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- 2025
69th Legislature 2025 HB 97
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 97
ENROLLED BILL
AN ACT ALLOWING THE PLATOONING OF VEHICLES; DEFINING PLATOONING; PROVIDING FOR
SPECIAL PERMITS; REQUIRING A STUDY OF PLATOONING SAFETY BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION; PROVIDING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; AND AMENDING SECTION 61-10-124, MCA.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Platooning -- study -- rulemaking. (1) The department of transportation shall complete a
feasibility study to determine whether platooning can be safely conducted in Montana. The study must include
consideration of Montana's various terrain, weather extremes, effectiveness of supporting communication
networks, and any other considerations applicable to the safety of the motoring public.
(2) If, upon completion and analysis of the study required in subsection (1), the department
determines that platooning can be safely conducted, it shall adopt rules and standards for platooning. Prior to
proposing rules on platooning, the department shall engage stakeholders such as members of the
transportation interim committee, representatives of law enforcement agencies, the trucking industry, platooning
technology developers, ranchers, drivers, pedestrians, tribal governments, and local governments.
(3) Platooning may be allowed following the implementation of department rules and standards.
(4) For the purposes of this section, "platooning" means operating partially or fully autonomous
motor vehicles that are trailers, trucks, or truck tractors, as defined in 61-1-101, to travel on a highway at
electronically coordinated speeds in a unified manner at a following distance that is closer than would be
reasonable and prudent without the use of the technology.
Section 2. Section 61-10-124, MCA, is amended to read:
"61-10-124. (Temporary) Special permits -- fees. (1) Except as provided in subsections (2)(d) and
(3), in addition to the regular registration and gross vehicle weight fees, a fee of $10 for each trip permit and a
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fee of $75 for each term permit issued for size in excess of that specified in 61-10-101 through 61-10-104 must
be paid for all movements under special permits on the public highways under the jurisdiction of the department
of transportation.
(2) (a) Except as provided in subsections (2)(b), (2)(d), (2)(f), (2)(h), (3), and (4) (5), term or
blanket permits may not be issued for an overwidth vehicle, combination of vehicles, load, or other thing in
excess of 15 feet; an overlength vehicle, combination of vehicles, load, object, or other thing in excess of 95
feet; or an overheight vehicle, combination of vehicles, load, or other thing in excess of 14 feet or of a limit
determined by the department. A vehicle, combination of vehicles, load, or other thing in excess of these
dimensions is limited to trip permits. Except as provided in subsection (2)(g), a Rocky Mountain double may not
exceed 81 feet in combined trailer length. A Rocky Mountain double is not subject to a combination length limit.
Special permits for vehicle combinations of more than two trailers or more than two units designed for or used
to carry a load are not permitted except as provided in subsections (3) and (4) (5). Special permits for vehicle
combinations may specify and special permits under subsections (3) and (4) (5) must specify highway routing
and otherwise limit or prescribe conditions of operation of the vehicle or combination, including but not limited to
required equipment, speed, stability, operational procedures, and insurance.
(b) A term permit may be issued to a dealer in implements of husbandry and self-propelled
machinery for an overwidth or overlength vehicle referred to in subsection (2)(a). This permit expires on
December 31 of each year, with no grace period.
(c) With payment of the appropriate gross weight fees required by 61-10-201 and with payment of
the fee prescribed in subsection (1), allowable gross weight of a five-axle combination logging vehicle is 80,000
pounds.
(d) A term permit may be issued for any combination of vehicles that exceeds 95 feet in length but
does not exceed 100 feet in combination length, except a truck-trailer-trailer or a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer-
trailer combination, for travel only on interstate highways, as defined in 60-1-103, or on other highways within a
2-mile radius of an interstate highway interchange in order to obtain necessary services or to load or unload at
a terminal. When a terminal is beyond a 2-mile radius, the department may authorize travel between the
terminal and the interchange. The fee for this permit is $125.
(e) A term permit may be issued for a truck tractor-semitrailer combination when the semitrailer
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exceeds 53 feet in length but does not exceed 57 feet in length.
(f) (i) An annual permit may be issued for nondivisible loads up to 120 feet in length. The fee for
this permit is $125.
(ii) Portions of a nondivisible load hauled on a public road off of the interstate highway may be
detached and reloaded on the same hauling unit if the separate pieces are necessary to the operation of the
machine or equipment that is being hauled and if the arrangement does not exceed limits for which a permit
may be issued.
(iii) An applicant for a nondivisible load permit for use as provided in subsection (5)(b) (6)(b) is
responsible for providing information regarding the number of work hours required to dismantle the load.
(iv) For use as provided in subsection (5)(b) (6)(b) and for the purposes of this section, emergency
response vehicles and casks designed and used for the transport of spent nuclear materials are considered
nondivisible loads.
(g) A Rocky Mountain double carrying baled hay may not exceed 88 feet of combined trailer
length.
(h) A term permit may be issued for an overlength vehicle moving a mobile home or a
manufactured home, as defined in 15-24-201, when the vehicle does not exceed 110 feet in length or 16 feet in
width.
(3) The department of transportation may issue special permits to the operating company for a
truck-trailer-trailer or truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer-trailer combination of vehicles under the following
conditions:
(a) the combination may be operated only on interstate highways, as defined in 60-1-103, and on
other highways within a 2-mile radius of an interstate highway interchange only in order to obtain necessary
services or to load or unload at a terminal. When a terminal is beyond a 2-mile radius, the department may
authorize travel between the terminal and the interchange.
(b) a combination of vehicles powered by a cab-over or tilt-cab truck tractor or a truck may not
exceed an overall length of 105 feet, inclusive of front and rear bumpers and overhang;
(c) a combination of vehicles powered by a conventional truck tractor may not exceed an overall
length of 110 feet, inclusive of the front and rear bumpers and overhang;
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(d) an individual cargo unit of the combination may not exceed 28 1/2 feet in length and 102 inches
in width;
(e) gross weight fees under 61-10-201 must be paid on the truck or truck tractor for the declared
registered gross weight of the special vehicle combination, but not to exceed the formula in 61-10-107;
(f) the combination must have a special overlength permit issued at a fee of $200 for a term permit
or $20 for each trip permit;
(g) travel of the combination may be restricted to specific routes, hours of operation, specific days,
or seasonal periods; and
(h) the department may enforce any other restrictions determined by the department to be
necessary. The permit is not transferable, and the fee for the permit is $200.
(4) (a) The department of transportation may issue special permits to the operating company for a
platoon operation.
(b) Gross vehicle weight fees under 61-10-201 must be paid on each truck or truck tractor
operating in a platoon operation.
(c) The department may enforce any other restrictions determined by the department to be
necessary.
(d) The fee for the permit is $200 for a term permit or $20 for each trip.
(5) The department of transportation may issue special permits under subsection (3) for vehicle
combinations that consist of a truck-trailer-trailer if:
(a) the vehicle combination's overall length, inclusive of front and rear bumpers, is not more than
95 feet; and
(b) the person, firm, or corporation applying for the permit:
(i) restricts truck-trailer-trailer operations authorized by the permit to the hauling of talc ore,
chlorite, dolomite, limestone, and custom combine equipment;
(ii) operated the truck-trailer-trailer combination before July 1, 1987;
(iii) restricts the truck-trailer-trailer operations authorized by the permit to the specified routes that
those vehicles used before July 1, 1987; and
(iv) provides the department of transportation with an affidavit confirming the routes used before
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July 1, 1987, for truck-trailer-trailer operations.
(5)(6) For the purposes of this section, a "nondivisible load" is:
(a) on public roads off of interstate highways, a load that cannot be readily or reasonably
dismantled and that is reduced to a minimum practical size and weight;
(b) on interstate highways, a load or vehicle exceeding applicable length or weight limits that, if
separated into smaller loads or vehicles, would:
(i) compromise the intended use of the vehicle;
(ii) destroy the value of the load or vehicle; or
(iii) require more than 8 work hours to dismantle using appropriate equipment. (Void on occurrence
of contingency--sec. 2, Ch. 285, L. 2003.)
61-10-124. (Effective on occurrence of contingency) Special permits -- fees. (1) Except as
provided in subsections (2)(d) and (3), in addition to the regular registration and gross vehicle weight fees, a fee
of $10 for each trip permit and a fee of $75 for each term permit issued for size in excess of that specified in 61-
10-101 through 61-10-104 must be paid for all movements under special permits on the public highways under
the jurisdiction of the department of transportation.
(2) (a) Except as provided in subsections (2)(b), (2)(d), (2)(f), (2)(g), (3), and (4) (5), term or
blanket permits may not be issued for an overwidth vehicle, combination of vehicles, load, or other thing in
excess of 15 feet; an overlength vehicle, combination of vehicles, load, object, or other thing in excess of 95
feet; or an overheight vehicle, combination of vehicles, load, or other thing in excess of 14 feet or of a limit
determined by the department. A vehicle, combination of vehicles, load, or other thing in excess of these
dimensions is limited to trip permits. A Rocky Mountain double may not exceed 81 feet in combined trailer
length. A Rocky Mountain double is not subject to a combination length limit. Special permits for vehicle
combinations of more than two trailers or more than two units designed for or used to carry a load are not
permitted except as provided in subsections (3) and (4) (5). Special permits for vehicle combinations may
specify and special permits under subsections (3) and (4) (5) must specify highway routing and otherwise limit
or prescribe conditions of operation of the vehicle or combination, including but not limited to required
equipment, speed, stability, operational procedures, and insurance.
(b) A term permit may be issued to a dealer in implements of husbandry and self-propelled
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machinery for an overwidth or overlength vehicle referred to in subsection (2)(a). This permit expires on
December 31 of each year, with no grace period.
(c) With payment of the appropriate gross weight fees required by 61-10-201 and with payment of
the fee prescribed in subsection (1), allowable gross weight of a five-axle combination logging vehicle is 80,000
pounds.
(d) A term permit may be issued for any combination of vehicles that exceeds 95 feet in length but
does not exceed 100 feet in combination length, except a truck-trailer-trailer or a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer-
trailer combination, for travel only on interstate highways, as defined in 60-1-103, or on other highways within a
2-mile radius of an interstate highway interchange in order to obtain necessary services or to load or unload at
a terminal. When a terminal is beyond a 2-mile radius, the department may authorize travel between the
terminal and the interchange. The fee for this permit is $125.
(e) A term permit may be issued for a truck tractor-semitrailer combination when the semitrailer
exceeds 53 feet in length but does not exceed 57 feet in length.
(f) (i) An annual permit may be issued for nondivisible loads up to 120 feet in length. The fee for
this permit is $125.
(ii) Portions of a nondivisible load hauled on a public road off of the interstate highway may be
detached and reloaded on the same hauling unit if the separate pieces are necessary to the operation of the
machine or equipment that is being hauled and if the arrangement does not exceed limits for which a permit
may be issued.
(iii) An applicant for a nondivisible load permit for use as provided in subsection (5)(b) (6)(b) is
responsible for providing information regarding the number of work hours required to dismantle the load.
(iv) For use as provided in subsection (5)(b) (6)(b) and for the purposes of this section, emergency
response vehicles and casks designed and used for the transport of spent nuclear materials are considered
nondivisible loads.
(g) A term permit may be issued for an overlength vehicle moving a mobile home or a
manufactured home, as defined in 15-24-201, when the vehicle does not exceed 110 feet in length or 16 feet in
width.
(3) The department of transportation may issue special permits to the operating company for a
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truck-trailer-trailer or truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer-trailer combination of vehicles under the following
conditions:
(a) the combination may be operated only on interstate highways, as defined in 60-1-103, and on
other highways within a 2-mile radius of an interstate highway interchange only in order to obtain necessary
services or to load or unload at a terminal. When a terminal is beyond a 2-mile radius, the department may
authorize travel between the terminal and the interchange.
(b) a combination of vehicles powered by a cab-over or tilt-cab truck tractor or a truck may not
exceed an overall length of 105 feet, inclusive of front and rear bumpers and overhang;
(c) a combination of vehicles powered by a conventional truck tractor may not exceed an overall
length of 110 feet, inclusive of the front and rear bumpers and overhang;
(d) an individual cargo unit of the combination may not exceed 28 1/2 feet in length and 102 inches
in width;
(e) gross weight fees under 61-10-201 must be paid on the truck or truck tractor for the declared
registered gross weight of the special vehicle combination, but not to exceed the formula in 61-10-107;
(f) the combination must have a special overlength permit issued at a fee of $200 for a term permit
or $20 for each trip permit;
(g) travel of the combination may be restricted to specific routes, hours of operation, specific days,
or seasonal periods; and
(h) the department may enforce any other restrictions determined by the department to be
necessary. The permit is not transferable, and the fee for the permit is $200.
(4) (a) The department of transportation may issue special permits to the operating company for a
platoon operation.
(b) Gross vehicle weight fees under 61-10-201 must be paid on each truck or truck tractor
operating in a platoon operation.
(c) The department may enforce any other restrictions determined by the department to be
necessary.
(d) The fee for the permit is $200 for a term permit or $20 for each trip.
(5) The department of transportation may issue special permits under subsection (3) for vehicle
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combinations that consist of a truck-trailer-trailer if:
(a) the vehicle combination's overall length, inclusive of front and rear bumpers, is not more than
95 feet; and
(b) the person, firm, or corporation applying for the permit:
(i) restricts truck-trailer-trailer operations authorized by the permit to the hauling of talc ore,
chlorite, dolomite, limestone, and custom combine equipment;
(ii) operated the truck-trailer-trailer combination before July 1, 1987;
(iii) restricts the truck-trailer-trailer operations authorized by the permit to the specified routes that
those vehicles used before July 1, 1987; and
(iv) provides the department of transportation with an affidavit confirming the routes used before
July 1, 1987, for truck-trailer-trailer operations.
(5)(6) For the purposes of this section, a "nondivisible load" is:
(a) on public roads off of interstate highways, a load that cannot be readily or reasonably
dismantled and that is reduced to a minimum practical size and weight;
(b) on interstate highways, a load or vehicle exceeding applicable length or weight limits that, if
separated into smaller loads or vehicles, would:
(i) compromise the intended use of the vehicle;
(ii) destroy the value of the load or vehicle; or
(iii) require more than 8 work hours to dismantle using appropriate equipment."
Section 3. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title
61, and the provisions of Title 61 apply to [section 1].
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I hereby certify that the within bill,
HB 97, originated in the House.
___________________________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
___________________________________________
Speaker of the House
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
___________________________________________
President of the Senate
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
HOUSE BILL NO. 97
INTRODUCED BY Z. WIRTH
BY REQUEST OF THE TRANSPORTATION INTERIM COMMITTEE
AN ACT ALLOWING THE PLATOONING OF TRUCKS VEHICLES; DEFINING PLATOONING; PROVIDING
FOR SPECIAL PERMITS; REQUIRING A STUDY OF PLATOONING SAFETY BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION; PROVIDING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; AND AMENDING SECTION 61-10-124, MCA.