Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Transportation Committee
HB 1898
Brief Description: Concerning truck and trailer length limitations.
Sponsors: Representatives Klicker, Dent, Schmidt, Dye, Orcutt, Mendoza, Walen, Rude and Volz.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Increases the maximum legal length to 85 feet for operation of a truck and trailer combination with three axles if it is empty or moving agricultural product on the public highways of the state.
Hearing Date: 2/17/25
Staff: Sandy Myer (786-7140).
Background:

It is unlawful to operate any vehicle on the public highways of the state having an overall length, with or without load, of more than 40 feet, with exceptions including, but not limited to:  municipal transit vehicles; private carrier buses; school buses; motor homes; travel trailers; and auto recycling carriers.

 

It is unlawful to operate upon the public highways of the state any combination, with or without load, consisting of:

  • a tractor and semitrailer in which the semitrailer has a length more than 53 feet; and
  • a tractor and two trailers in which the combined length of the trailers exceeds 61 feet, with an exception for two trailers constituting inventory property of a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer of such trailers and weigh no more than 26,000 pounds in total weight with a combined length not exceeding 82 feet.

 

It is unlawful to operate upon the public highways of the state any combination, with or without load, consisting of a truck and trailer more than 75 feet.  This overall length limit does not apply to a combination of a truck and trailer connected by a fifth wheel hitch.

 

The Washington State Department of Transportation is authorized to issue permits for operation of vehicles exceeding the overall length limit.

 

Agricultural product is defined in statute as any product of plant cultivation or animal husbandry and does not include cannabis, cannabis products, or pet animals.
Summary of Bill:

The maximum legal length for a truck and trailer combination with three axles is increased to 85 feet if it is empty or moving agricultural product on the public highways of the state.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Preliminary fiscal note available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.