Agricultural Product Haulers Length Exemption

This exemption was repealed on January 1, 2009, and is posted here for historical purposes. 

This summary is a selective paraphrase of the CVC Section 35401(b)(3)(A-C) and (g). It is not guaranteed and may be subject to change.

Per SB 1237 (Maldonado), which was chaptered September 25, 2006, the 65-foot combination vehicle length limit is exempted as follows:

Exemption: A combination of vehicles coupled together, including attachments, may have a total length of not more than 75 feet, if all of the following apply:

1. The combination of vehicles consists of a motortruck and two trailers.
2. A trailer in the combination does not exceed 28 feet 6 inches in length.
3. The combination is used exclusively to transport agricultural products from the field to the first point of handling and return, and each direction of transport does not exceed 80 miles.
4. The combination is not operated on a National Network (NN) route. To determine which routes are NN, click Truck Route List (XLSX) and look for NN in the column "Type."
5. The combination of vehicles may not exceed 50 miles per hour when operating on the highway.
6. The combination of vehicles shall successfully complete a commercial vehicle safety alliance inspection on a quarterly basis conducted by the Department of the California Highway Patrol.
7. The combination of vehicles shall operate on the highway only after agricultural entities develop safe routing techniques, in consultation with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, from the field to the first point of handling and return.

Where Exemption Applies

This paragraph applies only in the County of San Luis Obispo and the County of Santa Barbara or a city in those counties if the board of supervisors of the county or the city council, as the case may be, by resolution or ordinance adopts its provisions.

Study Required

The Department of the California Highway Patrol, in consultation with the Department of Transportation, shall conduct a study of the effect that the exemption provided in this paragraph has on public safety, particularly the enhanced safety requirements imposed by clauses 5, 6, and 7 of subparagraph (A). The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall report the results of the study to the Legislature and the Governor on or before April 1, 2008.

New Sunset Date: This exemption was repealed on January 1, 2009.