Driver Guide

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You will need to know the following information if you are applying for a 
Class E license.  As a driver of a commercial vehicle, you must obey all 
Missouri traffic laws including the laws on commercial vehicles.
Note:
1.  All size and weight limits listed below include the load of the vehicle.
2.   All limits that refer to interstates or certain designated highways include 
roads up to 10 miles from the interstate or highway.
3.   The size and weight and exceptions listed in this chapter are for 
Missouri highways only.
SIZE LIMITATIONS (WITHOUT SPECIAL PERMIT)
HEIGHT
1.   Maximum height of any vehicle outside of a commercial 
zone* on designated highways plus 10 miles therefrom ...................14’
2.  Maximum height of any vehicle in a commercial zone ......................15’
3.  Maximum height on all other highways ..........................................13½’
WIDTH
1.  Maximum width of any vehicle  .........................................................8½’
*COMMERCIAL ZONE — Commercial zones exist only in cities with a 
population of 75,000 or more.  The commercial zone is one mile beyond the 
city limits plus one mile for every 50,000 residents or portion thereof, except:
•    The commercial zone for St. Louis City extends 18 miles beyond the city 
limits.
•    The commercial zone for Kansas City extends 12 miles beyond the city 
limits and includes the city of Harrisonville.
•    The commercial zones for Springfield, St. Joseph, and Columbia extends 
only 2 miles beyond the city limits.
•    The commercial zone on interstate highways extends only 2 miles 
beyond the city limits.
LENGTH
1.  Maximum length of any single vehicle ...............................................45’
2.   Maximum length of any bus or trackless trolley coach not 
including one foot in front and back for safety bumper .....................45’
3.  Maximum length of truck-tractor and semi-trailer
 
•    upon interstates and certain designated highways the length of  
the semi-trailer (no overall maximum length, includes load) .........53’
 
•   upon all other roads .......................................................................60’
4.  Maximum length of truck-tractor, semi-trailer, and trailer 
 
combinations (double bottoms)
 
•    upon interstates and certain designated highways the length of the 
semi-trailer or trailer (no overall maximum length) ........................28’
 
•   upon all other roads ....................................................................... 65
CHAPTER 15 — COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

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5.   Maximum length of truck and trailer(s) and all other 
combinations of vehicles 
•  upon interstates and certain primary highways  ...............................65’
 
•  the overall maximum length upon all other roads ............................55’
6.  Maximum length of Automobile Transporters and 
 
Boat Transporters
 
•  Conventional 5th Wheel ...........................75’ 
for combination unit plus
  • Stingersteered ..........................................75’ 
3’ front to 4’ rear overhang.
7.   Maximum length of Driveaway Saddle Mount Combinations (Double or 
Triple on interstate and designated highways) 97’
Motor vehicle carriers may carry loads that extend beyond their legal length 
limits.  Loads must not extend more than 3 feet beyond the front or 4 feet 
beyond the rear of the vehicle.
EXEMPTIONS FROM SIZE LIMITS
1.  Farm machinery driven occasionally for short distances
2.  Vehicles temporarily transporting farm machinery
3.  Implement dealers delivering or moving farm machinery for repair
4.   Vehicles temporarily transporting road-making machines or road materials
5.  Vehicles towing disabled vehicles for repair on highways
These exemptions do not include interstate highways.
WEIGHT LIMITATIONS (WITHOUT SPECIAL PERMIT)
A bridge’s weight limit may differ from the road’s weight limit.  If a bridge 
has a different weight limit, the limit will be posted.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT ON ANY SINGLE AXLE ...........................  POUNDS
1.  Maximum weight allowed on interstates 
20,000
2.  Maximum weight allowed in a commercial zone 
22,400
3.  Maximum weight allowed on all other routes 
22,000
MAXIMUM WEIGHT ON ANY TANDEM AXLE 
 POUNDS
1.  Maximum weight allowed on interstates 
34,000
2.  Maximum weight allowed on all other routes 
36,000
MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT .....................................................  POUNDS
The actual gross weight allowed depends on the distance from the first to 
last axle.  To determine the maximum gross weight allowed in a commercial 
zone, multiply the number of axles by 22,400 pounds.80,000 pounds 
maximum gross weight is allowed on all highways in Missouri, except 
where bridge structures are posted with lesser weight limits.
1.   Maximum gross weight allowed on interstates, primary and  
other designated highways ........................................................... 80,000
OVERDIMENSION AND OVERWEIGHT PERMITS
You may apply for an overdimension or overweight permit by calling  
1-800-877-8499, or [phone] for local calls only, or by contacting:
Missouri Department of Transportation, Motor Carrier Services Unit 
P. O. Box 893 
Jefferson City, MO 65102 
Fax: [phone]

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To receive an oversize or overweight permit:
•    the load on your vehicle must be non-reducible,
•    you must have property damage and bodily injury liability insurance, and
•    you must pay a permit fee.
VEHICLE ROUTE MAP
The Missouri Vehicle Route Map is available from the Missouri Department 
of Transportation.  This map shows the routes on which the larger and 
heavier trucks are allowed to travel as specified by state statute.  You may 
obtain a map by calling 1-866-831-6277 or by contacting:
Missouri Department of Transportation, Motor Carrier Services 
P. O. Box 893 
Jefferson City, MO 65102 
Fax: [phone] 
[e-mail]
FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY REGULATIONS
Missouri has adopted as state law Parts 390 through 397 of the Federal 
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.  Therefore, drivers and vehicles 
operating solely intrastate must obey those regulations except for the 
following exemptions:
•    Commercial vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR of 26,000 lbs. or less than 
26,001 GVWR unless transporting hazardous materials or passengers.
•    Commercial vehicles licensed for gross weight of 60,000 pounds or less 
when used only for the transportation of solid waste
•    Commercial vehicles licensed for 42,000 pounds or less for farm use and 
indicated by the letter “F” on the license plate as authorized by Missouri 
Revised Statutes, Section 301.030 unless transporting hazardous 
materials except fertilizer.
TRANSPORTING HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
If you are transporting hazardous material, your vehicle must comply with 
the equipment and operating regulations of the United States Department 
of Transportation.
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AND SIGNALS
When operating wholly within the state, Missouri law does not require 
emergency equipment for:
•    Vehicles licensed for 42,000 pounds or less with an “F” plate,
•    Solid waste haulers licensed for 60,000 pounds or less, and
•    Commercial vehicles licensed for 12,000 pounds or less.
Any other commercial motor vehicle used for intra or interstate commerce 
that is licensed for more than 12,000 pounds must carry the following 
emergency equipment:
•    One fire extinguisher.  The extinguisher must be rated at 5 B:C or more 
by Underwriter’s Laboratories Incorporated.
•    One spare fuse or other overload protective device for each kind and 
size used, if the devices are not of a reset type.

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