(a) For purposes of this section, “truck tractor” means the noncargo carrying power unit that operates in combination with a semitrailer or trailer, except that a truck tractor and semitrailer engaged in the transportation of automobiles may transport motor vehicles on part of the power unit.
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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 55-7-201

  • Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
  • Dealer: means every person engaged in the business of buying, selling or exchanging vehicles of a type required to be registered and who has an established place of business for that purpose in this state. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101
  • Highway: means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way when any part thereto is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101
  • Livestock: means all equine as well as animals that are being raised primarily for use as food or fiber for human utilization or consumption including, but not limited to, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, and poultry. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Manufacturer: means every person engaged in the business of constructing or assembling vehicles of a type required to be registered at an established place of business in this state. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101
  • Owner: means a person who holds the legal title of a vehicle, or in the event a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof, with the right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee, or in the event a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then the conditional vendee or lessee or mortgagor shall be deemed the owner for the purpose of this chapter and chapter 10, parts 1-5 of this title. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101
  • Property: includes both personal and real property. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Semitrailer: means every vehicle with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that some part of its weight and that of its load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Tractor: means any self-propelled vehicle designed or used as a traveling power plant or for drawing other vehicles, but having no provision for carrying loads independently. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101
  • Trailer: means every vehicle with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, 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. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101
  • Truck: means every motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101
  • Vehicle: means every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, excepting devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101
(b) No motor vehicle as defined in § 55-1-103 consisting of a straight truck whose length, including any part of its body or load, exceeds forty-five feet (45′) and no straight truck with trailer attached, the total length of which combination, including any part of the body or load, exceeds sixty-five feet (65′) shall be operated on any highway.
(c) Motor vehicles consisting of a truck-tractor and semitrailer or trailer combination shall be permitted to operate over the federal and state highway system; provided, that the towed vehicle shall not exceed fifty-two feet (52′) in length from the point of attachment to the tractor. If the towed vehicle exceeds forty-eight feet (48′) in length from the point of attachment to the tractor and the load on the vehicle does not consist of livestock, motor vehicle parts, or motor vehicles, or any combination of such items, the distance between the kingpin and a point midway between the two (2) rear axles shall not exceed forty-one feet (41′). The distance between the kingpin and the rearmost axle, if the axles are not a tandem axle, shall not exceed forty-four feet (44′).
(d) Motor vehicles consisting of a truck-tractor and twin trailer combination shall be permitted to operate on the national network of highways, including interstate highways and the additional highways identified in 23 C.F.R. part 658 , Appendix A; provided, that neither of the towed vehicles shall exceed twenty-eight feet six inches (28′ 6″) in length.
(e) No twin trailer truck authorized by this chapter shall be operated on any highway designated as a scenic highway under the authority of title 54, chapter 17. The national network of highways, including interstate highways and the additional highways identified in 23 C.F.R. part 658 , Appendix A, shall not be considered scenic routes for purposes of this chapter.
(f) The limitation as to length stated in this section shall not apply to loads of poles, logs or timber in single length pieces; provided, that no motor vehicle, including any part of the body or load, transporting such material shall be in excess of seventy-five feet (75′) in length unless a permit has first been obtained as authorized in § 55-7-205.
(g) The length limitations described in this section shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices designated by the commissioner except that no device excluded from the limitations of this section shall have by its design or use the capability to carry cargo.
(h) It is not a violation of the length limits set forth in this section when any otherwise properly titled and registered vehicle, which is in compliance with applicable length requirements, is disabled on the highways and requires a tow or other assistance in proceeding to an exit or a repair or terminal facility within one hundred (100) miles of the point where the vehicle became disabled, and the combined lengths of the disabled vehicle and the tow vehicle exceed the limits in this section. This exemption shall only apply to vehicles disabled while operating on the highway, and only when authorized by the owner, terminal manager, owner’s agent, or law enforcement official.
(i)

(1) Notwithstanding any other maximum vehicle length provision of this section, a stinger-steered automobile transporter with a front overhang of less than four feet (4′) and a rear overhang of less than six feet (6′) shall be permitted to operate on the national network of highways, including interstate highways and the additional highways identified in 23 C.F.R. part 658 , Appendix A, up to a maximum vehicle length of eighty feet (80′).
(2) For purposes of this subsection (i), a “stinger-steered automobile transporter” means an automobile transporter, which is a vehicle combination designed and used specifically for the transport of assembled automobiles, that has a fifth wheel located on a drop frame behind and below the rear-most axle of the power unit.
(j)

(1) Notwithstanding any other maximum vehicle length provision of this section, a towaway trailer transporter combination shall be permitted to operate on the national network of highways, including interstate highways and the additional highways identified in 23 C.F.R. part 658 , Appendix A, up to a maximum vehicle length of eighty-two feet (82′).
(2) For purposes of this subsection (j), a “towaway trailer transporter combination” means a combination of vehicles consisting of a trailer transporter towing unit and two (2) trailers or semitrailers in which:

(A) The total weight does not exceed twenty-six thousand pounds (26,000 lbs.); and
(B) The trailers or semitrailers carry no property and constitute inventory of a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer of such trailers or semitrailers.
(k) This section shall be enforced in accordance with all applicable provisions of federal law regarding the operation of vehicles on the national network of highways, including interstate highways and the additional highways identified in 23 C.F.R. part 658 , Appendix A.
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