter, a special towing permit allowing the operation of
a combination of vehicles on a highway in Indiana may be granted by
the Indiana department of transportation or local authorities having
jurisdiction over a highway or street and responsible for the repair
and maintenance of the highway or street.
(b) A permit may be granted under this section upon good cause
shown if the Indiana department of transportation or local authority
finds the public interest will be served, considering public safety and
the protection of public and private property.
(c) A permit issued under this section may designate the route to
be traversed by the combination of vehicles and may contain other
restrictions or conditions considered necessary by the Indiana
department of transportation or local authority granting the permit.
(d) The Indiana department of transportation may allow a vehicle
or load permitted in accordance with IC 9-20-6-2 to tow a light
passenger vehicle with a manufacturer designed seating capacity of
not more than ten (10) passengers including the driver. However, the
light passenger vehicle may not cause the combination to exceed the
maximum allowable size and weight limitations set forth in IC 9-20-4
and IC 9-20-9.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.93-1997, SEC.10.
IC 9-20-9-11
Combinations of vehicles traveling less than 50 miles; exemption
from permit
Sec. 11. The movement of a disabled vehicle or combination of
vehicles for a distance that does not exceed fifty (50) highway miles
by a registered recovery vehicle or by a vehicle described in
IC 9-18-13-5 is exempt from the requirements for permits under this
chapter.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8.