SUBCHAPTER B WIDTH, HEIGHT AND LENGTH Sec. 4921. Width of vehicles. 4922. Height of vehicles. 4923. Length of vehicles. 4924. Limitations on length of projecting loads. 4925. Width of projecting loads on passenger vehicles. Cross References. Subchapter B is referred to in sections 4961, 4962, 4968, 4970, 4977, 4978, 4979.4
of this title. § 4921. Width of vehicles. (a) General rule.-- The total outside width of a vehicle, including any load, shall not exceed eight feet
six inches except as otherwise provided in this section. (b) Special vehicles.-- The following paragraphs determine widths for special vehicles, with each paragraph
specifically controlling its own subject matter in the event of a conflict with another
paragraph: (1) Any implement of husbandry or vehicle loaded with crops or nutrients and not exceeding
12 feet in width may be driven, hauled or towed between sunrise and sunset on highways
other than freeways. (2) Any implement of husbandry not exceeding 14 feet 6 inches in width may be driven,
hauled or towed without any restriction as to time on highways other than freeways
in accordance with the following: (i) (Reserved). (ii) The implement may be driven, hauled or towed within 50 miles of any farm owned or
operated by the owner of the implement of husbandry. (iii) The implement may be driven, hauled or towed between: (A) farms; or (B) a farm owned or operated by a farmer and a place of business of a mechanic or dealer
in implements of husbandry; located not more than 150 miles away for the purpose of buying, selling, trading,
loaning and leasing, demonstrating, repairing or servicing the implement of husbandry. (iv) When driven, hauled or towed between sunset and sunrise, the implement of husbandry
shall have and operate at least one flashing or revolving yellow light or yellow strobe
light, which shall be mounted to provide visibility to vehicles approaching from any
direction, 360° visibility, regardless of the method of mounting and hazard signal
lamps. (2.1) Any implement of husbandry exceeding 14 feet 6 inches and not exceeding 18 feet in
width may be driven, hauled or towed between sunrise and sunset on highways other
than freeways if the implement of husbandry is covered by financial responsibility
under paragraph (2.2)(vi) and is preceded by a pilot vehicle that displays an "oversize
load" sign on the front of the vehicle and has continuously activated hazard signal
lamps. The implement of husbandry shall have and operate at least one flashing or
revolving yellow light or yellow strobe light, which shall be mounted to provide visibility
to vehicles approaching from any direction, 360° visibility, regardless of the method
of mounting and hazard signal lamps. Implements subject to this paragraph may be driven,
hauled or towed: (i) Within 50 miles of any farm owned or operated by the owner of the implement of husbandry. (ii) Between: (A) farms; or (B) a farm owned or operated by a farmer and a place of business of a mechanic or dealer
in implements of husbandry; located not more than 150 miles away for the purpose of buying, selling, trading,
loaning and leasing, demonstrating, repairing or servicing the implement of husbandry
with at least five business days' prior notice to the department by telephone. In
cases of emergency repair or servicing, advance notice is not required. (2.2) An implement of husbandry exceeding 14 feet 6 inches and not exceeding 18 feet in
width may be driven, hauled or towed, and may be preceded by a pilot vehicle that
displays an "oversize load" sign on the front of the vehicle and has continuously
activated hazard signal lamps, on highways other than freeways between sunset and
sunrise within 25 miles of any farm owned or operated by the owner of the implement
of husbandry if all of the following are met: (i) the implement of husbandry is equipped with reflective edgemarks or lights to identify
the outermost edges of the rear and front of the implement that are visible from the
front, the rear and, as is practicable, from each side; (ii) the implement of husbandry shall have and operate at least one flashing or revolving
yellow light or yellow strobe light, which shall be mounted to provide visibility
to vehicles approaching from any direction, 360° visibility, regardless of the method
of mounting, and hazard signal lamps; (iii) the implement of husbandry is not driven, hauled or towed at a speed greater than
25 miles per hour; (iv) the implement of husbandry is driven, hauled or towed by a person who is at least
18 years of age; (v) the implement of husbandry is followed by a vehicle that is displaying an "oversize
load" sign on the rear of the vehicle and is operating continuously activated hazard
signal lamps; and (vi) the implement of husbandry is covered by the minimum levels of liability insurance
coverage on the vehicle as are required to be maintained under Chapter 17 (relating
to financial responsibility) by owners of registered motor vehicles. The requirement
of this subparagraph shall be met if the minimum amounts of liability insurance coverage
for the implement of husbandry have been provided under farm liability insurance coverage
maintained generally by the owner. Coverage prescribed under Subchapter B of Chapter
17 (relating to motor vehicle liability insurance first party benefits) shall not
be required to be maintained or provided for the implement of husbandry. (3) Special mobile equipment not exceeding nine feet two inches in width may be driven,
hauled or towed between sunrise and sunset on highways other than freeways. (4) The department may regulate the operation of special vehicles subject to this subsection
which regulations may prohibit the operation of special vehicles on certain days or
during certain hours. (4.1) A vehicle not exceeding 14 feet 6 inches in width may be towed by an implement of
husbandry exempt from registration under section 1302(2.1) and (2.2) (relating to
vehicles exempt from registration) without any restriction as to time on highways
other than freeways, if all of the following apply: (i) The implement towing the vehicle is being operated in accordance with subsection (a)
or this subsection. (ii) The towed vehicle, when towed between sunset and sunrise, has and operates at least
one flashing or revolving yellow light or yellow strobe light, which shall be mounted
to provide visibility to vehicles approaching from any direction, 360 degree visibility,
regardless of the method of mounting and hazard signal lamps. (5) An implement of husbandry or vehicle used for crops or nutrients and not exceeding
14 feet 6 inches in width may be operated on highways other than freeways between
sunset and sunrise. The implement or vehicle, when used at this time, shall have and
operate at least one flashing or revolving yellow light or strobe light, which shall
be mounted to provide visibility to vehicles approaching from any direction, 360-degree
visibility, regardless of the method of mounting, and hazard signals. (6) Except as provided in paragraph (6.1), commercial implements of husbandry not exceeding
12 feet in width, including wheels and tires, may be driven, hauled or towed between
sunrise and sunset on highways other than freeways. (6.1) A commercial implement of husbandry not exceeding 12 feet in width, including wheels
and tires, may be driven between sunrise and sunset on a freeway, not including the
Pennsylvania Turnpike or an interstate highway, subject to all of the following: (i) The commercial implement of husbandry is capable of reaching speeds of at least 40
miles per hour and maintains a speed of at least 40 miles per hour at all times when
being driven on the freeway, unless otherwise required by this title. (ii) The tires on the commercial implement of husbandry have a speed rating from the manufacturer
of at least 40 miles per hour. (iii) The commercial implement of husbandry is not driven for more than 30 miles on the
freeway. (iv) The commercial implement of husbandry is equipped with one or more flashing or revolving
yellow lights in a manner determined by the department. (v) The commercial implement of husbandry is driven only in the right lane of the freeway,
unless as otherwise required by this title or required when exiting the freeway. (vi) The freeway has a maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour at the locations on which
the commercial implement of husbandry is being driven. (vii) The individual operating the commercial implement of husbandry is at least 18 years
of age and has a valid driver's license. (viii) The commercial implement of husbandry is being driven to or from a farm, or farms,
and the business location of the owner of the commercial implement of husbandry. (ix) The commercial implement of husbandry is covered by the minimum levels of liability
insurance coverage on the vehicle as required under Chapter 17 by owners of registered
motor vehicles. (x) The commercial implement of husbandry is followed by a vehicle with continuously activated
hazard signal lamps. (xi) The height of the commercial implement of husbandry does not exceed the maximum height
established in section 4922 (relating to height of vehicles), the length of the commercial
implement of husbandry does not exceed the maximum length established in section 4923
(relating to length of vehicles) and the weight of the commercial implement of husbandry
does not exceed the maximum weight established in section 4941 (relating to maximum
gross weight of vehicles). (xii) The department has not prohibited the operation of a commercial implement of husbandry
on the freeway in accordance with paragraph (6.2). (6.2) The department may prohibit the operation of a commercial implement of husbandry as
authorized by paragraph (6.1) on the entirety or a portion of a freeway if the prohibition
is needed to protect the safety of motorists. (7) As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given
to them in this subsection: "Crop." The term includes, but is not limited to: (i) Field crops, including corn, wheat, oats, rye, barley, hay, potatoes and dry beans. (ii) Fruits, including apples, peaches, grapes, cherries and berries. (iii) Vegetables, including tomatoes, snap beans, cabbage, carrots, beets, onions and mushrooms. "Nutrient." The term includes, but is not limited to: (i) A substance or recognized plant nutrient, element or compound that is used or sold
for its plant nutritive content or its claimed nutritive value. (ii) Livestock and poultry manures and their byproducts, compost used as fertilizer, commercially
manufactured chemical fertilizers, biosolids or combinations of commercially manufactured
chemical biosolids. (c) Buses.-- (Deleted by amendment). (c.1) Motor homes or recreational trailers.-- (Deleted by amendment). (c.2) Utility trailers.-- (Deleted by amendment). (c.3) Trucks other than combinations.-- (Deleted by amendment). (d) Nondivisible loads.-- (Deleted by amendment). (e) Mirrors, sunshades and tarpaulins.-- Mirrors, sunshades and tarpaulins may extend beyond the maximum width of a vehicle
as follows: (1) Mirrors may extend on each side a maximum of six inches beyond the width of the vehicle,
trailer or load, whichever is greater. (2) Sunshades may extend a maximum of six inches on each side of the vehicle. (3) Tarpaulins and the mechanical components of the devices used to secure tarpaulins
may extend no more than six inches on each side of a vehicle or trailer. (e.1) School buses.-- School bus side stop signal arms, as provided for in section 4552 (relating to general
requirements for school buses), may, when in an extended position displaying red visual
signals while the vehicle is stopped and loading or discharging students, extend beyond
the width limitation otherwise provided in this section. (e.2) Excluded devices.-- Devices listed in and meeting the requirements of 23 CFR Pt. 658 Appendix D (relating
to devices that are excluded from measurement of the length or width of a commercial
motor vehicle) are excluded from measurement of the width of a motor vehicle. (e.3) Highly automated vehicles.-- If a highly automated vehicle is operating on highways of this Commonwealth, a rear
visibility system comprised of a set of devices or components, that together perform
the function of producing the rearview image, shall be considered a mirror or a similar
device to a mirror, and shall be excluded from the measurement of the width of the
highly automated vehicle consistent with applicable Federal and State laws. (f) Exceptions.-- The provisions of this subchapter governing the width of vehicles do not apply to
street sweepers, snow removal equipment, truck-mounted line-painting equipment and
recycling equipment used under the act of July 28, 1988 (P.L.556, No.101), known as
the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act. (July 20, 1979, P.L.168, No.55, eff. imd.; Mar. 7, 1982, P.L.152, No.49, eff. imd.;
July 7, 1983, P.L.32, No.19, eff. imd.; Dec. 19, 1988, P.L.1290, No.163, eff. imd.;
June 30, 1990, P.L.266, No.63, eff. imd.; Dec. 18, 1992, P.L.1411, No.174, eff. 60
days; May 20, 1993, P.L.30, No.10, eff. 60 days; July 2, 1993, P.L.408, No.58, eff.
60 days; Feb. 10, 1994, P.L.10, No.2, eff. imd.; Dec. 7, 1994, P.L.820, No.115, eff.
imd.; July 11, 1996, P.L.660, No.115, eff. 60 days; Apr. 17, 1997, P.L.6, No.3, eff.
60 days; Dec. 21, 1998, P.L.1126, No.151, eff. 60 days; June 22, 2001, P.L.411, No.33,
eff. 60 days; Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1667, No.211, eff. 60 days; Oct. 24, 2012, P.L.1405,
No.173, eff. 60 days; Oct. 24, 2012, P.L.1407, No.174, eff. 60 days; Nov. 1, 2012,
P.L.1680, No.209, eff. 60 days; June 12, 2018, P.L.204, No.31, eff. 180 days; June
28, 2019, P.L.221, No.28, eff. 60 days; July 11, 2022, P.L.1591, No.91, eff. 60 days;
Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.1946, No.130, eff. 240 days) 2022 Amendments. Act 91 amended subsec. (b)(6) and added subsec. (b)(6.1) and (6.2) and Act 130 added
subsec. (e.3). 2019 Amendment. Act 28 amended subsec. (b)(2.1) and (2.2). 2018 Amendment. Act 31 amended subsec. (a), added subsec. (e.2) and deleted subsecs. (c), (c.1), (c.2),
(c.3) and (d). 2012 Amendments. Act 173 amended subsec. (b) intro. par., (1) and (5) and added subsec. (b)(7), Act
174 added subsec. (b)(4.1) and Act 209 amended subsec. (b)(2) and added subsec. (b)(2.1)
and (2.2). 2001 Amendment. Act 33 amended subsec. (b). 1993 Amendments. Act 10 amended subsecs. (b)(5) and (6) and (d) and Act 58 amended subsecs. (e) and
(f). 1988 Amendment. Act 163 added subsec. (e.1). Cross References. Section 4921 is referred to in section 4961 of this title.