Ind. Code ch. 9-20-9

in effect

Ind. Code § 9-20-9-1 "Drive away or tow away" defined; combinations of two vehicles; length limitations; exemptions

Sec. 1. (a) As used in this section, "drive away or tow away" means the delivery service performed by a transport operator by which motor vehicles in transit are delivered by driving singly or in combination by the towbar, saddlemount, or fullmount methods or any lawful combination of those methods, including coupling equipment or where a truck or tractor draws or tows a semitrailer or trailer in transit. (b) A combination of two (2) vehicles coupled together, including load, may not exceed a total length of sixty (60) feet, except for the following: (1) A combination of two (2) vehicles coupled together that are especially constructed to transport other vehicles or boats. This exception includes any combination of a truck, tractor, semitrailer, and trailer if the combination is used exclusively or primarily in connection with motorsports. (2) A combination of two (2) vehicles coupled together being transported in a drive away or tow away service. (3) A pole trailer owned by or operated for a public utility (as defined in IC 8-1-2-1), while the pole trailer is being used in connection with the utility services of the public utility. (4) Trailers used in transporting oil field equipment or pipe for the transmission of oil or gas. (5) Construction vehicles with a towbar connection used in connection with a trailer used to haul heavy equipment or construction materials. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citations: 9-1-4-18 part; 9-8-1-2(a) part.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.12-2013, SEC.2; P.L.227-2025, SEC.14; P.L.147-2026, SEC.17.

Ind. Code § 9-20-9-2 Combinations of three or more coupled vehicles; length limitations

Sec. 2. A combination of three (3) or more vehicles coupled together, including load, may not exceed a total length of sixty-five (65) feet. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-2(a) part.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 9-20-9-3 Transport of vehicles or boats by tow bar, saddle mount, or full mount methods; maximum length

Sec. 3. Any number of vehicles in a combination coupled together: (1) that are especially constructed to transport other vehicles or boats; and (2) by the tow bar, saddle mount, or full mount methods; may not exceed a total length of seventy-five (75) feet. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-2(a) part.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.91-1991, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 9-20-9-4 Hauling of vehicles or parts of vehicles

Sec. 4. This chapter does not prohibit the hauling of other vehicles or parts of vehicles in transit. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-2(a) part.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 9-20-9-5 Loads on vehicles or combinations of vehicles; length limitations

Sec. 5. A load on a vehicle or combination of vehicles may not extend more than: (1) four (4) feet beyond the front bumper; and (2) six (6) feet beyond the rear; of a combination of vehicles especially constructed to transport other vehicles or boats. This limit is in addition to any other length limit set forth in this article. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-2(a) part.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.196-2017, SEC.5.

Ind. Code § 9-20-9-6 Transport of vehicles or boats by stinger-steered vehicle; length limitations

Sec. 6. Notwithstanding IC 9-20-1, and except for length exclusive devices in accordance with 23 CFR 658.13, the maximum length of a combination of two (2) coupled vehicles that is: (1) especially constructed to transport other vehicles or boats; and (2) a stinger-steered vehicle; is eighty (80) feet. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-2.3(b).] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.196-2017, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 9-20-9-7 Transportation of loads consisting of equipment designed to convert trucks into vehicles equipped with living quarters; width limitations

Sec. 7. Notwithstanding IC 9-20-3, a motor vehicle designed and used for hauling other motor vehicles may transport loads consisting of equipment designed to convert trucks, the weight of which does not exceed eleven thousand (11,000) pounds, into vehicles equipped with living quarters for persons traveling upon the highways. However, the transporting motor vehicle, including load, may not exceed a total maximum width of eight (8) feet, six (6) inches. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-2(d).] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.1-1993, SEC.55.

Ind. Code § 9-20-9-8 Draw bar or other couplers; length limitations; safety devices; compliance requirements

Sec. 8. (a) This section does not apply to farm wagons (as defined in IC 9-13-2-60(1)). However, a farm wagon (as defined in IC 9-13-2-60(2)) that is operated on a highway may not be used to tow another vehicle. (b) The draw bar or other connection between any two (2) vehicles, one (1) of which is towing or drawing the other upon a highway, may not exceed fifteen (15) feet in length from one (1) vehicle to the other. (c) Each trailer and semitrailer hauled by a motor propelled vehicle must be attached to the vehicle and to each other with the forms of coupling devices that will prevent the trailer or semitrailer from being deflected more than six (6) inches from the path of the towing vehicle or to each other, by suitable safety chains or devices, one (1) on each side of the coupling and at the extreme outer edge of the vehicle. Each chain or device and connection used must be of sufficient strength to haul the trailer when loaded. (d) A vehicle, including a combination of vehicles engaged in interstate commerce, and any safety equipment on the vehicle, including safety chains, cables, or other devices, that is otherwise in compliance with: (1) the United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration motor carrier safety regulations; (2) the motor vehicle safety standards of the National Highway Safety Bureau of the United States Department of Transportation; or (3) the successor of either or both of those agencies; is considered to be in compliance with this section. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citations: 9-8-1-5; 9-8-12-2 part.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.150-2009, SEC.8; P.L.256-2017, SEC.157.

Ind. Code § 9-20-9-9 Combinations of vehicles exceeding dimensional and weight restrictions; conditions for operation

Sec. 9. A combination of vehicles, including a towing vehicle and a disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles, that exceeds the dimensional and weight restrictions imposed by this article may be operated on a highway upon the following conditions and in accordance with the rules that the Indiana department of transportation prescribes: (1) The towing vehicle must be: (A) specifically designed for such operations; (B) equipped with amber flashing lights; and (C) capable of utilizing the lighting and braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination of vehicles if the systems are operational. (2) Subject to subdivision (3), the disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles may not exceed the dimensional or weight restrictions imposed by this article unless a permit for operation in excess of those restrictions has been granted to the disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles under this article. (3) However, an owner or operator of a towing vehicle that is transporting a disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles from the place where the vehicle became disabled to the nearest appropriate repair facility and has a gross vehicle weight that is equal to or exceeds the gross vehicle weight of the disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles is not subject to the penalties imposed by IC 9-20-18-1 through IC 9-20-18-10 and IC 9-20-18-12 if: (A) the disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles exceeds the dimensional or weight restrictions imposed by IC 9-20-3 or IC 9-20-4; and (B) a permit for the excess has not been granted. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-12.5(a).] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.198-2016, SEC.347; P.L.196-2017, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 9-20-9-10 Combinations of vehicles exceeding dimensional and weight restrictions; conditions for operation; fee

Sec. 10. (a) Instead of complying with the requirements of section 9 of this chapter, a special towing permit allowing the operation of a combination of vehicles on a highway may be granted by the Indiana department of transportation or local authorities having jurisdiction over a highway or street and responsible for the repair and maintenance of the highway or street. (b) A permit may be granted under this section upon good cause shown if the Indiana department of transportation or local authority finds the public interest will be served, considering public safety and the protection of public and private property. (c) A permit issued under this section may designate the route to be traversed by the combination of vehicles and may contain other restrictions or conditions considered necessary by the Indiana department of transportation or local authority granting the permit. (d) The Indiana department of transportation may allow a vehicle or load permitted in accordance with IC 9-20-6-2 to tow a light passenger vehicle with a manufacturer designed seating capacity of not more than ten (10) passengers including the driver. However, the light passenger vehicle may not cause the combination to exceed the maximum allowable size and weight limitations set forth in IC 9-20-4 and this chapter. (e) The fee for a special towing permit issued under this chapter is ten dollars ($10). The fee must be paid not later than thirty (30) days after the permit was issued. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-12.5(b) part; Pre-2016 Revision Citation: subsection (e) formerly 9-29-6-6.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.93-1997, SEC.10; P.L.198-2016, SEC.348.

Ind. Code § 9-20-9-11 Combinations of vehicles traveling less than 50 miles; exemption from permit

Sec. 11. The movement of a disabled vehicle or combination of vehicles for a distance that does not exceed fifty (50) highway miles by a registered recovery vehicle or by a vehicle described in IC 9-18.1-6-5 is exempt from the requirements for permits under this chapter. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-12.5(c) part.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.257-2017, SEC.34.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/9Fetched: 10/17/2026