Pennsylvania Act 2006-159 — VEHICLE CODE (75 PA.C.S.) - OMNIBUS AMENDMENTS

Act text

VEHICLE CODE (75 PA.C.S.) - OMNIBUS AMENDMENTS
                 Act of Nov. 29, 2006, P.L. 1449, No. 159             Cl. 75
                             Session of 2006
                               No. 2006-159

     HB 2133

                                  AN ACT

     Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
        Statutes, further providing for special registration plates,
        for identification card, for periods for requiring lighted
        lamps, for authority to use flashing or revolving blue
        lights, for permit for movement during course of manufacture
        and for permits for movement of certain feed and grain.

        The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     hereby enacts as follows:

        Section 1.  Sections 1341, 1510(b), 4302(a), 4572(a), 4968
     and 4976 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes
     are amended to read:
      § 1341.  Special registration plates generally.
        Upon request by the applicant, the department may issue
     registration plates consisting of any combination of numbers,
     letters or numbers and letters. These special plates may be
     issued for special groups or for special purposes and bear an
     appropriate designation. Special groups may charge a fee for
     authorization to request a registration plate bearing the name
     of the group. They shall have the same force and effect as
     regular registration plates. The department may refuse any
     combination of letters and numbers for cause and shall adopt
     reasonable rules and regulations for the issuance of the plates
     and for carrying out the provisions of this section. The
     applicant shall comply with all laws and regulations pertaining
     to registration including the payment of any additional fees.
     The department is authorized to reissue a combination of numbers
     or letters for a personal plate if the department records reveal
     that no activity, such as renewal or transfer of the personal
     registration plate, has occurred for a period of five or more
     consecutive years and provided that the personal registration
     plate was never reported as lost or stolen. Whenever the
     department reissues an inactive personal plate, the department
     may purge its records of all references to the previous owners
     of that personal plate. The department shall, however, note upon
     its records the reissuance of the personal plate and to whom the
     plate was issued. If the vehicle is licensed to a business that
     is not a member of the special group, the department shall issue
     the plate as long as the business owner or officer making
     application is a member of that group.
      § 1510.  Issuance and content of driver's license.
        * * *
        (b)  Identification card.--The department shall, upon payment
     of the required fee, issue an identification card to any person
     ten years of age or older who has made application therefor in
     such manner as the department shall prescribe or whose driver's
     license has been surrendered to the department because of a
     suspension or revocation of an operating privilege under this or
     any other title. Program participants in the Address
     Confidentiality Program under 23 Pa.C.S. Ch. 67 may use a
     substitute address designated by the Office of Victim Advocate
     as their address. The identification card shall have
     substantially the same content as a driver's license but shall
     clearly indicate that it is not a driver's license. Upon failure
     of any person to pass any examination required under section
     1514 (relating to expiration and renewal of drivers' licenses),
     the department shall, where appropriate, issue a complimentary
     identification card as an expression of gratitude for years of
     safe driving. The card shall only be issued upon receipt of the
     person's driver's license.
        * * *
      § 4302.  Periods for requiring lighted lamps.
        (a)  General rule.--The operator of a vehicle upon a highway
     shall display the lighted head lamps and other lamps and
     illuminating devices required under this chapter for different
     classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect to
     parked vehicles, at the following times:
            (1)  Between sunset and sunrise.
            (2)  Any time when[,] the operator cannot discern a
        person or vehicle upon the highway from a distance of 1,000
        feet due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric
        conditions, including rain, snow, sleet, hail, fog, smoke or
        smog[, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly
        discernible to the operator for a distance of 1,000 feet
        ahead].
            (3)  Any time when the vehicle's windshield wipers are in
        continuous or intermittent use due to precipitation or
        atmospheric moisture, including rain, snow, sleet or mist.
        * * *
      § 4572.  Visual signals on authorized vehicles.
        (a)  Flashing or revolving blue lights.--Ambulance personnel,
     volunteer firefighters, certified volunteer search and rescue
     [scuba divers] organization members and owners and handlers of
     dogs used in tracking humans may each equip one motor vehicle
     with no more than two flashing or revolving blue lights.
            (1)  In order to be eligible to display lights on their
        vehicles under this subsection, the names of the ambulance
        personnel, volunteer firefighters and certified volunteer
        search and rescue [scuba divers] organization members shall
        be submitted to the nearest station of the Pennsylvania State
        Police on a list signed by the chief of the ambulance or fire
        department or company, the head of the search and rescue
        [scuba diving] organization, and each dog owner and handler
        shall register at the nearest Pennsylvania State Police
        station.
            (2)  The manner in which the lights are displayed and
        their intensity shall be determined by regulation of the
        department.
            (3)  The lights shall be operable by the driver from
        inside the vehicle.
            (4)  The lights may be used only while en route to or at
        the scene of a fire or emergency call.
            (5)  The lights shall be removed from the vehicle
        immediately upon receipt of notice from the chief of the
        ambulance or fire department or company or the head of the
        search and rescue [scuba diving] organization to remove the
        lights upon termination of the person's status as an active
        volunteer firefighter or ambulance person or upon termination
        of the person's active status as a certified volunteer search
        and rescue [diver] organization member or dog owner or
        handler, or when the vehicle is no longer used in connection
        with the person's duties as a volunteer firefighter or
        ambulance person, certified volunteer search and rescue
        [diver] organization member or dog owner or handler.
            (6)  This subsection does not relieve the driver from the
        duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons
        nor exempt the driver from complying with all provisions of
        this title.
        * * *
      § 4968.  Permit for movement during course of manufacture.
        (a)  Annual permit.--An annual permit may be issued
     authorizing movement on specified highways of boats, trailers,
     mobile homes, modular housing units and undercarriages,
     helicopters, hot ingots, a hot box, basic oxygen furnace lances,
     railway equipment and rails or other articles, vehicles or
     combinations which exceed the maximum height, width or length
     specified in Subchapter B (relating to width, height and length)
     or self-propelled cranes or combinations carrying raw milk, raw
     coal, flat-rolled steel coils, steel slabs, hot ingots, a hot
     box, pulpwood and wood chips for paper manufacture or raw water
     which exceed the maximum weight specified in Subchapter C
     (relating to maximum weights of vehicles) while they are in the
     course of manufacture and under contract with or under the
     direct control of the manufacturer, subject to the following
     provisions:
            (1)  Except for articles and vehicles not exceeding 102
        inches in width, no permit shall be issued under this section
        for movement of articles or vehicles while they are in
        transit from the manufacturer to a purchaser or dealer or for
        the movement of articles or vehicles upon a freeway.
            (2)  Overwidth articles and vehicles:
                (i)  Articles and vehicles not wider than 102 inches
            may be moved any distance on a permit.
                (ii)  Articles and vehicles wider than 102 inches but
            not wider than 108 inches may be moved up to seven miles
            on a permit 24 hours per day, seven days a week.
                (iii)  Articles and vehicles wider than 102 inches
            but not in excess of 12 feet in width may be moved up to
            50 miles on a permit.
                (iv)  Wider articles and vehicles may be moved no
            farther than ten miles on a permit.
            (3)  A combination of vehicles which is hauling flat-
        rolled steel coils or steel slabs may be permitted by the
        department and local authorities to move upon highways within
        their respective jurisdiction a distance not exceeding 50
        miles if the gross weight does not exceed 100,000 pounds and
        the weight of any nonsteering axle does not exceed 21,000
        pounds. No permit may be issued for this type of movement
        upon an interstate highway.
            (3.1)  A combination of vehicles which is hauling raw
        milk to or from a manufacturer may be permitted by the
        department and local authorities to move upon highways within
        their respective jurisdiction 24 hours a day, seven days a
        week, except during inclement weather as defined in
        department regulations, if the gross weight does not exceed
        95,000 pounds and if the weight of any nonsteering axle does
        not exceed 21,000 pounds. No permit may be issued for this
        type of movement upon an interstate highway.
            (3.2)  A combination of vehicles which is hauling a hot
        ingot or a hot box may be permitted by the department and
        local authorities to move upon highways within their
        respective jurisdiction a distance not exceeding 25 miles if
        the gross weight does not exceed 150,000 pounds and the
        weight of any nonsteering axle does not exceed 21,000 pounds.
        No permit may be issued for this type of movement upon an
        interstate highway.
            (3.3)  A combination of vehicles which is hauling basic
        oxygen furnace lances may be permitted by the department and
        local authorities to move upon highways within their
        respective jurisdictions if the overall length does not
        exceed 90 feet. A vehicle operating under a permit authorized
        under this section may be driven 24 hours a day, seven days a
        week, if the vehicle or combination is operated at prevailing
        speeds. Movement under this paragraph is not authorized
        during any of the following:
                (i)  A holiday period specified in department
            regulations or in the permit.
                (ii)  Inclement weather, as defined in department
            regulations.
            (3.4)  A self-propelled crane which is being road tested
        may be permitted by the department and local authorities to
        move upon highways within their respective jurisdictions a
        distance not exceeding 15 miles if the gross weight does not
        exceed 150,000 pounds and the weight on any axle does not
        exceed 27,000 pounds.
            (3.5)  A combination of vehicles which is hauling raw
        coal from a mine to a processing or preparation facility may
        be permitted by the department and local authorities to move
        upon highways within their respective jurisdictions a
        distance not exceeding 30 miles if the gross weight does not
        exceed 95,000 pounds and if the weight of any nonsteering
        axle does not exceed 21,000 pounds. No permit may be issued
        for this type of movement upon an interstate highway.
            (3.6)  A combination of vehicles which is hauling raw
        water from a spring to a bottling facility may be permitted
        by the department and local authorities to move upon
        specified highways within their respective jurisdictions
        subject to the following conditions:
                (i)  The vehicle must be a six axle combination -
            three axle truck tractor.
                (ii)  Gross vehicular weight must not exceed 96,900
            pounds.
                (iii)  Maximum weight on steering axles shall be
            11,000 pounds.
                (iv)  Maximum weight on the truck-tractor tandem
            (axles two and three) shall be 38,000 pounds, with a
            maximum of 19,500 pounds on either axle in the group.
                (v)  Maximum weight on the semitrailer tridem (axles
            four, five and six) shall be 47,700 pounds, with a
            maximum of 16,400 pounds on any axle in the group.
                (vi)  Minimum spacing between axle one and axle two
            shall be 12 feet 11 inches.
                (vii)  The center-to-center distance between the last
            drive axle of the truck tractor (axle three) and the
            first axle of semitrailer (axle 4) must be a minimum of
            26 feet 7 inches.
                (viii)  Minimum spacing between tandem and tridem
            axles shall be 4 feet 1 inch.
        No permit may be issued for this type of movement upon an
        interstate highway.
            (3.7)  A combination of vehicles which is hauling
        pulpwood or wood chips from a specified source to a paper
        manufacturing site may be permitted by the department and
        local authorities to move upon specified highways within
        their respective jurisdictions subject to the following
        conditions:
                (i)  The vehicle must be a five axle combination -
            three axle truck tractor meeting the following
            characteristics:
                    (A)  Gross vehicular weight must not exceed
                95,000 pounds.
                    (B)  Maximum weight on steering axles shall be
                11,000 pounds.
                    (C)  Maximum weight on the truck-trailer tandem
                (axles two and three) shall be 42,000 pounds, with a
                maximum of 21,000 pounds on either axle in the group.
                    (D)  Maximum weight on the semitrailer tridem
                (axles four and five) shall be 42,000 pounds, with a
                maximum of 21,000 pounds on any axle in the group.
                    (E)  Minimum spacing between axle one and axle
                two shall be 12 feet 6 inches.
                    (F)  The center-to-center distance between the
                last drive axle of the truck tractor (axle three) and
                the first axle of the semitrailer (axle four) must be
                a minimum of 28 feet 0 inch.
                    (G)  Minimum spacing between tandem and tridem
                axles shall be 4 feet 0 inch.
                (ii)  The vehicle must be a six axle combination -
            three axle truck tractor meeting the following
            characteristics:
                    (A)  Gross vehicular weight must not exceed
                107,000 pounds.
                    (B)  Maximum weight on steering axles shall be
                12,000 pounds.
                    (C)  Maximum weight on the truck-tractor tandem
                (axles two and three) shall be 42,000 pounds, with a
                maximum of 21,000 pounds on either axle in the group.
                    (D)  Maximum weight on the semitrailer tridem
                (axles four, five and six) shall be 53,000 pounds,
                with a maximum of 17,670 pounds on any axle in the
                group.
                    (E)  Minimum spacing between axle one and axle
                two shall be 12 feet 6 inches.
                    (F)  The center-to-center distance between the
                last drive axle of the truck tractor (axle three) and
                the first axle of the semitrailer (axle four) must be
                a minimum of 45 feet 0 inch.
                    (G)  Minimum spacing between tandem and tridem
                axles shall be 4 feet 0 inch.
            No permit may be issued for this type of movement upon an
            interstate highway.
            (4)  A permit may be denied or revoked in order to
        preserve the safety of highway users or to protect the
        structural integrity of highways or bridges or as otherwise
        authorized by department regulations.
        [(b)  Definition.--As used in this section, the term "raw
     milk" shall have the meaning given to it in the act of July 2,
     1935 (P.L.589, No.210), referred to as the Milk Sanitation Law.]
        (b)  Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
     words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
     subsection:
        "Hot box."  Consists of an enclosure consisting of welded
     steel plate chained to a semitrailer with a removable lid lined
     with refraction for purposes of insulation and retention of
     heat.
        "Raw milk."  Has the meaning given to it in the act of July
     2, 1935 (P.L.589, No.210), referred to as the Milk Sanitation
     Law.
      § 4976.  Permit for movement of domestic animal feed and whole
                or unprocessed grain.
        An annual permit may be issued authorizing the movement on
     highways of domestic animal feed and whole or unprocessed grain,
     in bulk, which exceeds the maximum vehicle gross weight
     specified in Subchapter C (relating to maximum weights of
     vehicles). The weight of any vehicle permitted under this
     section may not exceed 95,000 pounds overall gross weight and
     the weight on any nonsteering axle does not exceed 21,000
     pounds. No permit may be issued for this type of movement upon
     an interstate highway.
        Section 2.  This act shall take effect as follows:
            (1)  This section shall take effect immediately.
            (2)  The amendment of 75 Pa.C.S. § 1510(b) shall take
        effect in three years.
            (3)  The remainder of this act shall take effect in 60
        days.

     APPROVED--The 29th day of November, A. D. 2006.

     EDWARD G. RENDELL