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Haulers of roundwood, wood chips, sawdust, mulch or tree bark -
Haulers can carry an additional 4,000 lbs gross if the tandem axle weights do not exceed 42,000 lbs and the
single axle weight does not exceed 20,000 lbs. Travel with additional weight prohibited on interstate highways, posted light-traffic roads and
posted bridges. This law replaces a similar allowance granted by special DOT permits and is effective as of Sept. 30, 2002.
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Truck Weight Tolerance
- Commercial vehicles have a 10% tolerance over the stated federal bridge
formula on non-interstate road systems. Tolerance applies to gross weight and
inner axle groups but does not allow tolerance above the 20,000 pound single
axle weight, 38,000 pound tandem axle weight and the 80,000 pound gross weight
limit. Regardless of the tolerance the maximum gross weight must not exceed the
licensed weight of the vehicle.
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Half-priced Weight
Penalties - Forest products moving from the point of origin in woodlands to the first
market have a half-priced penalty schedule.
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Hazmat
Transportation Registration Guide - Any
operation that is carrying liquids in a bulk container of more that 119
gallons must register with the Research and Special Programs of the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Diesel Fuel, either off road or
highway, is a class III combustible hazardous material.
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Light Traffic Roads
- Two Way Out Provision
- Forest product haulers may travel from the point of origin on a "light
traffic" road to a "normally weighted" road using either one of
two of the shortest possible routes.
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Load Lights and Flags
- Either amber or red load lights may be used on extended loads (more than 4
feet extending past rear of trailer) during night and low visibility conditions.
Either an orange or red load flag of no less than 12 inches by 12 inches may be
used on extended loads.
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Load Securement
Standards - Log loads must have a substantial binder or tie-down assembly for every ten
linear feet of load. The USDOT Motor Carrier regulations do not specifically
address log trailers as specialized vehicles. Work is currently underway to
clarify the regulations and allow a provision for recognizing the role of
trailer upright standards and bunk assemblies in preventing loads for shifting
and falling.
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Mud on Public
Highways
- Wet ground and heavy trucks during logging and site preparation
activities equals mud problems. Loggers are responsible for maintaining a clean entrance and exit from the woods to public highways.
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Overweight/Overwidth/Overheight/Overlength
Permits - Interstate and non-interstate highways carry different maximum rig lengths
and maximum widths although legal maximum height is the same at 13.5 feet for
any road. Combination unit (tractor and trailer) length limits are 60 feet and
53 feet for interstate and non-interstate roads respectively. Legal widths are 8
feet on interstates and 8.5 feet on non-interstates. Weight limits are based on
the Federal bridge formula and can not exceed 80,000 pounds on the longest
allowable rigs. A single trip permit can be requested for special loads for a
$10.00 fee. Application can be made to the NCDOT Permit Unit (919) 733-3915, fax
(919) 733-6948
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Processed versus
Unprocessed Defined - Forest products for purposes of state highway regulations do not carry a
"processed" designation when moving from the woodlands to first
market. This qualifies in-woods chip transport for half-priced weight penalties
and ability to use two ways out on "light traffic" roads.
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Reflective Tape - All tractor
trailers are required by the USDOT to have reflective tape along 50 percent of the sides and 100 percent of the back.
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Truck Safety
Regulations - Commercial vehicle regulations became effective on 12/1/99 that allow for:
- fines for out-of-service violationsviolation of state law to possess
alcoholic beverages either open or closed in the cab of the commercial
vehicleminimum fine of $250 for speeding in
work zonesminimum vehicle liability insurance of
$750,000any law enforcement officers may cross
highway mediansincrease driver license points for
violations
- doubling of fines for moving violations
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