Missouri Class E Driver's License Information

The maximum height of any vehicle outside of a commercial zone on designated highways plus 10 miles therefrom

14 feet

The maximum height of any vehicle in a commercial zone

15 feet

The maximum height on all other highways

13 ½ feet

Maximum width of any vehicle

8 ½ feet

Capacity to be a commercial zone

Commercial zones exist only in cities with a population of 75,000 or more.

Commercial zone

The commercial zone is one mile beyond the city limits, plus one mile for every 50,000 residents or portion thereof, except for a few cities.

The commercial zone for St. Louis

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 Herrisonville.

The commerical zones for Springfield, St. Joseph, and Columbia

Extend only 2 miles beyond the city limits.

Maximum length for any single vehicle

45 feet

Maximum length for any bus or trackless trolley coach not including one foot in front and back for safety bumper

45 feet

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 feet

Maximum length of truck-tractor and semi-trailer upon all other roads

60 feet

Maximum length of truck-tractor, semi-trailer, and trailer combinations (double bottoms) upon interstates and certain designated highways the length of the semi-trailer (no overall maximum length)

28 feet

Maximum length of truck-tractor, semi-trailer, and trailer combinations (double bottoms) upon all other roads

65 feet

Maximum length of truck and trailer(s) and all other combinations of vehicles upon interstates and certain primary highways

65 feet

Maximum length of truck and trailer(s) and all other combinations of vehicles upon all other roads

55 feet

Maximum length of Automobile Transporters and Boat Transporters including Conventional 5th Wheel and Stingersteered

75 feet (for combination unit plus 3 feet front to 4 feet overhang)

Maximum length of Driveaway Saddle Mount Combinations (Double or Triple on interstate and designated highways)

97 feet

true or false: Motor vehicle carriers may carry loads that extend beyond their legal length limits, but loads must not extend more than 3 feet beyond the front or 4 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle.

true

Exemptions from size limits (excluding interstate highways)

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

Weight limitations (without special permit)

A bridge's weight limit may differ from the road's weight limit. If the bridge has a different weight limit, the limit will be posted.

Maximum weight on any single axle allowed on interstates

20,000 lbs

Maximum weight on any single axle allowed in a commercial zone

24,000 lbs

Maximum weight on any single axle allowed on all other routes

22,000 lbs

Maximum weight on any tandem axle allowed on interstates

34,000 lbs

Maximum weight on any tandem axle allowed on all other routes

36,000 lbs

The maximum gross weight allowed depends on the distance from the first to the last axle. How does one determine the max gross weight allowed in a commercial zone?

Multiply the number of axles by 22,400 lbs.

80,000 lbs of maximum gross weight is allowed on all highways in Missouri except where?

Where bridge structures are posted with lesser weight limits.

Max gross weight allowed on interstates, primary and other designated highways

80,000 lbs

True or false: You may apply for an over-dimension or overweight permit

True

To receive an oversize or overweight permit:

1. The load on your vehicle must be non-reducible
2. You must have property damage and bodily injury liability insurance
3. You must pay a permit fee

The Missouri Vehicle Route Map is available from

The Missouri Department of Transportation

The Missouri Vehicle Route Map

Shows the routes on which the larger and heavier trucks are allowed to travel as specified by state statute.

Missouri has adopted as state law Parts 390 through 397 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. This means that drivers and vehicles operating solely intrastate must obey those regulations except for the following exemptions:

1) Commercial vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR of 26,000 lbs or less than 26,001 GVWR unless transporting hazardous materials or passengers.
2) Commercial vehicles licensed for gross weight of 60,000 lbs or less when used only for the transportation of solid waste.
3) Commercial vehicles licensed for 42,000 lbs 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.

If you are transporting hazardous material, your vehicle must comply with what?

The equipment and operating regulations of the United States Department of Transportation

When operating wholly within the state, Missouri law does not require emergency equipment for:

1. Vehicles licensed for 42,000 lbs or less with an "F" plate
2. Solid waste haulers licensed for 60,000 lbs or less
3. Commercial vehicles licensed for 12,000 lbs or less

Any other commercial motor vehicle used for intra or interstate commerce that is licensed for more than 12,000 lbs must carry the following emergency equipment:

1. One fire extinguisher. The extinguisher must be rated at 5 B:C or more by Underwriter's Laboratories Incorporated
2. One spare fuse or other overload protective device for each kind and sized used, if the devices are not of a reset type
3. One of the following combination of warning devices:
1) Three flares (liquid-burning pot torches) and three fuses and two red flags. This combination must not be carried by vehicles transporting explosive or flammable material or using flammable compressed gas as a motor fuel.
2) Three red electric lanterns and two red flags
3) Three bi-directional emergency red reflective triangles

The following information must be clearly visible on commercial motor vehicles:

1) The name of the owner
2) The address the vehicle is operated from and the number issued to a motor carrier by the Motor Carrier Services
3) Every local commercial vehicle must also show the word "Local" For-hire carriers must display their USDOT number followed by the letters "MO"

Your vehicle does not need to show the above information if:
1) It is licensed for 36,000 lbs or less
2) It is not regularly used for commercial purposes.

If you are driving a bus or truck, you must not follow another bus or truck any closer than...

300 feet

If you are driving a bus or truck, you may follow closer than the normal limit when you are...

In a business or residential district or when passing

Always stay a "BLANK" distance behind the vehicle in front of you.

safe

For each 10 feet in length in your vehicle, keep at least...

one second between you and the vehicle in front of you.

If you are driving a 40-foot vehicle you keep... between you and the vehicle in front of you.

4 seconds

If you are driving a 1) motor vehicle carrying passengers for hire, 2) school bus, 3) motor vehicle carrying material that is corrosive, flammable, explosive, or poisonous, OR 4) motor vehicle used for the transportation of flammable or corrosive liquids in bulk, whether loaded or empty
THEN, you must stop within BLANK to BLANK feet before the railroad tracks. If there is no sign of a train, you may cross the tracks.

15 to 50

To avoid any part of a load falling off your vehicle, you must...

secure it or have a protective cover on it.

What is Off-Tracking?

When a vehicle turns, the rear wheels take a shorter path than the front wheels. The greater the distance between the front and rear wheels, the greater the difference in their paths.

How do you compensate for off-tracking?

Begin a left turn as far to the right as possible, and begin a right turn as far to the left as possible.

All commercial motor vehicles must stop at weigh stations except

those licensed for 18,000 lbs or less or otherwise exempted by law, unless directed by a piece officer.

To avoid an accident with a tailgater, you should...

1. Slow down.
2. Avoid any sudden turns or stops and signal well in advance
3. Increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. This will help you to avoid any sudden stops.
4. Do not flash your taillights or break lights at the tailgater. The tailgater may not believe your break lights when you do slow down or stop.

True or false: It is better to be tailgated at a low speed than a high speed

True

To make sure you have enough space over your vehicle at all times...

1) Do not assume that posted heights at bridges or underpasses are correct
2) Check all wires, signs, trees, and air conditioning units.

To make sure the surface you are moving onto will hold the weight of your vehicle, be wary of...

1) Parking lots
2) Unpaved roads or parking areas, especially when wet
3) Construction areas

Your acceleration rate varies with...

The weight of your vehicle

Your time to cross the road is affected by...

The length of your vehicle

In a long or heavily weighted vehicle, you will need a larger gap to cross the road...

than you would in a car